As an Arbitron PPM™ panelist for two years, I gotta say it: my mind wandered. How could one game the meters if one were to want such a thing? How could you make it so you get to listen to one thing and have your meter listening to something else?
My favorite is the Portable Pussy Meter (as demonstrated above by our longsuffering kitty, Butterdish). Nothing to it: clip a meter on the cat's collar, put NPR on the radio, and leave for hours, days or weeks. (Don't forget the food & water) We hear that dogs are even more cooperative doing meter duty.
The clunky Arbitron contraption for metering panelists using headphones (in the middle of the picture below) is ripe for mischief. It's easy: put the meter into the device, plug in the Walkman, tune it to NPR or whatever you want Arbitron to believe you're listening to, then simply forget the headphones, and listen to a guilty pleasure like The Ron & Don Show (KIRO m-f, 3-7p).
(Photo: My meter is listening to the fine strains of Classic KingFm, but I'm listening to John Gibson (KTTH m-f, 8-10p) but tell no one...)
The world of radio is what I imagine the Byzantine Empire was like about 100 years after the fall of Constantinople ... the realm shrunk to 1/1000th its former size, a handful of far-flung outposts struggling to survive but knowing their days are numbered before, they too, buckle to the Turk. But even in those outposts there are the desperate loyalists who will fight to the bitter end, to the last man and the final draw of their bow ... they are the Arbitron participants, the KIRO air staff and the readers of Blatherwatch.
A lonely existence but you bear your desperate struggle with pride. Kudos to you all. When the time, soon, comes to carry you away into the night, let it take you peacefully and to a better place.
Posted by: Pigwilla | January 25, 2011 at 04:46 AM
Sweet radio, I've one just like it...
Posted by: tds | January 25, 2011 at 10:59 AM
Portable Pussy Meter, Portable Pooch Meter...I guess it wouldn't work with goldfish, huh?
Posted by: Pete | January 25, 2011 at 12:15 PM
litening to the Obloviator deliver his speech......he sounds like such a pretentious elitist ass when he pronounces it "Pock-ee-stan, and "Tollee-ban". Who cares if is its technically, ethnically "correct"? When %99.9999 of the country pronounces the words a different way, there is something called common American usage, and to pronounce it his way is just another way for Obama to be a silly narcissist.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 07:18 PM
Because I want everyone to speak Amurican, dagnabit!
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 07:31 PM
So, the only thing Big Jim got out of the State of the Union speech was some pronunciation issues? How small of a mind does that take?
Posted by: AprilMayJune | January 25, 2011 at 07:54 PM
He's pandering to the "turd world". Same deal with his obsequious, deep bowing to the Saudi Grand Poobah and other potentates..
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 08:00 PM
Pronouncing a word differently, not so elitist.
Instruct someone to pronounce the word your way, elitist.
Amirite??
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 08:02 PM
Ah Michael, you are a sly old fox. Portable Pussy Meter. Brilliant.
Posted by: Sgt York | January 25, 2011 at 08:16 PM
All eyes are on Arizona.
Posted by: Sgt York | January 25, 2011 at 08:41 PM
All eyes are on Arizona.
Whooops. This link works.
Posted by: Sgt York | January 25, 2011 at 08:44 PM
instructing someonw how to say the worda- off the charts obnoxious. Saying the words the way Obama does in his home country when he's not Pakistani or anything else other than American- extremely annoying. Pronouncing the words the way Obama does while he's a guest in Pakistan or the Middle East- completely acceptable and gracious.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 08:57 PM
Taking your 12 yeaR old son to the Mariners game at Safeco Field with his glove on, on Opening Day- priceless.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 09:03 PM
It’s called Elitist there, Jimmy.
But I’m glad to see you’re not a birther.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Big Jinx and the twinks better be careful about listening to Obama, he might get a wiff of the truth, then he will be barred from Fox!
Posted by: saintrudy | January 25, 2011 at 09:09 PM
instructing someone how to say the words is elitist and obnoxious- right.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 09:10 PM
I know i'm not the only one who feels this way ........ Sargeant? Chucks? ....Buehler?
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Jimmy, If you need, I have an old set of brass knuckles you can use. If you can’t defend yourself why start down this silly path?
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 09:20 PM
Jimson, in all my time on this blog I have never seen anyone plead for help. For someone swinging their twins so boldly, I thought you had more…umph.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
not a silly path...whether anyone responds in agreement this particulat hour or not on this blog , i know i'm not that much different then probably half of the American populace, who are annoyed with me by this particular habit of his- some more, some less so, but all of them annoyed.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 09:28 PM
I’m sure there are some annoyed, or curious. But to pronounce he’s required to do it your way is your description of elitist.
"instructing someonw how to say the worda- off the charts obnoxious."
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 08:57 PM
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 09:37 PM
to put the thing into more concrete terms other thna a vague annoyance, it seem sto me this is just a subtle semantic device he uses as a sort continuation of what he started with his not so subtle big speech in Germany before the election of 2008 where he portrayed himself as a "citizen of the world", not really an American.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 09:38 PM
All right, no else is going to say it so it might as well be the new guy that does it.
Rhino, do you even know what elitism is?
