4 chapters across the catalog
NPR's reporting on the Kabul security alert is criticized for its abrupt ending and lack of depth. This is compared to the jarring transitions used by conservative radio hosts like Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin, who often pivot instantly from serious news topics to advertisements for gold. The lack of professional transitions in both formats is noted as a decline in broadcast quality.
Adam Curry announces a promotion where he will fly a plane between Austin and Houston to draw a giant "ITM" (In The Morning) logo visible on flight tracking websites like Flightaware.com. The project uses ADS-B transponders and GPS coordinates pre-programmed by a producer. Curry explains the technology of software-defined radio used by enthusiasts to track aircraft telemetry.
NPR Velveeta Shortage Story and Native Advertising Critique
An NPR story regarding a "Cheesepocalypse" or Velveeta shortage is deconstructed as a blatant example of native advertising. The hosts point out that the source of the story was Kraft's own Tumblr page, launched during "Advertiser Week." They estimate the value of such a four-minute "earned media" segment on national public radio to be between $50,000 and $150,000.
Federal Employee Commercials, They Work For Us
A series of radio commercials promoting federal employees under the slogan "They Work For Us" is reviewed. The ads highlight the roles of government workers in banking integrity, food safety, and counter-terrorism. The hosts suggest that as the private economy shrinks, the federal government is positioning itself as the primary employer in the nation.
