Chloe's Blog

To analyze arguments online I decided to go to X, formally known as twitter, and search what people are saying about the latest Vanderpump Rules reunion.  Vanderpump Rules is a reality show about a bar, Real Housewife star Lisa Vanderpump owns, and focuses on the drama between her staff. Over the 11 years it has been on air there has been an additional episode after the season concludes where the cast comes back together to go over what happened.  This year the reunion focused on the aftermath of the drama from the previous reunion, where a large affair was revealed. Over the course of the most recent season divisions occurred between cast members and the audience over who is in the right, specifically between Arianna and Lala (Lauren). Ariana had been previously with, Tom Sandoval, for over 10 years before he cheated with one of her closets friends, Raquel (Rachel). In the direct aftermath Lala, and most of the cast, rallied behind Ariana. However, in the most reason season t...

In the current age of online communication, the Toulmin method provides a set construction for arguments/presentation of a claim. This method breaks down the argument into components that can be identified and are easier to analyze for readers while still presenting an effective point.  A claim is simply the statement that is being proven or disproven. Having a claim in discussions can help make your point clear, so others don't misconstrued words. Data is the evidence that is provided to support the claim. Having data gives credibility to the argument which is important for online communication, where anyone can post anything they want and have it be passed off as true. A warrant connects the claim and the data, essentially explaining how the data affects the claim, and backing is additional explanation that adds to the warrant. Including this in communication helps explain the connections between the data and the point. Qualifiers are phrases that imply that your point is not rig...

Over recent years as music streaming sites like Spotify and iTunes have gotten more popular, the content found on them has become more expansive and diverse. An example of this is the increasing amount of podcasts that have been popping up, coving everything from motivation on your work commute to serial killers.  While podcasts themselves are forms of online communication, there are some that cover other aspects. One of these podcasts is  Navigating Online Misinformation and improving science communication with guest David R. Grimes by The Brain and Health Revolution Podcast. This specific Podcast features multiple neuroscientists/authors discussing the impacts of misinformation online, in scientific communities, and on brain health.  They begin by discussing the general importance of credibility in professional scientific spaces. They explain how spreading or authoring misinformation can cause damage to the general community, but it can also greatly affect the author, a...

The online landscape created by social media and widespread internet access has formed an environment where information can come from anywhere and anyone. The key is how to win the public court of opinion in order to validate your information.  One factor that contributes to the verdict, is the attention factor. Are people actually paying attention to this information? There is a lot of information on the internet that goes under the radar simply because it missing the 'algorithm', or doesn't grab the attention of the public and isn't pushed into circulation by social media sites. There is also plenty of information that does get pushed onto many feeds that is false, but is gaining traction and therefore is more valid in the public's eye. Seeing that others, even those we do not know, are believing a piece of information makes us more inclined to initially also believe it as fact, especially if we don't do any further searching.  Another factor is AI and artific...

  Scrub Daddy and Online Communication  Scrub Daddy's online communication is both lacking and overabundant at the same time, but in separate areas.  In terms of their professional online resources, their website and their linked-in, there seems to be a lack of information. Their website is really just an online store where you can buy and track your orders. Their linked-in is also simple and includes a small 'about the business' section, and some data on employment growth.  On the other hand, their social media presence and communication is saturated with content. Their instagram and TikTok are flooded with videos and posts, and are usually comedic or involve a viral trend, but with the incorporation of one of their products. I myself have even seen some comments from the Scrub Daddy TikTok account on other viral videos.  The organization of their website is interesting. At the top is a banner with the different resources you can find/use on their website. Thes...

According to Marc Prensky, there is a special term we can give to those born right around the creation of the internet, digital natives. These individuals are the first to exist on the internet for their whole lives, and have been the first to grown up with the internet and social media intertwined with their development. Digital immigrants on the other hand, are those that were born before the internet, and had to learn how to use it in their daily lives far later in life.  This seperation between digital natives and digital immigrants causes a native/immigrant divide in understanding and use of the internet. Natives have learned to incorporate the internet into daily life and have create different internet cultures and languages/communication styles. Digital immigrants on the other hand are much more limited with the inclusion of social media and the internet in their day to day. They also have a shallower understanding of how to use the internet and other tech.  This in ter...