This is the end??

Wow, my last post of the class...I can't believe it's here! I about passed out when Donna brought to my attention it was my last class....totally didn't even realize that myself (I was still frazzled by the events of the day). And although I went into this class ultimately knowing nothing about the art of blogging and or the significance of web 2.0, I can definitely say leaving the class I learned a ton! I never thought that blogging was important, and many times I've passed it off as being pointless. However, after this class (and esp after the final project) I'm walking away with a new perspective of the blogging community. I really hope to break my bad habit of short lived journaling and continue on with my blog. There's still so much more I want to do with it, I feel it's just now coming together. I really did enjoy doing the final project, and though it was more work than I expected it was way better than studying for stat or writing a research paper. Since I didn't know much about blogging and pretty much forgot everything that goes along with photo shop, I still tried to make my blog look a little different from the template. I'm not sure if I pulled that off or not, but I'll probably still mess with it. Overall, it was really cool being able to see everyone Else's projects and the progress theirs have made as well. I think that all of the projects in the class have potential of really becoming useful for other people, and who knows...maybe some of them will really take off! This class has made me look differently at the web and I really hope to keep myself updated with the changes going on in web 2.0. I feel kind of sad and a tad bit ignorant of the fact I didn't really to begin with. But at least now I know! Well, I hope every one has a great summer break and good luck with all of your future endeavours!

FINALLY!!!!

Alright, I have fully completed my blog! (and right on time). I plan on continuing to add to the blog becuase I still have some info I feel should be posted. Also will continue to fiddle with the look of it because that's just what I do! I really can't believe how fast this went by though, it's quite insane! Well here's the site:http://kate-wellnowwhat.blogspot.com/....Hope ya like it :)

That's more like it!

Alright, after a long period of deliberating on photo shop I cam up with another heading. It's nothing fancy, but I like the clean look it gives off. I also really like the expression on the man's face...I think it suits the title well!

Death to the Orange Man!

OK, so I finally decided to get rid of the creepy little orange. After downloading photoshop I came across some really cool features that allowed me to make a better banner for my blog. So, I'm playing around with some options and downloading some neat fonts in order to achieve a some what decent banner! Although, I haven't actually used photoshop since the 11th grade, so it might take some time to become acclimated with it again :/

Finals week...eek!

Well, it's that time of the year again..exam week! ahhhhh! (although last week was no walk in the park either). But as I organize all of the things I have put off ALL semester, look upon the gallons of disguisting red bull I will consume, and all of the agonizing procrastination that will ensue, I can't help but think how fast this semester went by! Seriously, I feel like it was yesterday classes started and I was buying my over priced books. I can't believe its about time to sell them back for absolutely no money. What I'm most afraid of is the fact time is only going to go by quciker after college. Sooner or later it'll time to cash in on the social security (but not really, that stuff is gunna be gone!). But on the upside: Mizzou has been an amazing time and I can't believe how fast it's flown by, I feel like I just graduated from the 8th grade. Well as much fun as this study break session has been, I guess I better get back to my paper :/ . But good luck on finals everyone....it's almost over!

Still a' workin'!

Well, I have finally figured out how to minimize the text of my posts (thanks to Anne!)...it took a lot of work but my blog looks WAY better because of the change! I have also added my other posts, which means I only have to tweak and polish my banner (which is still not up!). When I first started this project I really had no clue just how much time and dedication it would require. I spent the past two hours just revising some of my posts, let alone actually composing any. When you know other people will be looking at this, it makes me want to perfect it until my eyes roll back into my head! I think this characteristic of blogging has both pros and cons: the pro being the increase of effort I have put into the project and the con being the increase of TIME CONSUMING effort I have put into the project. But overall, I am happy with the topic I have picked and hopefully that will show on my blog :)

WOW I haven't posted in a while!

Well I found the feed back I got on Thursday to be very helpful! So I'm still a'workin' on the whole dealie. I downloaded a free trail of photo shop so I'd be able to create a new border. And I took Lauren's advice and looked at the Da Font website, which was really cool! I have a neat one picked out and I am very happy about it! So, I figure after I finish my heading tomorrow I'm gunna wash my hands of it cause I am tired of messing with it. Secondly, I'm about done with my posts and I will be putting them on my blog tom morning! YAY! I can't believe this thing is almost done, I feel like it went by so quick! I just hope it all turns out ok before Monday....but I have faith it will at least be helpful! Anywho, I'm gunna go fiddle with it more and maybe... just maybe... something brilliant will happen!

"Well, Now What?!"

Ah Ha! I finally finished the layout of my blog today in class. And from the looks of its simplicity you wouldn't think it took as long as it did to perfect. However, it took me a coons-age to find the right image I wanted to incorporate in my title. After looking through tons of "street sign", "the open road", and "window of opportunity" images I went with the little tangerine guy featured on this post. He's going to be the mascot of my blog, and I'm very fond of him as well. I named my blog "Well, Now What?!" , and I think the tone of uncertainty in the title really goes along with the look of panic on the tangerine's expression....so I'm pleased. I wanted to go with a simple/ almost blank template in order for my blog to look organized and clean. I also used a white template so the focus would be more on my information and of course the many images I like incorporating with my posts. I am trying to center my tangerine image in the title, but I am having difficulties doing so. Any suggestions? Other than that I'm excited to see my blog grow!

The Right Look

Formulating a layout for my final project is way harder than I expected. I guess when you know other people are going to see this, it motivates you to perfect the look of the blog in every aspect. The other night I completed the layout of my blog, including the banner, however it didn't have the vibe I wanted it to. I used an image I took myself back in January of a sunset that looked pretty cool. But when I pasted it on my blog along with my title, it just didn't do it for me. I ended up looking at the Corbis site and found some really great images! At first I found a good one that had a man in a business suite lost in a labyrinth. It looks really cool and fits with the theme of my title, "Well, what now?!"..but I want my blog to represent more of an adventurous theme more than the lost and confused theme. So, I looked up some more images and found a wonderful image of a woman in a convertible with the top down and her hair int he wind. It sounds a little hokey but the actual image looks pretty cool. I believe f the layout of my blog turns out right, then it will be a great foundation to the rest of my work. It's just about finding the right look (which can be quite daunting). I just better find that certain look soon!

