Media Theory & Philosophy — Understand the Medium You’re Shaping

What is the “right” format for local news in Hastings, Minnesota?
This research explainer applies media theory to micro‑audio and the Soundbites workflow in Hastings (Dakota County, MN). Learn how McLuhan (the medium is the message), Postman (avoid mind‑candy), Ong (orality vs. literacy), Austin (speech‑acts), and sound studies (Schafer/Chion) guide practical choices—length, pacing, prosody, transitions, and earcons—plus why STIVA (Story with Text, Images, Video, Audio) and a Trust Engine (provenance + Reliability Score) matter. Clear takeaways show how Hear → Verify → Act → Dialogue turns short voice updates into usable minutes and measurable outcomes for residents, schools, businesses, and city partners across the Twin Cities SE Metro.

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First Principles for Trustworthy Local Media: The Soundbites Model

A Hastings, Minnesota framework for trustworthy local media: 30‑second verified voice plus a STIVA proof layer (Text, Images, Video, Audio), visible How We Know labels and a Reliability Score, and a single CTA that turns attention into useful minutes and measurable outcomes. See how Hastings/Dakota County teams, businesses, schools, and residents use Soundbites to inform, verify, and act—then track impact daily with Top‑10 STIVAs.

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The Many Voices of Storytelling: Polyphony from Ancient Choirs to Modern “Soundbites”

Polyphony means “many voices”—and Hastings, Minnesota has plenty worth hearing. This long-form piece traces polyphonic storytelling from medieval choirs to HastingsNow’s Soundbites, where verified local voices—city leaders, business owners, neighbors—speak on record. Learn how many-voice narratives deepen trust, spark action, and build an auditable archive for Hastings, Dakota County, and the Twin Cities South Metro.

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