Thursday, Jan 14, 2010

Boomerybyte - The Soundtrack of a Generation - Beef Box

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Most Boomers should remember that the 1950s was the decade when no one talked about anything and that the 1960s was quite the opposite. A number of "hot button" topics became so prevalent as the 50s gave way to the 60s that our old standby, Television, began to examine itself as not just a messenger of entertainment, news and advertising to our living rooms but controversy as well. Was it successful? Just ask Rush Limbaugh, Morton Downey, Jerry Springer, Bill O'Reilley, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingram and......

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Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009

BoomerByte - The Soundtrack of A Generation - Quiz Show

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Certainly television of the 1950s was the great informer and the ultimate entertainer of the era.

But little did we know that TV was also the big lie. The late night quiz shows were usually on too late for baby boomers, but they certainly made an impression as every boomer has at least a vague recollection of the TV show "21." The rest is history. Listen to the iconic quiz show that was exposed as fraudulent by Congress not long after this broadcast. Unfortunately, you can only hear the proceedings. You will not be able to see the facial expressions, the wiping of the sweat off the brow and the rolling of eyes by contestants when they get tough questions. They pretty much pull it off - until the question about King Henry.
That seems a stretch! Complete with commercials.

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Monday, Oct 19, 2009

BoomerByte - The Soundtrack of A Generation - Halloween Spectacular Vol 1 - Sci-Fi

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Alien Creatures,Giant Insects & Mad Scientists

There is no question that the 1950s were a "golden age" for a lot of things. Baseball, TV, Rock & Roll...and Science Fiction. Herein you will hear clips from the 10 best science fiction films of the 1950s. You are welcome to argue the list.

Sci-Fi films of the'50s preyed on three dominant fears of the era; The "alien-from-another-planet" theme was fueled by Roswell and the Cold War; "Giant insects" were nightmarish distortions of our fears that insects would deplete our food supply (hence the heavy use of DDT); And "Mad Scientists," although not a new theme, was refueled by a giant, decade-long leap in scientific research, not to mention the sudden popularity of Dr Spock and Sigmund Freud.

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Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009

BoomerByte - The Soundtrack of A Generation - "Sweet Tooth"

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Childhood obesity? Sugar high? Childhood osteoporosis? Huh?

Why do so many young people today find it funny that their parents (boomers) always get excited and giddy when the topic of conversation turns to candy, the candy store and snacking?

Baby boomers, then, felt entitled to eat every delicious item they could find in the candy store or at the soda fountain. No one worried about the harmful effects of sugar, food coloring and additives. Lay it on! "Don't spoil your dinner" was the only prohibition. At 5 cents an item it really wasn't a financial problem, either. A trip to the candy store - much simpler times!

Candy bars, sodas, twinkies, chewing gum - they were icons of privilege and a world free of limitations or warnings.

Enter at your own risk. These clips will probably have you taking that trip to the candy store. Just remember - things are a little different for us now!

Posted by Joe Hill at 3:21 PM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Wednesday, Aug 05, 2009

BoomerByte - The Soundtrack of A Generation - Saucer Invasion

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Saucer Invasion! Joe reflects on how the Roswell Incident of 1947 later influenced baby boomer culture----then treats listeners to an ear carnival of film clips, newscasts and interviews all dealing with the ufo phenomenon of the 1950s. Watch the skies! Keep watching the skies!

Posted by Joe Hill at 12:38 PM |  2 comments  

Thursday, Jul 30, 2009

BoomerByte - The Soundtrack of A Generation - Joe Speaks

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"Joe Speaks" - The creator of Boomerbyte podcasts steps out from behind the keyboards and dials and discusses his views of the baby boomer era and the inspired podcast as well as inviting listeners to email their recollections.

Posted by Joe Hill at 10:14 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009

BoomerByte - The Soundtrack of A Generation - LBJ

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He came to power in 1963 as a result of a shocking, tragic assassination. He left power in 1968 amidst similar circumstances. In those five years, however, no President attempted more than LBJ except, perhaps, FDR and Abraham Lincoln. Although he lacked Kennedy’s charisma, he carried forth JFKs ideals by putting an end (at least legally) to discrimination and waging a war on poverty heretofore not seen. His Achilles heal, of course, was Viet Nam. His landslide victory over Goldwater in 1964 signaled to boomer teens that he would be THE man to confront the difficult issues of our time. And whether one agrees or not that he was successful or a good President, LBJ certainly was at the center of controversy during the height of the 60s. Caught between his own party’s left wing who wanted the U.S. out of Viet Nam altogether, and the right wing who wanted to use nuclear weapons and end the war, LBJ dropped out of a second elected term and called it quits.

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