HW 42: Last Podcast

I am episode 61

HW 37: Podcast two! Eid

http://www.gabcast.com/index.php?a=episodes&query=&b=play&id=8538&cast=51170&castPage=

Episode 41!

HW: 36 Pod Cast Number 1

http://www.gabcast.com/index.php?a=episodes&query=&b=play&id=8538&cast=49510&castPage=

I am Episode 6

HW 35: The End is Near

I’ve been writing this blog for about 13 weeks now. This is actually my first blog that I have ever written. I am very proud of the work I’ve done because I thought that blogging was going to be really hard. Actually, in the beginning of the semester, I didn’t even know what blogging was. I’ve learned a lot since then. Making this blog was actually very easy. I learned how to post and group my pod. Blogging is actually easier than making papers. It was easy to keep up the blog. I liked responding to books that I have read because I get to write my own opinion. Whether or not people agree or disagree. I would like it people commented on my posts. That would be awesome. Even if their opinion was different from mine. I know my parents and family are going to want to see this blog and all the work I have been doing. I want people to read it and maybe just get a sense of what I am talking about and maybe buy one of the books I posted about or watch a blog that I watched. I think the best blog I did was one on Riverbend because I really enjoyed reading it and I do have a strong opinion about the readings. I actually really liked writing all of the blogs. The best thing that I liked about the assignments is that there really wasn’t any specific amount of words that was needed. My professor had us use a 150-400 word constraint. But if I didn’t really have a huge opinion about that topic, then I can lean toward the 150 range. But when I liked to write more, I wrote as much as I wanted. I also liked the fact that it was informal writing. So I didn’t have to stress about writing formally because that is not my strong point. I probably will keep this blog just for historical purposes. I want to remember what I wrote about but I don’t think that I will write more. But, to all my readers…feel free to comment on my blogs if you want to!! Thanks for reading!

HW 34: Traditions as a Way of Life

In Baghdad Burning the role of gold in the Iraqi family means everything. Usually, the Iraqi people, especially during the war, took their money out of the bank and turned into gold. By doing this, it shows how wealthy they really are and if there are problems among the family, the gold can always be turned back into money if needed. Riverbend says that the troops usually takes the gold and jewels because they think that Iraqis are not people who own fine jewels like that (Riverbend). Riverbend’s aunt actually made her and her cousin wear the jewelry because they saw tanks on their main street, and the last thing she wanted was her jewelry to be confiscated from a raid. This gold is a possession that has been either passed down from generations. Riverbend states about her aunt “The ’mistress’ called out that we could laugh all we wanted but since the jewelry was everything she had since 1965, we had better be careful” (Riverbend 102). They were very important. No matter what the family was doing that day, they would all meet up for evening tea. The tea is not just bagged tea, its more special than that. Actually it offends the Iraqi people if someone uses the bagged tea. Tea is part of the everyday life in Iraq. “People drink tea with breakfast, they drink tea at midday, they drink tea in the evening and often drink tea with dinner” (Riverbend 109). They all gather around a tea-like table and talk about issues that are happening. It is a place and time were the whole family can get together and drink homemade tea and converse. It is family bonding time that is traditional.

HW 33: Work vs Fun

The episode that I watched was “Iraqi Teens Work to Help Their Families”. The series title is Alive in Baghdad: Life From Iraqis to You. It was published on 10-15-07. The link to this video is: http://aliveinbaghdad.org/2007/10/15/iraqi-teens-work-to-help-their-families/. The whole video is based on these boys who help out their father in making furniture such as: Beds, Tables, and Chairs. They say that it is hard to find work because you really can’t go outside that often. Also, the job that the boys do is very risky, because they have to make this furniture outside. It states that “50% of Iraqis are jobless”. Some of these young men are: Hussein Kamal (15 years old), Mustafa Melak Fathullah Ali (14 years old), Yousif (college student). Yousif is currently unemployed and has to endure tons of surgeries because he was born with a skin disorder. He goes to college at the College of Agriculture in Abu Ghraib. He usually just sits at his computer all day. The background is mostly trees and dirt road. There is mostly brick buildings and white plastered walls. Sometimes the boys are interviewed on a couch. But, they are mostly outside. It might show the viewer what life is like for these young teens. Instead of playing games, they have to work. The videos I’ve seen before is mostly the same, except in this video, we are in the backyard almost. Other videos, are in the street. The most memorable thing I find is watching these kids at work. I cannot believe that these kids make furniture by hand. That is crazy!

