Southern Dems Still Exist

When Good Ideas Go Bad!

2005-07-24T09:13:00.000-04:00

I was reading our dear friend, Mr. Neilson's article about the end of industrialization, thanks to the Internet. In it, he suggests that the Internet is so empowering that it will end things such as mass production and the end of large companies. But I disagree. I think we have seen that these large companies, who use mass production, still use the Internet for the marketing of their products. Further, this is a "Which came first?" situation. Computer companies, such as Dell or IBM, are still large corporations, and use mass production methods to produce their products. These products, in turn, would be used to end themselves? I find that highly doubtful. While his premise is thought-provoking, it does not lead to the conclusion that is intended.

Pocket Change for Tunes - Why Not!

2005-07-23T11:45:00.000-04:00

Reading the articles about micropayments, I began thinking about the examples of micropayments that were presented to us. While I don't really know if I would pay 50 cents for an online comic, the music micropayment has mushroomed and grown exponentially. Further, I agree with the point that they can lower production costs, leading to a price reduction. It will be interesting to see if book publishers and other allow micropayments to take off the way that smaller media have.

2005-07-22T17:45:00.000-04:00

Don't Be So Mean to this Poor Guy

2005-07-22T15:01:00.000-04:00

Everyone else has been SO hard on Neilson this semester, and since its almost over, I thought I would take a chance to defend the poor martyr of our class. He raises a valid point in his analysis of the newsletters that the presidential campaign sent out during the last week of the campaign. Like most things in their operation, I have to really question the operations of the Kerry campaign at the end of the election cycle. If you haven't raised the money by the last week of the election, it isn't coming! Neilson's conclusion that the entire election was won because Bush used the newsletters for turnout rather than fundraising might be a stretch, but it certainly contributed to his success. So today, I pay tribute to you, Mr. "I Look Ugly and Get Slammed by the New Media Class" Guy!

Commons Are Problematic on the Net, too!

2005-07-22T12:19:00.000-04:00

One of the websites listed in the last class' outline is is called Creative Commons. The tagline says that it offers protection to artists and authors and provided some "voluntary copywrites." To me, this raises a big question about the level of protection that we expect for our intellectual property. Granted, some level of protection is needed, or advancements could stagnate. However, I have to wonder why there is a need to build upon the "all rights reserved" that are already protecting the products. I may not completely understand what this site is attempting to do, but, to me, I really don't feel that this is necessary.

La Resistance Lives On!

2005-07-21T14:38:00.000-04:00

In Winning Campaigns Online, there is a section about the "undead" campaign. That is, campaigns that do not solicit votes, but only want the money of their supporters. In fact, the book makes the point that in the 2000 Republican Primaries, Gary Bauer posted "good news" that he was running third in the Iowa polls, even after he had already finished fourth. This made me start thinking about the solicitation of funds after campaigns. Many campaigns fail to raise enough money during the campaign to pay their expenses. That is why they continue to raise funds even after the election. But on the Internet, especially without truthful information, this type of deceitful fundraising raises a question of ethics. This is clearly an unethical practice. I am anxious to see if this will continue to be a common practice, especially with the fundraising race towards the next Presidential election.

2005-07-21T12:44:00.000-04:00

2005-07-20T13:46:00.000-04:00

Is the Enemy of My Enemy My Enemy?

2005-07-18T11:40:00.000-04:00

In politics, there are enemies. One of the most villainous, treacherous enemies are journalists and the media. In The Control Revolution, Shapiro talks about disintermediation of news and information. That is, bypassing journalists and delivering the news and message straight to people, without journalistic interpretation. However, this, in itself, raises ethical questions about information dissemination through a medium like the internet. We all know that all information on the internet cannot be trusted. In fact, most of it is garbage. Therefore, by maintaining these intermediaries, we are able to filter some, but obviously not all (i.e. Rathergate), of the inaccurate information on the web. Shapiro makes the point that we need to rely on these intermediaries to place emphasis on being right rather than first. So, in fact, the enemy of my enemy (disintermediation) is my enemy!