Pearls of Wisdom

Thanks to Lauren I read an AWESOME website that basically advocates the whole inspiration behind my final project. It's called Road Trip Nation and it consists of four friends who were about to graduate from college and had no clue as to what they wanted to do with their lives. They felt the pressures of conforming to the idea of law or med school, but knew that wasn't what they wanted to do. So, instead they came together and traveled the US in a van searching for inspiration from strangers as to what they did with their lives ( kinda reminds me of The Beats On the Road..soo cool!). This concept has turned into a phenomenon and is featured on PBS. The inspiration behind Road Trip Nation it is exactly the concept I want to illustrate throughout my blog (except on an international level as well). The blog is really interesting to read, feel free to check it out : roadtripnation.com. Thanks Lauren!

It's All Happening!

So, I have been working on my blog these past few days, which is really exciting. It is a bit of work trying to get the layout just right but I think its going to turn out well. I am STILL gathering the last bits of information... I still happen to stumble upon new blogs and cites. But I think I'm going to cut the chord on the information intake so I don't become too overwhelmed by all of my findings. I plan on posting a little sample of my layout before the night is over, so get excited! ( I know you are!). Well, that's what I've got right now...it's all happening!

The Public Sphere

I seriously love how my rhetoric capstone class overlaps with this class. Not only does it give me more material to blog about (which is always nice) , but it also gives greater insight into the often ambiguous world of rhetoric. The other day we were discussing "the public sphere" and whether or not such a thing still exists. Basically, this public sphere is a place for people to set aside any differences they may have, (race, age, class, etc.) and discuss current issues with out any biases. Ironically, when this public sphere was first introduced it only consisted of white middle aged men of the bourgeoisie class. So obviously there were not many differences to set aside due to the fact they didn't allow women, the working class, and/ or members of a different race to participate in their discussions. No wonder they got along so well! Now that there's so many different kinds of people in today's society allowed to discuss their thoughts, it seems like this once unified public sphere is disappearing. If anything, with personal blogs and facebook pages, its becoming more personal. But who knows, maybe this mysterious public sphere never existed to begin with.

Here We Go!

Today I have gathered what I THINK is enough information to fuel my project, therefore it's time to start the design of my blog (which I probably should have started last week, but I didn't so...whoops!) Right now I am still brainstorming for a name, and I believe this is one of the most important parts of a blog (and the hardest to come up with). I want it to be witty, simple, and of course memorable (easy right?) Not really! I've been searching the web and found some different blogs concerning teaching, volunteering, etc. abroad and though they have inspired me to organize my blog a certain way, the titles I saw were a little lack luster. So, I'm just going to have to kick my creative juices into gear! It is kind of exciting starting a brand new blog about something I am interested in. I feel like its a small child or something. I have to help it develop and grow into something that will hopefully end up being a success (or at least something that will enable me to pass the class!). But, overall I'm excited about working with my blank canvas, and yet at the same time kind of intimidated as well.
Oh! and though I have gathered quite a bit of info about my project, if anyone else has heard of programs for newly college grads (programs that relate to volunteering or interning...or anything really, feel free to let me know! I would love the input :)

"How Far Will You Go?"

So, I found another great organization to present on my final project. Since I am doing alternative "jobs" for recent college grads I thought what better institution to advertise than the Peace Corps? It's such an awesome opportunity to be able to go any where with in the world and volunteer time in order to better human kind! Basically, you can pref where you would be interested in going and what type of work you may want to do while abroad. The contract is for two years and it looks great on any resume (not to mention the life changing experiences it comes with!). I think it's pretty cool, here's the website if your curious: http://www.peacecorps.gov/

The Blog:More Than A Black Hole In Cyber Space?

Blogging is taking over my life! Well..not really...but I do find myself talking about it WAY more than I did before this class started. I sometimes even stumble into discussions with other people about it without even meaning to. For example, yesterday my roommate and I were sitting on the couch being pretty worthless to be honest and for some reason we started to talk about blogging. Shortly after, this "talk" turned into a discussion/debate about the pros and cons of blogging. Not only were we discussing blogging on what could have been a productive Saturday, but I found myself on the "pro blogging" side of the debate. My roommate made the point that blogs were like the black holes with in cyber space. Everyone uses their blogs to write about their own lives and the reality is no one really cares about what's going on in another stranger's life : basically, it's narcissistic. I could relate with her stance on blogging because that is the same exact opinion I had about it for quite some time. And honestly, with some blogs I still do feel like that. However, I did make a defense by saying how blogs can help launch new and exciting ideas to the public * fo free!* AAANNDD how it can improve writing skills, critical thinking, etc. etc. etc. Anyways, no one actually "won" the argument but I just find it funny how often blogging can really come up in a convo with out expecting it!

" Hi! This is Kate from the University of Missouri calling..."

So, I have just started this "awesome" (but not really) job with the Mizzou Alumni Association. Basically I call Mizzou Alumni and beg them for donations (yeah, I'm one of "those" , don't judge). And though sometimes the job can be quite boring and/or degrading, I do find myself using quite a bit of rhetoric when conversing with the Alumni ( that is when they actually pick up!). They (meaning "the man") provides us with a script to follow when taking to the Alum. It's supposed to have the power to convince the "unassuming" Alumni into giving me their money. In my training packet it's called "building an argument" and I am currently debating whether it can really work over the phone (or at all). It says that by introducing myself as a current Mizzou student and by using my first name, right then and there the caller and I make a bond "that cannot be broken" haha. Then, after the first mini bond I'm supposed to build rapport by talking about other things that might interest them thus convincing them they can "trust" me. Sometimes I think it works, but I also think a lot of it depends on if the people I am talking to are empathic or spawns of satan. When I talk to a lot of the Alum I do like to hear about what they have done with their lives and what they plan on doing in the future. But usually these "deep" conversations are ironically had by people who cannot give any money. And more times than none I get hung up on rather than talked to , so who knows if this "building an argument" stuff really is effective in the telemarketer world as my boss claims it to be. However, whether it works or not, I still have the joy applying rhetoric to my everyday life ( that is once again if the people I call ever pick up the phone!) .