HW 32: Empty School

I decided to focus on shopping for school supplies. I was really touched because I act the same way when I go school shopping. I loved having all my supplies organized and getting new pencils and notebooks. She smelt the erasers too! The children were really excited to go see their friends and use the new school supplies. The schools have been replaced but there were still not that many kids in the classrooms. The classrooms felt empty. Since the children really didn’t have a summer because they were mostly indoors and not allowed to go outside and play. The children were really excited and anxious to see their friends. There were no desks or chairs in the classroom. It was a big deal to go shopping. Even though E and her cousin had to wait outside the stationary store. (Riverbend 94-97). Riverbend out of all the people were excited to see the bright colors all lined up in rows so organized. It gave her some relief because outside wasn’t as pretty.

HW 30c: Blogging in Media and Journalism

The symposium on Friday (11/9), was about blogging. There were actually three speakers instead of four. The three speakers were Mike Caulfield, a Blue Hampshire Blogger, Jim Rousmaniere, a Keene Sentinel Executive, and Emile Netzhammer, a KSC academic and vice president. The first speaker talked about the change in mainstream media. He talked about the I-Phone and how “we can all be early adapters”. The media used now is more interactive and by sharing more information than usual. He also talked about our attitude in politics as well. Students today don’t think that politics is a way of changing the world. Mike talked about blogging in terms of journalists. He asked “are bloggers journalist?” He stated “Blogging is something you do, not who you are.” In blogging there is still skills and research involved. But, blogging is personal. Jim talked about the differences between blogging and journaling. Blogging has a disclosure, a room, with a special flavor in which the reader is use to. Whereas journaling is more public. It is opinion vs. fact. He liked how Mike posted a blog and he could actually picture the scene. Blogging takes a lot of digging of information and progressive steps.

HW 30b: The Use of Animation!

I went to the Thursday(11/8) citizenship symposium at 3:30. The title of this session was Animation: a message to citizens. The three speakers that spoke were Jiwon Ann, Sander Lee, Mark Timney. Jiwon Ann is a KSC instructor of film, Sander Lee is a KSC professor of philosophy, and Mark Timney is a KSC associate in journalism. The first presentation was about Anime Art and ways of seeing. She states in her presentation that “In any event, citizenship is no longer easily based on soil or blood”(Miller). She talked about fan culture and the art of communication in Japan. There were two female artists but I couldn’t understand her heavy accent. She talked about punk art and the differences between men and woman paintings. Here is a good quote I gathered at her presentation: “ Men act and woman appear”, “woman watch themselves being looked at..”(Berger). Another presenter based his presentation on a cartoon with Donald Duck and Hitler. The cartoon says “Hail Hitler”. Donald awakes from this dream and he sees a shadow of Hitler. But, it actually was the statue of Liberty. He was also dressed in Star Spangled Pj’s. It was a very powerful cartoon. He also had another cartoon about Bugs Bunny. There is the two theories of evils in both films. Mark Timney presented a slide show about South Park. He explained how the show is so popular because of the: controversy, vulgarity, attacks in religion, sexual content, and exploitation of sensitive issues. South Park racks in over 4 million total viewers. He explains how 55% has a moral lesson and we should all be active citizens.

HW 30: Citzenship at Keene

I went to the symposium at 5:00 in the mountain view room. This is Keene State College’s Fifth Biennial World Affairs Symposium. This year, they decided to do Citizenship. A symposium is a basically when someone comes in and speaks about that subject. It is free and open to the public. Anyone can go and listen. There is a list of subject also. I went to one about high school and college students being involved in community service and politics. The title of this speech was youth and civic education. The speaker was a cooperate communication teacher at University of Rhode Island. Her name was Val Endress. She basically had two main points. The first thing that she talked about was how much involvement students get in community service. She said that “One out of four schools require volunteer work.” She posed problems why students don’t get involved as much as they would like. One of the reasons were that college students focus on school so there is not much time to volunteer. Whereas some people actually use volunteer work for a resume builder. The other main point she mentioned was how little high school and college students know about politics. I was really surprised when she said that “2/3rds of students play an active role of getting involved.” Overall I liked the subject because it related to me. It was interesting to watch.

HW 28: Riverbend...You inspire me!

