The Editor's Desktop: Public Radio is your Community

Where are all the people on this site coming from? What is the tone we are trying to set with our audience? Think about this: do you listen to public radio? The public radio aesthetic is sharp, witty, informed, engaged, unique. It is a unique experience that is currently only available on the many public radio stations in this country, and through the web sites that they sponsor.

If you take a look around Gather, you will see that same aesthetic coming through already. Great shows like Marketplace, The Spendid Table, and Speaking of Faith have their content throughout our site and updated frequently. These shows are on there to instigate conversation, and to provide access to shows that you might not have time to listen to as you go through your days activities. What are your thoughts on those shows? Are they shows that make you think? That add some color to the news that you get from other outlets?

If you read through some of the great content from individual authors on the site, they have that same approach. They are fully developed thoughts about other parts of the world, unique restaurant reviews, descriptions of life's love and hardships, and perspectives on news and politics. They are well written, engaging, and have a wit about many of them that elevates them from the standard story. They are unique perspectives on a wide variety of topics, and some of the more frequent writers are helping us establish a strong voice on Gather.

As you read or write, think about the community. The public radio listener is very diverse, but similar in that they are all trying to learn from each other. Whether you are a listener or not, you probably fit into the gestalt of the public radio community if you are engaged by Gather. Share your thoughts - your community is listening and interested.