To Wiki or Blog? The Age Old Question.

Originally I wanted to present my final project as a blog, however now I am kinda thinking it over. I started to do a blog, and thought it would be a great way to make my project more interactive. My initial wish was to have other people post about what they did after graduating college (other than the traditional grad school, etc) and express any pearls of wisdom they may have about their past experiences. I thought it would be a great way to inspire other soon to be college grads and also give them a network of people who had "been there and done that" to interact with. However, as the days go by I am accumulating soooo much information that it's making me a bit worried about being able to organize it all on a blog. So, here is my ultimate conundrum : I believe a wiki would be more accommodating with all of the info I'm reeling in, but then again it would wipe out all of the interacting a blog would contribute (which I believe is an important facet to the project ). So....I'm going to continue on with my blog, but if I find it getting too messy, I might just make a Wiki to go along with it! We'll see how it goes!

Progress!...WAHOO!

The wheels are finally turning in motion concerning my final project. I have researched, researched, and researched different programs and agencies for newly college grads to sink their teeth into! First off, I found a great website aimed at grads looking to teach abroad. It provides information about companies who coordinate programs for English-Speaking natives to teach in Asia, Europe, and Africa elementary, middle school, and high school students. The website is called /www.transitionsabroad.com, and it has a ton of really cool information about going abroad and provides answers to many questions one might have about each program. And if teaching abroad does not sound enticing, there is also a section about volunteering or working aboard in all of the continents! I think this cite will serve as a great foundation for my own blog about alternative career choices for the new college grad. One draw back I did pick up from the site is it has SO much information the homepage can seem to be overwhelming; I didn't know where to go first! So, I am going to use this cite as an example of what NOT to do when designing my blog. Figuring out what you may want to do with your life is stressful enough, so making a clear and organized blog will hopefully serve more as a sanctuary of inspiration, rather than a hodgepodge of information. But I'm still excited about the discovery of the cite!

Everything Bad is Good For You! YAY!!

Yesterday in my Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric capstone course, I heard another great topic that yet again crosses over to this class! One of my classmates brought up a book he read recently called Everything Bad is Good For You by Steven Johnson. Basically, Johnson makes the argument that the video games our media constantly advertises actually enhances the development of children's minds. He says video games encourage children to think in more abstract and intricate ways...something books cannot always do. While reading a book is more of a passive activity, Johnson believes the ever popular complex video games that line the selves of stores require children to solve complicated problems and utilize their critical thinking skills. Johnson also makes the argument, that if the video game had come first, and the book second, no one would ever believe a book would be more beneficial over a video game. Johnson says, "video games help players cope with issues such as decision making, problem solving, and cooperating with others (more applicable to strategic and multi player games)", something books don't necessarily do.
After hearing Johnson's book, I contemplated whether or not his argument was a viable one. Why does the video game have such a bad reputation with in our society? I mean, so many people are advocates of anti-video game use, but yet so many people own them! Why are there so may mixed feelings about video games presented in our media? Do books get more credibility just because they have been around longer? Or rather, would they be treated differently had the video game come first? Should this technology substitute some facets of traditional book learning? All of these questions still float around my brain unanswered, but it is a topic worth pondering.

Article found at: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/46756/tv_is_good_for_you_according_to_steven.html

Mother Found Son Through a Tip on her MySpace Page!

Whoa I don't know if anyone read about this over break but I thought this story was amazing! Back in August, a woman by the name of Tiffany Rubin was sent into a panic when she found her son had been abducted. It wasn't until last week when a tip on her Myspace page led Tiffany to where her son was being held captive. Apparently, her ex-boyfriend is the culprit who abducted him AND to make matters worse he took him all the way to South Korea! Not only was I surprised to hear Tiffany got her son back, but the fact she found where he was through a message sent to her via Myspace made it even more astounding. A man who knew her ex-boyfriend saw the two walking around outside one day, and sent Tiffany Rubin a message telling her where her son was and what school he attended at the time. She flew over to South Korea with hopes of taking her son out of his school and getting him over to the American embassy. (and she did just that!) If this story doesn't demonstrate the importance of social networking then I don't know what does! If she didn't have a Myspace or Facebook profile it would have been ten times harder to reach Tiffany Rubin-- 15 hours away in New York city. But with the powers of social networking, all the good citizen had to do was search for her on Myspace and send her a message in a matter of seconds! What an amazing story and I am happy to hear Rubin has been reunited with her son!

Where I read the article: Fox News http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Mar28/0,4670,AbductedChildMySpace,00.html

Where You can watch this news story:
http://videos.kansascity.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=1795704

Mental Overload Afflicts Us All!

The other day in class...which seems like forever ago by the way!...I really enjoyed the tiny breaks of relaxation and reflection throughout class. I think it is important to give the old brain a rest when working for long periods of time. Although at the time, the work I was doing wasn't too entirely strenuous, when writing massive papers or studying for a huge exam the tiny breaks can really come in handy. I remember once last year I was writing a mid term paper (that was due the next day of course) and I was at my laptop completely in the zone. The next thing I knew, one of my roommates walked in and said to me, " Whoa Kate, what's wrong? You look like you're about to lose it!" I looked up from my computer screen in awe. It just hit me that I was completely in overdrive and my brain was probably about to overheat (with out even realizing it!). So, I am all in favor in taking breaks during an intense study session or essay marathon. Sometimes I like to walk around a bit or have something to eat, it really makes a difference!

To Persuade or Not Persuade?