Dear, Riverbend. Wow. I am speechless. For so many years, the US has hid us Americans away from what is going on. The media has defiantly portrayed different meanings to us. It really is hard for me to put my feelings into words. Let me start off by saying how brave and noble you are. I believe that everyone in the US should your blogs or this book. Today after reading your book from August 2003, I put up an away message. An away message is something from AIM which is a computer networking service. This is what my away message said…“I highly suggest that people read "Baghdad Burning" by: Riverbend. It is a girl blog from Iraq and It realllly makes me think..and since everyone lives in this country and cares about our future as Americans and other futures in the world, then YOU too should read it.” I didn’t just put this away message up because I HAVE to write a post for my class. I really want people to KNOW what is going on! Most Americans here are going on with their daily routines and thinking nothing of it. This really makes me angry. Some people might not agree with me, but I want this war to end more and more each day. I thought that after we found out that their were no WOMD (weapons of mass destruction), we should get out. We have no business in Iraq. I think that Bush is stupid. I think that he is trying to portray America as the super hero trying to “save the Iraqis“. I believe that is ridiculous. The Bush Administration needs to get off their high horse. Why is it that you have to be jobless or wear something that you don’t want to wear? Why is it that you have to go to bed fully dressed because you don’t know when there will be an attack? It sickens me to think that us as citizens are powerless. Or at least that is how I feel. I feel as though we were put under a trance. Hidden from reality. And yes, the news here should show the Iraqis terror and not only our troops. I wish I could write so much more. I am revolted. Let me tell you, Riverbend, that you are not alone in your feelings. We, here, feel you too.

HW 27: What Makes Riverbend Bend?

This is the bibliography for Baghdad Burning: Riverbend. Baghdad Burning: Girl Blog From Iraq. The University of New York, NY: The Feminist P, 2005. 1-286. I believe that this book is similar to the class A Blog of Ones Own because it serves to focus on woman and the struggles they face. In class, we talked about Virginia Woolf and her book A Room of Owns One which also focuses on woman beliefs and woman rights. Woman, especially Iraqi woman, are the focus in Riverbend’s blog Baghdad Burning. This blog, which was later published into a book, is all about capturing the events of a young woman who faces challenges and obstacles in her everyday life as an Iraqi. Riverbend purposely writes this blog to 1. Experience her life in the war and to speak out about the reality of what is going on and 2. To show people that she DOES know English and that she IS educated. Some people are actually skeptical when reading the blog or the book because they think that she might not be Iraqi. Riverbend essentially laughs at these assumptions because they are being stereotypical. They think that Iraqi people don’t own computers or Televisions. For the most part, readers get connected to what she is saying when they are reading her blog. If Riverbend doesn’t respond or post any recent blogs, readers become nervous. I know people say: “No news is good news” but that is not the case. We, at home, are wondering is she and her family made it through the bomb or gun fires in which she speaks about. Riverbend explains in dept her everyday life in the mist of the war so well, that people become concerned whether or not she is still alive.

HW 25: Riverbend Den

In the foreword of “Baghdad Burning”, we are introduced in the introduction to a young woman of 24 named Riverbend. This is not her real name. Riverbend is just a stage name because she blogs anonymously. If her name was to get out, there would be controversy because she talks a lot about the US and other notorious subjects. We learn in the forward that Riverbend has a brother named E. She also lives with her mother. When people talk about Anti-American Riverbend gets frustrated because she watches American movies and listens to Brittney Spears the same way we do. Also, Riverbend states “Why does America identify itself with its military and government” (Soueif viii). Which is a very complicated question for any American. Soueif also argues with the reader that Riverbend is well educated and speaks good English. He stresses that she didn’t have to write these blogs. In the introduction, the author Ridgeway talks about Riverbend’s life. He explains how Riverbend and her brother would sit on the rooftop and listen to the tanks and gunshots. That is very scary. He basically explains the background and history of the war. The Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the 2003 war were the couple of wars that he mentioned. He also just wanted to prepare the reader for some of the horrific events that Riverbend will experience and he wants us to know that we will experience these events like she did because they become real.

