he Los Angeles Times featured an amazing article yesterday about a single man's experience with his new satellite radio. The entire article revolves around a single aspect that he discovered with his new present:
"The first surprise about satellite radio is the return of surprise."
It's a key differentiator from the iPod: the element of surprise. You've already heard the songs on your iPod, you've heard them over and over again. There's nothing new. The article's writer said it perfectly: "even if you collect 1,000 iTunes they all finish uploading with the same empty thunk."
With satellite radio, the chance to discover (or rediscover) music is an opportunity constantly presented to the listener. It's not your entire personal collection in your pocket like the iPod - music from satellite radio is a chance relinquish control and enjoy music for what it is. For the first time, you're actually listening again.
The article is a bit lengthy, so set it aside for your lunch hour, but try to take in everything he says - it's worth it. Read as his enlightenment unfolds while just sitting in L.A. traffic. Then take a moment and see how his experience relates to your own moment of enlightenment, when you first realized what you've been missing.
[LA Times]
I'll be honest satrad has changed my commute completely. Because of that its changed my life. I know thta sounds gay but it really has.
Great article....I remember when activated my Roady, I just flipped through channels and spent about three hours hearing the 80's, comedy etc. It hit me that I was ignoring my tv and computer and just enjoying radio. Even though XM is everywhere in my home...I still remember that first expirence. It truly becomes an addiction.
I've had Sirius since 1/9/2006, since Stern came over. On those days where I listened to his whole show during work, I flip over to the music channels. I didn't like them at first, since I didn't know any of the music, but that's the point... NEW music, you've never heard, in the categories you like. Completely agree with you xoxo.
Good post, xoxo. Same for me.
I knew I wanted satellite radio before I ever actually heard it, but even so, when I first activated my radio and heard all of this music, from all of these genres, and music that I'd never heard...wow. I was in heaven.
I remember when the first XM satellite radio's hit the shelves and the store demo's were up. All it took was ONE listen, one experience, and I knew I just HAD to have it!
Listening to channels that you just couldn't fathom, like Cinemagic (movie soundtracks), what a revelation, what a relief from the patheticness of terrestrial radio.
Let me tell you, five years later and 2 XM and 1 Sirius subscription later, I still have music discovery heaven with my satellite radio!
Here's hoping that it's never dumbed down.