HW 42

Hello, this is Kelly, and we are the Beta Pod from Keene State College ITW 101. We are using Baghdad Burning as a reference for this podcast.

Hi, this is Sarah. The passage that left the biggest impression on us from this weeks reading was found on page 262. Riverbend basically says that Bush gives repulsive speeches and is sheepish-however he makes an attempt to sound sincere. The people of Iraq are not big fans of President Bush.

Hi, this is Lori. Student next semester can expect to learn first hand what it was like living in Iraq during the war.

Hey, this is Hayley. The students can also learn from the book that what is shown on Television is not half as bad as it really is.

Hi, this is Emily. Thank you for listening to us, have an enjoyable evening! Peace out.

HW 36: Beta Pod's Gabcast

http://www.gabcast.com/index.php?a=episodes&b=play&id=8538&cast=49707&autoplay=true

HW 35: A letter to my Readers

All throughout the last semester, we spent time writing all sorts of blogs and discovering new things about technology that I never even knew about. Before coming into this class, the only time I ever heard about "blogs" was on My space, but I never actually used them, so I didn't know much about them, and now, I have my own blog. I've learned so much about mass media, technology, and just how much of a way blogging is used for communication. It is a way for people to express the way they feel and not worry about what others have to say or think. Which is what I feel the best about. I love that I can just write about how I feel about the reading and everything else we've dealt with and I don't have to worry if it’s right or wrong. I'm really sure what someone could learn from my blogs because there my opinions, but I hope that someone will gain some sort of knowledge from them. I haven't really decided if I’m going to keep my blogs or not because I’m not sure if they are something that I want to keep around. I don't think blogging is something that I’m going to stay with, but it is something that I’m glad I did. It is not something that I would have started on my own, and I don't think it will be something that I will continue on my own.

HW 34: Responding to Riverbend, "Cultural Literacy"

In Baghdad Burning, Riverbend talks about the role that gold plays with families. "Gold is a part of our culture and the roll it plays in 'family savings' has increased since 1990 when the Iraqi Dinar began fluctuating crazily" (Riverbend, 100). People were converting their money to gold, as ways to make items for sale, because the value of gold was something that wasn't going to change. Before the war hit, Iraqi's were withdrawing all their money to get gold. What I found most upsetting about this part of reading was when Riverbend talked about how troops took money from people's homes because they didn't think people like "that" owned gold.

In Iraq a garden isn't complete without a palm tree in it. "In the winter months, they act as 'resorts' for the exotic birds that flock to Iraq. We often see various species of birds roosting between the leaves, picking on the sweet dates and taunting the small boys below who can't reach the nests" (Riverbend, 103). There are more than 300 different types of dates, with all different characteristics, and have all different uses. They are used to make "dibiss", syrup that is eaten. "Khal" is also produced, olive oil that makes great seasoning. "Palm trees have represented the rugged, stoic beauty of Iraq. They are a reminder that no matter how difficult the circumstances, there is hope for life and productivity." (Riverbend, 105)

HW 33: Responding to a Podcast

The first video pod cast I decided to write about was "Iraqi teens work the help their families" found at http://aliveinbaghdad.org/2007/10/15/iraqi-teens-work-to-help-their-families. This pod cast talks about teens in Iraq manage to want to help their families out despite all that goes on. They interview children of all different ages between the range of 11-17 and others. It talks about what its like for children living in the Iraqi world. Its hard to listen to what these kids have to say and how determined they how to help their families out, when they have so little. I know for my personally when I was little I loved helping my parents out with things but now it doesn't really occur to me, and for these kids it is a continuous thing and something that they want to do. One of goes to work every morning where its suppose to take 30 minutes but it takes an hour, just the determination of the fact that these kids put their lives at risk.

The next video I chose to write about was found at http://aliveinbaghdad.org/2007/08/20/syria-child-artist-dreams-of-return-to-iraq. Muhammad is a young boy artist who loves to draw, and started drawing before he started school. His father taught him how to paint and sketch. He likes painting thing from "Iraqi reality"; his dad first realized his talent when he was only four years old and living in Baghdad. He says, "Baghdad represents everything to me", because it was born there, it is a very important part of him. I really enjoy the fact that he is so young and yet really enjoys what he does and has such inspiration in his life to keep doing something he loves.