Owning Up To Responsibility Is Not My Job

2005-07-18T11:17:00.000-04:00

Yet another ethical issue that Fogg raises about computers that I take issue with is that computers cannot shoulder responsibility. He says, "To be an ethical agent of persuasion, I believe you must be able to take responsibility for your actions and at least in partial responsibility for what happens to those whom you persuade." Since computers assume no responsibility, they are not ethical agents.

I have to disagree with the author on this one. Computers, in my opinion, are not responsible for their actions, because they did not program themselves to do certain actions. Skynet didn't tell these computers what to do - a person did! Therefore, responsibility should fall, not on the computer, but on the person who told the computer to take action.

Fact Check - Keeping Integrity In a Shameless Game

2005-07-17T18:22:00.000-04:00

The reading for this coming week's class from Factcheck.org about the MoveOn PAC ad was an interesting read. I read this website quite frequently during the previous election cycle. I always used it to knock down ads that the President had put out in attack of Democrats. However, I had read about instances, precisely like this one, where my fellow progressives had used the same dirty tricks as the opposition. As this selected reading shows, the editing of video and audio to fit your needs raises serious ethical questions.

As my name implies, I am no friend of the President. I voted for Sen. Kerry in the last election, but did so with great reservation. My grandfather used to use a phrase describing instances like the ones listed on Factcheck.org - "If you lay with dogs, you're gonna get fleas!" Political ads are so shameless today, with nothing off limits. Both sides - liberals and conservatives - should really consider the consequences of these ads.

Persistence is a Virtue - but pop-ups are a pain!

2005-07-16T11:11:00.000-04:00

In the Fogg book, one of the areas of ethical uniqueness is that computers can continue endlessly, without tiring, in delivering their message. They use the example of certain pop-up ads that are so persistent in their delivery that, eventually, subjects just give in and begin clicking. While pop-ups are up there with the most annoying things in the world (aside from that sound you make when you're really thirsty!), I don't see this as an ethical question. If pop-ups circumvent pop-ups blockers, then I can see an ethical dilemma. If someone requests not to receive pop-ups, and they do anyways, then their is a problem. However, I fail to see the correlation between ethical questions, and pop-up ads.

Organization - A Key to Battle and Politics

2005-07-11T11:36:00.000-04:00

In Congress Online, Dr. Johnson talks about how the House Republican Conference is leading the way in terms of leadership websites. He talks about how basically any information one could want about a bill (floor status, press releases, cost estimates, etc.) can be found there, as well as the members of the leadership team. One could argue that being in the majority makes development easier because they are in charge. However, I give credit where credit is due. The House Republican Conference is very successful at organizing their members and producing information. In fact, they are much better at this than those of us on the left side of the aisle. By better preparing themselves, the Democratic leadership would be able to advance their agenda and sell their spin to the American people.

Viruses Are Worse in the Real World than the Cyber World

2005-07-10T21:26:00.000-04:00

The section in Dr. Johnson's book, Congress Online about the post-September 11th email surge seems like common sense. The Anthrax scare, coupled with the attacks that had followed a month earlier, would lead people to want to know what their government is doing to protect them. But if "Snail Mail" is too dangerous, then email would seem to be the only logical method to contact their leaders.

I will take a wild step here, (Cody, make a note of this!), but I remember discussing what Congress did in the time right after 9/11, and the professor showed us Senator Frist's website. The spreading of information, especially by authoritative figures, can only help calm the concerns of the American people. Congress, as this shows, is slowly but surely making progress in meeting the new media needs of people.

Leading the Free World, Following the Computer Nerds

2005-07-10T14:19:00.000-04:00

I was amazed when listening to and reading the information that Dr. Johnson provided us last week. Seeing that Congress was so far behind in the online arena as it developed was strange. However, it is now clear just how powerful email has become to members of Congress. The form emails that can be sent to Congress and the filtering of important and unimportant email is just a small signal of how the new media has advanced to a level of normalcy. When I worked in the KY state legislature last year, we used to receive stacks of hundreds of "Green Slips." These slips were emails that had been sent by citizens, constituent or not. However, by the end of my tenure, the IT staff had created filters so that the members only received those emails from their constituents. Email is mainstream, and Congress has finally caught up with America.

