Listening to the radio in old-time Phoenix


I enjoy new technology, and I especially enjoy showing other people new technology. There's just something wonderful seeing something through someone else's eyes, whether it's using a voice command on Google, or posting an emoji on Facebook. It may be something that everyone has known, like, forever, but that's really never true - it's always new to someone. So today I'm thinking of listening to the radio in old-time Phoenix.

This is really a stretch of my imagination, because radio has been around, like, forever. My parents listened to the radio, my grandparents listened to the radio, my great-grandparents listened to the radio. That's a long time! So I'd like you to listen to a radio, for the very first time, in old-time Phoenix. Come on!

Yes, I understand that you're suspicious. You've really only gotten used to using electricity, and I can't seem to convince you that it's actually there. Yes, it's invisible, but you can see it doing things, right? OK, let's take a look at a radio, it's this box I have right over here. Yes, it's plugged into electricity, but you don't have to touch it, I'll do it. Yes, of course you can take a nip from your flask of whiskey, you're shaking like a leaf. Nothing to be afraid of, believe me!

This knob here turns it on. Give a little time, it needs to warm up. Yes, it's supposed to make that noise. This dial here allows me to select a radio station. Hang on, I have to get it right on the number 55. This knob over here controls how loud or soft the sound is, it's called volume.

There! Isn't that nice! Dance music. Must be Glenn Miller. What? Yes, it's coming from that tower over on 12th Street and Camelback. Radio waves. Yes, they're invisible. Dangerous? I don't think so. Of course they're going through through us, especially you, 'cause you're taller than me.

Sure! Our family has had one for years and years. You should get one! What? Oh, I see, well, when you get electricity, then!

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