HW 32: Responding to Riverbend (Sep.19th-Oct.5th)

I chose to write about Akila Al-Hashimi. In the reading, on page 75 it opens with talks about someone attempt in taking Akila's life. She was leaving for work when two pick-up trucks open-fired on her randomly. People surrounding heard the gunshots and people around began shooting at each other. Akila was a member of the Iraq council and according to Riverbend, she meant well. What I found really interesting while reading this is something that Riverbend said, which was "no female is safe" (Riverbend, 75). Riverbend talks about how some people may have had a bitterness towards her and that maybe there was some sort of warning in which things could have been prevented if more people were there protecting her. It's interesting to see how people are so easily judged there because they aren't following a religion or aren't a certain sex.

HW 31: Responding to Riverbend

When doing the assigned reading I was interested in finding out a little more about who Ahmad Al-Chalabi is. In page 44 (Riverbend) it talks about how Chalabi "has finally achieved the epitome of his political aspirations". Chalabi is from a family of secular Shittes and is seen as being very optimistic. Chalabi is an Iraqi politician and the leader of the Iraqi national congress. He is the "Black Horse" that the United States wagered. He stood up for the Iraq liberation act. Most of the information that I found out was stuff about who he was and what he does and has done as a leader for the Iraqi people. This has to do with what were reading in the book right now because since he is an Iraqi leader, he obviously is an important role in what’s goes on in Iraq and has power over things, so its important to know who he is. The link that I found information on Chalabi gives some backround on him and then goes further into an interview. She talks about how she stays up to date with all his interviews and what not, which I find is important to know more about because, there’s a reason that she stays with them, and its probably a good one.

HW 30: "Citizenship and Responsibility"

Today, Thursday, November 8th I attended the "Citizenship and Responsibility" symposium. The opening speaker, Katrina sweat is the daughter of Tom Lantos, the only survivor of the holocaust that serves in the US Congress. Tom came to the United States after the Second World War. Katrina spoke a little bit about her father, whom she referred to as her "hero". In 1980, Tom ran for congress, later to introduce legislation, making him an honorary citizen of the United States. He spoke about how as he grew up, him and his siblings were taught that they were expected to make the world a better place. One thing that he said that I found interesting, yet at the same time I wasn't sure exactly what he meant by it or what his point was, was "men and women understood freedom was possible". He then refers to the famous quote "All men are created equal", but he makes a point by saying that this did not stop them from owning slaves, and how no one said anything including women. One thing that I found most interesting out of all the things he mentioned talking about so much US history and all, was that we are "living at a time where the image of the US is at an all time low", he speaks about how the United States forgot all the positive things that have been done and now only remember the negative. In the end Tom speaks about how our forthcoming president, has two responsibilities, one being that he must bring everything together, and secondly they must rebuild prestige and respect for the US. What I loved most was his dedication and he wanting to make things better for everyone in the United States with such determination should really inspire people.

HW 30: Citizens Gone Wild (Tuesday)

On Tuesday, November 6th, I went to the symposium "Citizens gone wild" (slideshow) by Nancy Tobi. Nancy openly spoke about democracy and her feelings towards it. She was born in Lexington Mass, which is known as "the birthplace of American Liberty". She is the founder of http://www.blackboxvoting.org/, which can give you updates on the latest news in Mainstream News Reports, or information with the latest elections, voting rights, etc. The slideshow that Nancy showed was about the two different voting techniques that are used. Diebold is a machine counting method with the votes, whereas the other technique was just hand count, which is pretty self-explanatory, where each voted was hand counted. 81% of New Hampshire uses the counting software. Nancy talks about how the government takes its power from the people, and she made that very clear that the power came form the people, and that in order for the government to receive it then they needed to be open to the people. I found Nancy’s speech to be interesting because she seemed determined to make a change, I quote her when I say, "There is sunlight at the end of the tunnel". What she says shows that she still has hope and if you look at things in those certain was they you'll eventually get there with enough determination.