Right now I am writing an essay for my capstone, which conveniently has to deal with Rhetoric as well. I'm reading about women activists who wrote autobiographies back in the early 20th century when women had very few rights. The author of the book, Martha Watson, says that many of these women had to present themselves in a way that would persuade the general public into agreeing with their protests (by means of rhetoric!). One woman activist, Frances Willard, claimed that her activism was an act of God in order to receive any respect from the public. She also made her autobiography look "feminized" in order to convince people that her progressive beliefs did not turn her "manly".
Martha Watson says by using these tools in Willard's biography, " she becomes a progressive woman, a persona that acknowledges her accomplishments but implicitly proves that she is essentially feminine" ( Watson 57). It seems all of the women addressed in Watson's book had to find a middle ground in order to form a following. Many of the women also compromised a lot of their beliefs just so they wouldn't be chastised throughout society. Just to be heard, theses women constantly had to prove they were still "womanly" by sticking to many traditional female roles. By writing about themselves in a way that justified their actions and beliefs, they were able to persuade the public into believing they were doing something honorable (for the greater good of the female gender). This strategy kind of reminded me of the topic we discussed in class about people manipulating their Myspace and/or Facebook profiles inorder to give off a certain persona of themselves. Of course a facebook profile isn't as profound as writing an autobiography for the sake of all oppressed women, but I find the rhetoric connection between the two pretty interesting. I believe it was important for the women activists to somewhat compromise their "true" beliefs in order to help form a following of supporters. If they wrote something too radical, no one would have read their books! However, I do wonder about how such a compromise in today's society can really backfire on a person's self . Ok, don't judge me for using her as an example but look at Britney Spears. She worked so hard for so long in order to appeal to the public by coming off as essentially "perfect". Perfect body, perfect clothes, perfect dancing, smile, laugh,..etc. and it made her a lot of money and a ton of success with the price of her sanity! I know this is an extreme example, but it just goes to show no matter how perfect you look in that sparkly jump suit, or how perfect those tantalizing dance moves are pulled off, if you persuade the public into thinking you're someone entirely different from who you are....things could go wrong. You could end up completely lost...or even worse...BALD and in rehab. Ahhhh persuasion...WOW can't it be quite powerful?! I believe it is, and it's something to use with careful hands! Well, I guess Mr.Rodgers does make a good point, sometimes it IS better to just be yourself (or at least know who you are before messing with your persona).

Now What?!

Ok, so I know I told the class about what my final project will be about literally thirty minutes ago....buuuuut....I just had an epiphany. Well, I was looking at websites that promote using Web 2.0 in undeveloped areas of the globe. Everything was going smoothly, until I stumbled upon reading about poor areas in Asia. I was really interested in reading about this region because two days ago I was accepted into a teaching English in South Korea program (which I'm really excited about). Now, this is going to sound kind of self consumed of me, but after reading this website I started thinking about the process I went through to get the teaching position, and what the heck I would have done with my life had I not gotten into the program (because I really didn't have a back up plan). Anywho, it then occurred to me how many seniors I have talked to who are about to graduate and have no idea what they want to do with their lives. This is a common interest I share with them, because I have no idea what I will be doing even 2 years from now. Then I had realized how many options there are out there for students who want to go out and do something a little more unconventional other than going to grad school or law school..etc. and how there are so many students who don't know about them. I mean it's not the end of the world if you are 21/22 and have no idea what you want to do with your life, but yet so many students feel like they HAVE to go and get an office job or what ever.

Now, I feel kind of bad leaving the undeveloped parts of the world in the dust but after I realized I had been thinking more about life after college rather than my final project, I decided it may be a good idea to switch the issue of my project. Therefore, after a few minutes of deliberation, I decided I'm going to make a blog called "Now What?!" (or something to that effect still not sure). It will be aimed towards college students who don't know what they want to do after graduation, but know they want to do something different! I will post information about the peace corp, teaching abroad, and volunteering abroad as well. I will make this a blog so I can receive input from other college students about what they may want to do after graduation and I hope to receive input from people who have participated in organizations like the peace corp. So, I am really excited about this topic, and again I feel bad for abandoning my other issue but I just feel a little more passionate about this topic ....which also makes me feel like a bad person :( . But hopefully it will all work out!

Convergence Culture

Courtney's presentation last Tuesday was really interesting. I had to look at the Time Warner Corporation and I was blown away with everything they actually own. Granted, I realized they were a pretty big deal to begin with, but still the list of ownership they had went on for miles. They own AIM, Map Quest, and all of the CNN stations....who knew?! (Not me!) I also mealed around the rest of the website a little bit more to see what other big name companies own. It was interesting to see that the New York Times own part of the Boston Red Sox, and apparently CBS own MTV books. All together, Courtney's presentation really brought to my attention how big corporations pretty much monopolize different aspects of our media, and daily life. I googled Henry Jenkin's and he described his book as being, "An exploration of how the knowledge culture of fandom is transformed through the use of networked communications and how the new media alter reader's relations to texts, to media producers, and to each other. I trace various ways that the media industries are responding to the challenges of a more participatory culture". (http://web.mit.edu/cms/People/henry3/converge.html).
I think that quote perfectly sums up the significance these corporations play with how we receive information, along with how important it is for them to keep up with new technologies. It makes me wonder about how easily they can manipulate the information they regurgitate to the public, and if they manipulate at all. It's almost scary to think about. Hopefully they are using their power in the media world for good. But who really knows???

Wow I have senioritis...and it's bad!

I just haaaaad to blog about this (Donna I told you it was coming! haha). Ok, I'm just going to come out and say that I have senoiritis and it is FULL BLOWN!! I just wrote a post on my blog about the Vision of Student's Today video, and here is a vision of how worthless of a student I have been this semester (if anyone cares to know). It literally took me FOREVER to write that previous post. I stopped to facebook twice while I was writing it....yea twice, annnnd I downloaded 3 songs. The really sad part is, this is one of my most interesting classes and it's hard for me to concentrate on it. Just imagine how bad I'm with my boring classes...stat is a nightmare and it's the stat class for the kids who are horrible with math (the lowest one that you can take). I just can not be bothered to do the weekly non-graded homework assignments it requires us to do. I guess the whole point of this post can be an example of using a blog as an emotional outlet, but really I just wanted to write about my troubles. Well, I'm going to try and get some more work done....it should only take me 9 hours or so!

"A Vision of Student's Today".....so true......

I found the video "A Vision of Student's Today" strikingly similar to my own college experience. Now that I am a senior, my classes are quite small and all of my professors know me. However, my first two years of college were quite different! I had a hard time with my lectures being so big, and it really effected how much I participated. When there are about 200 plus people crammed in an auditorium, and all the professor does is drill through a power point presentation it's almost impossible to stay engaged! I remember in some of my lectures, blatantly filling out cross word puzzles or watching the guy in front of me facebook...and that's when I actually went to class. I think when there are that many students in one lecture, it's important to incorporate new teaching strategies in order to keep the students engaged. I believe web 2.0 can really help with that problem..... I also think that it can help with the cost of books, which can be pretty ridiculous. My stat book was about 80 bucks, and it is not necessary to have at all. Recently, a lot of my professors haven't required us to buy books, but rather they put the documents on a blog or on Eres, which is awesome! I can only hope that trend becomes more popular. Overall, I found the video as a true testament to my first years of college! (which probably is not a good thing :/ ).

