Editorial Commentary Analysis

Editorial Commentary Analysis

BBC Radio 4: A Point of View: “Twitter-Free”

Broadcast Sunday, 9 Feb 2014 at 8:48

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03t3dw3

The editorial commentary, “Twitter-Free,” is from the BBC Radio 4 series A Point of View and was last broadcasted on Sunday, 9 Feb 2014 at 8:48.

In this commentary, there is an introduction for Adam Gopnik and the commentary begins with his personal experience regarding the growing social media trend surrounding Twitter. He shares his lack of participation on Twitter, but yet analyzes its supposed purpose and what he sees on Twitter. From here, he goes into how social media and electronic devices have not only affected him, but society and the way we live our lives. Overall, he explains how he sees the exact opposite of what many may believe about the negative effects of new devices, the emotional affect and transitional affect.

Today, new devices are consistently involving; therefore, Adam Gopnik addresses the way in which these new devices have advanced his life within the first part of the commentary. He questions the past devices and thinks backs to the longer and tedious process of getting things done because of, what we see now as, the lack of technology. In addition, he uses a structure of examples of supposed real-life situations to argue that he is not any less or more productive than he was writing on a typewriter than on a laptop. However, work is quicker and easier on the new devices that present more efficient methods and evolved the writing process rather than hinder it.

He explains from his point-of-view that just like before we continue to have things that we feel we cannot live without, therefore, we are still in the same place we were before but just with new things. He creates an illustration of his views and ideas but developing examples from past and present. The listener then would question the role of social media and electronic devices in his or her life and continue to listen to what Adam Gopnik is saying. To enhance his views, he further develops the structure by bringing in the view of a letter he read that states the way in which advancements in technology have made life easier, quicker and more efficient than before. This allows him to have a second opinion on his view rather than just simply his thoughts and ideas.

To end his commentary, he shows how we constantly may laugh about the past generations and their way of lives and to think about those who will be laughing at us in the future; while also discussing those who refuse to evolve with the years because they feel they will betraying their own generation. However, he notes that “it is our desire to be in our time that moves us [...] and that all of us share.” He ends on his final point of how we cannot alienate ourselves from the present times and then he goes back into his discussion of Twitter as he mentioned in the beginning of the commentary by saying how he will go from “Twitter-Free” to posting his first Tweet.

Overall, this commentary displays a structure that includes Adam Gopnik’s own personal experience as one section and then another section of the way in which social media and new devices are taking part within other lives and society as a whole. He is able to present firm points and challenging questions that maintain the listener’s attention.  He introduces the topic, develops ideas and examples and then provides us with the overall resolution.  The commentary comes to end after he mentions what his first Tweet will be and stating his name.