HW 27: Annotated bibliography

Riverbend. Baghdad Burning. New York: The Feminist Press at the City University of New York, 2005.



The book Baghdad Burning, is a book written in blogs by an Iraqi girl names Riverbend. The purpose of it was a way that she was able to express her feelings and the differnet things that she went through while her time during the war. Readers are able to use her blogs as a source to find out information and updates on her life and things going on around her. This book of Riverbend's blogs fit into our current course because in our course we discuss the huge impact that blogs have on people and the fact that they are literally in with people around the world. Because people used her blogs as a source, it just really shows how intact people are with blogs that they are watching and how much they inform people. This book shows us things from someone's point of veiw and the things they expressed, it allows you to put yourself in someone elses's shoes. I think it will be a very interesting read because I am going to be ale to continuously look at something through someone else's eyes and see the world the way that they viewed it.

HW 25: Baghdad Burning

When reading the Forward and Introduction of Baghdad Burning, I found that much of it opened up my eyes even with just reading the brief descriptions that were said. The Forward, was a short but informative description of the Blog by Riverbend, it is described as being “right inside the heart and mind of a young Baghdadi woman as she lives through the war”(Soueif, vii). Ahdaf Soueif quotes riverbend on many of the things she said while her time spent during the war. The forward also talks about how the book should shame those who looked down on Iraqi’s. The Introduction of Baghdad Burning goes into further detail about Riverbend, her experience, and her family. The intro proceeds to go into the detail about the war in Iraq. James Ridgeway talks about the affect that it had on people. Although I was not personally affected by this I still feel for anyone that was, so I think that it is going to be interesting to read the blog of Riverbend and look at things coming from her perspective and get more involved with her story.

HW 24: A room of my own

Many women have a room of their own. A room where they keep their belongings and where even many secrets are kept. It’s what makes them who they are. My room here at school is very different from my room at home, “The rooms differ so completely; they are calm or thunderous; open on to the sea, or, on the contrary, give on to a prison yard; are hung with washing; or alive with opals and silks; are hard as a horsehair or soft as feathers- one has only to go into any room in any street for the whole of that extremely complex force of femininity to fly in one’s face.” (Woolf,87). My room at home differs from my room here at school, things seem so much quieter and calmer at home whereas here at school, things in my room are constantly getting lost because of the mess and what not, which then just gets my frustrated. “If we have what habit of freedom and the courage to write exactly what we think; if we escape a little from the common sitting rooms and see human beings not always in their relation to each other but in relation to reality” (Woolf,113) Virginia Woolf wants people to see the reality of things rather than judging someone on what sex they are or if they have a “room”. You need to reach outside your room, because if it is boring like she describes hers, then you need to find a way to succeed.

HW 23: What would Virginia Woolf think?

As it may be rather obvious, much of what I talk about is the inequality issues that involve men and women. Many of the things I’ve encountered have had to do with just how much women really are below men. The blog that I’ve been watching is Jezebel. The blog that I enjoyed reading the most was "What would you do if you were ditched for a younger woman?" (http://jezebel.com/?refId=313665). What I enjoyed most about this post if the fact that its telling women not to let it get to them, focus on other things, forget about that guy, which is exactly why I enjoy watching jezebel so much, the woman empowerment is encourages. "I perfectly agree with you that no woman has no business to meddle with that or any other serious business, farther than giving her opinion (if she is ask'd)" (Woolf, 55). Jezebel is a way women for women to write freely about things they enjoy writing and reading about. Blogging in general is a great way for women to express their opinions freely and openly.