Case Study: Democracy for Virginia

2005-07-08T14:17:00.000-04:00

There are several strengths and weaknesses that the group, “Democracy for Virginia,” has on their website and in their online strategy. The group, which is a progressive organization dedicated to creating enthusiasm in liberal causes, is mainly a blog, with links to other information that people visiting their site may be interested in seeing. In my opinion, the weaknesses of the organization far out way the strengths, and a new online campaign strategy is needed for this group.

Strengths
Information for Viewers
People visiting the group’s website have the benefit of access to information about a wide variety of issues in politics and public life. These include links to ongoing races in the state, issues in certain congressional districts, and information on the national group, Democracy for America. This information can be useful in inspiring those viewers of the website to learn more about the area in which they live, and to get involved in issues that affect them and their lives.

“Get Involved” Opportunities
Throughout the blog and links, there are multiple opportunities for readers to go out and get involved in different political activities. From volunteering to canvass Northern Virginia for Tim Kaine to RSVPing to attend a rally for Democratic victory in November, the site is full of postings about how people and leave their computers and get real experience helping the progressive candidates and causes of Virginia. This is a nice feature that the group has done excellently.

Weaknesses
Lack of Updates
This website needs to be updated more often, with new information for the readers who are interested in gaining information. The website’s blog, which is the dominant section of the website, is updated sporadically. For example, for a short time, updates were coming multiple times a day. However, at one point, the blog went 11 days without new postings. This lack of information only leads readers to not come back to the website, and therefore not take action. By updating daily, if not multiple times a day, the website remains fresh, viral, and a “must-read” for those interested in progressive politics.

Too Many Links
The links on the page provide valuable information to the readers. They are necessary. However, 77 blogs is outrageous. People not only become confused in trying to find what they need, the information can be lost because they do not find what they are really looking to find. This number can be trimmed down by combining links, and would make information more accessible. In short, less is more!

No Clear Goal
After reading this site several times, I am still in the dark as to what their actual goal in is in terms of politics. They have a tag line at the top of the website, but that does not give any information as to what the group stands for or does for candidates. As mentioned above, there are 77 different links on the website, but no links of “About Us” or “Who We Are.” By adding this, the website could potentially bring in more supporters and turn readers into activists.

Online Petitioning - Signing on the Data Line

2005-07-03T23:30:00.000-04:00

In the article, The Marketing of the President, one of the suggestions for improving campaign software was the development of a software to assist independent candidates in attaining signatures to get on the ballot. This idea would be a great idea for independent candidates, but could poses several problems for the candidate and/or the signer. Candidates could have difficulty in ensuring the authenticity of the signer. The signer would face a problem of giving away personal information on a website that might not be secure. Also, campaigns can sell the collected information to vendors, whether or not they get on the ballot. The creation of this software holds amazing potential, but must overcome several hurdles.

Old Tricks Still Work for the Old Dog

2005-07-02T17:48:00.000-04:00

After reading Sam Rodriguez's interview with campaignaudit.org, I thought it was interesting to see that the way that they obtained campaign data for voter ID was not through buying information from companies. Rather, it was through old campaign methods like polling, live voter ID calls, and a voter file. As the collection of personal information grows for people who use the internet, it is surprising to see a campaign that was so far ahead of the curve using the old methods to advance their plan.

Narrowcasting - Not Just Fun New Toys

2005-07-01T19:15:00.000-04:00

I thought the video about narrowcasting shown in class last week was a very interesting demonstration of how targeting and GOTV efforts have advanced in the recent times. Seeing that different videos can be shown to people, given their specific demographics, is astonishing. However, I have to wonder if having non-local residents going door-to-door, as were shown in the video, could somehow alienate people. Most times, people in small communities are hesitant to open their doors to strangers. If done correctly, though, narrowcasting could be the future of GOTV operations.

Companies Should Offer Your Soul in Info Sales!

