How AM Talk Radio Appeals to Our Reptilian Brains

My intellect says I should listen to NPR, the equivalent of eating your vegetables, but my reptilian brain matter responds with more alacrity to AM talk radio, the caramel popcorn that ruins your appetite. Why? Because AM talk radio, for better and worse, is what I'd call Raptor Theater, a place where Jurassic-like carnivores growl, howl, and vent their hostility, becoming, in essence, proxies for our own frustrated selves as we navigate in a frightening world in which we play by the rules but find ourselves getting punked and pimp-slapped at every turn. Therefore, if you find yourself working in the radio business and you want to be successful at amassing a huge audience, you must follow these Three Cardinal Rules:
1. Be a reflection of your audience's most reflexive behavior, what I'd call Pitch Fork and Torch Psychology, unleashing the mob mentality within your listeners.
2. Always have clearly defined enemies because when your audience collectively vents against a perceived foe, they feel a sense of "community" and they will return to your radio station again and again for this sense of belonging.
3. Mock and humiliate your adversaries to give your audience a sense of revenge and vindication for all the humiliation and frustration your audience feels every day. This is what people in the radio business call "empowerment." It also sells ads.

Look, I know the psychology of AM talk radio, but I still find myself being lulled to sleep by the decent folks talking on NPR while my Inner Reptile keeps switching to AM.

Comments

[Tom Welch]

Here in Phoenix, talk radio is basically hate radio.

[Jeff McMahon]

Yeah, I'd call it "mob" radio. All it does it pour flames on already existing anger and rage. Gets people's blood pressure up. But it sells ads.

[gerald johnson]

wow! what a beautiful commentary on the inate pull of the am ! hate to gush,, but what a palette of words and syntax you have my man!! stumbling on your site was a fortunate accident! ok im done posting for today!

[Jeff McMahon]

thanks, man. I'm done too. Off to memorial feast. Bests, Jeff