HW 22: Ch. 2, Patriarchy

In the assigned reading response Patriarchy is defined as “a society in which fathers are the powerful responsible heads of their families and households and by extension, a society in which men hold a disproportionately larger share of power”. In Virginia Woolf’s chapter two reading, much of what she talks about is how men really do have more power, and when comparing them to women, there really is no comparison. On page 25, in the beginning of chapter two, Woolf begins asking questions like “why did men drink wine and women water? Why was one sex so prosperous and the other so poor?” But instead of asking so many questions she left and went to the British Museum. When she goes there she checks out things about women and rules, and when moving over the M section she find nothing on males. There are no books written about men by women, but there are plenty found about Women, written by men. Clearly, men hold a majority of the power and control what goes on. In the reading found in the library it was a book of rules, but when she went to look for men, there were no rules. When going to the New York Times website, I found that this website would not “give a transient visitor to our planet the impression that the United States is a Patriarchy”, because on this website it does not talk about equal rights, what’s right and what’s wrong. All the issues discussed on not just only the New York Times but others are equally applied to both sexes, discussing many different issues, which is much different from the reading where in England it seems as if one sex is favored.

HW 21: Virginia Woolfe's Chapter One

Dear Kiley,

In Chapter One of Virginia Woolf’s, A room of one’s own, the chapter discusses ‘Women and Fiction’; her main point is “A woman must have money and a room of her won if she is to write fiction” (pg. 4). Woolf says that he will do her best she can to write about as to how she came to this opinion. Woolf then goes on to create a fictional story; Any name is fine, as she sits on the banks of a river at oxford. She begins to talk about fishing, but gets interrupted by at first what she calls a “man’s figure”, but later says “He was a beadle; I was a woman” (pg 6), he reminds her that woman are not allowed to walk on the grass, so she heads back to the path. She begins thinking about her surroundings and it makes her think about an essay about revisiting Oxbridge by Charles Lamb, so when she goes to the library to find it, a man quietly said to her “ladies are only admitted to the library if accompanied by a Fellow of the College or furnished with a letter of introduction” (pg.8), making her leave in anger. She gets distracted by music playing off in the distance, when everyone form the university goes inside she decides to stay out, because she doesn’t feel right. She goes on to talk about Oxbridge and its history, she goes on to talk about the lunch served (pg. 10-11), but later gets distracted when she sees “a cat without a tail” (pg 11). Later she talks about another meal that she had, comparing it to the luncheon that was earlier on, except she speaks in a more negative way about this one, with having less privileges. The narrator goes on to talk to Mary Seton, wondering what their mothers were doing in the past that they could not leave any money behind for them. When summarizing chapter one a lot of it talks about men Vs. women, in my opinion.
This reading could be considered important because it shows how women can be looked down on, and have more rules that apply to them, where as men don’t. As my reaction to this reading, I think that it’s a little bit harder to understand the reading, because it really makes you think. Not everything it literal, so you have to read things over more than once, which to me makes it a harder reading, but once understood, it can be interesting.

HW 19: Web of Influence

After reading “Web of Influence” the Foreign Policy article by Daniel Drezner and Henry Farrell, the paragraph that I decided to respond to was the first paragraph on page 86. I Chose to write about this paragraph because I found it interesting with how influential blogs keep becoming. In this paragraph the theory about "what exists, what happens, and what matters" is discussed. But what’s most important is "what matters", for example if something has no importance, then people aren't going to care about it or bother to read/write about it, but when something has significance, then its grabs people attention and makes them curious about what is said. What I found most interesting about the paragraph was the last sentence: "A few elite blogs have emerged as aggregators of information and analysis, enabling media commentators to extract meaningful analysis and rely on blogs to help them interpret and predict political developments", in other words, small time blogs that didn't mean that much were being used as a source for showing future political developments going on. In conclusion, I believe that people expressing how they feel throughout their blogs really is important because in the long run, it is going to affect a lot more than they think.

HW 18: Whats More "Important" on Your Body?

