We are not rational, we are emotional

Lecture 5 was a special lecture where sound was the only reliable source. The lecture was in an interview format which caught my attentions straight away. This was because, sound media is also known as ‘radio’ and the interview sounded like a small imitation of a radio. I could imagine a radio studio while listening to the lecture through my headphones, and I believe it was a very effective way of teaching “sound” to students.

Sound media, especially radio, was thoroughly dealt with in the lecture.  Through the discussion and interview of sound media, the fact that it is “harder to lie” arose. It was a very interesting point as I always thought visual media was more difficult in hiding the expressions. It was explained through the interviewee, Richard that the image on the visual media distracts the audience, as to radio where people are more concentrated. There was one thing that confused me from this statement. Previously, the interviewee commented that radio is something many people listens to while multitasking. Thus, if you multitask while listening to the radio, how is it “more concentrating” then visual media, where you sit down and watch?

Another interesting fact that struck me was that “silence” is really powerful in radios. Who would have ever thought that? I mean, I personally haven’t. Silence, however, is a part of sound. So, if it is used in middle of the conversations it could convey a better message then just talking for the whole hour or two. In fact, it could give the listeners a ‘space’ to think. It was quoted that giving spaces to guests would set a friendly atmosphere, obtaining more information than constantly asking questions. Thus, by giving the listeners a ‘space’ to think, they would more effectively engage with the radio.

There were many interesting facts about sound media in the lecture, however, the way the lecture was set out was most memorable.  Through the lecture, I could experience in first hand, what “engaging and interacting” is as a listener.  It wasn’t just learning but understanding the audience’s perspective at the same time. Thus the content taught through the lecture was easier to understand. Now, I know what the audience want and how to achieve it through journalism. So… what do you want?