Final

McCloud describes in article, “Reinventing Comics” how comics have been created using digital media. I found this interesting because McCloud mentions how this new technology has allowed comics to become multimedia. Technology allows for the comic to be interactive in a different way than in the past. Now, one can read a comic book using the technology to enhance the experience. Importantly, computers have enhanced the ability to enjoy comics because one is able to zoom in to see the comic closer without the use of glasses. The images are more vibrant and the added music in the background also enhances the experience, effectively immersing the reader in the story. McCloud also describes how digital comics have changed because of the reader's ability to traverse the story through hypertext. McCloud’s statement, “ the ultimate goal for comics--as for any art-- will be to find durable mutation that will continue to survive and thrive well into the new century”(207) describes how art is cultural relevant. I agree because Art is a product of the culture in which it is created therefore, art must adapt in order to survive.


Digital technologies will continue to advance creating many genres not previously seen before. Eventually, as digital natives become the only users of digital art, more changes will occur. Currently, many of the users are digital immigrants which in some cases has slowed the process of creation. An example of this is the school system has not been able to adjust to teaching the students the technological tools they need to live in this world.


McCloud describes the computer monitor as a window or a page because one can see a variety of information without leaving the room. Also, having a monitor to view the comics allows for a variety of design choices. The images do not have to be small in order to view them since one can scroll up or down to view them on a computer monitor. I consider monitor similar to a doorway to a world I normally would not get to see. I enjoy having access to anything and at anytime. The many choices I get when doing a search tends to make me more choosy when selecting images or information. I don’t have to settle for the first item that pops up on the monitor.


What I would save...


I would save a link to a database that I house all my images, identification, medical record, and favorite things. This database will allow me to store and access all important things through hypertext. There are many things I would want to save so hypertext is the most efficient way to save them all. This one link would lead to all other things I want to save. Although I am not a pack rat I would find it difficult to save just one item. The great thing about hypertext is one only needs one link to access many. Another reason I would save a link to a database would be because I would be able to access the information from anywhere. It also is an environment safe from thieves, natural disasters, and fire.


Works Cited

McCloud, Scott. Reinventing Comics. New York: Perennial, 2001. 199-241. Print.

Blog 6

According The Economics of Attention: Style and Substance in the Age of Information, written by Richard A. Lahnam, the C-B-S model argues that clarity, brevity, and sincerity are the only reason for communication (137). With this model words become things. If one wants to express something they should be clear and concise in what they say. Also the words and information should be brief, without fluff. Further, words should be sincere in that words should not be used to persuade anybody one way or the other.  Regardless of the information or format one should tell the entire truth. Additionally the CBS model requires all information to be disclosed immediately.

Conversely, Lanham argues that rhetoric and method are both important. Contending that rhetoric and method are what we actually mean to communicate. Further, Lanham suggests we must analyze the way in which we create discourse. This is not an easy thing to do since our language and discourse skills are ingrained in us as part of our culture. It is very difficult to separate the two issues.

I agree that if we as a society always followed the C-B-S model we would have no poetry, music, or any other creative writing works. Reading would be extremely boring and tedious if this model is always utilized. There are some situations in which this model would be very effective and efficient but should be used in only those situations. Some situations the C-B-S model should be utilized in are technical writing, legal documents, and medical documents.

In addition, I personally enjoy reading different authors because of their different writing styles. I am more engaged when a writer can convey something to the reader that is an undertone or hidden in the text. This is a talent that should not be dismissed or eliminated. I think anyone can write a message but a true writer can convey the information in any number of methods.

Works Cited

Lanham, Richard A. "Chapter 4." The Economics of Attention: Style and Substance in the Age of

Information. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2007. 130-56. Print.

Blog 5

In James R. Klambach's article, “Publishing before Computer”, he explains how the invention of the alphabet allowed more people to communicate and to place information into a type of memory. A memory that is more efficient to the human memory. In doing so the alphabet allowed for longer texts. Klambach further explains, “New technologies enabled the Greeks to use the written language in different ways.” (222).

Much like the Greeks, we are also using the written language in a different way. Within our society we have created the opposite of the Greeks in that sometimes we like to limit our texts to 140 characters or less. This abbreviated communication is what I will call TweeTech. This technology will change the way people are able to communicate by making the participants more succinct in what they say. This will also make them more creative in how they will show the emotion behind the thought. A way of making visual rhetoric out of semi-colons, periods, and other punctuation symbols will add to the emotional appeal of the written text.