I chose to write about the blog from Jezebel called "What's More 'Important'? Your Face Or Your Ass?" by DODAI. This post was saying that you basically have to choose weather you want to maintain a young looking face or an in shape body. DODAI says that " the "theory" assumes that as a woman gets older, she can either maintain her face or her body, but not both", the reason I chose to write about this post is because I disagree with it. I don't think woman have to choose between which they want to maintain. I have seen plenty of in shape women with "youthful" faces. I think the fact that there saying you can only maintain one or the other is a little ridiculous. Even if it was true, there are plenty of women out there who aren't necessarily slimmed down, but are still just as beautiful. In the they decided to use Teri Hatcher as someone who has chose "backside over beauty", but the only problem with this is that I don't see it. I find Teri Hatcher to be very pretty. The post calls women like Oprah "sitting beauties". I don’t think that this "theory" applies to all women, and that’s another issue I have with this post. It is making it seem as if this applies to all women, which almost seems impossible. When reading the comments on this post, many of the women choose face over body to begin with. Many women are just as happy with being "pleasantly plump" and having a young face, rather than having your back faced to someone why a young guy approaches you until you turn around and then he realizes how much of a mistake tapping you on the shoulder was.

HW 17b:"Blogging the Presidency" (A political influence)

After reading both interviews, one with Markos Moulitsas Zuniga about Daily Kos and then with Ana Marie Cox about Wonkette, I would definitely use the Daily Kos instead of Wonkette. Wonkette seemed to be lighter. "I don't want to ruin anyone's life. But I don't mind ruining their day", says Cox. Things were made fun of and not taken seriously with Wonkette, where as Daily Kos seems to follow and more serious path and would guide you with better information. As the question being which blogs and bloggers would I find most influential politically, I found that Wonkette was more based on sex and political gossip, whereas Daily Kos will take all issues very seriously. They use their information in upcoming elections, which will influence people and their views. I don't see Wonkette giving out information about what’s going on in the war. Zuniga said that "blogs proved to be powerful fund-raising and organizing tools", and on the other hand Cox says "Wonkette is me after too many margaritas". Wonkette is a good place for gossip about sex, who's screwing around, and laughs, because that’s her goal, humor. I believe that Daily Kos is the sit that is going to provide you with good information and help you later down the road.

HW 17: My favorite blog post

When browsing through the different posts within the last week by Jezebel, one that caught my eye was a blog post called "Things I Could Do Without: Screaming During Fights Could Save Your Life. But is It Worth the Effort?"(http://jezebel.com/gossip/things-i-could-do-without/screaming-during-fights-could-save-your-life-but-is-it-worth-the-effort-306342.php). I think the reason this first caught my eye was because it's a picture from a show that I often watch, so it caught my attention leading me to be interested and then read about it. When reading about what this post says, "in fights, some women tend to scream and cry and carry on. We always thought this was obnoxious and unseemly and a sign they needed drugs. But it turns out it could be saving their lives!” I felt that a lot of the time girls really do get very upset over fights and get emotional over them. I have to agree with the fact that maybe it could save your life. With men, I don't think they care as much when arguing, but women get very worked up over things, and you don't let out how you feel then it can cause a lot of stress, which over time can build up. Personally if I let out how I feel then I feel much better afterwards, I don't think that screaming is always the answer but a lot of them times people don't want to listen and its a way to get your point across. When looking at the comments, one woman replied "Nothing feels better in a moment of complete and smothering frustration then letting out a scream." and I have to say I agree with that at times, it really does feel good to just let it all out. The reason I like this post so much is because I can relate to it, and relate to what Jezebel is trying to say.

HW 16-A: Scoble's rules of engagement

When reading "The Corporate Weblog Manifesto" I felt that many of the rules applied to Jezebel. Rule number 2 of Scoble's rules is "Post fast on good news or bad". That is something that Jezebel definitely does. Much of what Jezebel has to say isn't always what people want to read about themselves, and other times its good things that’s just going to make them look better. She seems quick to update her blogs so readers can catch up on the latest. Another rule that Jezebel follows is number 3, "Use a human voice", she writes in her own words and writes about what she thinks. Rule number 11, "Know the information gatekeepers", Jezebel knows what she’s writing about, how could you start your own blog website without knowing what your talking about. It is hard to tell where these rules might NOT apply to Jezebel because you don't really known if she does mess up, is she going to acknowledge it? It’s hard to ever really know if she’s hiding information, because she’s the one people go to for information. The corporate weblogs are rules that Scoble wrote for people to follow in order to write a successful blog and be satisfied. I agree with much if what he says, and he knows what he’s talking about since he's been doing this for years now. His rules are saying to basically let people know the truth, don't lie about anything, don't hide anything, and admit to when your wrong. No one wants to have false information.

