Blogging is about the author, about their view, and about their opinions. Jarvis complains that the press sphere focuses on the press as though it were the center of the world and maybe that is what blogging does. Blogging has grown to encompass many individuals, companies, and groups; in some sense it allows that author to pretend they are the center of the press world. The world of blogging is constantly expanding and has indeed expanded the sphere of press. Sullivan writes thats the borders of blogging are “extremely porous and its truth inherently transitory.” I believe Sullivan and Jarvis would concur about the the world of blogging and the press being porous; the walls constantly grow to allow in more sources and information. However, I don’t believe Sullivan dislikes the growth of media. I don’t believe Sullivan misses the old filter from news to news reader. Jarvis is skeptic about the expanding press while Sullivan sees it as a way to let everyone take part in the news and to let audiences have an unfiltered news source.
I agree what Jarvis writes about a story never ending. Thanks to the new press sphere, if I want to follow up on a story I read last week I can search the current edition of the Times and have the conclusion or continued action at my fingertips. With the press everywhere, the public has access to results and breaking news the moment it happens. The same goes for blogs. They never end and are updated constantly as the follow information develops. We are no longer required to wait as a story is published and edited enough to make it through news gatekeepers. The filters are gone and it shows in news sources today. In the blogs I follow, I see the growing influence of press. Thinkprogress.org is able to call on other sources (such as Fox News) to emphasize (or ridicule) a point. I suppose the Me-Sphere is close to my experience with news. The growing press influence allows me to surround myself only with stories that interest me or opinions that are in line with mine.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The press is on the loose. (post 4)
The press is no longer neatly contained. The press no longer fits into a cookie cutter definition. It is expanding and growing with technology. Jarvis defines the press sphere through showing the changes that have taken place in the way America receives news. The press is no longer just news filtered through the press but instead an entire realm of information in multitudes of forms. Whether information is coming from the government, companies, or any number of sources, it is not longer contained as a direct filter.
His entire set up of the article is confusing. The drawings randomly dispersed make the writing seem choppy and sporadic. His explanation is not very clear in his writing and thus he relies to heavily on his drawings, which do not help clear things up. Maybe this is what Jarvis is getting at. There is so much going on in the world of press, in the world of news, in the world of information gathering, that the average person has trouble keeping up or interpreting what is important. I was also confused as to why he viewed this revolution of the press as a bad thing. It seems that Jarvis views this new press sphere in a negative light, writing that we must recognize the press sphere exists in order to “create successful new models for news.” However, looking at his drawings in which the press rules the world of news, it seems good for a healthy democracy. This new press sphere includes witnesses and multiple sources that allow for the most accurate and complete conveying of the news. Having such an involved press requires the government to be transparent in things they are do and remain accountable to their citizens. It also enables readers to have more of a chance to be easily informed (easy is important to our society). The article may have been easier to comprehend if Jarvis could have laid out his original definition of press, what he believes the press should be/used to be. It was hard to follow his entire article going off an abstract idea of original press and press sphere.
His entire set up of the article is confusing. The drawings randomly dispersed make the writing seem choppy and sporadic. His explanation is not very clear in his writing and thus he relies to heavily on his drawings, which do not help clear things up. Maybe this is what Jarvis is getting at. There is so much going on in the world of press, in the world of news, in the world of information gathering, that the average person has trouble keeping up or interpreting what is important. I was also confused as to why he viewed this revolution of the press as a bad thing. It seems that Jarvis views this new press sphere in a negative light, writing that we must recognize the press sphere exists in order to “create successful new models for news.” However, looking at his drawings in which the press rules the world of news, it seems good for a healthy democracy. This new press sphere includes witnesses and multiple sources that allow for the most accurate and complete conveying of the news. Having such an involved press requires the government to be transparent in things they are do and remain accountable to their citizens. It also enables readers to have more of a chance to be easily informed (easy is important to our society). The article may have been easier to comprehend if Jarvis could have laid out his original definition of press, what he believes the press should be/used to be. It was hard to follow his entire article going off an abstract idea of original press and press sphere.
