Entry #11. Blogs.

I have never blogged before this semester. Well, I have a tumblr but that's not really "blogging" it's more reposting. However, after this assignment, I adore it. Using blogging in substitute of a writing project is fantastic. It's a lot easier to write a bunch of blog posts over the course of 8 weeks, rather than one more writing project in two weeks. It allows us to work on blog posts, along with other assignments. Furthermore, blogging allows for some more visuals than the typical writing project. In blogs, I can use video, music, and links to convey what I'm trying to say, rather than just words. Blogging's also beneficial as I can write something about a topic, then find something someone else wrote about the same topic. However, blogging can also have it's disadvantages. When blogging, the format is less formal so arguments may become less supported. Additionally, there is a chance of using too many visuals. It's easy to use images and video and have nothing to support the argument. Plus, too many visuals can be distracting and lead away from the original claim. By blogging, I learned the importance of visuals. Many previous English classes have shyed away from using visuals as a tool by either not even telling the students about them or saying not to use them. However, within this semester, using visuals have been an important part of our writing process. Additionally, by using blogging, it has brought technology and writing together. Many English professors I've experienced have not enjoyed technology, instead preferring old school, out dated methods. All in all, blogging was exceptionally useful. It allowed me to improve my writing in chunks rather than in one large essay, and it allowed me to learn how to incorporate visuals and writing. Additionally, it was nice to have every even post be about our own topic. I really enjoyed being able to write about things I enjoy and am passionate about such as my work, tattoos, and my family, and still receive points for it.

Entry #1. Blogs.

Blogs are interesting. They can be used for beneficial purposes, like reviews of restaurants from someone who travels a lot or day to day interactions of multiracial family. Or blogs can be used to promote hate with lists of reasons why gay people shouldn't be allowed to get married or neo-Nazi propaganda. I think blogs are a powerful tool and, believe it or not, come with a great deal of responsibility. Blogs can help shape the thoughts and opinions of individuals on a great deal of things, and therefore, blogs owners need to be well aware of this when they start a blog. Even if the blog posts are less serious things like, "How to make a pet costume" or "5 books to read before graduating high school," they still can have a significant impact on someone.

PostSecret is one of my favorite blogs. Back in 2010, 2011, I found it through Tumblr and was enamored by the secrets that people had. I found it fascinating. Some of the the secrets weren't as serious such as "My favorite color is pink. I'm a guy," but others talked about suicide, sexual abuse, and drug abuse. While some of the post were downright heartbreaking, it provided comforted knowing that I wasn't alone. At the time, I was struggling a lot with myself, and it helped so much to know that there were other people who felt the same things I did, that were going through the same things, and were okay.

Shakesville was a new blog I encountered through one of the top blog list. I think it's awesome. It's pro-women, social justice content is something I love. It talks about many issues concerning to women, such as right to abortions, same-sex marriage, class warfare, and body image. One post talked about a British TV personality, Katie Hopkins, "experiment" on how everyone who is fat cannot be happy, and if they are they're lying to themselves. Hopkins gained 50 pounds, felt terrible, then worked it off proving that fat people are lazy. The author makes valid points that this is a form of oppression, "To deny even the possibility of people's authentic emotional expression by deeming it a lie, deeming it evidence of not having a grip on reality, before they even speak."

Perez Hilton is a gossipy, gimicky blog similar to the tabloid show TMZ.  Perez Hilton, who's real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira, Jr., reports on celebrity sightings, celebrity gossips, and essentially all things celebrity. I don't like it. His idolization of celebrities is hurtful to both the public and to the celebrities themselves. He feeds off the misfortune of others, such as Kesha, formally known as Ke$ha. Kesha, in the past year, underwent some serious mental health and emotional health issues. After leaked sexually explicit photos of the pop star and he then boyfriend surfaced, Perez sprung. He made a mockery out of the situation, ridiculing her when she went to rehab for an eating disorder, and then, once she came back and fired her manager, acted as if he supported her the entire time. Additionally, Perez is a caricature stereotype of a gay man. His blog theme is pink. He's obsessed with celebrities and fashion. He gives a very outdated and skewed look at what it means to be gay. Furthermore, Perez has been criticized numerous times for "outing" celebrities that were still "in the closet." (This means, for those unaware, that Perez stated that the celebrity was gay when they were, but did not feel comfortable at the time disclosing their sexual orientation.) I feel that Perez is toxic and is bad for the blogging world and the gay community.