It's reasonable to assume many WBUR listeners have a smart speaker and an upper-tier internet service provider. But it's probably not a reasonable assumption for all of Greater Boston. And it's definitely not a reasonable assumption for large swaths of the country. (Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
As we explore what the future might look like for public radio, we can't forget that as technology advances, it inevitably leaves people behind.
The possibilities for public media inside the smart-speaker space, for example, are endless. But it's crucial to remember that the barrier to entry is surprisingly high. It means at least one device — plus a fast, reliable, and generous internet connection. At WBUR, we are always telling listeners to "ask your smart speaker" to do this or that. It's reasonable to assume many of them have a smart speaker and an upper-tier internet service provider. But it's probably not a reasonable assumption for all of Greater Boston. And it's definitely not a reasonable assumption for large swaths of the country.