I liked this piece not only because I work with concrete all the time in my job, but also because it might open the public eyes about everyday resources we take for granted like cheap gas, cheap concrete, and cheap lumber. It demonstrates the domino effect that occurs as a result of natural or man-made events and how even the most obscure happenings can effect everyone. Is this another version of "The Butterfly Effect"?
In any case, we as individuals, communities or countries all need to be aware of the effects our actions produce, globally as well as locally.
"Hope for the best, plan for the worst".
Insightful perspective on the video gaming culture from one of it's ranks. While clearly biased, the piece still offers a broad range and serious perspectives, both pro and con, on the gaming culture. Most notably, his own mother offers a well balanced insight without seeming overly protective of her son. She even provides the best humor to the piece while still maintaining her credibility as a commentator on the subject.
As a 40 year old gamer myself (and a successful businessman), I was happy to hear this young man standing up for something he believes. Good reporting and good insights.
Sound recording was a little sloppy but I easily overlooked it.
Not the worst radio comedy sketch i've ever heard, but not the best either. Original humorous parts were few and far between. the rest was a run-of-the-mill teleplay about craziness in the work place. I've heard better. I really don't know where i'd recommend this.
A funny and quirky faux interview, reminiscent of early Woody Allen, that takes a humorous left turn into Mel Brooks territory.
The self-centered "host" succeeds in shredding his guests' credibility along with his own and that of his studio staff. A nice, light piece for a late night or weekend humor segment of any show.
A touching Father /Daughter story, perfect for any weekend afternoon.
Sentimental human interest story about a father who writes his daughter a post card everyday while she is attending college. Great display of a fathers' love, yet also sad that he never fulfilled his own dreams in life. Great honesty from both narrator and father.
A touching, yet sad, piece about love, Nevada style.
The narrator has a calming voice that appropiately plays down the odd circumstances of the love story between a trucker and his prostitute "girlfriend". The story of the "lovers" flows like a slow motion train wreck, or maybe a bike accident, that is slightly bandaged by the narrators' uplifting comments at the end. Because of the subject matter this piece would suit a later evening time slot.
Comment for
"Media Minutes: July 22, 2005" (deleted)
An excellent, short, very topical piece covering current events concerning the media such as Fake News Releases from the US government and large corporations, the consumer impact resulting from the digital changeover in TV broadcasting, and the flawed, and costly efforts by the military to create positive spin for the Iraqi war by hiring private public relations firms. Very informative segments, tight editing, good production. Some of the reporting was a bit flat but that may have been the subject matter. I worry that a piece like this would be cast off as just more liberal propeganda (which it is not). I could see expanding this piece to 1/2 hour, in order to give each segment it's deserved attention.
Nice historical and entertaining piece not only for those who lived during the time, or know someone who did. While the Viet Nam/Iraq wars remain topical comparisons, overall the piece reinforces the lasting impact the year 1968, and the whole 60's era had on domestic and world history. Mark Kurlansky elaborates quite well on significant events pre and post 1968, and the host adds to the significance of the topic. I would have given this the highest rating except that there have already been a few other extensive print pieces featuring the year on the anniversaries (1988, 1998). Be sure to also check out "Salt, a World History" by Mark Kurlansky.
A nice, light "Empty Nest" piece by a mother observing her youngest child (daughter) growing up and experiencing all the "first" events that happen through the stages of young life. I think this would fit nicely into any show that includes a short, light feature near the end of the show after a weightier feature story. Maybe best suited for the weekend.
This is an interesting piece for avid or casual Phish fans and those interested in popular musical history. I found it thorough and entertaining, yet the pacing was quite slow and halfway through the hour I felt that this piece should have been only 1/2 hour long. The narration and editing could have been stepped up a notch and the listeners would still get the full effect of the piece with out being chained to the radio for an hour.
Comments by Dave Barnes
Comment for "Cement Shortages"
Dave Barnes
Posted on September 26, 2005 at 07:46 AM | Permalink
Review of Cement Shortages
I liked this piece not only because I work with concrete all the time in my job, but also because it might open the public eyes about everyday resources we take for granted like cheap gas, cheap concrete, and cheap lumber. It demonstrates the domino effect that occurs as a result of natural or man-made events and how even the most obscure happenings can effect everyone. Is this another version of "The Butterfly Effect"?
In any case, we as individuals, communities or countries all need to be aware of the effects our actions produce, globally as well as locally.
"Hope for the best, plan for the worst".