HW 14: Ito/ Denton Transitionrama

When reading the “Japanese Blogger Champions Internet Democracy” Joi Ito interview (Kline and Burstein 143-150), I found myself agreeing to many of the things that Ito had to say. For example, when Ito says "Once you enable people to have a voice, most people are more interested in talking to each other than they are blindly consuming something that is created by a machine, I think in all its form creativity is ging to become much more driven by the people" (Kline, 145), I agree what Ito says with the fact that once someone is able to openly speak about things, then it pulls in other people who also become interested with talking to people and not having to worry about who they are or what they think. Along the same lines, one of the things that I even remember discussing in class is that blogging is something you do on your own, not something you get paid to do, as Ito discusses on page 145. In addittion, as to the change that Ito talks about on pg. 145, he goes into talking about how it seems as if people follow each other and everyone likes the same things, eventually people branch out and move onto bigger and better things. In conclusion, blogging is a way that people express themselves and become moreindependant, "its allows people to find each other, find niches, and find communtitieis" (Kline, 145), I agree with the things that Ito has to say and find much of it very interesting to read about from someone elses perspective.

HW 13: "Blogs Will Change Your Business"

When reading "Blogs Will Change Your Business" by Stephen Baker and Heather Green, in my opinion I think that the impact of blogging on business or more important that the impact of blogging on communication that is not business. "Let's assume that 99.9 % are equally off point. So what? That leaves some 40 new ones every day that could be talking about you business, engaging your employees, or leaking those merger discussions you thought were hush-hush" (Kline, 223), with having blogging make such an impact on business. Blogging is able to update people with what their workers and what they are doing, incase threes anything that’s going on, a business can be informed. Companies use blogs for publicity. On page 227 Steve Rubel speaks about blogs and how they are monitored to see what is being said about your company. Another reason I think blogging on business is more important is because it allows people to find out different information, good or bad on businesses their interested in. As Kline writes on 223 it’s a way for companies to view their competitors. Blogging is a way for companies to promote what they are all about and what they stand for. At first glance, teenagers might say that blogging on communication is more important. But on closer inspection you start to realize just how big of an affect blogging on business can have on people.

HW 11: "Making Global Voices Heard"

When reading the first page MacKinnon goes into talking about how blogosphere is a way for people in other countries to understand things in a better way. So that is why I decided to look at what MacKinnon calls her "current musings" at rconversation.blogs.com/. In the reading MacKinnon is asked how weblogs affects other countries, she responds by saying "In China for instance, you have a situation where all the newspapers and online news sites are controlled. Many of them may be commercially owned but the Chinese communist party still has quite a bit of control over what can and can't be said"(Kline, 327) Of course many people will probably disagree with this assertion that the Chinese can't say things that we would normally be able to post on a blog and not have to worry about it being taken down, but in reality they DO have to watch the things they say. After reading that in David Kline’s 'Bog', I clicked on a featured post on RConversation called "Tough times for Chinese bloggers", this post has a red, black and white picture above it featuring something written out in Chinese and has what looks like many people shouting and cheering holding things in their hands. I think this Blog still corresponds to MacKinnon’s view of it, because this Post goes on to say "Starting this month we've seen blog posts being deleted in places where they almost never used to, comment sections being closed out of fear..." (http://rconversation.blogs.com/rconversation/2007/09/tough-times-for.html). The Chinese are monitored with was put up on the Internet and they have to be careful. MacKinnon talks about how interesting the things Chinese have to say are, but at the same time how censored most of it is too. "The mainstream media doesn't like to challenge authority or point out corruption" (Kline, 329)

