The Art Of Failure Caught On Tape

President Ronald Reagan wasted no time when declaring the 1980's, "The birth of a Sound Bite Generation." His fellow American's and all the people of the world were purchasing video cameras, better designed and extremely smaller tape recorders and CNN was out to prove news could be located on every street corner. Like everything else in the world, technology began turning regular Joe Blow's into assumed professionals. It instantly caught a lot of politicians and normal public figures off guard. Once word got out of there being money to be made; everything changed in the nation based on freedom of speech. At one time, the term "Sound Bites" belonged only to television and radio newsrooms. It was a tool that directors needed to professionally fill "Top of the hour" updates. The challenge for writers and producers was to meet the broadcast companies three to five minute deadline. That's all you got in radio to share the latest headlines, traffic update, a spit or two of sports then the weather. Before the instant connection of the internet a constant demand of having the latest in facts was how we lived in radio and television. The complete design or image of news released unto the people had to clearly make an impact or the threat of losing the connection with listeners and viewers would dominate the next "Ratings" period. Broadcaster's couldn't be tied down with minute long Presidential promises, murder investigations and tropical storms. The goal was and still is to find faith in your ability to rely on the art of splicing. To vividly, abruptly and expectedly cut into a listener or viewers way of thinking while giving them the satisfaction of knowing they're safe and secure with what's just been handed to their busy life and style. Sound Bites draw you closer or push you away. Look at what ESPN does with sports. CNN's Headline News lives up to their promise while nicely dressed men and women sitting in big offices have accused Fox of attempting to repaint the direction of your opinion with lopsided propaganda. Radio is no different. News isn't the only thing big business boys and girls control. Your favorite songs are skillfully displayed by national consultants and music directors. The Ipod movement lasted about ten minutes. When stealing music from Napster began appearing in the headlines as $200,000 real people fines...we found I Heart Radio and Pandora. Show me the connection that plays just my picks and I will invest. Until then expect to hear Foghat and last year's American Idol winner playing next to Steven Tyler and Aerosmith. That's a written Sound Bite! Headhunters will completely dismiss the entire blog putting attention only on what seems to be a bash, crash and slash against the newest in social media driven entertainment. The surge of electricity moving through YouTube is to fine copyright bandits using music written and released by artists that rightfully deserve to get paid. Just the other day a major player in advertising sent me a video that featured a well known musician's song and part of their live performance...they wanted to know if putting it on the web would be illegal? My response was a Sound Bite, "I'll be over in ten minutes to take home an item without stopping by the cashier. Let me know how well that goes over with your investors." To which they instantly replied, "I'm lost by your response." Upon every path we walk someone or something is shouting out. President Ronald Reagan was 100% correct when making his Sound Bite declaration. Books, movies, morning radio shows, Fox News Edge with Matt and Ramona on Channel 18 in Charlotte feed your need with extreme amounts of verbal speed. Two quotes from author Steven Furtick's book Greater: 1. A big dream without a small start is nothing but a daydream. 2. Having the faith to grow forward requires action Did you locate the positive in either of the quotes or are you still stuck on me using the name Steven Furtick because Sound Bites from other sources of social media have ripped his image in half due to being connected to the fastest growing church in the Southeast? Eric Butterworth once said, "Within you is a limitless unborn potential of creativity and substance. The tragedy can become a blessing. The disadvantage can become an advantage. Failure can become the opportunity and the disappointment." Embarrassingly I share with you the truth about my style of writing. I find myself having to defend more than I help motivate. Through mastering the art of Sound Biting then delivered in emails, text messages and Face Book poopings... I continue to learn the impact of not giving readers or listeners enough headspace to digest Sound Bites. The art of sharing is nothing more than the new afternoon quickie. I got what I wanted! Really don't care if you did. Ouch! But what a Sound Bite! arroe@arroe.net