HW 24: My Room-Woman

I do have a room of my own. Even though I live in my dorm, that is not the place that I like to think and collect my feelings. My room at home is actually the place I like to think for the most part. Even though I don’t have access all the time, when I am home, I take full advantage. I took a Woman History class in high school and this quote was actually stated in that class and I remember it. “One could not go to the map and say Columbus discovered America and Columbus was a woman; or take an apple and remark, Newton discovered the laws of gravitation and Newton was a woman; or look into the sky and say airplanes aeroplanes are flying overhead and aeroplanes were invented by woman.” (Woolf 85). This actually brings me to a life experience because I somehow thought that woman are going to take over the world. Even with Hilary Clinton taking a chance. But, I found out that maybe that will still never happen even though it has gotten better, I don’t think that it will never happen. People are shutting her down. “It is fatal to be a man or woman pure and simple; one must be woman-manly or man-womanly. (Woolf 104). I love this quote because it is so true! There can never be a just a man or just a woman. We are all combined and like each other. There is no possible way that someone can be like that because this is how god created us. Then why is woman so degrading even to this day?

HW 23: Jezebel Absurd with Apologies to Woolf

Clearly, my mind has by no means “Woman Who Date Married Men Make No Apologies, But Plenty of Excuses.” (http://jezebel.com/gossip/foreign-affairs/woman-who-dates-married-men-makes-no-apologies-but-plenty-of-excuses-313988.php.) On the contrary Alliyah, the 25 year old model harassed and distracted with hates and grievances, left her then a man. The human race is split up for her into two parties. He then man the “opposing fraction”; he is hated and feared. However, he was diminished for a non other married soul. He is far greater than some bum. Meeting in the bar. In fact she has the power to bar her way to what she wants to do--- which is to…do her hair different. This paragraph was taken and revised. (Woolf 59) The blog that I was watching was Jezebel. I wanted to pick this because it is completely opposite of something that Virginia Woolf would watch. But, I think that she would respond to the article in that way. Because it is opposite of the things she talks about men with.

HW 22: Woolf Isn't She Ironic?

After reading A Room of Ones Own by Virginia Woolf I noticed a lot of irony and sarcasm. She seems very sarcastic and ironic when she states “Woman do not write books about men--a fact that I could not help welcoming with relief, for if I had first to read all that men have written about woman, then all that woman have written about men, the aloe that flowers once in a hundred years would flower twice before I could set pen to paper” (Woolf 27). I think that she is being sarcastic because she is basically she is saying that there is too many books to read about men talking about woman and woman talking about men. Also, I think that this is ironic because she is says that woman don’t write books about men and she is actually writing about men in this book. She also says “When the arguer agues dispassionately he thinks only of the argument; and the reader cannot help thinking of the argument too” (Woolf 34). This is very ironic because she is arguing passionately about arguing passionately and she still is thinking about the argument. I found this next quote very ironic because she is talking “bad” about men in this book. She states “I found myself adopting a new attitude towards the other half of the human race” (Woolf 38). As she says “It is useless to ask such questions; for nobody can answer them” (Woolf 40). I think that this is ironic because she is answering these questions day by day by living life. I think that she has a really strong opinion in the way that males and females are different. I believe that by living life and hitting challenges on her way, she is answering them in her own way.

HW 21: Dear Amy...

Dear Amy,
I actually did read the book “A Room of Ones Own”. I actually read it in my Blogging class a couple of months ago and I thought it was confusing too! I know it is a hard read, but I will do my best to try to help you. Don’t freak out. It will be OK. I actually really did like this book. My blogging class is talking about woman and woman’s rights. I bet that is what your English teacher wanted to portray. So in chapter one, the narrator Mary is asked to describe woman and fiction. Which she thinks it is really difficult to do. She says that she needs money and one room to think. She thinks by the river bend in Oxbridge. As she does that she thinks of fish and grabbing ideas in the river. Then a guy named beetle tells her that woman cannot be on the grass, so she has to move. In my opinion and the way I took it, it was degrading to woman. I think that if you take each sentence and break it down then you might be able to understand it better. That is what I did. I think that it is hard to understand, because there are a lot of symbols figures. But, just take it slow and read it maybe a couple of times. If you have any other questions about chapter 1, just email me back ok? Don’t get stressed out it will be alright.
Sincerely, Kerri

HW 19: Its Taking Over the World all to Quick!

I chose the second paragraph on page 85. I found this paragraph interesting because I found out how much politics have really taken over in the blogging world. This paragraph talks about how much the blogging has effected politics and the mainstream media. The White House Internet Director by the name of Jimmy Orr, stated that blogging is “instrumental, important, and underestimated in its influence.’ What Orr really means is that blogging has been looked at lightly and not taken serious by some people. When it is actually very important and useful. But, it can also get you into trouble. Consider Trent Lott, for example. In December of 2002 he was resigned as U.S. Senate leader for making provocative comments at Sen. Thurmond’s 100th birthday party. Even though he got fired, it did make some news in the media. Which is why I believe that blogging while go big and global. Once the media gets a handle on these incidents, then blogging will be known. My conclusion, then, is that since politics is taken over our country and blogging is taken over politics, then blogging will defiantly take over the country. You watch, it will happen.