2005-06-29T15:49:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, we talked in class about the selling of personal information to companies for building voter lists. While this provides better targeting data for voter lists, it also brings up the question of privacy. When looking over the readings for this week, I saw the New York Times article about donors names being sold to conservative mailing companies. Obviously, these people that donated to that cause chose to do so, and therefore knew what their money was going towards. However, I don't know if I agree that the information should be used in a political sense. Personal information can be used to obtain other information about individuals, some of which could be potentially damaging. This privacy debate is never-ending, just like the Schiavo case!!

2005-06-25T12:42:00.000-04:00

2005-06-21T13:33:00.000-04:00

"You Can't Get Noticed In Private!"

2005-06-20T22:09:00.000-04:00

I love movies! I have 250 DVDs in my collection, and know lines from all of them. One of my favorites is Primary Colors. In one of the my favorite scenes, John Travolta says, "I don't give a shit about privacy. I'm here to get known, and you can't get known in private." When I heard this, it got me thinking about chapter in the The Control Revolution about the marketing of privacy and how privacy of individuals is undermined by websites.

I found what Shapiro says about marketing of privacy interesting, especially about it creating a false sense of confidence. People believe that their information is being used for marketing when it actually leads to junk mail. I think we all fear identity theft like what occurred this past weekend. We can never be too careful about protecting our personal information. That is why people need to be away of the privacy protection they enlist, and what it can prevent. Unless you are Jack Stanton, care about privacy!

110 Meter Spam Hurdles

2005-06-19T23:42:00.000-04:00

After reading the article about RSS feeds and their improvement over emails in spreading newsletters, I am convinced that they are much more efficient. As the article suggests, these RSS feeds can get bypass spam filters. This allows the readers to not have their inboxes filled with junk emails. The article suggests that people are now using "disposable" email addresses. By using RSS feeds, Internet users don't have to worry about changing their email addresses because of cluttered inboxes. It is only a matter of time, though, until these feeds are blocked by technology.

The Prophet Speaks

2005-06-18T23:19:00.000-04:00

I attended a lecture today from Joe Trippi. He explained to the crowd that we no longer live in the Information Age. Now, he speculated, we live in the Age of Empowerment. The Internet, he said, has allowed people to organize the masses and change the status quo. He went into using blogs for some online fundraising. In a very entertaining story, he talked about working for Howard Dean and the power of one college kid in Tuscon, AZ making the difference in a fundraiser.

During Gov. Dean's Tour during the summer of 2003, he held a fundraiser to raise $1 million in 10 days. As the deadlined neared, and the Gov. was preparing to address a crowd watching the results of the final hours, it was apparent that the campaign would not meet the goal by about $100,000. Then, this kid posts on the campaign's blog that he's spent the most he could afford, but would be willing to give an extra $10 if the Governor would carry a red bat on stage and say "You did it." Well, people started responding, and the campaign hit the mark. However, there was no red bat. Trippi sent an intern on a last ditch effort to find a red bat at 10 pm. Just as Dean went on stage, the intern came sprinting across the parking lot, bat in hand.

I was not a Dean supporter. As a Southern Dem, I'm still not. However, if the Internet can raise $100,000 in mere hours to meet a campaign goal, then I really believe that the possibilities for fundraising, with the right campaign and candidate, could be endless.

Let He Without Sin Cast the First Vote

2005-06-17T23:00:00.000-04:00

A discussion I had in a small group today revolved around using the Internet for opposition research as well as self-research. We were discussing how online searches have made things so much easier to find information about yourself and your oppenent. I was not surprised when the facilitator asked everyone in the room, "How many of you have Googled yourself?" The entire room, without exception had done it.

One of the things that he was quick to point out, though, is that not all internet searches are either reliable or desirable. For examples, Internet posts on websites such as this can say whatever they want about a candidate, and can then be cited in a TV ad. To most people, they would not reconsider whether the source was credible or not. Also, by searching criminal records on the national police database, candidates can find themselves in trouble. Each time a search is performed, a record is made of the search. Using this for political gain could cause some legal problems. So while the Internet has advanced researching, it is important still to use restraint in acting on the information gained!