Comment for "Video Gaming"
Dave Barnes
Posted on September 22, 2005 at 07:40 PM | Permalink
Review of Video Gaming
Insightful perspective on the video gaming culture from one of it's ranks. While clearly biased, the piece still offers a broad range and serious perspectives, both pro and con, on the gaming culture. Most notably, his own mother offers a well balanced insight without seeming overly protective of her son. She even provides the best humor to the piece while still maintaining her credibility as a commentator on the subject.
As a 40 year old gamer myself (and a successful businessman), I was happy to hear this young man standing up for something he believes. Good reporting and good insights.
Sound recording was a little sloppy but I easily overlooked it.
Comment for "A Brand Is Born" (deleted)
Dave Barnes
Posted on September 22, 2005 at 05:31 PM
Review of A Brand Is Born (deleted)
Not the worst radio comedy sketch i've ever heard, but not the best either. Original humorous parts were few and far between. the rest was a run-of-the-mill teleplay about craziness in the work place. I've heard better. I really don't know where i'd recommend this.
Comment for ""I Saved That Little Boy""
Dave Barnes
Posted on September 22, 2005 at 04:51 PM | Permalink
Review of "I Saved That Little Boy"
A funny and quirky faux interview, reminiscent of early Woody Allen, that takes a humorous left turn into Mel Brooks territory.
The self-centered "host" succeeds in shredding his guests' credibility along with his own and that of his studio staff. A nice, light piece for a late night or weekend humor segment of any show.
Comment for "1000 Postcards"
Dave Barnes
Posted on September 22, 2005 at 04:16 PM | Permalink
Review of 1000 Postcards
A touching Father /Daughter story, perfect for any weekend afternoon.
Sentimental human interest story about a father who writes his daughter a post card everyday while she is attending college. Great display of a fathers' love, yet also sad that he never fulfilled his own dreams in life. Great honesty from both narrator and father.
Comment for "Finding Love in a Nevada Brothel"
Dave Barnes
Posted on September 22, 2005 at 11:31 AM | Permalink
Review of Finding Love in a Nevada Brothel
A touching, yet sad, piece about love, Nevada style.
The narrator has a calming voice that appropiately plays down the odd circumstances of the love story between a trucker and his prostitute "girlfriend". The story of the "lovers" flows like a slow motion train wreck, or maybe a bike accident, that is slightly bandaged by the narrators' uplifting comments at the end. Because of the subject matter this piece would suit a later evening time slot.
Comment for "Media Minutes: July 22, 2005" (deleted)
Dave Barnes
Posted on July 22, 2005 at 07:06 AM
Review of Media Minutes: July 22, 2005 (deleted)
An excellent, short, very topical piece covering current events concerning the media such as Fake News Releases from the US government and large corporations, the consumer impact resulting from the digital changeover in TV broadcasting, and the flawed, and costly efforts by the military to create positive spin for the Iraqi war by hiring private public relations firms. Very informative segments, tight editing, good production. Some of the reporting was a bit flat but that may have been the subject matter. I worry that a piece like this would be cast off as just more liberal propeganda (which it is not). I could see expanding this piece to 1/2 hour, in order to give each segment it's deserved attention.
Comment for "1968"
Dave Barnes
Posted on July 20, 2005 at 12:39 PM | Permalink
Review of 1968
Nice historical and entertaining piece not only for those who lived during the time, or know someone who did. While the Viet Nam/Iraq wars remain topical comparisons, overall the piece reinforces the lasting impact the year 1968, and the whole 60's era had on domestic and world history. Mark Kurlansky elaborates quite well on significant events pre and post 1968, and the host adds to the significance of the topic. I would have given this the highest rating except that there have already been a few other extensive print pieces featuring the year on the anniversaries (1988, 1998). Be sure to also check out "Salt, a World History" by Mark Kurlansky.
Comment for "Home Planet: Wanting the 'Firsts' to Last Forever"
Dave Barnes
Posted on July 19, 2005 at 01:23 PM | Permalink
Review of "Wanting the 'Firsts' to Last Forever" essay by Cheryl-Anne Millsap
A nice, light "Empty Nest" piece by a mother observing her youngest child (daughter) growing up and experiencing all the "first" events that happen through the stages of young life. I think this would fit nicely into any show that includes a short, light feature near the end of the show after a weightier feature story. Maybe best suited for the weekend.
Comment for "PHISH: The Final Curtain" (deleted)
Dave Barnes
Posted on July 19, 2005 at 07:41 AM
Review of PHISH: The Final Curtain (deleted)
This is an interesting piece for avid or casual Phish fans and those interested in popular musical history. I found it thorough and entertaining, yet the pacing was quite slow and halfway through the hour I felt that this piece should have been only 1/2 hour long. The narration and editing could have been stepped up a notch and the listeners would still get the full effect of the piece with out being chained to the radio for an hour.