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After looking over Scobles’ rules of engagement for the blogosphere I have decided to use Jezebel as my blog to analyze. They follow number eighteen very well in linking to competitors (Scobel).  Often when I am browsing through and reading posts I will click on a link and be on another blogging site without even taking much notice of it. Jezebel really focuses to bring readers what they want even if they themselves cannot provide it they will pool the resources available to them to give the consumer easy access. In addition Jezebel also uses rule two “Post fast on good news or bad,” (Scobel).  This is probably not the exact context in which Scobel was referring to however; Jezebel posts many blogs a day in connection with celebrity news and gossip so that readers can be informed of events almost instantly. I fell that Jezebel might not always be telling the truth which applies to rule number one (Scoble). It is not that they are intentionally lying, it is just that gossip and trends can be deceitful. That being said this sort of trend blogging really does not need to follow the Corporate Weblog Manifesto because it is a hub of many information sources. I think that the operators of Jezebel are accomplishing what there site is intended for with whatever guidelines they currently follow.

To look at either Scobles’ Rules or Jezebel Blog click the links below.

http://jezebel.com

http://radio.weblogs.com/0001011/2003/02/26.html

Since reading Joi Ito’s “Japanese Blogger Champions Internet Democracy,” I understand a new meaning behind blogging. Actually I have developed a stronger since for the importance of the freedom of speech I have as an American. After all in many countries one cannot express their own values or contradict a political authority. Ultimately Ito says the importance of being able to express oneself freely very well, “Giving people a voice may be more important that giving people the vote,” (Ito 150). Despite the fact that blogging has much minutia the fact that people are willing to pay to have their voice be heard shows the importance of speech in our society. Although it is hard to make a living off of blogging, a person can pay to express themselves through clothing or words. No one can duplicate your expression of words it is truly blissful.

I feel that the impact of blogging is more important on businesses. I came to this decision after reading “Blogs Will Change Your Business” by Steven Baker and Heather Green. The fact that blogs are changing media and businesses depend on media to advertise and sell their products proves they must invest into blogging. The term invest in the case is more of a time issue than a financial one. At first glance businesses might say that blogs are just online journals. But on closer inspection one can see that consumers voice their opinions and have a powerful influence on companies through blogs. Baker and Green really enforce the importance of connecting your business to the blogosphere, “Go ahead and bellyache about blogs. But you cannot afford to close your eyes to them, because they’re simply the most explosive outbreak in the information world since the Internet itself. And they’re going to shake up just about every business- including yours.” (Baker, 222). While blogs might influence some ways of online communication the impact will directly effect businesses. The reading made me think how in the beginning of the internet some companies doubted the necessity of an online site, now a business is nothing without one. The same thing will soon happen with blogging.

Out of the blogs I watch I enjoy Jezebel the most. I was recently interest by their new post entitled “Free People: Someone Watched the Darjelling Limited Before Booking This Photo Shoot.” The reason I was interested in this article is because I enjoy the fashion industry and seeing the personas models develop to sell a particular product. Dodai states, “So yea, it’s kind of like Darjeeling Limited 2: Electric Booglaloo, if Wes Anderson wanted to do such a thing.” Basically Dodai is saying that these advertisements are making a joke out of Americanized people in India similarly to a recent film Wes Anderson produced. In all of the pictures or ads they depict designer clothing emerged in Indian culture however they missed some important themes in the culture aspect that could be argued as offensive. As Dodai points out, “Hey, is she rocking a leather purse while standing next to a scared cow?” Dodai is trying to show that there is a fine line of mixing the use of an ethnic setting with the culture and local people as a theme for models with the trends of the first world countries and advertising. If you would like to see the photographs, amusing captions and article click the following link.

http://jezebel.com/356222/free-people-someone-watched-the-darjeeling-limited-before-booking-this-photo-shoot/

I recently visited the Kenyan Pundit, Http://www.kenyanpundit.com to learn more about the site. I wanted to compare my findings of the blogging site to the ones Rebecca Mackinnon described in her article “Making Global Voices Heard,” It is a very simple site with a photograph of Kenya at the top of the page followed by blogs relating to events, politics and other news about Kenya. The text is written on what looks like white paper tacked to a cement wall it feels austere. There is only one photo visible however there is a link provided of more photographs.  The blogs are written by Ory Okolloh who is a Kenyan Native that graduated from Harvard. There is formal writing used however the blog can range from updates on Kenya to descriptions of events to benefit the country.  I agree with Mackinnon’s statement “These young tech-savvy professional Kenyans are using blogs to criticize the mainstream press, which they find a bit tame.” (Mackinnon, 330). I feel that the website is still developing the Kenyan blogosphere while enlightening others about the true happenings of Kenya. Here many journalists would probably object that their articles are well researched and hold much credibility. I still feel that it is reassuring to have articles written by native representatives.

