It's no secret -I'm an NPR Junkie. I listen to it at work, home, and especially in the car. Since I don't find time to do a whole lot of extra reading - NPR is a way to keep up-to-date on current events that goes down smooth. (It's like drinking orange juice vs. taking the time to peel and eat one.) Yesterday I had a conversation with a colleague (Mike) and we both agreed that unlike sports radio which always has the predictable mix of pseudo-experts and idiot call-ins, and Mainstream FM which has the same 4 songs in a loop; you never know what you're going to hear when you put the key in the ignition and fire-off the radio. One day it's some feminist yelling about the grave injustices she encounters at the supermarket, and another day it's the most enlightening conversation about the ridiculous state of our economy. If variety is the spice of life - NPR may just burn the roof of your mouth off if you tune in at the right time. 

'Makes me think about radio in general. Many people thought that TV would indeed kill the radio star, but it didn't. I think that radio is one of the rare electronic mediums that allows a person to actually utilize more of their brain while listening than otherwise. In many ways - one can encounter a fairly accurate cross-section of the population by listening to the many news-related shows: from raging liberal (which happens more often than necessary) to ultra conservative (not including, of course, the ones who just turn their radio off.) I often find myself yelling at the radio or laughing out loud so something I heard - much to the confusion of those I share the road with.

If you happen to have a chance - check out NPR. The news is far better than any other news outlet, the content is usually safe for the family, and if you're lucky, you'll have station near you that airs Prairie Home Companion.