HW 18: What is the world coming to???

I chose to watch jezebel this week. The title is I Love New York 2: Little People, Big Boobs. The URL is http://jezebel.com/gossip/trash-tv/i-love-new-york-2-little-people-big-boobs-308666.php. It is very short, but I find it very disturbing. The first thing that makes me mad is the title. The title plays on a show Little People Big World. That show is very inspiring. It is about real people and how they live their life being little people or “midgets”. On the show I Love New York 2, there happens to be a midget on the show who wants to love New York. “Seriously, there was so much awesomeness in the premiere episode of I Love New York 2 that I'm incredibly optimistic about this season.” In making this comment, Jezebel says that the show is going to be awesome and interesting. But, how awesome is someone’s mom making fun of one of the midgets on the show. I seriously don’t understand how people can watch this and feel like it is a truly good show. I think that it is displeasing that there are shows like this. Yet, so many people watch it and she becomes famous. I don’t get it.

HW 17b: Dailykos vs. Wonkette Smackdown

After reading “Blogging the Presidency: An Interview with Markos Moulitsas Zuniga” and “Sex, Lies, and political Scrapes: An Interview with Ana Maria Cox”, I feel that I Zuniga’s Blog would be more likely to influence the way you would vote in a coming election. His Blog the Dailykos is mostly about war and politics. He is an actual veteran. He uses his experiences and writes them down. So that people can take him seriously and really understand what he is talking about. He gets a lot of controversial comments on his site. He mostly talks about the democratic option, but people respond differently to that. On the other hand, Cox writes about other things like gossip and whatever comes to her mind that day. She writes informally and has her own opinion about what is going on in the world as far as tips on sex and rumors. I think that Zuniga’s blog would have more a politics and the media than Cox’s blog. I also think that his blog would be taken more seriously because he has had the background that supports what he is saying. I know that if I were to make a blog about war and politics I would not have enough sources in which I would be able to strongly pose my opinion. I could easily talk about rumors and gossip and what is going on in the social life. Therefore, I think that the Dailykos would be a better blog to look at for the upcoming election opposed to Wonkette.

HW:17 Leave it to the "Professionals"!

I read Sexism in our Everyday Professional Lives. Posted by Dr. Confused. The URL is http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2007/10/03/sexism-in-our-everyday-professional-lives/ . I wanted to read this article because I thought that it was very interesting and there was a bunch of different stories that have affected woman. I find this interesting and heart wrenching to hear some of these stories. Some of these stories are shocking! To hear how men can put a woman down. I mean to put anyone in an awkward situation is just wrong. Especially in any work place. Work is suppose to be professional. I hate the fact that men think that woman are not as high in status as them. They think they are better. One of the stories was about a man giving a presentation and he said “I would like to apologize to the ladies in the room. I’m afraid my presentation has many formulae and graphs and other mathematical details.” He makes it seem like woman have no idea what math is. That guy just assumed that no girl in that room was smart. Sometimes, women can be even smarter than men. I don’t understand how guys can stereotype. One implication of the Dr.’s treatment of feminism is this quote: “I haven’t experienced too much as a female student in such a male dominated area, but every now and then I get somebody doubting my credibility because I was born with two x chromosomes.” I completely agree with this quote. Just because we are women doesn’t mean that we don’t know anything. We are smart and we don’t need men to degrade us. Its just wrong. Especially during work because we are all equals.

HW 16b: What Makes Blogging Hot?