Friday, October 23, 2009
I love The Times (Post 3)
Reading The New York Times isn't quite a new addition to my morning routine. In my experience, the Times allows me to be much more informed than other newspapers. My parents subscribe to the Courier Journal and for a while, I thought that was the best news to read. Then, I discovered the times. They not only focus on big issues facing America but also make sure their readers are informed on international affairs that would be overlooked in a local paper. While the Courier only has part of the back page dedicated to international happenings, the New York Times has the stories interspersed through the main pages. The Times stories go much more in depth and provide valuable background information to readers who have not been previously following the issue.
It is safe to say I have indeed been following the health care debate through The New York Times. It would be hard to click to the home page of the news every morning and ignore one of the biggest problems facing our nation today. Before the past few months, I would have most likely brushed past an article discussing health care. Though the issue is not one that I am extremely passionate about, it is important to stay informed on legislation that will eventually affect every one of us. I have also been following the elections in Afghanistan and any attacks that happen in Pakistan. Other articles that tend to grab my attention are ones concerning health and psychological discoveries. These attract me because health and psychological issues are things that could easily affect my life, whether through possible health threats or new discoveries in the field.
Through my reading process, I may have missed articles discussing technology or business. Technology isn't something I care much for, so I am unfortunately being passive and leaving that section to someone else. I try to skim the business section (my dad always told me it was the most important section to read) but stock numbers and company sale rates are something I have trouble retaining.
My days reading the New York Times have changed some of my reading habits. Instead of just relying on the Courier Journal, I found out there was much more happening in the world and set out to find the rest. The Times articles are generally longer and have trained me to be able concentrate on sections that last more than a paragraph or two. Now that I have to read the Times for class, it will hold be accountable to being civically literate; I can't wait for my horizons to expand even further.
It is safe to say I have indeed been following the health care debate through The New York Times. It would be hard to click to the home page of the news every morning and ignore one of the biggest problems facing our nation today. Before the past few months, I would have most likely brushed past an article discussing health care. Though the issue is not one that I am extremely passionate about, it is important to stay informed on legislation that will eventually affect every one of us. I have also been following the elections in Afghanistan and any attacks that happen in Pakistan. Other articles that tend to grab my attention are ones concerning health and psychological discoveries. These attract me because health and psychological issues are things that could easily affect my life, whether through possible health threats or new discoveries in the field.
Through my reading process, I may have missed articles discussing technology or business. Technology isn't something I care much for, so I am unfortunately being passive and leaving that section to someone else. I try to skim the business section (my dad always told me it was the most important section to read) but stock numbers and company sale rates are something I have trouble retaining.
My days reading the New York Times have changed some of my reading habits. Instead of just relying on the Courier Journal, I found out there was much more happening in the world and set out to find the rest. The Times articles are generally longer and have trained me to be able concentrate on sections that last more than a paragraph or two. Now that I have to read the Times for class, it will hold be accountable to being civically literate; I can't wait for my horizons to expand even further.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
I'm thinking progress. (Blog Analysis)
I can already tell that I will enjoy Think Progress. I spent much too much time last night laughing at the things the gentlefolk of the right wing say and do. There are four or five different bloggers who write for Think Progress, most of them are associated with the Center for American Progress. Between them, they share degrees from Maryland to Harvard to King's College in London. The authors have worked for CNN, The Drudge Report, and many other reputable news sources to build credibility with readers for their blog. They write for a left wing audience. Their work leans strongly towards a liberal view point; these aren't posts written to change the opinions of the opposite side but rather confirm and strengthen the views of the left. Instead of just writing their own opinions, they back up their posts with direct quotes and many video clips The video clips are a strong point of the website; the reader can see that the quotes (often pegged towards Sean Hannity..) and stories are legitimate news. To clear up the goal of the website, there is a section on the side of the page that lists things Think Progress stands for (social and economic justice, media accountability, healthy communities..) and things they are against (public corruption, radical right wing agendas..). They also have a section mapping the progress of these goals, allowing the readers to understand what has been done and what will be done in the future.