I just read Ayelet Waldman’s “A Weblog Save My Life Last Night,” and am perplexed by her virtual vulnerability. As an accomplished writer she allows others into her personal life through her livelihood, words. I’m of two minds about Waldman’s claim that “From the perspective of a writer who works hard at making every word count and being thoughtful, the blogs are true and amazing in some ways but it can bleed over into the rest of your writing,” (Waldman, 311). On the one hand I agree that writers put meaning into every one of their words and that blogging can mesmerize one’s thoughts. On the other hand, I’m not sure if Waldman allowed her mental instability to mesh her personal blogs with her work related writings. Waldman is trying to express that her blogging affected her ability to focus on career writing. That explained life happenings in her blogs that her and her husband would normally incorporate in there work.
She contradicts herself in her writings and cannot have it both ways. On one hand she claims she is proud of being able to post such vulnerable thoughts such as her suicidal post. But on the other hand, she also says “At that moment I realized I didn’t want to be having that kind of a breakdown in front of 2,800 people.” (Waldman, 313). She made a post and received feedback providing support and implying she needed help. Did she honestly expect a different reaction from blogging world or did she realize that in her career writings she could express her true feelings in a way that was incognito.

Growing up much learning is done outside the classroom. Relationships and experiences teach one about society and the often cruel but reality of life. These developmental growth stages cannot be protected by parents they can be guided and comforted when asked to become involved. It takes away from the integrity of a person to have someone else control your feelings, or obstacles you must overcome. That being said my opinion about parental monitoring of online writing is a realist perspective. I feel that children should have the freedom of expression and if with today’s technologies that is through online writings then so be it. The only interference parents should play is the protection of online predators and the public exposure of the internet. The internet is a fascinating communicative tool however it is often a network to provide detriment to an individual or group. In Emily Nussabaum’s writing entitled “My So-Called Blog,” she insightfully explains the uncertainty of the online world.

 I did some research on topics for my semester-long research paper and have put together some information regarding a question that has been on my mind throughout this course. Which is has the use of informal technology such as texting, instant messenger and emailing deteriorated the use of the English language? The second part of the question is how has this effected literacy, learning disabilities and non-English speakers? According to an article on http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/literacy/oconnor.htm “Several articles indicate that students who use messaging on a frequent basis often use bad grammar, poor punctuation, and improper abbreviations in writing.”  All three social computing technologies I investigated use short often incomplete sentences, abbreviations and little to no grammar. The locations I have chosen are primarily the United States because I am looking at how it is changing the English language. It is interesting to read the different opinions on whether this could be a detriment to society or an evolution of a new era.

        In David Kline’s “I Blog, Therefore I Am,” essay he depicts media and where blogging fits in and often overlaps. He advocates the endless possibilities blogging holds however clarifies that it has in no way stopped other forms of media yet. “So, no, “old” media is not dead-not by a long shot,” he admits. I admire that he talks about the ambiguity of quality blogs present and find it interesting that he claims “people will step over the line,” regarding control of what people write in blogs. As a young person I reject that Kline says “Even more alarming for newspaper executives is the dramatic drop in newspaper reading among young people.” I would say on average I pick up the newspaper four times a week and only entered into the blogging world since this course began. I feel if students were asked if they pick up a newspaper or look at a blog more frequently they would say newspaper. I am not disagreeing with Kline that blogging is going to be a tremendous media evolution. I just feel he does not credit young people enough with their efforts to stay informed.

 Americans today tend to believe that Oakleys are expensive eyewear made for athletes. Since there beginning days Oakley has proudly used creativity and technology to produce high performance sunglasses. They are noted for their captivating styles and quality. Over the years they have developed other products that stand by their same promise, “Inventions wrapped in art. Oakley was founded on that idea, and it still defines us.” Throughout the pages of the Oakley website there are diagrams of technology and innovations assuring their products. Each product has a detailed description and they guarantee satisfaction. Pictures of professional athletes outfitted in attire promote their products. To view this prestigious company’s website I have attached the link. ( http://oakley.com/)  My personal experience with Oakley has been highly satisfactory.  They fully guarantee their products with a one year warranty.  I feel they stand by their promise to have eye-catching products with modern day technology fused into them. I would recommend Oakley sunglasses to anyone trying to make a good impression in a sunny atmosphere.