In “Blogs: Humanizing the Face of Corporate America”, Robert Scoble discusses blogs and how they are taking off in the corporate world. Scoble was very opinionated at his old job and he wrote blogs. He told one of his customers about this blog that he writing and the customer followed it for five months! He ended up asking Scoble to work for the big company of Microsoft. He believes that blogs are cheap, passionate and authoritative. He says that it all about the word of mouth. Blogs can defiantly spread the word and transfer new ideas quicker than any TV or Radio. Scoble states that “They’re going to be more integrated”. Which means that it will have more than just plain blog posts. They are going to have maps and videos and systems like Technorati and Flickr. There are five pillars that make blogging hot. They are the five pillars of conversational software. The first pillar is “ease of publishing”. Ease of publishing means that it is easy to post a blog and there are step by step instructions on how to create a blog. The second is “discoverability”. This makes it easy for other people to search your blog. Tags are a word of two that you can search and the blog that you were looking for will appear. It is easy to find and discover. The third pillar is “cross-site conversations”. This is used to see who is linked to you by links. The fourth pillar is called “permalinking” which connects you to a link that you want to read or watch. On the blog, all you have to do is click on the URL and it will bring you right to the blog or website you wanted. The last one is “syndication”. This is when you ca watch different blogs and post comments and keep up with the new posts. It has gotten harder to look at all of these blogs because there are so many. But, all you have to do is add the blog to your blog as a URL and you can click on it to watch it.

HW 14: Blogging too good for Denton?

I chose to respond to Nick Denton (Kline and Burstein 150-157). According to his responses he believes that blogging is not a new and interesting phenomenon. Even though he does think that it is growing day by day, he thinks that it has been around for a while. Actually, he states “Everything that is, and that will be, has been forever”. Ultimately I agree with him when he talks about people wanting to complicate blogs more than they are needed. After all, I have a blog, and it was so easy to set up and manipulate. For Instance, I think that people will not try to evolve blogs because they think that it is too much of a complicated process. For example, when I started this class, I didn’t know what blogs were and I was afraid to set one up and use it because I thought it was hard to do. But, it really isn’t. On the other hand, I disagree with the fact that he doesn’t want to take experienced writers to write for him. Naturally you would want to pick the best writers for your blog so that they can have well written paragraphs and citations. Whereas Denton wants to have his writers young and new. Therefore, writers with unknown experience would be able to get a job. As a result, you would think that his blogs would not get the best review. But in fact we are wrong because his web blogs are growing an estimated twenty percent a month. Consequently, as much as he says he doesn’t care about how blogs are taking off and how much of a phenomenon it is causing, he business is growing and he has blogging to thank.

HW 13: Blogging is too cool for Buisness

I believe that both blogs for business and blogs for communication are important. Blogs have taken off in both business and communication. But, I think that communication blogs have one step up on the business blogs. I think that blogging for a company or a business might be dangerous. As Baker and Green was explaining, a man by the name of Mark Jen worked at Google. He liked his job, but he posted a blog stating how bad the food was for the employees. He was soon fired. Although he was fired, he got recognition from another company who hired him. Even though he got another job, I don’t think all people are that lucky. Mostly when someone blogs about their job or position, their not praising it. Which leads to controversy. Ultimately, what is at stake here is the job of the employee. I am not saying that all business blogs are going down the drain; blogs are just more of a social connection. But, blogs are being used as a form of media. Which is a good thing. I think that it will come far in the media ideal. When blogging for business, its more sugar coated. I think that businesses are more likely to exaggerate about the business or company than tell all the pros and cons. As Green and Baker states: “Take a look at blog advertising today, and it’s hard to see a glittering future.” But, who knows what the future hold for blogging. It could have a high just as fast as blogging will make its downfall. You never know.

HW 11: World Wide Express

I chose to view Rconversation blog. Ideas, links, and occasional rants by Rebecca MacKinnon: journalist, blogger, and educator. The background is kind of plain. There is a maroon bar at the top which is really the only type of color on there. The URL is as listed: http://rconversation.blogs.com/. The topics include: journals of Bush, Democracy in China/Chinese bloggers, media, social justice. The style is in open conversation. They are just regular people with a strong opinion of the subject. The style of writing in informal. I think that Rebecca Mackinnon demonstrates a good understanding for this web blog. She says that the blog is a good way of communication for people around the world and in different countries. I expected to see people talking about global issues and people from different countries responding to them. It is hard to tell who is from what country however. Some people have a common name like Charles. There are not really any different languages which I was sort of expecting after I read “Making Global Voices Heard”. Of course, many will disagree with this assertion that speaking English can mean you are from a different country. There were not a lot of comments on these blogs, but there were some strong opinions on mostly the Chinese bloggers and the democracy in China.

HW 9: Blogger life saver?