Can matches put out a fire???

2005-06-16T22:57:00.000-04:00

We all know that blogs can be used to bring attention to issues that are often passed over or outright ignored by the mainstream media sources (even if you consider Fox News as mainstream). But is it possible to use blogs to spread a viral message to solve a PR crisis? I am reading a book about solving crises, and I began wondering if blogs would be as effective in stopping negative coverage as they are in starting it?

Throw a Dog a Bone

2005-06-15T23:00:00.000-04:00

I am also taking "Political Communication Strategy" this summer, and that class focuses on the connection of press secretaries and communications directors with the media. One of the things we have talked about are press kits. So when the topic of press kits came up on Tuesday night, I wondered if online press kits were as effective as actual hard-copy press kits.

From what I can see, online press kits are very useful because they allow the press to access information about the candidate or PAC without having to find the actual paper copy. It is instant access, and can be updated as needed by the campaign. Once the hard-copy is printed, it cannot be changed without sending out more copies to the press. Online press kits, I believe, help the candidate stay on message with the media. They let the candidate throw the media a bone.

Synergy - Coordination, with Style

2005-06-14T23:29:00.000-04:00

After tonight's discussion about coordinating all aspects of a media plan (new media with direct mail, TV ads, etc.), I decided to look back on the campaign I worked on during the last election cycle. I wanted to see just how streamlined the messaging was for the campaign. The candidate I worked for in both the KY legislature and on the campaign trail was a 24 year incumbent, but faced a difficult challenger.

The website, although well designed, was not directly tied into the overall media plan. Although the site featured endorsements, issues lists, and biographical information, it did not include updates on the media that was being dispersed. My boss ran multiple direct mail pieces, as well as cable TV spots. These spots, though, were not featured on the website. My boss won the election, by nearly 10%. Had the media plan been coordinated better, I believe this margin could have been larger.

The 1st Amendment, Condemned by the Net?

2005-06-13T14:32:00.000-04:00

In "The Control Revolution," the authors, I believe, raise a valid point that I had never considered. The Internet is considered one of the last bastions of free speech (which I wrote about earlier). However, through email filters and blocks, people can, either consciously or subconsciously, choose to not listen to someone's dissenting speech. In a crowd or on the street, people cannot turn off or turn away those they disagree with or do not want to hear.

Shapiro is sure to note that it is not specific to the new media. Exclusion from the media has occurred in the other forms, as well. It is important to have free speech, and I obviously concede the point that not all free speech is valid. On the other hand, dispersion of dissenting speech is also very important. It is difficult, though, to do this because of the nature of the new media.

Net Fundraising Gains Appeal?

2005-06-12T14:15:00.000-04:00

We all know that the web has been used a fundraising tool since the 2000 election, and made broad strides in this past election. In "Winning Campaigns Online," the end of one of the online fundraising chapters talks about the future. Granted, the book is slightly outdated, but how often are online checks used in donations? Also, we know that small donors use the Internet to donate, but are large donors using the Internet, too? Or are they still reverting to paper checks?

Must See (Web)TV

2005-06-11T14:12:00.000-04:00

I have noticed that one of the newest uses of the new media has been WebTV and flash animation. Websites like JibJab and others became very popular in the last election cycle. The firm that I intern at specializes in flash animation. Every political junkie, as well as those who are not, viewed the online political cartoons, "This Land," mocking the candidates, their supporters, and basically anyone in politics. While it is funny and quite viral, I am curious as to its effectiveness. I suppose that it can be used for spreading a message of donations, attending events, or volunteering. However, I can't imagine it is very effective at persuasion.

Can your own sword stab you in the back?

2005-06-10T20:40:00.000-04:00

In the upcoming midterm election cycle, as well as in the off-year elections, we are going to see most campaign websites using blogs on their own websites. These can obviously be used to stir the supporters, spread your message, get people involved, and keep information flowing into and out of the campaign. On the other hand, couldn't the campaign's blog be flooded by the opposition, slamming the host of the blog? I know that the campaign can simply delete of shut down, but that hurts the campaign. It will be interesting to see if negative attacks spill over from advertising to attack each other's websites?

