Today’s lunchtime news chum items are all connected by the theme of “Lost and Found”: These are all things that are either lost or in danger of being lost, and are being found again in some way:
- AM Radio. An interesting article titled “Podcasts and the Radio Star” asks the interesting question: What role does radio have, especially AM radio, in this era where everyone can carry their favorite programs or their entire music library in their pocket or in their car (note that I’d include Internet Streaming Radio in the radio camp). The answer, I think, is simple: Radio is perfect for live productions (recorded programs can be played on your ipod) and local productions. Local news and traffic reports are one example, as is local or live talk radio. It also applies to music, with respect to the fact that live dedications, contests, and listener interactions are something that can’t be done on podcast. Cumulus Media doesn’t understand this, as they ousted Jim Ladd of KLOS.
- Manners. For many, what made the South special wasn’t the lynchings, but the southern genteelity and manners. Well, Southern Manners are on the decline and they are blaming not only the Internet or the Northerners, but changes to society in general. But, there are those that keep trying. Think about that the next time you say “Yes, Ma’am.”
- Streetcars. The Atlantic has an interesting article exploring why some streetcar lines survived and others didn’t. Note that many cities are exploring bringing back streetcars, often vintage streetcars, so the question is relevant.
- Butchers. Most people are totally disconnected from their food. Meat comes in plastic trays; there’s no thought that it once was a living, breathing animal. That may be changing, as there appears to be a rebirth of the local butcher. Often, the butcher can acquire cuts that markets won’t or can’t. Makes me think back to the days of the butcher at Danish American Farms.
- Pink Horse Ranch. This is a Bay Area one. Evidently, there was a summer camp once called the Pink Horse Ranch in the Los Altos Hills. It closed, and the land was sold to a doctor who (get this) kept it just the way it was in the 1950s. The article talks about the Pink Horse Ranch, with pictures and history and everything.
- The Post Office. The NY Times has an interesting article on how Post Offices in Europe have figured out how to reinvent themselves.
ETA: P.S.: Today is Palindrome Day. The date is 11022011, or if you’re from Europe 20111102. This is one of only 12 eight-digit palindrome days this century. Further, the date happens to be 1001 x 11 x 1001. Cool.