Blog Analysis :)

Ok, so I'm a little late on this post but better late than never! I FINALLY took the time to analyze a blog, however I decided to analyze a blog run by a company and a personal blog. I thought it would be interesting to compare the two kinds, and it gave me an opportunity to venture the world of blogs more vastly.

First, I started to look for a blog ran by a company and it was a little more challenging than I thought it would be. I'd start out by googling broad topics I was interested in, like travel, food, literature, photography, and music. I decided to go with the topic "FOOD"--because lets be honest it's something mostly everyone is interested in! I came across a website called Eden Foods--an organic foods site. It had a blog consisting of articles about our health and the environment, food recipes, and home beauty. It also had a section of pod casts that featured organic cooking shows.

http://www.edenfoods.com/articles/

Analysis:

1.) Grammar: The grammar making up the articles was clear and concise. Most of the posts are composed of only text, there are very few images or visuals. The vocabulary it uses is pretty extensive, which makes sense considering the audience it aims to probably consists of educated adults. And when it comes to the recipes it advertises, the grammar is straightforward and to the point.

2.) Logic: I think the posts serve to both inform and persuade the general public. It seems obvious that the articles the site promotes are aimed to inform the public about their personal health and organic foods, while also trying to get them to eat organically. The section about health and the environment really tries to persuade the reader to think about different issues (IE what eating glutton does to the body or how eating grain can benefit the body).

3.) Rhetoric: I think the main aim for this site is to promote personal health and the environment. It has articles used to inform the reader about how what you eat can both effect your health and the earth around you.

---Then, I looked around for a more personal blog. I stumbled upon a blog page made up of cool images called digital photographs. I'm always interested in incorporating images in my own blog, so when I saw this one I can understand why it captured my attention right away.

Overall, it was more personal than the blog I analyzed before. It was made up of images captured from someones own digital camera in their hometown, so it makes sense it exudes more of a personal feeling.

*One of the pictures featured on the blog.

http://digitalpolaroids.blogspot.com/

Analysis:

1.) Grammar: There really wasn't a lot of text that made up the blog (surprise, surprise) considering it was made up of photos. It did offer some captions underneath the photos as means of background information, but that's about it.

2.) Logic: Again, there is any bias or use of argumentation embedded with in the blog. I think it's aim is more along the lines of exposing really interesting personal photos of everyday objects shot beautifully.

3.) Rhetoric: I believe the message this blog sends is to indulge into the colorful and artistically shot photographs from Argentina. Personally, I view it as means of escape into an exotic world.

To Wiki or not to Wiki?

Personally, I find wiki pages to be interesting to look at, and I can't tell you the countless hours I've spent on Wikipedia. So, I found our navigation around the Wiki world last Thursday pretty interesting. I am however, going to steer clear of attempting to change wikipedia pages because apparently the Wikipedia gods frown upon that. I believe it took a solid 5 seconds for someone to edit the profound on-liner I wrote on the gold fish page. I guess they didn't approve of my advice to NOT buy your own gold fish from Wal-Mart...and why they disapproved it is still a mystery to me, I find it to be useful information! (but that's just me). Although, I did get the chance to write some fun little facts about my high school on it's wikipedia page (without it getting erased two seconds later) so that was pretty neat. All, in all I find wikipedia to be a great quick reference to see what year the Statue of Liberty was given to the U.S. or what beta fish like to eat at night. But as far as trying to create or edit a wikipedia page, well I'll leave that up to the Wiki Fanatics.



When we were asked to find a non-wikipedia wiki, I enjoyed looking around for that right wiki to post on our class blog. And wow, there is a wiki for EVERYTHING! Besides my avid use of wikipedia, I consider myself relatively new to the wiki world. So, I was astounded to stumble upon an abyss of wikis when I just typed it into the google search engine. I was very pleased to find a Wiki on Sawyer from LOST. (here's the link if your curioushttp://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Sawyer). Not only because I would claim myself to be an enthusiastic fan of the man, but I was also pleased to notice how extensive his wiki really was. They had every fact about the character down so pat, that it almost appeared as if he were a non-fictional person. I really did enjoy looking through the world of wiki's, but again probably would be hesitant about editing one. Just from looking at a handful of them it looks like the people behind their Wiki pages have a pretty tight grip on them, and keep tabs on them at all hours. So, I'll just do my part of admiring their wiki's and countless information they post about Sawyer.

Our Own Blogging Heroes

After analyzing every one's blogs it's interesting to see what I can do to mine for means of improvement. Looking at my own blog, I have noticed the avid use of images and photos in order to reinforce a theme or point. However, after taking the time to nominate our own class blogging Heroes, I really got some good ideas to incorporate in my own blog. The use of bright colors, videos, and outside sources seen on other peoples blogs have inspired me to expand my own blogs. Recently, I feel my blog has plateaued and lacks a certain "I don't know what".... so it's time to bring in some reinforcements. This only illustrates the importance behind maintaining ones blog; it constantly needs upkeep or else it just gets boring! So, I'm glad we took the time to not only recognize our own blog heroes but also to use them as means of personal inspiration.

Say Whaaaa?

After I read Cory Doctorow's article I googled the title My Blog, My Outboard Brain and I came across a blog called The Outboard Brain of a Geek. One of the blogs posted featured this wonderful t-shirt. I'm not sure if it is supposed to advertise the fact blogs constantly need to be updated with new info, or the importance of feedback and getting a blog's presence known to others. Either way I thought the shirt was amusing!

WELCOME TO THE AGE OF INFORMATION CONSTIPATION!