They Say It's Your Birthday!

2005-06-10T10:37:00.000-04:00

Before writing my post for the day, I wanted to post on here that a dear friend of mine is having a birthday today. Ash - Happy Birthday!!!!

Audio Blogging?

2005-06-09T09:18:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, while I was working, I came across a term and a new message delivery system that I had never heard of before. Granted, I am not the most technologically literate person in the world, but I was surprised at how big it is. It called podcasting. In the simplest of terms, podcasting is audio blogs, hence the name of this entry. They are audio clips that can be saved and listened to at a later, more convenient date. While this can be done with music, like MP3s, I was amazed to find that speeches and radio broadcasts can be treated the same way. If you cannot hear them on the live feed, they can be downloaded and listened to later.

How will podcasts advance in the upcoming election cycle and in the issue advocacy media? It seems to me that this could be a handy tool for mobilization of voters, but persuading people with podcasts would be difficult, because it would require the listener to take the time to download and listen, and therefore, be predisposed to hearing the candidate speak. Any thoughts?

Calling all Reagan Baby Dems!

2005-06-08T09:18:00.000-04:00

I am interning presently for a Democratic consulting firm, julianmulvey.com. The company specializes in creating web ads and flash animation ads. If any of you fellow blue bloods would like to see some of their work, go to www.julianmulvey.com. They have done some very creative stuff, considering they have not been in operation long.

Another aspect of the company is their blog, ataridemocrat.com However, you should be forewarned that they do not take kindly to being flooded by comments. So, don't everyone please go to the site at once and post comments. The site is a forum discussing the new media and Democrats who are utilizing it to catch up to our counterparts across the aisle. I strongly suggest any young Democrat who is interested in working on campaigns in the 06 election cycle to look at it!

Raising Money the New Old Fashioned Way

2005-06-08T02:17:00.000-04:00

In The Civic Web, the authors talk about how the Internet has been basically unregulated since it was first conceived. They point out that people or organizations campaigning for candidates on the Internet must still comply with all of the regulations and rulings of the FEC. However, some things do not apply to this, with the standard being whether or not the campaign receives something of value from a contributor. Most campaigning is not tied to the campaign. Campaigning done online does not have to be reported by the campaign. If money is collected and expends, then it must be reported.

In the upcoming 2006 elections, it will be interesting to see if the campaigns utilize non-value Internet gifts like the ones mentioned in the Anderson and Cornfield book. Specifically, with last week's discussion about the use of mobile devices, how will the campaigns use e-mail, text messaging, and instant messaging to spread their message and persuade or mobilize voters?

Kairos Principle?

2005-06-06T22:19:00.000-04:00

After reading in the Fogg book about the kairos factor, I have come to the conclusion that this is common sense. Of course, being able to do what you need to do, at specifics times, from wherever you are is considered giving suggestions at opportune moments. Mobile devices allow for people to work away the standard office place, and still perform regular duties. Even devices we now take for granted like laptops or cell phones (i.e. the old Zack Morris phones) made business more productive, and less binding to the typical office setting.

Fogg also goes on to talk about the future of mobile devices and the kairos principle. "By knowing a user's goals, routine, current location, and current task, these mobile systems will be able to determine when the user would be most open to persuading in the form of a reminder, suggestion, or simulated experience" (188). While some of these things can already be done on the common PDA, it will be interesting to see if technology advances to the point of the eBay reference in the book.

Reading Question

2005-06-05T13:23:00.000-04:00

I was reading through the press strategy chapter in the "Winning Campaigns Online" book, and I am trying to understand about drafting online press kits. Are these posted as links on the cmapaign website? Or should they be sent through email? How can the press attain these press kits?

Also, in the "Avoid bad publicity" section (pg 200), most of these deal with technical issues, rather than dodging negative press. How can campaigns use the Internet in their rapid response, crisis management situations?

