Comm-211 Blog Spring 2025

In the last two decades, the internet has become more than a tool for information—it's a transformative force in how public opinion is shaped and how communication strategies are executed. With social media platforms now at the core of our digital experience, traditional top-down models of public discourse have given way to a decentralized, user-driven ecosystem. In this new landscape, every post, like, retweet, and share plays a role in influencing public sentiment and molding societal values. The Rise of Public Influence in the Digital Age Historically, public opinion was shaped by institutions: newspapers, television networks, government spokespeople. But today, everyday individuals can influence global conversations. Twitter threads trend worldwide, TikTok videos go viral overnight, and Reddit forums challenge institutional narratives. This democratization of voice has expanded who gets to participate in shaping public thought—but it’s also complicated the process. Social me...

When we talk about fallacies in communication, we’re referring to arguments that sound convincing on the surface but fall apart under closer scrutiny. These flawed lines of reasoning show up everywhere—from political debates to everyday online articles—and recognizing them is a powerful critical thinking skill. For this post, I explored three real-world articles where communication fallacies are alive and well. Each example includes an explanation of the fallacy and how it can distort our understanding of evidence and reasoning. 1. Appeal to Authority… or AI? Article: Here’s a new way to lose an argument online: the appeal to AI – The Verge This article points out a growing online trend: people citing AI tools like ChatGPT as the final word in a debate. The fallacy here is an appeal to authority , where an argument is accepted as true simply because it comes from a perceived expert—in this case, artificial intelligence. But AI systems don’t inherently offer good evidence. As Crus...

Why I Chose This Online Argument for My Assignment For this assignment, I decided to analyze a Reddit argument about cleaning underwear before throwing them away. It presents an interesting example of differing personal views on what might seem like a trivial issue, but it also touches on deeper themes of personal hygiene, societal norms, and wastefulness. This argument illustrates how people form and defend their beliefs in online spaces, especially when it comes to relatively mundane topics. What drew me to this argument was the way in which participants attempted to shape each other's beliefs. The nature of online arguments—often marked by anonymity and minimal accountability—leads to a different kind of discourse than what would typically happen in face-to-face conversations. This online thread serves as a perfect example of how digital platforms can amplify minor conflicts into larger discussions about values and personal choices. Three Negative Examples and Concerns with Thi...

When you walk into a Trader Joe’s, you’re greeted by handwritten signs, quirky product names, and friendly staff in Hawaiian shirts. But does that same charm translate online? I took a deep dive into Trader Joe’s website and social media platforms to find out how well they communicate with their audience in the digital space—and where there might be room for improvement. Friendly, Fun, and Fearless: Communication Across Platforms Trader Joe’s does an excellent job of carrying its in-store personality onto the web. Their website is bold and bright, with a layout that mirrors their physical stores—full of energy, helpfulness, and fun. A prime example is their Fearless Flyer , a digital newsletter that blends product highlights with cheeky commentary and dad jokes. Instead of a sterile shopping catalog, it feels like a cross between a grocery list and a stand-up routine. On social media, Trader Joe’s keeps it casual and community-driven. Their Instagram is packed with new product sho...

This week, I listened to an episode of the Myths and Legends podcast hosted by Jason Weiser—specifically, “King Arthur: 'Tis But a scratch,” which revisits the tale of the legendary king with a modern, humorous twist. I chose this episode because I’ve always been fascinated by Arthurian legends, but I was curious to see how Weiser would balance historical myth with contemporary storytelling. I wasn’t disappointed. Jason Weiser’s delivery style is one of the most engaging elements of the podcast. His pitch remains steady and conversational, giving the stories a grounded, accessible feel. He rarely raises his voice, which actually draws listeners in rather than pushing them away. His pacing is deliberate—neither rushed nor sluggish—and he uses pauses skillfully, especially before punchlines or dramatic moments. For example, when describing Merlin’s oddly specific rules for knighthood, Weiser pauses just long enough to let the absurdity sink in before adding his own dry commentary. ...

Rethinking the Digital Native: Comfort Doesn’t Equal Competence Marc Prensky’s concept of “digital natives” versus “digital immigrants” paints a picture of a world where students raised with technology are fundamentally different in how they think and learn. According to Prensky, this divide has created a challenge for traditional education, as many older teachers (digital immigrants) still rely on lecture-heavy instruction, while students today are more engaged through visual, interactive digital content. I’ve seen this divide firsthand. I would be considered a digital native—though I didn’t grow up with constant access to devices, by high school, smartphones, internet access, and social media had become a regular part of my environment. I naturally turn to platforms like YouTube or Google to understand material before reaching for a textbook. This shift in how students seek and process information is part of what Prensky describes as a change in “thinking patterns.” Today’s students...