I really enjoyed Cory Doctorow's article My Blog, My Outward Brain. I totally agree that there is way too much information out there for anyone to ever keep up with. I know personally the amount I have to read for school alone tends to swim around my memory bank for a couple of days, hours, or minutes and then dissolve into a great dark abyss in the corner of my brain only to shrivel up and die. Ok...maybe that is a little dramatic but it is true none the less! Therefore, I do agree that blogging can help not only help me keep track of what I read but the act of writing about a particular text "fixes" it in my mind. I can't say I'm to the point where if I were unable to blog it would be "akin to suffering extensive brain damage" however, out of the gazillions things that I read or hear each day, it's easy to forget a lot of it. So, if anything the act of blogging makes me realize what "nuggets" of information I should take note of, out of the loads of information constipation trapped in my brain!

School 2.0 is......?

After reading Will Richardson's Connectivism and Read/Write Web I was a little baffled about what he was trying to get at. Obviously he addresses the use of wiki and blogs within school districts. However, it is when he starts to question the definition of School 2.0 in the third paragraph where I lose track. He rattles of definitions of what School 2.0 could be...
using tools in order for students to publish what they know to large audiences, or, better student/teacher communication with parents using social technologies. But he follows both of these definitions questioning their validity. He believes that "folks" have to learn how to understand the uses of these tools, but never really defines what IT is that people need to understand about school 2.0. And maybe that's the point he's trying to make; School 2.0 still is not clearly defined, and there is not a definitive way to use it in the classroom....who knows! He does pose some insightful questions that educational bloggers should think about .Especially,
"can they (students) connect with the audience not simply in the ways books connect to readers but in ways that allow them to engage and explore more deeply with an ongoing, growing community of learners?"
And I believe that is a question worth finding an answer to. Maybe its answer will better inform educational bloggers about what the effects of School 2.0 are, and give way to a clear definition of the phrase. However, though Richardson presents important questions worth pondering, I can't say his article was very persuasive. It only left me with a bunch of questions left unanswered......was this his aim?!

Blogging Brilliantly!

After reading Blogging Heroes I was really taken a back by the way Chris Anderson utilized his blog. Not only did Anderson use the feedback he recieved as a tool to steer his book into the right direction, he also used it by means of publicity--creating a buzz around his new book before it even hit shelves. And all of this was done for free! If you ask me I'd say he's brilliant!...or atleast the idea was. It sounds like these days if an author wants to write a book, short story, heck even an essay, it would be silly not to put it on a blog! The feedback alone is a reward in it's self; Authors have the freedom to write about whatever they want with out the constraints of editors or the pressure of pleasing the general public. Therefore, the feedback generated from genuine/passionate writing can not only help pin point ideas, but can also give the writer inspiration towards new thoughts. It's like having your own personal Muse-FO' FREE! These new inspirations from fellow bloggers, like for example the title of Anderson's book, can really effect how it is received when it hits the market. (hopefully in a good way!) And if Chris Anderson never used a blog as a platform for his book, who knows how differently it would have been received in public--or how much money it wouldwouldn't have ended up making. It seems that using a blog in order to get your work noticed, or even looked at, is a brilliant idea. "People now want to spread their presence around the world", and I believe blogging is one of the most effective ways of doing so.

Blogging: The New Emotional Outlet?

Earlier in the semester we disucssed possibility of creating a new persona using a Facebook profile. By using particular quotes, pictures, and interests a person is able to present themselves in a way that may be different than what they really are. When I was reading Using Blogging to Enhance Literacy for my presentation, there was a section that addressed how teens like using their blogs becuase it gives them the freedom to create a new persona. The author Diane Penrod says that it gives them a chance to play "dress up" on the web. "They use it to gain recognition and develop a sense of solidarity with others. It also gives adults insight into the complexities of teenagers and college students" (Penrod 13-14). Though Penrod shines a positive light on the ability to use a blog as a new persona, she also addresses how many teens use the blog as an outlet to express pent up and dark emotions they may be hiding from others. She gives examples of suicidal teens who appeared to be "ok" in everyday life but ended up having blogs with cries for help or blogs with dark and angry posts. Also, teens who commited violent acts among their friends or family members were shown as having disturbing blogs of their own as well. Though it can be harmless to "play dress up" on a blog, do you think it is dangerous to have teens use their blogs as a cry for help or an outlet for expressing dark emotions? What does that say about our society today; where the only place teens feel comfortable venting their deep emotions is on the internet? Should we see these blogs as a positive aspect the freedom of blogging gives America's youth, or should this be seen as a danger?

Here is an article I found that addresses safety issues with teen blogging: http://www.isafe.org/imgs/pdf/education/Blogging.pdf

Concept Mapping!

Behold the Power of Social Networks!

I never realized just how important social networks can be for organizations until I read The Hidden Power of Social Networks. But it makes sense that one small change in a social network within a company can virtually mess up the production or relationships with in other facets of the company. Performing a social network analysis for a company sounds like an intelligent decision because it basically can predict the consequences of getting rid of one employee or the benefits of discovering the expertise or connections of another employee. After reading the article I tried to create a social network analysis on my own life. Obviously it is not as immense as a social analysis for a company, but just seeing how your own networks of friends connect is interesting. For example, my roommates and I all have different groups of mutual friends and the other weekends we thought it would be a good idea to have a party so all of our different friends could mingle, and network basically! By the end of the night I had discovered that many of my friends had already met some of my roommate's from other occasions prior. By finding out these "hidden" connections between mutual friends, I got to hear someone else's perspective about my old friends and funny stories I wouldn't have heard had we never found out we were all connected. We all gained new information and insights about each other after discovering our different relationships. It is interesting to think the connections and information we posses can really effect other people and the relationships they have as well......it's kind of scary too!

Web 2.0: More Than an Upgrade of Web Technologies!

Last night I wad searching google for information that may help furthur my grasp on understanding mapping and social networking. I typed in the search engine
"significance of web mapping" and one of the first hits that I came across was an article by Business Week titled Web 2.0: What's in a Number? It says that web 2.0 is not about an advancement in technology, but that it is an attitude. It is about using the foundations web 1.0 laid down and giving it a "social face".


"It’s about enabling and encouraging participation through open applications and services".


"This is why I think the Web 2.0 label is cunning: semantically it links us back to that original web and the ideals it championed, but at the same time it implies regeneration with a new version" (Ian Davis).

