1. Why did Emile Berliner's flat disk replace the wax cylinder, and why did this reonfiguration of records matter in the history of the mass media? Can you think of other mass media examples when the shape and size of the technology have made a difference?

2. How did sound recording survive the advent of radio?

3. What cultural, gender, geographical, and moral boundaries were blurred by rock and roll in the 1950s? Why?

4. What companies control the bulk of worldwide music production and distribution, and why are independent labels so important tothe music industry?

5. Who was your first favorite group or singer? How old were you at the time? Waht was important to you about this music?

6. Do you think the Internet as a technology helps or hurts musical artists? Why do so many contremporary musical performers differ in their opinions about the Internet?

7. If you ran a noncommercial campus radio station, what kind of music would you play and why?