Intro
MTV is probably the world's most famous peddler of pop cultrue. The web site is great because you can get the latest news on your favorite stars, watch music videos, play games and even listen to the latest albums for free.
Dialogue
Dave: Do you go to MTV.com?
Taylor: You know, occassionally, I do because, ah,sometimes, it's the only place to see music videos for some obscure acts that MTV wont even show on their, ah, on t elevision.
Dave: But you can see it on the internet?
Taylor: Yes
Dave: Oh, that's cool
Taylor: Yeah, they have streaming audio, video clips, radio, Sometimes, they, ah, they release albums early, I've heard.
Dave: Yeah, that's what I really like about the site, is they've got the streaming radio so I can listen to all the latest hits, um,but they have that site, um, The Leak, where you can listen to the latest album from, you know,certain artists.
Taylor: That's really cool. The internet just opens up so many opportunities to, ah, preview music, But, I do have a beef with MTV.COM
Dave: Yeah, what's that?
Taylor: You know ,they, they cater to the major browsers- Internet Explorer, the Windows platform but they leave some of us who use alternate browsers in the dirt. Ah, you need RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to any samples...
Dave:Yeah
Taylor:...or preview any videos. And it's a real pain the butt.
Discussion
Now, I'm not one to jump up and say--like so many people-that the internet will solve all of the world's problems. It has its drawbacks as well as its benefits. One of the really great benefits is that it can connect people from so many different cultrues. MTV's web site is a great way for you to listen to English through some of your favorite American music. You can also watch interviews with celebrities and see previews of upcoming movies.
Vocab
cater
Definition
v. serve or work for; accommodate
Examples
Virgin Atlantic caters to travelers between New York and Europe
alternate
Definition
adj. different, a choice other than the typical one
Examples
You can take a standard art class or you can take dance class as an alternate
In the dirt
Definition
expr. forget about or ignore someone; abandon someone and move on without them
Examples
Google is huge.It has left other internet companies in the dirt.
samples
Definition
n. short clip of a song
Examples
They played some samples of the new Annie DIFranco cd last night.
peddler
Defiinition
n.seller or dealer; someone who sells small or inexpensive things
Examples
He doesnt make much money. He's just a peddler of cheap toys and stuff
obscure
Definition
adj. not well known, not easy to find Examples
Here's an obscure fact: it's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
hits
Defiinition
n. songs that become very popular
Examples
Outkast had several hits on their last album
preview
Definition
v. listen to something before buying it; watch or use something before buying it
Examples
I previewed the DVD and decided not to buy it. It didnt seem very good
a beef
Definition
n. a problem
Examples
Hey, I 've got a beef with you. Why did you take my car last night without asking?