I thought it was intereseting how he referred to Web 2.0 as an attitude, becuase whenever I think of the phrase "Web 2.0" it either comes across as sounding technological or geeky (let's be honest). When I think of "attitude" it sounds more sassy if you will..... or rather more cutting edge.But if you think about it is easy to agree that Web 2.0's new "social face" gives the public new insight into how the web can through the birth of social netwroking, blogging, ect., making it in it's own "geeky" way cutting edge.
The key phrases " encouraging participation" and "links us back to that original web" made me think back to the infamous Shaviaro article. It helped me furthur understand what he meant about the need to "replenish" information of a network. In my previous post I touched on "The Algebra of Need" excerpt where Shaviaro says netorks require total need in order to obtain totalt participation. Therefore, in order for participants to keep coming back, the web has to have a cutting edge attitude. I personally know with the web constantly adding applications, such as blogs, information, wiki, and social networking it keeps me coming back to the computer more than once a day. And for something that can constantly hold my attention so consistently, it seems Web 2.0 knows what it's doing. Looks like the once "geek" is now the most popular thing around!

Connected to Sharviro?

After reading Connected, I wasn't exactly sure what to take away from it. However, there was a specific part I remember reading that caught my attention. I believe it was when Shoviro was comparing the structure of a network to a heroin addiction. One quote that made me think about the service of networking in a different light was when Shaviro was explaining Burroughs "basic formula" of addiction in comparison with "self regulating networks".

"The addict has no choice; she or he will do anything to satisfy total need'...total need guarantees total participation; and total participation means total subjection" (p. 11).

What I took away from this quote/idea was the fact that Networks constantly have to update it's self in order to be considered "maintained", or at least in order to keep people interested. It may start with a foundation that is suitable, but just like a heroin addict "the drug doesn't get you high any longer" therefore you have to inject a larger dose to be up to par.
I'm not completely sure if that's what he wants us to take away from that analogy, but it definitely got me thinking differently about how networks work. It constantly has to keep people engaged and motivate them to "value the bits of information" it presents.

Another Valentine's Day...another 5 pounds of chocolate eaten...

Well, I'm sitting at my desk right now writing out some Valentine's Day cards and I just had the urge to write about it! Usually this holiday emulates hot or cold feelings from the general public. It's either "happy valentine's day!" or "crap..happy single's awareness day :/". I've personally never had a significant other during this holiday, however I do enjoy it every year. It allows me to communicate to close friends, family, ect. in a way that's a little more special than every other mundane day of the week. I like being able to make cards (while stuffing my face with chocolate) for the people who are a part of my life. There are so many days when I'm sure I don't let them know how much they really mean to me, but this day serves as a personal reminder of the support, advice, and love they have showed throughout the years. I'm not really sure what I'm getting at with this post, but I just thought I'd shed some light on the occasion! :P Happy Valentine's Day eat lots of sweets!

Encyclopedia versus Wikipedia

A fascinating topic that we touched on last Thursday was question: Why take the time to learn tons of "boring" facts throughout our primary and secondary educations when we have the ability to easily look these facts up on our own using the internet? I found this interesting because it is easy to relate to both sides of the matter. I can't even count how many days I sat in a class room during grade school memorizing president’s names, state capitals, and important dates only to be in college some 10 odd years later and not able to remember a lick of it! So, there are many instances in my present day life where I do have to make a quick wikipedia reference to check exactly when the printing press was invented or when Margret Thatcher was appointed Prime Minister. However, as painful learning all of that history was I do agree with what Anne said in class about the importance of being taught history. It's good to have a general idea as to when one event happens in relation to another. I too believe it's important to at the very least acquire a basic knowledge of history, even though it's commonly needed to check and recheck facts when completing everyday academic tasks.

After reflecting on the discussion another question popped into my head: Why does the youth of America tend to be unaware of many important (and what should be commonly known) facts/issues? Not even the youth of America, just turn on Jaywalking on Jay Leno and there are adults who don't know the answers to seemingly simple questions. Obviously, not all of America is ill-informed, but it does make me wonder why so many people don't always know historical dates, where countries are located on a map, or when wars occurred. I'm a sufferer of this epidemic myself, ask me when President George Washington was inaugurated and I will give you a blank stare. However, it does make me wonder what proponents of our culture contribute to this behavior. Is this a backlash of the advancements in technology? Has the fact that we, esp. America's youth, rely so much on the internet as a "quick fix" for educational facts that we have become lazy about learning? It is possible that the great benefits we gain from the technology of the internet could also work against us and our learning habits?

If Anyone Cares.....

Ok, so I don't know how life changing this blog is going to be but the other day I decided to give my page a make over. Before it had a dark purple background that I found way to dramatic and almost depressing to look at over and over. So, I decided to lighten the mood a bit by making the background a cream color with faint polka dots to give it some depth. I also included a photo of myself to give a more personal feeling to it. Overall, I'm alot happier to view my page now that it has been simplified!

The Medium is the Massage

After taking a gander of McLuhan's book The Medium is the Massage in class on Thursday I found a lot of the images and captions really stimulating. I went to the library and checked out so I could get a closer look at it and really appreciate the book. On one of the first pages I read, (also a page of the handout we received in class) I found a really cool quote. "It is impossible to understand social and cultural changes with out a knowledge of the workings of media" (p 8).

This quote goes along with McLuhan's idea that one of the major components of the generation gap between adults and teenagers is the fact younger generations are more aware of technological advancements over adults; separating them culturally from one another. Even though McLuhan's book was composed in 1966 this is still apparent in society today. Even at home, the only reason my Mom has even heard of Facebook or knows how to use AIM is because her children are constantly using it. I can't even imagine if we weren't around, she would still be using a type writer I swear! It's almost painful to watch her write an e-mail, I have to leave the room or else I just end up writing it myself. However, I can't help but feel like the tables are turning on myself. Even I experience the gap between the younger generation's grasp of technology versus my own generation. There is so much crazy technology my own younger siblings inform me on, and some of it they have to teach to me. And it goes beyond technology, they are "in the know" about all of the stupid pop culture and "fads" that go on that I am completely oblivious to! Do they know about all of this cultural garb because they are constantly an extension to so many types of modern technology? At 22 years old, am I starting my downward spiral into the age of ignorance? The inability to even figure out how to use a fancy toaster?! O dear...I guess the only remedy is to keep "in the know" whatever the cost!

del.icio.us darling!