News & the Net

2005-06-04T22:14:00.000-04:00

The article by Sylverster Brown from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is an interesting critique of the new media as a source of uncovering controversy. The author makes the point that the evolution of the Internet as a source of news has eliminated the investigative journalism and scandal-hawking of journalists like Cronkite and Woodward. Instead, the media is moving in the direction of sensationalized stories that make for commercial profits are much more interesting than important stories of abuse.

I don't know if I really agree with this article or the author's main conclusion. While it is true that the more sensational news stories make for better sales, it is false, in my opinion, to assume that the new media has ended the time of deep investigative journalism. Watchdog groups and journalists can now use the Internet to get deeper investigations, and quicker than before. I was watching, "All the President's Men" yesterday, and one scene stood out in my mind. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman are looking for records of books used to investigate Sen. Edward Kennedy. They searched through hundreds upon hundreds of paper library records. Today, this could be done with a simple click or key stroke. This would allow for more time to do more investigating into the story.

Will the New Media end investigative journalism? I disagree.

The Digital Chastity Belt

2005-06-03T20:57:00.000-04:00

The articles that are posted on the class blog today about the use of mobile survaillence is the craziest thing I have ever heard of. Tracking people through their cell phones and watching their actions is a crazy practice. Employees should be mindful of what they are doing while on the job. However, the feeling of being monitored only leads people to feel that they can do nothing.

Is this practice even ethical? If the employees know that they are being watched, then it is assumed that it is. But this is a method of controlling behavior, which is not right!

2005-06-02T22:02:00.000-04:00

TWH

Texters of the World Unite

2005-06-02T20:58:00.000-04:00

I thought that the New York Times article from Emi's blog was very interesting. Despite their best efforts, the Chinese government is struggling to limit the communication that was used by protestors during the anti-Japanese protests. The article talks about how text messaging and instant messaging was the primary source of spreading information about it. Also, the government struggled to find the leaders of the protest because it was centralized or flowing from a single source.

When talks about cencorship on the Internet and other methods of communication come up in the near future here in America, I hope that those in the government take a look at this information, and consider that open flowing communication is one of the most important freedoms that we can have. How can you limit the freedoms of those in your own country, and expect others to buy into their movement for the expansion of freedom.

Give Some Sweet Loving Back to your Computer

2005-06-01T17:47:00.000-04:00

I read the "Reciprocity Study" in the Fogg book today, and I don't know if I agree with that. As I navigate websites, I don't think about how easy it was and how I can come back to it. A website will be used repeatedly when it is easy to use, but I am not always willing to be helpful to the website. But to some extent, I think that the ease at which someone can navigate a website does influence the number of times a person visits a particular site, and how often they return.

Reciprocity to the computer is hard to determine, but to a particular website, I believe that it is possible.

The Return of the Enlightenment

2005-05-31T16:19:00.000-04:00

In Chapter 12 of Campaigning Online, Bimber and Davis discuss political theories about engagement and knowledge. They say, "The increasing complexity and interconnection of public life since (Walt) Lippman's time, along with the dramatically expanded volume of communication and information, means that voters are even less well positioned than at the end of the Progressive Era to fulfull a Jeffersonanian ideal of knowledge and engagement." Basically, they feel that life today is too complex for people to take in everything they need to know to make an informed decision before voting. But the Internet stands to alter this, by allowing people to be exposed to more information and absorb it better.

Even though people can get the information easier, it does not mean that they will want to. Because it is an active medium, which requires the subject to be engaged, people can decide whether or not to find the information. Unlike TV and newspapers, the Internet cannot make as big an impact yet.

Can the Internet reach the same level of as TV and other media in terms of saturating large audiences? Or will the nature of the Internet as an active medium hinder it from ever matching them?

Opening Day Jitters

2005-05-29T19:11:00.000-04:00

This first posting is somewhat of a test, I suppose. I have had this set up for a few days, and I have just been too afraid to post anything on it yet. Plus, I have company this weekend, so that kind of hindered my eagerness to post. I hope I can find enough stuff to talk about for 63 postings!