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