Media, Sports, Science

1. Media, Sports, Science Part 3, Chapters 2 – 4

2. Media • Media – the main means of communication (television – both broadcast and cable; radio; newspapers; Internet)

3. Media “Media” is a plural / collective noun. The singular form is “medium”. (Sometimes “mediums” is an acceptable plural form.) Example sentence: The media are an important check on government misconduct.

4. Media Example sentence: The media in America have recently been doing a poor job of unbiased1 reporting. 1unbiased – showing no prejudice. Impartial; fair and balanced.

5. Media Mainstream Media (MSM) • Major Newspapers New York Times, Washington Post, etc. • News Syndication1 Agencies Associated Press (AP), United Press (UP), Reuters • Television CBS, ABC, NBC, National Public Radio (NPR), Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), etc. 1Syndication – the simultaneous publishing or broadcasting (of material) in a number of newspapers, television stations, etc.

6. Media The MSM are considered by many people to have a liberal1 bias. Because of political correctness in America, many liberal people no longer describe themselves as liberal. They now use the word “progressive”. 1liberal – open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values

7. Media What is the opposite of liberal? Conservative – Holding to traditional attitudes and values, and cautious about change or innovation – typically in relation to politics or religion.

8. Media Alternative1Media • Also referred to as “New Media” • On demand2 access to content, such as digital services (Internet, websites, computer media, etc.) • Does not necessarily imply liberal / conservative bias 1 Alternative – available as another possibility 2 On demand – as soon as or whenever required

9. Television Major Television Networks • CBS – Columbia Broadcasting Service • NBC – National Broadcasting Company • ABC – American Broadcasting Company The major television networks have been losing their dominance and influence in recent years. This is largely due to the growth of cable TV, as well as the Internet.

10. Newspapers The USA does not have a national newspaper, although some popular local papers (NY Times, Wall Street Journal) are distributed in most cities. Newspaper (print) circulation in the USA has been declining for several years. The main reason is technological advances, e.g. the Internet.

11. Newspaper Circulation The primary source of newspaper income is advertising – in the form of "classifieds" or inserted advertising – rather than circulation income. However, since the late 1990s, this revenue source has been directly challenged by Web sites (for example, eBay).

12. Major Spectator Sports in America • NFL – National Football League • MLB – Major League Baseball (“America’s Pastime”) • NBA – National Basketball Association • NHL – National Hockey League

13. Revenue for Spectator Sports

14. Average Salaries for Professional Athletes

15. Football

16. Baseball

18. Hockey

19. Common expressions that come from Baseball Hit a homerun / hit it out of the park – a complete success “I loved the speech you gave in class yesterday. You really hit it out of the park!” In the ballpark / a ballpark figure – an approximation; within a numerical range that is considered reasonable “Can you give me a ballpark figure on how much this new car will cost?”

20. Common expressions that come from Baseball Out of left field – unusual, unexpected, or irrational “That comment came out of left field. I wonder what he was thinking?” Right off the bat – at the very beginning, with no delay “When I called him on the phone, he started complaining right off the bat.”

21. Common expressions that come from Baseball Strike out / Struck out – to fail “I tried my best to get her to go out on a date with me. But I struck out.” Not from baseball: Strike out – start out on a new or independent endeavor “After many years of working for a large company, I decided to strike out on my own and start a business.”

22. Common expressions that come from Baseball Have a strike against you / two strikes against you – to be at a disadvantage / great disadvantage “She was born with two strikes against her – she was poor and grew up in a rough neighborhood. Amazingly, she turned out to be a great success.”

23. Science NASA– National Aeronautics and Space Administration • During the 1960’s, funding for NASA reached as high as 4.41% of the US budget. • After the near-disaster of Apollo 13 in the early 1970’s, funding for NASA declined steadily. It was about 1% of the US budget from 1970 to 1990. • After the crash of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003, the budget for NASA dropped below 0.75% of the U.S budget. • Funding was below 0.50% for the year 2012

24. Science NASA innovations (new products & improvements to existing products) • Invisible braces • Scratch resistant lenses • Memory foam • Ear thermometer • Shoe insoles • Long-distance telecommunications • Adjustable smoke detector • Safety grooving • Cordless tools • Water filters

25. For next week, please read: Part 3 Culture Chapters 5 – 7, pages 204 to 248 (Art, Music, Film, Literature)