Online Class 2: Picture This

Blogging is a whole new genre of writing best suited for what seems like the ever shrinking attention span. Its therefore, no surprise to me that most blogs are littered with pictures and links. Meredith Badger calls them visual blogs and claims that

[w]hen we encounter images in weblogs the sense of entering a private space is enhanced, particularly as weblog images often reveal information about the blogger, either intentionally or by accident. Some weblogs include an image of the blogger at the top of the page and we carry this face in our minds as we read the text. Is the blogger young or old? Male or female? What nationality? The information imparted by the blogger’s photograph inevitably influences how we react to the words that surround it.

I completely agree! When I was first introduced to the world of blogs I was itching for some inspiration. After going through what seemed like a million blogs I found myself consistently returning to one particular blogger: Shopgirl's Shanghai. Her content isn't that interesting but based on her info page and all the pictures she posts of herself I felt drawn to her because she reminded me of myself. So even though by everyone's standards she may not have been interesting, I was interested in what she had to say because I was intrigued by our similarities. I guess a picture is worth a thousand words.

And so, given that a picture is rather revealing I have been quite hesitant to include any personal photos of myself. I don't want my image to influence the way people perceive my blog. For me this blog is about sharing interesting tidbits about life and living that may inform and inspire you. The last thing I want is to be discredited by a photo of myself. On the other hand, have I already limited myself by not including a photo? Does the absence of a photo say anything about me?

Online Class 1: Barlow and Whalen...Discuss

Here is the text:
A Declaration of Independence of Cyberspace-John Perry Barlow
The Mayhem is the Message-John Whalen

My Two Cents:
Two words: Net Neutrality. Barlow and Whalen would have supported net neutrality which is defined by Google as "the principle that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet. [...] Fundamentally, net neutrality is about equal access to the Internet." (There's all sorts of OTHER stuff related to net neutrality which can be found on Wikipedia.) But for the purpose of this post I am going to define net neutrality as freedom of the internet.

Specifically...

Barlow
Barlow stresses that the internet is free, vast, permeable, welcoming, and free flowing. There is a dual sense of unity and disconnect. Internet users are not bounded by common laws of government but by one single GOLDEN RULE. Barlow's description is almost religious in tone, recruiting readers to resist THE MAN! How powerful his words must have been in the early days of the internet. As with all new technology, the introduction of something so epic as the internet forces us to question many elements of the status quo.

Whalen
Whalen's article introduces us to those freshly recruited readers of Barlow's Declaration, now bent on enforcing the freedom of the internet in creative and often humorous ways. This article stresses the continuing divide between those in support of net neutrality and those who want to control the internet. Perhaps its another case of liberalism vs. conservatism? Change vs. stability? Security above all?

I think it's interesting that back then jamming and such techniques were labeled "cultural terrorism" and now its hip new guerrilla media. Oh how the times have changed.

New Year = Spanking New Post!

Hello Bloggers:

1. This is my first post and I feel obligated to share that bit of information. Perhaps now I won't be judged as critically or worse, rejected by readers (we're all fearful of judgment and rejection aren't we?). In my defense, I used to have a LiveJournal way back when (building some credibility here).

2. Happy 牛 Year!

Roughly translated: Happy New Year. Year of the Ox! If you know Chinese you would understand why this is clever. Let me explain...

a) Today is Chinese New Year and it is the year of the ox.
b) 牛means ox and phonetically it is pronounced 'niu' which sounds like 'new'
c) Therefore, Happy 牛 Year = Happy New Year!

I love clever Chinese/English sayings like these. More to come I'm sure.

3. I am looking forward to dumping random musings from my life here at this blog. These musings may include: comments for my ENG 494 class, trivia, fashion, art, design, how I am improving my life, and similar randomness.

4. As always comments and suggestions are welcome! Hate mail not so much...but accepted (this is the internet after all).

That is all.