HW 13: The Relationship Between Blogging and Business

In my opinion the impact of bloogging on businesses is more important than its impact on communication that is non-business related. Blogging may be very influential on businesses. The relationship between blogs and business is crucial to the success of both systems. Business can use blogs to their advantage and in return businesses will benefit blogs. Blogs provide support and advertisement for certain companies. “There is little to stop companies from quietly burying bloggers’ support, or even starting un-branded blogs of their own to promote their products-or to tar the competition.” [Kline, 226] Therefore businesses can manipulate blogs in order to benefit their company. Although some blogs may reveal negative information,, companies are able to control this issue by being aware of these blogs, tacking them and privately and efficiently dealing with them. Blogs also benefit from companies by gaining more readers. Also occasionally blogs have the ability to destroy or impair a company because they are able to form relationships with employees in a particular company and obtain inside information, which they can then reveal, to the public. Therefore the relationship between bloggers and businesses is extremely important.

HW 11: "Making Global Voices Heard"

I chose to read the blog “Racism and War: Overcoming Us and Them,” on the weblog site OhMyNews. The homepage of this weblog has a white background with the title of in large red letters at the top of the page. The blog posts are listed below in chronological order beginning with the most recently posted blog. The titles are in a large blue font with the first few sentences of the blog beneath it. This gives the reader an idea of what the post is going to be about. The blog also contains other links and pictures. This weblog consists of many different bloggers. The focus for these blogs has to do with international affairs. The blog, which I read about dealt with the issue of racism around the world. It addressed the different types of racism, and the negative affects which they have on society. This blog also implies that those who have economic and political power and who have racist tendencies can be extremely dangerous and harmful. Rebecca MacKinnon states that this blog has had a large affect on politics, especially in South Korea. Also she explains that the information posted on this blog spreads extremely fast. MacKinnon’s explanation of the blog does correspond to the blog posts it portrays today. The posts are very political and seem to reveal information about important international situations. Also she explains that this blog has a team of professional editors which is demonstrated because each of the blogs are set up in a professional manner and they seem to reveal accurate information. ALTHOUGH NOT ALL READERS THINK ALIKE, SOME OF THEM WILL PROBABLY DISPUTE MY CLAIM that these blog posts provide accurate and important information. Some readers may feel that these blogs do not cover all of the inside details incorporated in these international affairs.

HW 10B: A Weblog Saved My Life Last Night

ALTHOUGH I DISAGREE WITH MUCH THAT Ayelet Waldman SAYS, I FULLY ENDORSE HER FINAL CONCLUSION THAT her blog saved her life. I do not believe that it is appropriate or necessary for people to reveal the intimate and personal details of their lives online for millions of bloggers to read. However, I do believe that there is a positive aspect to revealing personal information in a blog, which was demonstrated by Waldman’s situation. Revealing personal information onto a public blog, which may be considered harmful or dangerous to oneself may be beneficial. This public confession may lead to a forced intervention. If people who know the blogger read a blog, which contains detrimental information they will be able to intervene and provide help. Expressing this personal information online is actually an efficient way to seek out help and support from other people. Bloggers will be able to receive advice and support from readers who have experienced the same feelings. Although revealing these details is a public display of a personal breakdown it may also be the source of your rescue. I agree that revealing personal information, which may be harmful to you is in fact a cry for help. This online confession may end up saving your life or directing you to help.

HW 10: Parents monitoring their child's online journal

In my opinion it is important for teenagers to be able to express themselves without the constant parental overlook. Today, teenagers struggle with feelings of loneliness and insecurity and they should have a place where they can express themselves. Online journals allow teenagers to express their feelings and thoughts without repercussions. These journals provide a place where teenagers feel comfortable with themselves. Here, they are able to share their overabundance of emotions with others who are feeling the same way. In Emily Nussbaum’s article, “My So-Called Blog” she interviews a young boy who consistently writes in his online journal. He refers to the journal as “a way to get out his true feelings-all the emotions he thought might get him in trouble if he expressed them in school or at home.” [Kline, 352] Expressing one’s feelings is a natural and healthy way of dealing with particular issues and fears. Teenagers face many difficult and confusing situations and they should be entitled to have a special place of their own where they can reveal their personal feelings. Although they may reveal certain events, which would be disturbing to parents, they should not be denied the opportunity to confide in a personal and private online journal. Therefore I feel that the online journals of teenagers should not be overlooked and watched by parents. They should remain a private and personal area where teenagers can express their inner feelings.

HW 6: Long term paper topics

I am interested in many different areas of social computing technologies. Instant messaging would be a very interesting topic to write about. I am extremely familiar with this social computing tool. I have had a lot of personal experience using it. Also I would be interested in researching the affects, which blogs have on marginalized groups. I do not have much experience with blogs, however they are a fast growing phenomenon which I would enjoy learning about. Social networking is also an area in which I would enjoy researching. Social networking has recently become extremely popular, especially with my generation. I would enjoy finding out about the overcoming of sexism because I feel that this is still an issues, which still occurs in the business world and it is an issue, which needs to be addressed. Also I am interested in the overcoming of racism because even today you will still hear people make unnecessary racial remarks. I would like to research the issue of overcoming homophobia because people are often judged and excluded for their sexual preference and this should not be the case. As far as geographical areas I would like to research the U.S. or Europe because I live in the U.S. and I would be interested in learning more about Europe.

