NPR reports that Clear Channel is lobbying for subsidies to sustain “free” (that is, advertising-supported) broadcast radio. Why? Listenership is declining rapidly, because broadcast radio is boring. There is minimal demand for it: more, better substitutes are available for both listeners and advertisers.
GM is planning to lay off 30,000 employees and close nine factories. Why? Sales are down, because GM’s automobiles are not meeting market demand for specific features, and costs remain high. The missing features are small details like recessed power window switches, more cup-holders than you can shake a stick at, fold-away third row seats, plastic that doesn’t feel like it will break if you breathe on it, no beeping alarms, and comfortable chairs. The cup holder thing they could learn from the salesmen at Honda and Toyota dealers, as they are fond of pointing out that those companies realized that what Americans want in a car is a place to set their Slurpee.