Public radio guilt
KQED is in the midst of another pledge drive. I do value public radio. I'm one of those people who listen to it every morning and since I don't really have TV, I'm more familiar with Nina Totenberg, and Lakshmi Singh than with whoever the news anchors are nowadays. I kind of like Car Talk--even though it's kind of annoying and have come to enjoy Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. I like that they air that short story reading program. Which reminds me I want to find the podcast of BD Wong reading one of Rattawut Lapcharoensap's stories. No really, sometimes I do things other than listen to NPR. But I'm one of those bad people they are shaming this very minute who use and abuse and don't pay a dime...aside from WBGO (NY and Roz's favorite jazz station), I have never donated to public radio. I've justified my lack of generosity in a million ways--ok, maybe just a couple of reasons, but methinks I should go support the with a donation. Right? I'm curious if others have donated. Whaddya think?
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Since the last entry, I swam 1400 yrds/meters? I can't figure out the pool--52 lengths, ran 2 mi. Weird that running after a swim is much easier than just chugging through a run.
Comments
When I was car-commuting to my job last year, I listened to WNYC every day. I've never donated, though I've considered it. I guess I always rationalized not donating by telling myself that with so many corporate and institutional sponsors out there for WNYC, my donation dollar was better given to small grass-roots groups who would probably appreciate the money more, and who don't get major sponsorship from the Law Firm of Strook & Strook & Lavan.
And yes, Car Talk is definitely worth listening to, if only to experience the pure joy those two guys exude just gabbing away about cars. Their banter is cheesy, but they're just so earnest you can't help but smile. And I've actually learned a thing or two listening to the show. I also find their commitment to helping people fix problems with their older cars refreshing in the throw-it-away-and-buy-a-new-one consumer age we live in.
Could I give to WNYC? Yeah, probably. Will I? I'm still on the fence...
Posted by: Tony | May 10, 2007 8:24 AM
Yea, I think the giving to smaller groups and leaving the NPRs to the big fish has been my primary reason. I'm re-considering that now that I make a little more money than before. Also, over the last decade of media mergers, I've come to appreciate independent media more. So, I think I'm going to give.
Posted by: Lunamania | May 11, 2007 1:18 PM