[BC] My prediction for the future

[WFIFeng@aol.com]

In a message dated 07/08/2005 10:35:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
clive at citiria.com writes:

> AM of course will cease to exist as its bandwidth won't compete.

Why do I have a feeling that this may not exactly come to pass?... granted, 
many of the small-coverage "satellator" AM's will go the way of the Dodo, but 
there may well still be a place for the more powerful "Clears" (which will 
again become clears) as a means of quickly disseminating information to the masses 
in the event of a "digital meltdown". There may also still be a place for 
those few smaller stations that continue to provide relevant & local programming 
to their communities.

Let us never forget Scottie's immortal words: "The more they soup-up the 
plumbing, the easier it is to stop-up the drain."

Good old fashioned AM is one method of transmission that allows for the very 
simplest of receivers. Whether it's EMP, or some super-virulent piece of 
malware, a mega-network could be brought crashing-down in mere seconds. A "network" 
of analog AM stations could/would still be operating, getting crucial 
information out to the masses.

I also think that if AM stations adapt and continue to provide 
entertainment/informational programming that people want, they will continue to prosper. 
Sure, digital delivery promises a *lot* and it's already beginning to deliver... 
but it also still has too many weaknesses. (Scottie's souped-up plumbing.)

Just my 2c worth.

Willie...