Comments on: 4Cs: Weblogs as Social Action http://www.vitia.org/wordpress/2005/03/18/4cs-weblogs-as-social-action/ faults | sins | abuses Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:29:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Lanette http://www.vitia.org/wordpress/2005/03/18/4cs-weblogs-as-social-action/#comment-10173 Lanette Sat, 26 Mar 2005 07:12:45 +0000 http://www.vitia.org/wordpress/archives/2005/03/18/4cs-weblogs-as-social-action/#comment-10173 Thanks for the thoughtful post. Your question about framing weblogs in Aristotelian terms was an intriguing one and emphasized how blogs have more than one possible focus in the classroom. As far as IRB (called HSRB here) approval goes, they are much more stringent for under 18 projects and it was definitely seen as a project with human subjects rather than texts alone. However, it worked out fine mainly because blogging was described in the application as a normal and natural activity akin to other enriching extracurriculars such as piano lessons or soccer teams. I believe that this was a fair description that contextualizes blogging's place in these girls's lives. Also, the fact that these girls have been blogging for as long as three years in some cases also took away some of the "potential harm" aspects. Thanks for the thoughtful post. Your question about framing weblogs in Aristotelian terms was an intriguing one and emphasized how blogs have more than one possible focus in the classroom.

As far as IRB (called HSRB here) approval goes, they are much more stringent for under 18 projects and it was definitely seen as a project with human subjects rather than texts alone. However, it worked out fine mainly because blogging was described in the application as a normal and natural activity akin to other enriching extracurriculars such as piano lessons or soccer teams. I believe that this was a fair description that contextualizes blogging’s place in these girls’s lives. Also, the fact that these girls have been blogging for as long as three years in some cases also took away some of the “potential harm” aspects.

]]> By: Daisy http://www.vitia.org/wordpress/2005/03/18/4cs-weblogs-as-social-action/#comment-9494 Daisy Tue, 22 Mar 2005 15:40:50 +0000 http://www.vitia.org/wordpress/archives/2005/03/18/4cs-weblogs-as-social-action/#comment-9494 Hi Mike Thanks so much for your comments and blogging about this so quickly and eloquently. You're much more of a formal academic than I am and I mean that in a good way! As for your take on my session, you're dead on, particularly about my use of Habermas. I hated that I didn't talk more seriously about access, but I knew of my time limit and I wanted to get the examples out there first. I'm also not one to speak theoretically in presentations; I'm kind of extemporaneous and anecdotal, which needs to change if i plan on submitting work for publication! Perhaps this is why this topic excites and overwhelms me so--there is so much more to write and say about how Dean's blog was yet still fully wasn't Habermasian. Naturally, the demographic of people who left comments there were of the economic standing that allowed them to own a computer with either broadband or wireless connections AND have the free time in their lives to attend meetups and voluneteer at headquarters, etc. But I know from talking to people who worked on the campaign that they did make an effort to take computers to the SEIU [workers union] meetings and to African Amer churches so that that demographic could log on and read the blog. Still, the majority of bloggers and commenters was obviously middle-class and white, but at least those voices who felt abandoned by their Democratic party were given a forum rather than restricting dialogue all together like the now defunct Bush blog did. It's also interesting for me to probe further into the concept of creating blog for a political campaign versus one done independently but with a political bent. Which might enact the ideals of a public sphere more accurately? I've got to get to my teaching but I'd hope that this conversation can continue. I think that might help flesh out the ideas of what we might be able to do to create a more egalitarian space. P.S. I can't believe someone is more cynical than me! :) Hi Mike
Thanks so much for your comments and blogging about this so quickly and eloquently. You’re much more of a formal academic than I am and I mean that in a good way!
As for your take on my session, you’re dead on, particularly about my use of Habermas. I hated that I didn’t talk more seriously about access, but I knew of my time limit and I wanted to get the examples out there first. I’m also not one to speak theoretically in presentations; I’m kind of extemporaneous and anecdotal, which needs to change if i plan on submitting work for publication!
Perhaps this is why this topic excites and overwhelms me so–there is so much more to write and say about how Dean’s blog was yet still fully wasn’t Habermasian. Naturally, the demographic of people who left comments there were of the economic standing that allowed them to own a computer with either broadband or wireless connections AND have the free time in their lives to attend meetups and voluneteer at headquarters, etc. But I know from talking to people who worked on the campaign that they did make an effort to take computers to the SEIU [workers union] meetings and to African Amer churches so that that demographic could log on and read the blog. Still, the majority of bloggers and commenters was obviously middle-class and white, but at least those voices who felt abandoned by their Democratic party were given a forum rather than restricting dialogue all together like the now defunct Bush blog did.
It’s also interesting for me to probe further into the concept of creating blog for a political campaign versus one done independently but with a political bent. Which might enact the ideals of a public sphere more accurately?
I’ve got to get to my teaching but I’d hope that this conversation can continue. I think that might help flesh out the ideas of what we might be able to do to create a more egalitarian space. P.S. I can’t believe someone is more cynical than me! :)

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