Can I Convince You to Get a Home Radio?

Picture this: you’re 10 years old in 2003 and your parents listen to conservative talk radio constantly. Smart phones don’t exist and every car ride is a torturous forced Rush Limbaugh indoctrination session, thankfully, you are immune as you see with the unclouded eyes and innate wisdom of a prodigious gay child, however, it is still the most annoying shit you’ve ever heard and you literally beg them to turn it off usually to no avail.

The radio was a constant in my youth, and though I bear the trauma of ingesting a constant stream of propagandized brain rot, I also have fond memories of listening to the radio on my own time as a kid. I listened to our classical music station 91.7 (RIP), Houston Public Media—an NPR affiliate station, as well as some top 40 and rap/hiphop stations. I also used to CALL in and request songs. In fifth grade I was obsessed with Milkshake by Kelis and used to call in and beg them to play it all the time. This is especially funny to me on reflection because this was definitely the era of napster/kazaa/limewire so I’m sure I had an mp3 of Milkshake on the computer as well as 17 accompanying viruses, but I think it was important to me to get Milkshake broadcast to the entire city. A 10 year old beacon of good taste for all of Houston.

I have continued listening to the radio while driving occasionally through adulthood, but I don’t think I really ever turned on the radio at home post-2007—until a few years ago. Living alone in my small Tallahassee apartment and spending tons of time at home in early Covid, it dawned on me that a home radio could be nice. I missed the familiar NPR programming, and I also missed listening to music chosen by someone else. I bought a cute battery-powered small Sony home radio, a low-cost thrill that at the very least would be a piece of home decor that made me seem different and interesting even if I didn’t use it. Anyway, I did use it, and I’m still using it!

I love my radio. I mostly listen to Chicago’s NPR affiliate station WBEZ 91.5, I love the mix of local and national news and entertainment. (Imagine wanting to defund public media, treacherous evil loser behavior) Occasionally I listen to WFMT 98.7, the classical music station.

The number one reason I like listening to the radio is that it is an easy decision and it keeps me off my phone. I love my phone, I love having unlimited access to all media, but omg I get so decision-fatigued and indecisive. When I just need something on for half an hour while I fold and put away laundry I can easily spend an initial half hour trying pick the perfect song/audiobook/podcast/youtube to listen to. I love just turning on the radio and getting whatever I get. Plus, when I’m not in control of the programming I learn unexpected things, or discover unknown music. Last week I learned that mice communicate through high-pitched whistles we can’t hear, thanks Science Friday with Ira Flatow.

I know I’m trying to convince you to rediscover the radio, but on the topic of decision-fatigue and needing to listen to something. Listening to nothing is also a great option. You don’t need to be listening to something all of the time. Enjoy a little silence, be alone with your thoughts, or take pleasure in the ambient sounds of washing the dishes in a quiet kitchen. Ok sorry to lecture you but I am right. Get a radio, or don’t, see if I care! Bye. xoxo-James