Technical Demo turns political 2/26/1909 (was Re: Time for a muzzle) [telecom]

The New York Times reported that a technical demonstration of wireless communication at Bernard College in New York City. The demo turned into a political tirade as speakers used the instrument to clamor for womens' rights.

Note the date--1909, 100 years ago today.

Obviously, some things never change. But from this we can recall that arguments about free speech coupled with technology advancements are not at all new. This was a question when radio came on the scene. In the 1930s, many demogogues worldwide utilized radio for their propaganda, much of it was helpful. But at the same time, Franklin Roosevelt, with his excellent speaking voice, used radio to calm the fears of an anxious nation. FDR's precedessor, Herbert Hoover, was a terrible "spin doctor" and communicated very poorly to the public, hurting his reputation and the Depression economic recovery. (Hoover instituted some recovery programs, such as construction of the Hoover Dam, a vast public works project that employed thousands, and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation which helped banks and railroads stay in business, but his contributions are forgotten and today most people mistakenly credit those programs to FDR.)

read more and respond »

Posted 5 years ago by hancock4 in General Telecommunications Forum

Report misuse