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I recently attended a great art exhibition. It was filled with cutting edge art and extremely talented and creative artists. Some were making political statements through their art. Others were creating objects that make us feel things. All of it was filled with human connection. It was inspiring and gave me a boost of creative energy. It was, however, at the same time, a little sad because it reminded me in a glaring manner how radio has lost its art. Art is the ability to transfer emotion through time and space. It is created by humans for humans. When radio lost its art it also lost its heart and soul.
The corporate mentality of control and top down decision making inhibits creativity. The overwhelming debt brought on by consolidation means programming by fear. Fear of losing a single listener means taking no chances. Corporate mentality is all about formulas. That is why the french fries at McDonalds taste the same in Detroit, Seattle and Dallas. Add to that a lack of respect and funding for creativity and writing and you have a recipe for disaster. The art of radio is a very human art. Disc-jockeys and program hosts who were wonderful story tellers and communicators. Their engaging personalities were a magnet for listeners. The business of radio is killing it. Too much science and math and not enough art. Algorithms and software programs cannot make art. They can analyze listener's choices and try to figure out what to play next but that is not art, it is just more analysis.
The internet has opened the door to some new creativity, but it is not found at the corporate internet sites. They are stifled by their methods and the way they see an audience. The cost of entry has been lowered tremendously and that is bringing about some very interesting and artful entertainment from a new group of individuals willing to take the risk and make the connection. It is coming out of bedrooms and basements and notebook computers. It is listened to on computers and smartphones and tablets.The people making it are making statements and connections and do not see the line that separates them from their audience. They are one with the audience and the audience is one with them. Their humanity is creating art.