Another way in which TweeTech will alter the human population is by either excluding or including individuals within various communities. Exclusion of individuals will occur because if one has not learned the vocabulary of TweeTech it will appear to be illogical and nonsensical. The alienation of individual will happen quickly as more people begin speaking in TweeTech. It has been my experience that many young TweeTech users enjoy using the vocabulary while speaking with friends. This is the inclusive aspect of TweeTech. If you understand the vocabulary you are able to be included in the conversation.

As one can see Klambach was correct in that not only does “New technologies enabled the Greeks to use the written language in different ways.” It also enables TweeTechers to do the same.

idk wat r ur thoughts?  :-/ tmi?


Works Cited:
Kalmbach, James. "Publishing Before Computers." 2002. Web. 1 Oct. 2010

Blog 4

What is the most important thing I have learned so far in DCT 355?

This is a difficult question because I feel that all of the information is important. Each thing I have learned links with another, ultimately helping me to create a much more professional product. For me, learning the technology is the most important. Prezi, PhotoShop, and ComicLife are all new programs to my repertoire. In the short time I have used these three programs I feel I have learned them very well. However, I would like to practice more with the programs so I can remember them thoroughly. This knowledge will make future project go smoother and will also create a more professional look.

Also, learning the Mac computer has been crucial to my future success in DTC. Although Mac and PC are similar, more similar now than back in the early 90’s when I had my Mac, there are a lot of different tricks to be learned. These tricks are time savers and are important for computer geeks to know.

Re-learning the CRAP principles from Robin Williams’s book, The Non-Designers Book is also important. I am able to use these principles on all my projects. Whether the project is text or images, the CRAP principles help to improve the project.

My final answer is “Multi-media Authoring”.

 Act like Burbules

I chose to evaluate The Kim Komando Show’s website. I chose her website because one, she is “America’s Digital Goddess”, and two; there are a lot of links to evaluate.

The first thing that caught my eye after reading Burbules was that Kim Komando is known as “America’s Digital Goddess”. This is what Burbules would describe as a hyperbola trope, or an “exaggeration for the sake of tropic emphasis” (113).

In addition to the hyperbola trope, the Komando website has a shopping cart which links to “Kim’s Store”. This link is what Burbules describes as a metonymy trope, like the pentagon shape used as a home link (111). It is commonplace for a shopping cart icon to be used as a link to product sales.

Finally, the Operation Komando link at the bottom of the web page represents what Burbules explains as an identity trope. This is an identity trope because it links two things that do not appear to be related (e.g., soldier aid and Kim Komando). The link is designed with an American flag and a silhouette of a soldier. In addition the link has Komando’s name which is in effect minimizing the differences and linking the two together (115).

  (http://www.komando.com/)

Works Cited

Burbules, Nicholas. Taking Literacy into the Electronic Era. New York, NY: Routledge,

2001. 102-122. Print.

Komando, Kim . The Kim Komando Show. West Star Talk Radio Network. 29 Sep. 2010.

Blog 3

In the readings, "The Psychology of Rhetorical Images", author Charles Hill describes presence as the "extent to which an object or concept is foremost in the consciousness of the audience members"(28). Because of presence the rhetor's goal is to keep the image or object in the audience’s memory as long as possible. Furthermore, in keeping the presence a rhetor will have greater influence over the audience’s attitude and belief.  The trick is to figure out what exactly will enhance the presence for as large an audience as possible. Another goal is to have enough presence to overwhelm a conflicting or competing view and keep the audience focused on the rhetors view or belief.

Hill also states that the best way to increase presence is to actually have an image or physical object to solidify the presence. The use of affect transfer is very effective at not only swaying the audience but keeping the audience from leaving. According to Hill, affect transfer happens when “an emotional response from an unrelated object or event is transferred to the product being sold, simply by showing an image of the product, followed by an image of the emotional object or event, and repeating the procedure many times”(37).

The advertisement from Coke USA shows a happy couple seemingly having a nice casual time.The outfits the two are wearing appear to be underwear or pajamas.  Above them is the Coke USA title. The text implies that having a Coke will create happy memories and better ideas. The text also states that Coca-Cola is the audience’s favorite brand.

