Are Blogs the "real story"?

Our first chapter and class discussion reviewed the process of communication. There are many variables that intertwine to form an effective message. Communication is more than just a presenter! One variable that is often understudied is the channel Many times we combine or lose its importance when we equate it with the content. Becoming effective speakers means we need to address the needs of our audience in their reception of the message too. Understanding not just the message that needs to be addressed but the means used to share it to achieve effectiveness is an important decision too, as evident in our text's discussion of the many channels available in a business environment. We may have the luxury of many options in a business setting in sending a message but which one is really the most effective when it comes to time and money and clarity? Becoming effective presenters means adapting our message to our audience with all the variables too, including our choice of the channels. To follow up our discussion, let's explore how we make our decisions in the 2008 Presidential Campaign. A new and fascinating channel that we are seeing in this election is web 2.0 and blogging. Check out this YouTube clip for a basic understanding of how utilizing this channel is creating new meanings for us. The assignment this week is to explore how technology shapes the messages that you form and adhere to in this election. Check out these links. The first is a recent article on Monday, August, 25, 2008 Asbury Park Press, entitled, Bloggers alter the equations for coverage". the second link is an article and clip from the NBC Nightly News entitled "Blogs grow in numbers, power and influence"Then, check out a blog (find something that is nonpartisan, if you can) on the recent democratic conference or campaign or the current republican conference/campaign at Fox news and ABCNews or you will find more links to blogs in these articles. Do blogs give us the real story? Are the televised conferences and reports read in the newspapers and magazines giving you balance information? When a candidate speaks what channel(s) are they using to adapt to their audience? Share in this blog your thoughts after exploring these sites. What are your thoughts about blogs and web 2.0? Please include in your post comments the following details whether you found new or different information on the candidate and issues. Do blogs open up a new channel to create a different or new perspective on the campaign for you? And, the link to the blog post that you are using as the source of your opinion.