This quote from Jenkins on page 26 seems important for all of us:
"I am interested in how the community reacts to a shift in its normal ways of processing and evaluating knowledge. It is at these moments of crisis, conflict, and controversy that communities are forced to articulate the principles that guide them."
2/21/2011 – Started looking more closely at the postings under forum for my chosen site. I thought this would be safe Healthy Weight Forum : General, but the first post is for a new diet drug followed by another post indicating “we are not really about quick fixes and drugs on this forum”. The responder appears to take the site seriously, and is not going to put up with any “quick fix” for weight loss. So the questionable post on a diet drug was by an identified “newbie” followed by reprimands from so-called “Senior Members”. One problem with the posts in the topic, while interesting, many are several years old.
Interesting to not some poster put age,, height 25 years old, 5'5, and:
Starting weight: 265 lbs, May 2006 Current weight: 221 lbs, Goal weight: 175 lbs
Note that none of this information is requested or required, but what motivates some to post it and some to not post any details. Could it be the “if I write it down, goals etc, way of thinking?” Perhaps, maybe just positive reinforcement in a way for an accomplished weight loss and ongoing motivation for the person.
Looking under the same forum,
Healthy Weight Forum : General
Topic: Hello to All
Here is a recent post by a newbie that consists of nothing but recipe site links. Makes me wonder if they are just trying to redirect traffic to the recipe sites and hope folks click on the ads. A person like this does not appear to have much credibility within the group, as most can see the main reason they even signed up and posted as a marketing ploy.
sallybrown196
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Joined: 09 February 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1
Posted: 09 February 2011 at 11:55pm | IP Logged
________________________________________
Hi everyone. New member here.
recipes
recipes
recipes
__________________
recipes
Monday, February 21, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
ENGL 5369 Project
Hello ENGL5369.
I am looking at a group that posts weight loss tips and ideas. Why do individuals feel comfortable posting to perfect strangers information on weight loss challenges? Maybe it is a “we are all in the same boat” or a “safety in number” mentality? I am looking at the sites that are free. Not ones that require a memberships etc. I have selected a couple I am monitoring and have joined, and will let you know the final one I choose. There are so many “social networking” type websites related to weight loss and fitness it is just crazy. One thing I noticed, many say “sign up for free” and you get limited access. The good stuff requires a subscription and regular memberships costs a monthly fee. I want to focus on a free site with just normal folks, not fitness professionals necessarily. I hope I can capture some “real folks” struggling with weight loss challenges and just getting together for support and information exchange about acing this challenge in everyday “normal” life. Many of the sites are nothing but ads for supplements and other diet plans. Of course we know this to be a multi-billion dollar business to say the least!
I have found a site to focus on, http://www.healthyweightforum.org/. This is listed as “free, independent and open to everyone.”
I also chose a site that did not have a bunch of ads and other revenue generating information. Many of the ads just seem to detract from the main focus of what I wanted to research from a “social networking” perspective and more of a grass roots approach, for lack of a better cliché!
The welcome screen for Healthy Weight Forum is simple and to the point:
“Welcome to the Healthy Weight Forum”
“This site is free, independent and open to everyone. Primarily we are a peer education based forum offering support, motivation, recipes and fellowship for those interested in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.”
I am in the process on analyzing the point Dr. Kemp mentions as related to a chosen site such as:
The four properties of our rhetoric of personal agency:
1) a group of users,
2) their main concerns,
3) their typical terminology,
4) "psychological levers"
Additionally, I am working on documenting the following
1. try to identify who seems to be typical participants,
2. try to figure out from their discourse why they are doing this,
3. dig down into the typical words and expressions they use, and
4. try to figure out how they "score points" among the community.
I think the challenge will be as noted in the class: “evidence of an online rhetorical presence that may distinguish it from a face-to-face presence.” Why are folks more eager to post weight related questions, etc. online rather than in person? I suspect there are many reasons I need to investigate and discuss as I move ahead with this project.
In the mean time, any feedback or comments on my selection and reasoning behind it are welcome to the discussion board for all to see!
Regards,
Jon O
I am looking at a group that posts weight loss tips and ideas. Why do individuals feel comfortable posting to perfect strangers information on weight loss challenges? Maybe it is a “we are all in the same boat” or a “safety in number” mentality? I am looking at the sites that are free. Not ones that require a memberships etc. I have selected a couple I am monitoring and have joined, and will let you know the final one I choose. There are so many “social networking” type websites related to weight loss and fitness it is just crazy. One thing I noticed, many say “sign up for free” and you get limited access. The good stuff requires a subscription and regular memberships costs a monthly fee. I want to focus on a free site with just normal folks, not fitness professionals necessarily. I hope I can capture some “real folks” struggling with weight loss challenges and just getting together for support and information exchange about acing this challenge in everyday “normal” life. Many of the sites are nothing but ads for supplements and other diet plans. Of course we know this to be a multi-billion dollar business to say the least!
I have found a site to focus on, http://www.healthyweightforum.org/. This is listed as “free, independent and open to everyone.”
I also chose a site that did not have a bunch of ads and other revenue generating information. Many of the ads just seem to detract from the main focus of what I wanted to research from a “social networking” perspective and more of a grass roots approach, for lack of a better cliché!
The welcome screen for Healthy Weight Forum is simple and to the point:
“Welcome to the Healthy Weight Forum”
“This site is free, independent and open to everyone. Primarily we are a peer education based forum offering support, motivation, recipes and fellowship for those interested in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.”
I am in the process on analyzing the point Dr. Kemp mentions as related to a chosen site such as:
The four properties of our rhetoric of personal agency:
1) a group of users,
2) their main concerns,
3) their typical terminology,
4) "psychological levers"
Additionally, I am working on documenting the following
1. try to identify who seems to be typical participants,
2. try to figure out from their discourse why they are doing this,
3. dig down into the typical words and expressions they use, and
4. try to figure out how they "score points" among the community.
I think the challenge will be as noted in the class: “evidence of an online rhetorical presence that may distinguish it from a face-to-face presence.” Why are folks more eager to post weight related questions, etc. online rather than in person? I suspect there are many reasons I need to investigate and discuss as I move ahead with this project.
In the mean time, any feedback or comments on my selection and reasoning behind it are welcome to the discussion board for all to see!
Regards,
Jon O
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