Communities, Chat, and News

I definitely believe that it is possible to form an online community. This class is perfect evidence to me of that! I have had a great time getting to know my classmates, and just like any scene, I know some fairly well and others not at all. The smaller class size definitely helps too. I find that the online communities are just like real life- it is real easy to be reclusive and not get to know anyone. On the other hand, with a little bit of work, you can get to know more people and really enjoy it!

I had a fun chat with Mary Pyefinch. We had been in a class before, but I didn't get the chance to know her very well, so this was a good experience. I felt bad because a) I have had very little experience in the chat rooms and b) my only experience with British Humor is Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Oops, sorry Mary! It was a good experience though- in a discussion forum the focus is on the matter at hand. In a chat situation, however, it's easy to ask a couple of quick questions and get to know what you really want to know. Thanks for the experience Mary- sorry I had to leave so quick! We'll have to chat some more later.

News and media... I know that they are somewhat controlled, but I'm okay with that. Lately I've really been into talk radio. I am a definite Glenn Beck fan, although I can't always catch his program. Is his "news" biased? Yeah. But I as a listener want that. Don't we all want to hear the things that support our views, so we seek out the news and media to support it.

I really appreciate Romano's question he posed when we're reading or hearing news: "If my life depended on proving the claims I've just read, how could I or anyone else do it?" While I'm enjoying a news program or checking out MSNBC, I need to ask myself that a little more often. Are the arguments being made sound? Does it all check out? If not, why am I reading it?