Posted by: Sgt York | January 25, 2011 at 09:43 PM
Yorkester;
I thought Jimmy defined it himself; but he may be wrong. Please advise us of “your” definition.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 09:47 PM
i should have written "instrucitng someone how they should say the words differently than standard American usage" is obnoxious. Me voicing my annoyance at his oddball pronunciation of these words, something so rare and oddball, that i can't remember one example of hearing a native born American, even native born Pakistani- Americans, etc. ever pronouncing them that way in this country, is not elitist - it is simply speaking truth to pretentiousness.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 09:48 PM
No, you need to look it up yourself. Thats the best way to learn. Otherwise how would you know if i gave you the right definition.
Posted by: Sgt York | January 25, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Egad, eating one’s own words, eh Jimbo? No matter how you couch it, it’s hypocrisy.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 09:56 PM
Yorkie,
It’s your application of the word I’m curious of. Any of us can look the word up, but little Jimmy and the twinks (wink to saintrudy) illustrate the ease of misconception.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Even state department people, like the late fellow who was the mid-east negotiator, Holbrook, and H. Clinton, don't pronounce the words that way, and Holbrook spent a lot of time in Pakistan. . That is because they are AMERICANS, not Pakistanis. When Obama does it in tonight's speech he is simply pandering, obsequiously, and it hits a sour note with many if not most Americans . Perhaps at a private party in Karachi, Holbrook and Clinton could be heard using Obama's pronunciation, but that is just being a gracious guest. Cone on BR , give it up. just admit its a pretentious and annoying habit of his. Let's be real here.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 10:12 PM
I’ll pos it again Jimmy…
“instructing someonw how to say the worda- off the charts obnoxious.”
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 08:57 PM
What you are experiencing is cognitive dissonance. The only way to unstrap your brain from this fanatical idea is to admit to yourself, you’re wrong. Then you’ll feel recovered.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Chucks? ...Sargesnt? ....Buehler?..............
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 10:20 PM
They know it’s a losing battle Jimmy. Put down the stupid…it ain’t workin’.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 10:25 PM
Listening to the end of the SOTU speech, I can't believe what I just heard:
"we're shaping peace around the world." The most violent first-world country on the planet is "shaping peace around the world."
A chamber full of middle-aged white men. And a Black President says that.
Posted by: joanie | January 25, 2011 at 10:28 PM
I'VE ALREADY REVISED AND EXTENDED MY DEFINITION, SO GIVE IT UP, BR. The new definition clarifies what i really meant, but you conveniently and stubbornly stick ot the now obsolete, old phrasing. You can't be called an eitist simply for defending the way 99.9999999999% of Americans say the word. An "elite" means a small, small percent of the population. In this case , with Obama, he'sactually an "army of one". It doesn't mean 99% of the population.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Hey, don’t flip out there Jimmy. Adjust your cup and get those twinks in control. Now tell me, how is the President an elitist by using a phrasing you don’t use?
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 10:35 PM
and i would never "instruct" him personally on how to pronounce any word. He has a right, just as i have a right to express my opinion of hwat a pretentios crock of crap it is.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 10:36 PM
C'mon, Rhino. You're better than to argue with ignorance. I'm no fan of Obama, but I respect that he chooses to sound educated and refer to nations by their proper names. There is a faction that doesn't believe in education. You're arguing with one right now. Bring on the Klampets and he'd be right at home.
Posted by: joanie | January 25, 2011 at 10:38 PM
Klampets(sic)?... haah so she did read my post last night about our "smoker" here at the farmhouse. I mentioned my pal Jethro.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 10:44 PM
See, I know you well, Jim-bob. Or is it Jim-bob and the little jimmies
Posted by: joanie | January 25, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Jimmy,
The difference is; he’s not criticizing anyone on their intonation and you are. If you want to criticize it then do. But don’t declare the President desires to do what you want.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 10:48 PM
Point . . . set. . . match: Rhino.
Posted by: joanie | January 25, 2011 at 10:55 PM
Clarification
Jimmy,
The difference is; he’s not criticizing anyone on their intonation and you are. If you want to criticize him, then do. But don’t declare the President desires to do what you DO.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Im criticizing. Your word was "instructing". Instructing is what Obama would do if he thought he could get away with it, as regards to the pronunciations.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Hmm . . . clairvoyant now.
Posted by: joanie | January 25, 2011 at 10:59 PM
oh look Rhino, you have your own little mental munchkin, cheering you on.
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Jeebus, Jim. You’re a fucking twit.
Hey Joanie how’s life? What did you think of the speech?
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Buehler?...........Chucks?..Sarge?...........
Posted by: Big Jim and the twins | January 25, 2011 at 11:12 PM
Yeah, and he got me without calling out in vain for help. Or were you calling the pigs back to the barn for feeding time?
I'm depressed. Seemed like mostly polite applause and a lot of words without much there. He had a little bit for everybody. And the first thing on the list of do's is more bi-partisanship. It's going to be a long two years. It was a nice speech.
What did you think?
Posted by: joanie | January 25, 2011 at 11:12 PM
I thought it was great. He met the targets he needed. The republicans were forced to keep up. He picked them apart with his change of pace. Even Bhoner shed a tear or two when he was taken off guard.
Posted by: BlackRhino | January 25, 2011 at 11:23 PM
Since when does it take much to make Boehner cry?
Yeah, that will probably be the general consensus. We'll see down the line which of us nailed it. I hope you did.
G'night.
Posted by: joanie | January 25, 2011 at 11:29 PM