“Give Every Listener What He Wants and Even a Little More”

Abstract

Walter Benjamin seems to be one of the few philosophers to have theorised on the radio, and probably the only one to have produced such a variety of experiments on air. Between 1929 and 1933, he realised more than 95 radio programmes: lectures, readings, radio plays, interviews and radio stories for children. These different radio works allow Benjamin to relate to a new audience who has no prior knowledge of his essays. His radio thoughts and practices give listeners the means to change the way they use the media and the radio in particular