I am responding to the interview of Ayelet Waldman. Waldman is a novelist. She likes to write down her feelings and create them into a novel. Most of her stories are about her children and the difficulties of giving birth. This woman has been through a lot in her life. Her troubles led her to blog. Blogging helped her cope with some of her problems. She became addicted to blogging a little before her son was born. She explains how blogging is a good way for stay at home moms to shout out their feelings. Well, she is glad that she made her feelings public on one night. She has bipolar II, which is a mild case. This one night, she had the urge to commit suicide. Blogging saved her life. If she had not blogged about her suicide that night, she probably would have done the deed. I agree that “when you blog, you blog about what outrages you”, a point the needs emphasizing since so many people believe that blogs are just a fun way to communicate nicely. Which also makes me believe that “there is no second set of eyes, so the first thing that comes into anyone’s mind is the thing that comes out on the page.” Which Waldman is not use to being a novelist. She claims that she probably could have written more novels if it weren’t for blogging. She says that since her feelings were broadcasted on the internet, she cant write a book about it. I disagree because not everyone has read those blogs. I believe that she still could have written that novel about her suicide thought. Blogging really can influence people. There are so many supporting people but so many deceiving people as well. You never know who is really real.

HW 7: Private or Public: That is the question!

I believe for the most part that live journaling or blogs for young teens is harmless. In some ways however it can be hurtful. The whole point of having a journal is so that people can write down their feelings and keep it to themselves. That’s why in most movies or shows, someone will sneak into someone’s room and look at the journal or diary. It’s not really meant for anyone else to read it. But, there is no harm whatsoever to make it public if you choose to. If you don’t choose to have a live journal, then you don’t have to. Young teens like these journals because they get to see another side of someone that maybe you don’t see in the classroom. Even though some of the words can be hurtful or gutsy to post. In Emily Nussbaum’s article “My So-Called Blog”, she makes this evident when she states:
As reality-television stars put it, exposure may be painful at times, but it’s all part of the process of “putting it out there,” risking judgment and letting people in. (Kline and Burstein 352)
This quote is explaining how even though you may not always like how you are perceived, it shows people who you really are and how you really think. It is the risk of letting people know your true colors. Sometimes that can be a good thing and sometimes people may not like the way you really are. But, in regards to the article, I think that it’s the choice of the reader and the writer. If the writer wants to let out something secret about his or her life, then that is his decision. If they don’t want anyone to know their deep dark secrets then they don’t need to get a live journal or blog. It is as simple as that.

HW 5b: A Whole New World

Have you ever just looked at your life and pictured what it would be like without media? Today I did just that. Everyday someone is looking or reading or listening to some kind of media. Whether it would be a newspaper, book, magazine, internet or radio. These sources are what makes our life flow. These sources are what keep our mornings, afternoons and nights on track. How would we know about the war or weather reports without some kind of media. It is almost like the battle of the media now these days. Every type of media is competing. I admire the fact that Kline explains the different types of media in “I Blog, Therefore I Am”. Most of the media back in the 1950’s were basically newspapers. Everyone read and listened to the same information. Now, there are different types of information and different types of opinion based articles. I believe that Kline was right in saying that blogging has come along way, but still isn’t nearly as big as other media. He demonstrates that “CNN’s Website draws more than 22 million users a month more than bloggers can only dream of matching.” He explained that “more than 352 million magazines were sold in the US from last year.” Which is really good. But, I argue that as much as magazines are selling now, it cost money to buy them. When you could just go online and find all those articles on a website. I disagree with Kline’s paragraph that suggests that “bloggers are more transparent than the mainstream media about the process use in writing their articles, providing readers with links to documents and other information sources.” (pg 240 paragraph 4). I disagree with that because you really don’t see where the sources are coming from. Even with the news. You don’t know if its real. With blogs, you hear it from the real people manufacturing real item, or real people talking about the issues. Its more personal. But cant trust that they are telling us the truth.

HW 6: What Interests me as a student?

