Hear and Now (ca. 1958)

The short film Hear and Now (ca. 1958) shows the integration of radios and radio services in America. From its opening shot (a zoom out from a radio in the morning) to its closing shot (a zoom in to a radio at night), the video preaches the importance of radio broadcast stations. Since its creation, up to publication date of the video, radio had become a "heartbeat of the community" and a necessity to everyday life. People awoke to it in the morning, listened to it on the way to work, and listened to it a night. It gave them up to date news (both locally and worldwide), weather, time, the "best buys around town",and updates on community events.  Americans often didn't realize how often they relied on radio for information, even if it was only for simple traffic reports. The film illustrates this by showing Americans performing everyday tasks such as cooking, reading, and working while the radio is on in the background.

Radio was known for providing news as soon as it happened such as the Hindenburg explosion or the attack on Pearl Harbor. In case of an air attack, an extreme possibilty in Cold War era America, the radio could be used as a warning device. The radio was also used as a warning in case of a natural disaster such as a tornado or flash flood. If an extreme case of weather did occur, radio stations would often help organize relief efforts. Local radio stations, such as one in Washington D.C. which petitioned to clean a river, even led service projects in benefit the community in a different way. Calls were even made over the air for specific blood donations if a person needed it.

This film can also clearly connect to a society with a modern information and communication structure. When the president of the National Association of Broadcasters is speaking of the integration of the radio into everyday life, the word internet could replace radio and make sense in terms of modern society.

For example: "We awaken to it in the morning, we set our clocks by it, we dress according to the weather reports. We listen to the radio  look online for news, for entertainment. It keeps us informed every minute of every day."

As an information society, its funny how information is always spread by a new medium. First it was spoken, then written, then broadcast by radio and television, and now its online.