I really enjoyed setting up the del.icio.us page as well as viewing everyone else's pages. I think it really tapped into the discussion we had a bit ago about composing one's "self" through a blog or facebook page. The picking and choosing specific websites can emulate a persons "self" merely by the kinds of websites they tag on their del.isio.us page. I thought it was interesting to see how the class took the specific assignment of picking some websites pertaining to what we have learned in class, and turned their pages into a personal bulletin board of websites they find not only pertain to the class but also illustrate a part of their own identity as well.

Personally, I put some websites on my page that pertained to music, literature, and trashy celebrity gossip; all subjects I find stimulating (some more than others). However, I did find a website that advertised the "art of Zen blogging" that I found really interesting. It is basically a book that takes the art of Zen Buddhism and applies it to blogging. Here are some of the rules it explains:

"1. Get Over Your “Self”

Buddhists believe that suffering begins with our perception that we are separate and distinct from the rest of reality. In other words, our own egos make us miserable.

In blogging, the publisher / reader mindset can also cause you unnecessary pain. The key to successful blogging is an alignment of interests between writer and reader. It’s that sweet spot where what’s good for your readers matches what’s good for you.

Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that’s great for your readers."

"2. Free Your Mind

Zen is all about seeing deeply into the nature of things by direct experience. Blogging that gets noticed and linked to is all about seeing existing information from a unique perspective and writing with a fresh angle.

Zen encourages meditation, and great blogging requires contemplative thought. If you’re truly going to get into lateral thinking mode, you’ve got to step away from the keyboard and think. Stop surfing, twittering, and reading RSS feeds and go for a walk.

Albert Einstein figured out that time is relative while on a stroll with a friend. Go do something else and a killer angle for your next blog post may just pop into your head."

"3.It’s Up to You

While still steeped in Buddhist philosophy, Zen is more concerned with attaining wisdom through doing, in that daily life and mundane tasks will teach you more than any sacred text could. In this way, blogging and Zen are closely aligned—simply showing up and keeping at it will teach you more than anyone else can.

Zen encourages practitioners to learn from teachers and other students to better understand how to attain truth through direct experience. The blogging community offers a similar environment, but the final breakthrough will always occur in your own mind and be the result of your own actions. You’ve got to accept responsibility for your own success."

~Zen and the Art of Remarkable Blogging : by Brian Clark

http://www.copyblogger.com/zen-and-the-art-of-remarkable-blogging/

Does your blog exude the characteristics of the Zen truth and widsom? Do you take note of your audience? Do you write from a fresh angle? Do you accept the responsibility to produce a successful blog? If so, then you are on the road to an insightful and truthful blog! (according to the book at least!).

The Aim To Persuade

I was really excited to read the Silva Rhetoricae website and see what it had to offer. I am currently doing my capstone on contemporary theories of rhetoric so it was cool how everything overlapped. One of the things we have discussed in the class that I found very interesting was the role persausion plays in rhetory. My professor continuously asks us it whether or not we think truth is behind anything we read. Is there absolute fact in the news articles, ads, signs, ect. that we read or is there always some sort of underlying message the author is trying to convey to us? The use of logos, pathos, and ethos of an atricle can easily sway a reader to feel more sympathy for one person over another. Or empasize on one aspect of a story and gloss over another. It is almost like the skill of speaking persuasivly can manipulate the general public if done well. Think about thoes guys on late night television selling useless crap that you know you'll never end up using. Yet, somehow with the use of their energetic voice, enthusiastic gestures, and all of their lame examples of when you just might need a stainless steel 20 piece knife set, thoes 5 easy payments of 59.99 don't look so bad now do they? They know who their audience is and they know how to entice the american public and persuade them to at the very least watch the 3 hour long ad if not purchase their product. Basically,if someone has the skill to speak well it doesn't even matter if they have any actual knowledge about anything. Because with the power of their words they can convice you to do anything!

I am a Facebook Loser

I was overseas last semester, and there was a student from Rome I met in a hostel while traveling around western Europe. Now, Facebook has really expanded over the years, and many people over in Europe are part of the facebook network. But this guy wasn't a "Facebooker" and he was asking me what the purpose of having it was. I told him basically you can view other people's profile and make up your own for other people to view as well. And he gave me the run-of-the-mill response of, "and so what's the point of that? It sounds like a big waste of time to me". Which is the first response I remember giving when it first came out way back when.

And it's true, there are so many other things I should be doing when I face book, usually something academic. It does suck up a good amount of my time, but as stupid or pointless it may sound to a "non-facebooker" it really can be a good tool to have. It has allowed me to look up old friends I haven't seen since grade school. I can see what they are up to these days and what their intrests are. Yes, it sounds like a borderline creepster's paradise, however it really is helpful to have when trying to keep in touch with family and friends. When I was gone studying for a semester it was one of my only portals that allowed me to see what was happening with my friends back home. So, as much time as I do waste of good ole facebook, I'll still continue to be an infamous "Facebooker".

The Start of Something New

Ok, so I consider myself to be technologically disabled. Sure I can type a little ditty on microsoft word or on a good day fashion a graph on excel, but I've never had a blog before so this is all very new and exciting for me. While it's not something I regularly do on my free time, I am going to take advantage of it. I think it will be a nice outlet for me to have; that is to be able to express my thoughts to the class daily. I'm still working out the kinks, but hopefully some day in the near future my blogger will actually look acceptable, but as of now I'm continuing to snoop around all of applications it has to offer.

I've never been a person who has been into journaling, but I've always wanted to be. I'm the type of person who buys the journal, writes in it for like a day and then forgets about it for whatever reason. So, I'm hoping that my blogger page will help me get into that journaling phase I've always longed for. And the fact that you can personalize the blogger page with cool bells and whistles makes even more worthwhile for me!

Anywho, all in all I really hope to make this something that exemplifies me while also broadening my journaling horizons. It's going to be a good change in my daily lifestyle :)