Reading Questions for Writing for Electronic Communities

As I said in class last week, I'll get the discussions rolling. Tonight I have a series of five questions for everyone to consider. You can post a bit here throughout the week, and you can use the questions as prompt's for Monday night's class.

I've jumped around a bit in the readings, so I'll offer page numbers for you to orient yourself.

Here we go...

1. Robert Heilbroner puts forward the idea of technological determinism as a problem of a social time period marked by high capitalism and low socialism, so technology is unleashed but agencies that can control or guide this technology are rudimentary (p.14).

Given that, think about the electronic writing technologies we have in society today...is Heilbroner correct in his observation that -- for writing -- the technologies are unleashed but there are very basic, raw controls or guidelines for content and presentation? Be able to explain your ideas cogently.

2. Hans Jonas's article is quite interesting in that Jonas describes technology as a "species of power" (p.24). Thinking about writing in these new technological environments, who/what has the power over the written word? Are there dangers or concerns related to power that we should be wary of when linking writing to technology?

3. Now, think about Heidegger's essay "Question Concerning Technology" particularly in light to how you respond to question 2 -- pay close attention to the "four causes" Heidegger outlines on p. 36. Now, consider Heidegger's notion of "telos" in relation to both the "four causes" and to writing in an electronic environment. How must writers be responsible for their words given Heidegger's sections on pp.36-37?

4. Marcuse discusses technology and efficiency on p.65. Is writing made more efficient through changes in technology? If so, how? If not, why not?

5. Pay close attention to the Aldous Huxley quotes in Habermas's essay "Technological Progress and the Social Life-World." What do Huxley's observations about literature teach us about the connections between writing and electronic environments?

Have a go! See you Monday night at 6:30.

When is memoir a lie?

One more scandal about memoir that probably tops James Frey's...the "Navahoax" story in the LA Weekly.

Yes, I know memoirists are supposed to be true to the story, but memory is a strange thing for most of us. And while Frey did make up a whole lot of stuff, as it seems Nasdijj did as well, when factual errors arise how much of this is someone's ego driving the fabrications or someone's distorted memory?

Perhaps a new genre needs to be developed: "The life I thought I had...or wished I had to sell this book" memoir.

Nan Talese maybe said it best (and I paraphrase because I only saw the Oprah clip, not the entire show): We believe this is a life based on the author's memory.

Some people just have really bad recall...

Anyway, the "Navahoax" story is a great one for those who are into memoir. Read the story at LAWeekly, below

LA Weekly

Factually Speaking by Julian Dibbell

In a similar vein to Aviv's article, Dibbell takes on the "Siegenthalers" who challenge Wikipedia's veracity. Definitely a change of pace from the typical critique of Wikipedia.

Of course, it's tough to compare Wikipedia with the Encyclopedia Britannica. Who really uses the Encylopedia Britannica anyway -- except for high school kids copying information for their school reports and first year college students who think professors like me are too stupid to know they just lifted material from the encyclopedia.

Anyway, read the piece. Worth the time.

village voice > screens > by Julian Dibbell

Mondo Wikipedia by Rachel Aviv

It's hard to imagine that Wikipedia turns 5 years old this year! Aviv's article in the Village Voice is a pretty interesting overview of Wikipedia's strengths and weaknesses.

village voice > arts > Education Supplement 2006 by Rachel Aviv

Blogdelirium Returns!

A new year, and I'm back! The fall semester was one of experimentation. I was heavily invested in trying out moodiling...and Moodilini was born!

For those unfamiliar with moodles, they're open source course management software packages. Moodilini is home at www.crteacher.com/moodilini.

While I'm kicking around the idea of moodling again this term, I missed Blogdelirium. For some reason, there isn't enough time in the day for me to moodle AND to blog...and write, teach, advise graduate students, read grad theses, and run a grant. Unless, of course, someone at my university's biological sciences department wants to try some cloning of a professor's cells. Not advocating mine, but I'm sure my department chair and dean might appreciate the effort.

Anyway, Blogdelirium has returned from its hiatus. Now for more coffee...