Ever since our first blog, I have started to check out The Atlantic a few times a week. I enjoy the way Sullivan writes; it is never dull and occasionally humorous. As an author of a political blog, he is not terribly tied to any one party and thus, his posts are as interesting as his conglomeration of political views. Writing for a well known periodical, such as The Atlantic, gives him almost instant credibility and a slew of readers. His audience is varied, from supporters of gay rights to the economically conservative, his views have room for everyone. I am interested to see how his thoughts will play out in comparison to the unabashedly left Think Progress.
Ever since our first blog, I have started to check out The Atlantic a few times a week. I enjoy the way Sullivan writes; it is never dull and occasionally humorous. As an author of a political blog, he is not terribly tied to any one party and thus, his posts are as interesting as his conglomeration of political views. Writing for a well known periodical, such as The Atlantic, gives him almost instant credibility and a slew of readers. His audience is varied, from supporters of gay rights to the economically conservative, his views have room for everyone. I am interested to see how his thoughts will play out in comparison to the unabashedly left Think Progress.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
We Are Passive.
Upon our class research, it seems sad to say that our generation may be taking a passive approach to staying informed. It seems that most in our class rely on other people to get their news. From parents to friends to significant others we are sitting back and hoping the right information finds us. It seems like a waste of all the resources and technology we have constantly at our fingertips. We are addicted to Facebook to a point that we rationalize it as a news source to justify that fact we can't take the time to click on to a valuable website. What are we going to do when parents are no longer with us everyday to give us their news or opinions on current events? When will we realize we have a vast amount of resources that we are choosing to ignore because stalking our friends on social networking sites is more comfortable for us?
When it comes to civic literacy, we find ourselves falling behind. We have often been called an ignorant generation. Though some in our class take the time to read a news website, it seems as most people are passing on the duty of civic literacy to others. Sadly this seems to confirm the fear of Hedges. We are not so much as illiterate as indifferent to the events taking place around us. It confirms his thoughts that political candidates could easily take advantage of us since we choose to be uninformed. In his article, Is Google Making Us Stupid?, Carr discusses the idea we no longer retain information, simply search it out when we need to. This relates strongly to our class' passive approach to news gathering. When we need the information, for an assignment or paper, we simply type in a few keywords, skim an article, jot down a few notes, and click back over to Facebook. Sullivan’s article deals mostly with opportunities blogging and the internet are bringing the world. With millions of bloggers out there, writing their thoughts and uncensored information in an unprecedented way, it is a shame that we choose not participate. We must be forced to follow blogs and forced to spend a fraction of time skimming the New York Times.
Maybe I am being a bit harsh- I feel as though I channeled my inner Hedges in this post. I don’t feel that our class is truly ignorant and a few of us do choose to keep informed. As a whole though, we need to step up. It is right in front of us. We could do much better.
When it comes to civic literacy, we find ourselves falling behind. We have often been called an ignorant generation. Though some in our class take the time to read a news website, it seems as most people are passing on the duty of civic literacy to others. Sadly this seems to confirm the fear of Hedges. We are not so much as illiterate as indifferent to the events taking place around us. It confirms his thoughts that political candidates could easily take advantage of us since we choose to be uninformed. In his article, Is Google Making Us Stupid?, Carr discusses the idea we no longer retain information, simply search it out when we need to. This relates strongly to our class' passive approach to news gathering. When we need the information, for an assignment or paper, we simply type in a few keywords, skim an article, jot down a few notes, and click back over to Facebook. Sullivan’s article deals mostly with opportunities blogging and the internet are bringing the world. With millions of bloggers out there, writing their thoughts and uncensored information in an unprecedented way, it is a shame that we choose not participate. We must be forced to follow blogs and forced to spend a fraction of time skimming the New York Times.
