Course Summary

Throughout this course I have learned a menagerie of useful things and it also gave me new experiences. Had I never taken this course I would never have learned about the backdrop of the news sphere and media. I would not have understood the subtleties between various news sites or stations. I learned about useful things like forwarding and countering, while they apply heavily to blogging and news, I find them equally as useful as debating/conversational tools. That is just one thing that I find a useful tool for after this course.

            Furthermore, without having taken this class I would not have become more interested in the blog world or alternative news sources like editorials and so on. I would have been content with yahoo news, TIMES, and the NY Times, as well as my other news sources like the Colbert Report and The Daily Show. However, now I am more open to various news sites, which is beneficial in so many ways. No longer am I just content with that one news story, I need to read various sources on that one topic to gain a broader spectrum. No of which would be possible without having taken a course like this.

Countering versus Arguing

While reading Harris’s chapter “Countering” I concluded that the basic idea is that countering shouldn’t be to “nullify” a person’s idea or argument but to “suggest a different way of thinking” according to Harris. He believes that rather than refuting and ending the conversation, you should strive to push the discussion in another route. The main ideal of countering that it is more than just “disagreeing.” Some useful methods of countering is arguing the other side by making what others see as a negative into a sort of positive. According to Harris the best possible ways in which you can counter are by arguing the other side, uncovering values, and dissenting, all of which are methods in which he claims is a way to civilly counter others views.

            While reading the most up to date news about Peyton Manning on Yardbarker, I read an article that countered popular belief that Manning would either retire or move to certain teams like the Dolphins, Jets, or any other such team. In the blog, the writer discusses positive reasons as to why Manning may end up in Seattle. Rather than say this team needs him, or this team is seeking him out, he refutes common points through constructive points like how Stan Herring the head physician of the Seahawks is the best spine/neck specialist, and is the head of said committee. Furthermore with only one QB on the roster at 4m owed, it is not far fetched that they could afford Manning. Such a discussion doesn’t detract from the overall debate; rather it benefits the general dialogue by saying why Seattle might be the best fit.

What It Means to Forward

In Harris’s novel, Rewriting, his chapter Forwarding is exactly what it sounds like. It is the ideal that writing and speech aren’t meant to be the final argument or have the final word, but to push the “discussion” forward. Whenever you write about a past author, or some article you are simply “forwarding” what they wrote and adding on to it. A noteworthy problem with this methodology of writing and discussing is that things get over extended, or lost in translation. Sometimes a writer may borrow a person’s work and “overextend” their message or misinterpret what was truly meant. Furthermore, while forwarding one’s works you might lose the true meaning of what was being debated or discussed.

            A perfect example of forwarding is the lively topic that is Peyton Manning on the site Yardbarker.com. Many weeks ago a tweet by Rob Lowe sparked the rumor that Peyton would no longer be with the Colts. This was way before any bad blood between Manning and Irsay (the owner) occurred. Somewhere along the lines Rob Lowe forwarded what he had heard from someone else, who may or may not have been a reliable source. Simply by posting a short sentence or two, the nation was in an uproar. Lowe continued the speculation of what would become of Peyton Manning, typical of the belief behind forwarding. The problematic aspects of forwarding relate perfectly to this situation. Lowe may have heard something from someone, and overextended the true meaning; therefore, assuming Peyton Manning would no longer be a member of the Colts. 

Yardbarker .vs. New York Times

The Blog that I have been reading recently has been Yardbarker.com It is singlehandedly one of the best all around sports blogs. It provides information about nearly every sport. In comparison to the New York Times, which is one of the most world-renowned papers. It is written more eloquently than the authors at Yardbarker.com, which also allows commenting on posts to share further information or ideals, unlike the New York Times.

            However, while they have glaring differences in their styles, writing, and more importantly news coverage, they are both forms of media. They both report the news; they both have authors and editors. To me there is literally no escaping the Press Sphere. There will always be a need for the reporting of news, especially who breaks the story. Whether it is a mainstream media source like the New York Times, or a sports rumor website with contacts able to relay information like Yardbarker.

            The idea that the Press directly relays information to us is an obsolete method. There are too many sources; both good and bad, to believe only certain mediums are controlling our news. However, as I said before, all news, media, and news staff do similar work. To put it simply they just report the news. Even in the past one set of media would break a story but than others would follow. Today it is no different. CNN breaks a story about Peyton Manning’s possible retirement, or move to another team. Then Yardbarker digs deeper and posts its findings on the blog.

The Press Today

In Jeff Jarvis’s blog “The Press Becomes the Press-Sphere” he discusses how our world is solely press related when it comes to news. However, there are many different outlets and mediums for news then just the “press.” His various charts are not only confusing but also inaccurate in today’s world. His “the way it was” chart was accurate until the 60’s when magazines and other forms of media were being introduced that discussed news. 

The confusion in my mind begins simply with the fact that anyone who reports on the news is some varied form of the press. Not in traditional terms but to some extent they are. They are discussing both relevant and not so relevant news via blogs, newscasts, radio, and other such mediums. They are funneling updates and lead stories to us still. When Jarvis uses the example that John Stewart is “one of us” and reports news differently than the Press, which is unfounded. Essentially he is doing the same thing as a news anchor but with a funny spin.

However, I do agree with Jarvis’s belief that media is now more about how we as a people ingest the news and digest it via texts, pictures, and blogs. That is the newest forms of media. While the people expanding upon the Press’s news is how stories are formed today, it doesn’t make our society any less based upon the power of the Press and the stories they publish.

Sports Blog

For my blog I would like to follow http://bleacherreport.com/ Bleacher Report is one of the most up to date and well fed sources on sports news and rumors. Whenever a new story or scandal arises they follow it fairly closely. Plus I am very interested in sports, therefore, it makes it easier to follow.

Relevance of The New York Times

Growing up, I knew the New York Times to be one of the most reputable new sources in the world. It is still today one of the most widely read news sources, while it is held to such a high standard, however, that does not separate it from one problem in particular like any other newspaper.

It is subject to not only author bias, but also the editors, and more importantly the Chief Editor. The articles aren’t summarizations or strictly fact based essays, they are written from one’s point of view, and are revised and edited by another person’s own bias. The New York Times is one such paper; it is subject to left wing prejudices, for that exact reason my father discontinued receiving it nearly 6 years ago. Regardless of its very left wing ideals, it is one of the best ways to receive the news. Therefore, like many others I put aside my dislike for such a bias and read it anyway, usually online.

Whenever I read the New York Times I see so many different interesting articles, usually about the Middle East and Asia, many of which I would never have noticed elsewhere. They report very in depth about the ongoing wars, and the impending doom that seems to be engulfing those regions. The articles describe tension between the U.S., Iran, China, and many other super powers. The articles usually hold a more democratic viewpoint, and I usually notice such things because overall the paper itself is known for that. Had I not known for so long I might overlook certain ideals.

In general I believe reading the New York Times not only benefits my knowledge of world events, furthermore, it enhances my writing abilities. While the writing itself may not be the highest level like a thesis paper by a college grad, it suffices for an interesting, informative read.