HW 9: "A Weblog Saved My Life Last Night"

After reading, “A Web log Saved My Life Last Night” by Ayelet Waldman, I decided that I agreed with most of what Waldman was saying. She goes on throughout the interview talking about how personal blogs can be and why women write on them and say some of the things they say. On pg. 313 Walman is asked the question "what about you weblog? That became extremely personal you wrote about your sex life with you husband, your feelings for your children; by the end you had posted a thinly veiled suicide note" (Kline, 313). When reading that blog at first I’m sure people did not now how to react, because I know I wouldn’t. The first thing that would go through my head would be "wow, this woman needs help". Which is what her friend thought, because in the end, that post she wrote about taking her life ended up saving her life, "In a way I'm really proud of that post" (Kline, 313) says Waldman. I agree that sucicide is a serious issue, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people never really think about it, let alone think someone they know would possibly have those thoughts.The things Ayelet Walkman wrote about were at times 'brutally honest' but in a way that’s a good thing. She wrote what she felt, and knew that people were going to see it. Writing that blog saved her life and writing about her other issues made her realize that life isn't easy, but now she is able to help others and support them with the same type of issues.

HW 7: "My So-Called Blog"

After reading Kline’s "My So-Called Blog" in my personal opinion I think that parents should no have to monitor their child as to what the write online. Blogging is a way for one to express themselves and not worry about what others think or are going to say to themselves, that way that just write. An example of this is what Kline writes about on the bottom of page 352 to the top of page 353, "A way to get out his true feelings-all the emotions he thought might get him in trouble if he expressed them in school or at home. Online, he could blurt out his confessions of loneliness and insecurity, worrying aloud about slights from friends" (Kline, 352). Being able to write online is a way of independence and a way for one to express their feelings. Sometimes people are shy about saying what they feel and if blogging is a way for them to open up then they should be allowed to do so, freely. Blogging is just a way for one to write about anything they want. In many ways it is the same thing as if their child was to keep a diary, and most parents out of respect don't read their child diary. If a child knew that there parent was monitoring their every move then they might not be as open to say what they really want or feel.

HW 6: Semester-Long Project Statement

When looking at the different topics for the research paper the ones that first caught my attention are Email and Email lists, instant messaging, and social networking services. The reason I was most interested in these is because I use them and feel most comfortable talking about them and being able to relate them. I’m sure that there are many things that I don’t know about them and don’t think about while using them, which makes me even more interested to find out more. When looking at the second category about types of empowerment it was a bit harder to choose because there weren’t many I knew much about, so I chose what would be most interesting to me. I ended up choosing overcoming racism, inequities in access to education, and issues of disabilities. I chose these three things because they most interest more and are the top three I would want to learn more about. As for places I chose the United States and Europe. I chose these two places because I live in the US and I’ve traveled to Europe a few times and I think it would be most interesting to compare these two places since there are many things that are already compared between these two.

I Blog, Therefore I Am" (will blogging mean the death of big media?)

When reading the chapter, “I Blog, Therefore I Am” by David Kline, this chapter talks about the impact blogging has had on our society and just how much its spread throughout people. When reading throughout this chapter I wasn’t sure what I wanted to talk about so I went back and skimmed the chapter and came along the question “ Will blogging mean the death of Big Media” (pg. 239). Which I think is what a lot of this chapter talks about. Reading on Kline talks about the fall in newspapers and that there is a “dramatic drop in newspaper reading among young people”. Speaking from personnel experience not many of my friends read the newspaper to begin with. Because blogging is a source that’s used on the internet and that’s where many young people spend there time, that does seem likely that that’s where they’ve spent some of their time instead of sitting down in the morning with their paper. Accessing blogs might seem easier for young adults to read instead of the paper or watching the news. In my personnel opinion I argue that blogging won’t kill the media because I believe that there are many people still sit back at home and would rather relax and read the paper or watch the news. I’m sure there’s many people that agree with the fact they much rather rely on the news from the TV or paper, rather than what someone is writing expressing how they feel and could very well have a different opinion.