Orson Welles’ 1938 “War of the Worlds” dramatization of a Martian invasion is the best-known and most-studied radio broadcast from the medium’s “Golden Age” in the 1930s and 1940s.  Arguably, it is the greatest radio broadcast of all time.

You’ve read about and seen what happened.  People panicked.

Two questions still fascinate those who recall the “War of the Worlds.”  Please express your views on them:

Question 1:  Why did people think the Martian invasion was real? 

Question 2:  Could it happen again?  Could today’s media stage a spectacle that could incite mass panic?

Write 200 words on the two questions (200 total for both questions)