Maybe I am being a bit harsh- I feel as though I channeled my inner Hedges in this post. I don’t feel that our class is truly ignorant and a few of us do choose to keep informed. As a whole though, we need to step up. It is right in front of us. We could do much better.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Where I Get My News (Post 1, Unit 2)
For about three weeks every time I turned on CNN or clicked on a news website, Michael Jackson’s face would greet me; pictures of him, pictures of his children, pictures of his doctor. Everywhere. Meanwhile, soldiers died at war, governments debated, and bills in the Senate were authored. Where were these headlines? Why were these pictures on the back page; ignored? What counts as “news” in American society is a very broad definition. But where can we go to find news that really matters? That is my mission. To find the news that matters.
Every morning, I click the Safari logo on my computer and it immediately opens up the BBC news homepage. I get a lot of my news from the BBC because it is internationally minded and gives a view of America as seen by others in the world. It gives you a chance to view the news continent by continent and also look at the subjects of Business and Science as happening around the world.
I read the New York Times whenever I can. Their articles are always in depth and the cover a very wide variety of topics in their front page. While at home, I spend an hour scouring through the front page and business section. However, since newspapers are not delivered to my dorm room, I’ve had to start reading the New York Times website. I look to see what the most emailed articles because this is a general consensus of the American public of the news that matters most today.
I am also an NPR junkie. While NPR gives traditional news and often partners with the BBC; it is also where I find the news that most people wouldn’t find important enough to write about or random news that would not quite fit anywhere else. Through NPR, I am informed about things from Chinese education standards to saving leopards in the rainforest. NPR also gives me a dash of local news and the weather; plus I can listen to it while I drive. Public radio is often overlooked in a society that wants instant gratification after one click; public radio makes you think too much.
For local news, I try and take time to read the Metro section of the Courier Journal and also flip through the Velocity and the Leo. The latter two often have quirky news about the world, specifically Louisville, that wouldn’t be published in the Courier.
Popular culture praises those who are informed and know what is happening in the news. Often this news regards what celebrity kissed who and what Britney Spear’s kids wore to the park. It is important during the internet revolution that society remembers there is more than pop culture; that real journalism and reporting is not left behind. Real pressing issues and genuine news stories are out there waiting to be found.
Every morning, I click the Safari logo on my computer and it immediately opens up the BBC news homepage. I get a lot of my news from the BBC because it is internationally minded and gives a view of America as seen by others in the world. It gives you a chance to view the news continent by continent and also look at the subjects of Business and Science as happening around the world.
I read the New York Times whenever I can. Their articles are always in depth and the cover a very wide variety of topics in their front page. While at home, I spend an hour scouring through the front page and business section. However, since newspapers are not delivered to my dorm room, I’ve had to start reading the New York Times website. I look to see what the most emailed articles because this is a general consensus of the American public of the news that matters most today.
I am also an NPR junkie. While NPR gives traditional news and often partners with the BBC; it is also where I find the news that most people wouldn’t find important enough to write about or random news that would not quite fit anywhere else. Through NPR, I am informed about things from Chinese education standards to saving leopards in the rainforest. NPR also gives me a dash of local news and the weather; plus I can listen to it while I drive. Public radio is often overlooked in a society that wants instant gratification after one click; public radio makes you think too much.
For local news, I try and take time to read the Metro section of the Courier Journal and also flip through the Velocity and the Leo. The latter two often have quirky news about the world, specifically Louisville, that wouldn’t be published in the Courier.
Popular culture praises those who are informed and know what is happening in the news. Often this news regards what celebrity kissed who and what Britney Spear’s kids wore to the park. It is important during the internet revolution that society remembers there is more than pop culture; that real journalism and reporting is not left behind. Real pressing issues and genuine news stories are out there waiting to be found.
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