There was actually only three social computing technologies that I use on a daily basis. These technologies include chat rooms and text chats, instant messaging, and social networking services. These three technologies are the most used among teenagers. Instant messaging has been around for a while, and I would be surprised if someone didn’t pick instant messaging as one of their top choices. This is my favorite use of communication. I think that it is easy and fun. The only thing that I don’t like about it, is that you sometimes can’t tell whether or not your friend is joking or being serious. I also like it because I talk to people that I wouldn’t normally talk to on the phone. I also use www.facebook.com and www.myspace.com. These are the two social networking services that I use. I like these because you can meet people and look at photos. I would never meet up with someone I don’t know. You really cant trust anyone on these services. People can easily pretend to be someone they are not. I only talk to my good friends. The websites itself is easy to set up and easy to manipulate. I also use chat rooms and texts to talk with my friends. I think that text messaging is my favorite because I know that the person I am texting is not someone that is sketchy. It’s also easy if you want to send them something that you don’t want to call them about. Just a little sentence.
My sister took a woman’s history class last year and I got really interested in sexism. There are some things that I couldn’t believe when she told me. Racism also interests me. It is apart of my history and it has decreased over the years even though there is still racism. Also I wanted to find out about the war and refugees. In different countries like Africa and even the US. I wanted to look into Africa because I think that it relates to racism. Like where it all started and interesting facts about the refugees in our country. Hopefully I will be able to find out more.

HW 4: Responding to "The Voice of the Customer"

PURELL® is a type of hand sanitizer that I found in my room. The promise of this product is “Imagine a Touchable World.” I think that it makes the hand sanitizer seem that that is the only thing you need to put on in order to touch something. I defiantly touch computer keyboards, toys for pets, remote controls, light switches, doorknobs, handles, and kitchen countertops without using hand sanitizer. I do use it, but I only use it if I feel the need. I don’t usually put it on all the time. In the add, it seems as though if you don’t use it, then you are dirty. They also say that the people who have PURELL® see the world in a different light. I see the world the same. Even if I did use this hand sanitizer, there will still be germs on me. I like the hand sanitizer, but even if I use CVS brand, it still feels the same way. It also promises a healthier life. I am a healthy teen, and my doctor never really said “Kerri, since you use this product, you are healthier”. I like PURELL® but I don’t use it as accessibly as the ad wants us to. I don’t think anyone uses it every single second of the day. I don’t think someone will say “WAIT, I can’t open this door right now…I need to put some hand sanitizer on first and after I open the door”. I think that goes a little too far in the ads. But every ad exaggerates just to get the costumer to buy it. Well, I guess it worked for me, cause I have it.

HW 2: Politics and Blogging?

Toward a More Participatory Democracy



The chapter Politics and Policy Toward a More Participatory Democracy discusses politics in a way we’ve never heard of. You would think that most politicians would use the newspapers, news and magazines to campaign, but in fact, some are starting to use blogs. The chapter talks about how the media has been giving us false information, misinterpretation and exaggeration. There were only social blogs, not political until recently. The political life mentioned that “no one reads blogs”. Blogs were basically for young adults. Now, that has all changed. Almost six months after the 2004 elections, blogs sites were being visited 11 million visits per month. So the media and blogging eras have defiantly changed. It seemed like the media just wanted to make money, because of all the lies that they make just to draw an audience in. It seems that they don’t care about relaying the real news, it all about the money and the publicity that they get. The chapter expresses that the media is not fair nor balanced. The news is trying to compete with reality TV shows and entertainment.
Blogs is now the new “newspaper” in politics. Politicians are actually taking advantage of the blogging system and using it to campaign. In my opinion I think that it should go back to the old fashioned posters and newspapers. Blogging should be left to the teens and young adults. All people do is spread animosity. I don’t think that it’s worth all the trouble and fighting. I personally like blogging, but I’m also not a politic. I think that the politicians should not argue about positions on the internet. I just don’t think that it is there place to campaign. Politicians are not the kinds of people who have respectful conversations to each other. Until they can be civilized people, then they can feel free to campaign on the online blogging sites. But until then I would leave blogging up to the teenagers.

HW 1: Only The Start of Global Blogging

"From Cave Painting to Wonkette"


In blog! how the newest media revolution is changing politics, business, and culture, Kline and Burstein explains how blogging is becoming a global success. In the introduction, they talk about the blogs and how blogging impacts different groups in society. A variety of people are actually becoming united by blogging. There are even different blogs in different languages, such as Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Farsi, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. In my opinion I think that this could be an upbringing experience for different cultures. In the opening sentence, it shows us that not only Americans use blogging. In fact Kline and Burstein states that “there are numerous examples of how blogs are already changing culture and politics around the globe.” I believe that it is a good thing that blogging is going global because we can find ourselves connecting with these other countries.
Even though we are probably the biggest blogging country, I feel as though other countries like China can really benefit from these online blogs. As Kline and Burstein mentioned China has actually been impacted by the influence of blogging. The government, technology, and the voices of free people have improved immensely.