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Snowballs
Wednesday, September 19, 2007

No, I'm not jumping the gun and skipping all of fall to go straight to winter. Actually, it's been in the 80s all this week, so snow and sleet are the last things on our minds here in Michigan. Actually, I'm posting about the "snowball" mic that ended up on my desk the other day. Beth ordered one for me (and one for herself) to experiment with podcasting.

So, there's this cool-looking, high-quality microphone sitting on a mini tripod on my desk ... challenging me, taunting me.  What would I "talk" about.  I do so much better in writing, where I hit the backspace often to delete things I didn't mean to say (or, at times, things I'd like to say but dare not). There's no backspace when you're talking.  Sure, you can just not publish the file, but then you have to re-record what you were planning to talk about.

I did see an article today about the entertainment web site TMZ.com which allows readers to post their audio comments blog-style to their stories.  That might be cool.  It would be interesting to hear the tone of voice some of you use when you post your comments.  It might add a different level of context that's currently missing ... the emotion behind the words.  It also would save all of us from poor grammar and spelling in so many of the comments.

What do you think? Do we need to go the audio (or even video) route with this dialog? Would enough people be equipped to participate in that sort of dialog? Would we still be able to maintain a "civil discourse" if we went that route with some of these blogs?  I'm curious. Meanwhile, I'm practicing with my daughter's karaoke machine just in case I feel moved to share my pop vocal stylings with all of you.



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Comments

Tex said:
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 #

Great idea. I have always found the written word, especially in a blog, has significant limitations and barriers to effective communications.

Jeffrey said:
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 #

That's scary. Besides, I do not like to hear my own voice on recordings.

Jonathan James Collier said:
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 #

I think it would be ok. So long as people who can't comment with audio/video can still just leave a text comment. Most everyone has a high speed place to check the internet any more.

Bill Millios said:
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 #

No, please don't go to audio.  

1) you would completely preclude deaf people from participating

2) reading allows us to use multiple devices to access the blog - I use my PDA, for example.

By the way - love the picture.

Jeremy said:
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 #

Sounds like a time vampire to me. Seriously though, I'm all for increased communication but there are all these negative posters on here with nothing better to do. I think a lot of them are from an organization that didn't have much credibility and ran into problems.

Peter M Burr MD said:
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 #

Saints preserve us! Martha! Where's my iPod?!

Chris said:
Thursday, September 20, 2007 #

I think it's a natural next step.  If blogs are truely intended to create community, even if it's virtual, then vlogs take the experience to the next level

Bridgett said:
Friday, September 21, 2007 #

There's something about the written word that "forces" us to be more concise and to the point. And I think that is extremely important for formats like a blog.

.

I've found that people will go on and on and on and on and on via voicemail. When listening to messages passed down through our LOA, people will talk for four minutes, explaining every tiny detail, when in reality, the same message could be said in 37 seconds--and with greater impact.

.

Sometimes, when we make "communication" too easy, there really ain't no communicating going on.

.

It's just a lot of blah, blah, blah, blah.

Bridgett said:
Friday, September 21, 2007 #

Maybe if we're given a time limit--like 12 seconds.

.

:)

Heather Beaudette said:
Friday, September 21, 2007 #

I like the idea of a hybrid - voice files as well as text. Kinda like that equipment you talk into that types for you. I realize there are limitations with the technology even now, but as technology becomes more prevalent in people's daily lives, it seems the "natural next step" (as Chris stated).

At the same time, and along with your question, I haven't a clue how many people would have the technology (or the willingness to learn the technology) right now.

Josh said:
Thursday, September 27, 2007 #

I have to absolutely agree with Bridgett here.

If you want examples of why it isn't a good idea, go to youtube and figure it out!  People on there are scary and ramble far too much for me to actually listen.

Much like when people post a book on this blog. I will not take the time to read the whole thing, and thus I probably miss a point or two!

Yea long blogs are not the wayy to go.  When people just type and type and type for apparent reason, or repeat things over and over. Or repeapt things over and over..

It truly is drain on my eyes and mental condition!  Sorry late night funnies!!

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