The War of the Worlds Broadcast: Misconception vs Reality
The War of the Worlds Broadcast: Misconception vs Reality
There is a common belief that panic and hysteria were widespread upon the War of the Worlds broadcast in 1938, leading to real fatalities. However, the reality is much less dramatic. While the broadcast indeed caused significant panic, there were no reported deaths directly attributed to the event. This article explores the truth behind the 1938 panic and its impact on society.
Ancient Memory, Generational Perspectives
I recall asking my grandmother about the 1938 broadcast. Born in 1949, she had her father living with her. He merely stated that if the Martians actually showed up, he would defend against them. My mother, who was 13 at the time, did not remember the broadcast. They viewed it as just another element of a spooky Halloween program.
This perspective is shared by many who grew up with radios but did not remember the broadcast. They listened to a few radio mysteries and categorized the broadcast as another radio show, such as "The Shadow".
Examining the Myth
It is widely believed that the broadcast led to significant panic, with people experiencing severe distress and taking extreme actions out of fear. However, the extent of this panic is now subject to question. While some individuals and even small communities did flee their homes, these incidents were scattered and not as widespread as initially reported.
The broadcast was a buildup to a “scary Halloween program.” People generally did not believe it after it ended, as no confirmation followed. This phenomenon can be explained using modern-day terms such as “show went viral,” but deliberately misleading coverage added to the fear and hysteria.
Orson Welles and the First Viral-Media Event
The broadcast by Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater is widely regarded as the first instance of a viral media event. Contemporary social psychologist Hadley Cantril and the Radio Research Project at Princeton University conducted an immediate investigation to gain insight into the power of propaganda. Their research, however, is now questioned for interviewing only a limited number of terrified listeners in New Jersey, a region that experienced the highest intensity of panic.
Cantril's findings, published in The Invasion from Mars: A Study in the Psychology of Panic in 1940, misrepresented the scope and intensity of the panic. The portrayal of a terrorized nation was exaggerated, with panic being more widespread and pronounced than it actually perceived panic was fueled by rumors and misunderstanding.
Technical Aspects and Audience Perception
One aspect often overlooked is the format of the broadcast. In the 1930s, it was common to broadcast reenactments of current news stories, presenting them as live events. The "Livestream" term was not technically possible, so broadcasts like The March of Time were some of the first and most successful "radio newsreels."
The War of the Worlds used the same "news bulletin" format, which added to its believability and increased the chance of the audience mistaking it for an actual news report. This format was part of the reason why the broadcast was so impactful and why it ultimately led to such significant panic.
Conclusion
While the 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast certainly caused panic and confusion, there were no reported deaths directly caused by it. The panic was largely a result of rumor and misunderstanding, rather than the broadcast itself. The event is a critical example of the power of media, serving as the first viral media event in history.