Meta-Mega-Blog-Post

I just had a lot of fun re-reading my bog posts-I can't believe junior year is over! My blog really displays the progress I've made in my writing since the beginning of the year. My first blogs were vague, timid,and standard. Now, by really pushing my limits as both a writer and thinker, my blogs are more thought-provoking, daring, and (need I say it) actually interesting.

I think the blog that best demonstrates my growth is A Teenage Dream. I take something we discuss in class, put a creative angle on it, relate it to the material we are reading in class, and ask a thought provoking question. I think it fits one of the main goals of blogging: making the reader look at themselves, America, and the world in a different light. I also included several links and media within the blog, which I have struggled with since day one.

I also think what has changed is the genuineness of my blog posts. I used to make myself blog every Sunday and force myself to come up with a topic. If it didn't relate to class or American Studies whatsoever, I would force it to. These made my posts seemed forced and strained. However, I began to blog whenever an idea came to me. My posts were all derived from class activities or other people's blog posts(such as Doc Oc's White Trash post inspiring my post, Rich). I could have, however, posted a link to his blog. And for that matter, many of my blogs could have used more "gravy." Some of my blogs, such as Rich and So Happy Together had no media at all. This leaves them just sort of "blah" and doesn't incite interest or excitement.

Overall, I'm really glad we had to keep a blog this year. At first I was very apprehensive, but looking back I realized how much I've grown. Although the freedom a blog gives you can be scary, it is also very liberating and by the end completely worth it. (Of course there isn't an end. Everything is just one big cycle right?)

(Tweet/Text/Facebook/Email/Call) Me!

Reading The Kentucky Cycle, I have really been able to immerse myself in various eras of the past. Although at the surface life was so different back then, American history repeats itself. However, one of the things I believe has changed dramatically since the nineteenth century is communication. People were so isolated that they had little interaction with those outside their immediate family and knew very little of what was going on in the world. In Tall Tales which we read today, the Rowens pretty much only interacted with one another and were thrilled at the sight of a visitor. Their concerns were surrounded solely around farming, and they were cut off from the rest of the world. Jed didn't even know a new president, Grover Cleveland, was elected.

Now, things are quite different. With the addition of technology and a new urban era, people can now instantly communicate with anyone around the world. They are aware of news as it happens, and can speak with anyone at any time. However, is this better? On the surface, it sure appears to be. But Americans are now dictated by this technology. Doesn't it seem they are now burdened with the problems of world, causing cynicism and pain. And instead of visiting a friend in person over dinner, they can just text the friend and have a brief interaction. With the ability to communicate so easily, interactions with one another have become less meaningful and deep. So, what do you think? Has the ease of communication worsened the lifestyle of Americans? What is better for America as a nation?