HW 5b: The disappearance of the mainstream media

In this chapter David Kline dedicates two paragraphs to discussing his views on the success of the mainstream media. Within these paragraphs Kline SUGGESTS that blogging will not cause the disappearance of the mainstream media. In fact he BELIEVES that the media will thrive from the uprising of blogging. Kline feels that the relationship between the media and blogging will actually strengthen due to the fact that bloggers rely on the media to supply them with the information which they then blog about. Simon Waldman REMINDS US “[Their] great weakness, though, is the lack of shape, structure and ultimately meaning [of what] all this amounts to.” (Kline, 244) In this statement Waldman CLAIMS that blogs lack the appropriate format and direct release of information. Yet, I disagree with the views presented by Kline in these paragraphs. I feel that blogging may be the cause of a severe decline in the mainstream media. I DO NOT DENY the fact that the media and bloggers obtain a significant relationship in which they depend on each other. However, I do not feel that the success of blogging will strengthen their relationship, I INSIST that it will only continue to cause major conflict between them resulting in the deterioration of the mainstream media. I ACKNOWLEDGE that blogs do not contain a proper format and they do not provide the public with the actual information, nevertheless I believe that this should be considered an advantage. Their informal format allows readers to easily and quickly read the presented information. Also I feel that although bloggers do not receive the complete story of an event they are able to interact and respond to the presented information, which is an important characteristic. Blogs are rapidly developing and becoming a popular way for people to get their daily news. I SUPPORT the belief that blogging will cause the fall of the mainstream media.

HW 4: Life Savers Mint Candy

In my opinion Life Savers Mints make the promise of a fresh mouth. They make the promise of a happy smile and a happy mouth after eating one of these mints. Life Savers Mints also promises to fill your mouth with a strong sensation of cool freshness. On the bag of candy and on the website they promise the enjoyment of eating one of these candies and a beautiful smile after eating. Also they promise to take your mouth to a fresher place. They portray the easiness of consuming one of these small but strong and lasting mints. In my personal experience these Life Savers Mints live up to their promises. They are extremely strong and effective. I find that they produce a fresh and clean feeling throughout your mouth. I have also found that these mints are easy to eat and they are enjoyable. Therefore Life Savers Mints successfully fulfill the promises, which they have suggested.

HW 3: Toward A More Participitory Democracy

AMERICANS TODAY TEND TO BELIEVE that blogging has a great influence on politics. It is believed that blogging is responsible for changing the way that Americans are learning about their political news. Blog sites have obtained more online visitors in one month than the online site of Fox News received. Blogs have also become so popular due to the lack of trust that people have in the media. Many people feel that newspapers and TV are biased or reveal false information. Also the media is able to focus on particular issues while they ignore others. Although the media cannot tell people exactly what to think they do have the ability to direct people’s attention towards certain issues. Blogging was originated because due to the distrust of the media. Americans value blogs because they tend to portray honest and open ideas. Blogging has the potential to change the media into a more diverse and open atmosphere. Americans are attracted to blogs because they combine information with debate, which allows people to express their own ideas and feelings. Bloggers have revealed many stories and information for the first time, which were disregarded and hidden by the media. One incident, which was uncovered by bloggers, was the fact that Dan Rather used false information in his story on President Bush’s service in the National Guard. Bloggers have made it impossible for the media to hide any information from the public. Bloggers are now able to easily access any information. Blogging has a large influence on the elections, especially in the 2004 election. However, in an argument blogging uses more ridicule and mockery rather than facts. Yet, blogging has given the American people a voice and a sense of interaction and involvement. Bloggers have provided America with new opportunities. David Kline and Dan Burstein have successfully outlined the influences which blogging has had on our lives. I agree that blogging has affected our political system and will continue to do so. I feel that if blogging continues to evolve it will eventually reshape our government allowing the American people to have more input and involvement with these situations.

HW 2: key concept of blogging, huge phenomenon

Over the past few years blogging has become more widely known. Blogging is now used much more frequently and attracts a large audience. At this time blogging has a huge impact on the communication in the world. It greatly affects the interaction and communication between people. David Kline and Dan Burstein first recognized and addressed this key concept in their book blog! I strongly agree that blogging is beginning to have an increasing influence on communication around the world. The future of our media will also depend on the growth of blogging. Blogging provides an easy way for people to read and learn about current events and issues. It also allows people to respond to these events and express their personal opinions about the subject matter. This is an intriguing opportunity for people who enjoy sharing their personal thoughts. This allows people to interact, participate and be involved in the issues, which they are reading about. It fascinates me how far we have come with technological advances such as e-mail and instant messaging. These tools have become an important and essential part of every day life. These advances in technology have always interested me because they have a huge impact on my life. These advances have drastically changed our lifestyles. I can only imagine how blogging will evolve and impact communication for the entire world.