The Callie Connection

Hello everyone and welcome back to our weekly blog post. Today I am going to discuss an example of an online argument I came across, and what NOT to say/do when discussing things online.  As we all know, the 2024 election occurred recently which makes social media a very hot-headed place to share your political opinions. Most of the time, online users think that just because they aren't talking with their opinionated opponent face-to-face that it is perfectly acceptable to say rude things. But it is not at all. Humans are still humans even when communicating over social media through comment threads and everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. As a society in a digital age, I think many of us are still learning how to navigate social media and disagreements in a positive way.  Here is a source from University of Washington that gives more information about how to have more positive arguments online:  https://www.washington.edu/news/2021/04/19/uw-research...

 Hello! Welcome back to our weekly blog post where today I will be discussing the Toulmin Method and how it works within online communication.  In the digital age, online communication is so important in how we form opinions, engage with others, and build arguments. From online debates to Instagram comment sections, the internet offers a vast realm of conversations that require critical thinking and an effective argument. A great method for navigating these discussions is the Toulmin method, a structured approach to analyzing arguments and creating persuasive messages. The Toulmin method was created by a philosopher named Stephen Toulmin. It breaks down arguments into six key components: Claim: The main point that the argument is trying to prove. This is the basis of the argument that the speaker or writer wants the audience to believe. Data: Evidence or facts that support the claim. Data can include statistics, opinions, personal experiences, or research findings. Warrant: Ho...

 Hello guys! Welcome back to another weekly blog post where I will be discussing the dangers of online communication with specifics in social media. I've done research on this topic by using in class materials and a podcast. The podcast I have chosen is published by: The Psychology of your 20s, and is titled: "Is social media corrupting your brain?". It discusses the psychology of social media, how it controls our behaviors, social comparison and what makes TikTok so addictive. In class we have learned about how online communication can be beneficial but how it can also be dangerous, and today I choose to discuss the ways it is negative.  The link to the podcast is here:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/38jwvvLsh8QEx5XSQ08XBu Social media has been created with intent to capture our attention for extended periods of time, curating addiction and dependency to it. Algorithms used by social media sites create content specifically catered to each user, so they constantly view...

Hello and welcome back to my weekly blog post!  Today we are talking about the Battle for Public Opinion, specifically talking about our vivacious online landscape is transforming the dynamics of public opinion formation and communication strategies. The internet is a huge landscape in the digital age that allows anyone the freedom to Provide examples of successful or controversial online campaigns that have significantly influenced public opinion and explain the underlying communication tactics. Social media allows anyone to release rapidly spreading information that anyone with an online presence has the ability to view. These millions of posts from anyone, influence public opinion heavily and have entirely shifted the dynamics of how the public forms their opinion, and communicates. There are many consequences from this type of communication including the difference in democracy, interpersonal relationships and the overall well-being of society.  Democracy is at risk becaus...