In researching Coke I found advertisements from other countries each with their own unique appeal. Not surprising, sex or happy memories are not part of the international advertisements. USA was the only Coke ad with images of a couple. The international ads focus on music and images that would draw in a different culture.

Obviously the Coke ad campaign uses sex and happiness as an emotional tool for affective transfer in America. Drink Coke and make happy memories! Cheers!!!

Works Cited:

Coca-Cola. Web. 13 Sep 2010. <http://www.coca-cola.com/index.jsp>.
Hill, Charles A. "The Psychology of Rhetoriacal Images." Defining Visual Rhetorics. Ed. Charles A. Hill  and  Marguerite Helmers. London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2004. 25-40.

Blog 2

My embarrassing story happened in Stillwater, Oklahoma in August of 1991. My husband Dan and I moved to Stillwater so he could go to Oklahoma State University (OSU). We chose OSU because it was the only university at the time that had a bachelor degree in fire protection and safety engineering.  As a former firefighter my husband felt that a four-year degree in fire protection and safety would give him an edge over others in his career.

We arrived in Stillwater around midnight. Coming from the mountains of Colorado we were both physically and mentally exhausted. As we were carrying in our boxes I noticed one of the largest spiders I have ever seen hanging from a nearby web. Unfortunately the huge spider and its web was between me and the back door. I told my husband to get rid of the spider so I can come and go as I pleased. I did not want to have to walk all the way around to the front of the house to unload the truck.

Dan pondered how to get rid of a huge spider without the benefit of having tools since all of our stuff was still loaded in our truck. As a former firefighter my husband’s knowledge of fire was inspirational to him.  He knew we had an aerosol can of starter fluid behind the seat of our truck. Dan also knew that our new rental house had a gas stove in the kitchen. This meant that matches would be near the stove so one could light the flame. He put the can of starter fluid and matches together and created a flame thrower.  I thought this was an ingenious way to get rid of the spider without having to get too close to it. Unfortunately both my husband and I did not anticipate the flammability of the spider web or the fact that the entire back side of our two-story rental house was covered in cobwebs.

As Dan sprayed the aerosol and lit the match the flame thrower shot a huge flame engulfing the spider web. Like a set of dominoes collapsing on one another, the burning spider web started a chain reaction that lit the cob webs closest to it. Soon the entire back of our two-story rental house was engulfed in flames and was rolling out from underneath the eaves.  Our two dogs and I took off running to the back of the yard, occasionally looking backward as we ran, as my husband ran around looking for a garden hose to put out the fire.  As he headed over to a neighbor’s house to borrow their garden hose my husband noticed the fire was already out. Fortunately for us there is not a lot of fuel in cob webs and the fire burned itself out.

Dan and I still laugh at the memory of the look on our dogs faces as our house was burning. Also hilarious to us is the thought of how my husband would explain to his fire protection and safety teachers how he burned his house down the first day we moved to Stillwater.  It was apparent to my husband and I that my husband knew just enough about fire to be dangerous. We also decided that he definitely could use fire protection and safety training.  Importantly, I learned never to ask my husband to get rid of a pest if there are flammable liquids around.

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In Scott McCloud’s “The Vocabulary of Comics” the process of amplification through simplification is explained and illustrated. McCloud explains, “When we abstract an image through cartooning, we’re not so much eliminating details as we are focusing on specific details.” (199). Amplification through simplification can be dangerous when one focuses on the wrong details or someone implies one thing when it is not the truth. An example of this is political races such as Obama against McCain. Many in the media implied Obama was a Muslim by drawing a cartoon of him with a turban on his head.

Citation:
McCloud, Scott. “The Vocabulary of Comics.” Visual Rhetoric in a Digital World. Ed.      
     Carolyn Handa. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004. 195-208.

Blog 1

In the book “Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric”, authors Sonja K. Foss, Karen A. Foss and Robert Trapp describe rhetoric as, “the human use of symbols to communicate”(1). I think they are saying rhetoric is the use of words by humans to communicate a message.

First, Foss, Foss, and Trapp describe humans as being the only animals capable of communication by arbitrary symbols. The arbitrary symbols humans use are words. Although not all words are arbitrary many are and as an example the book used the word kitchen.  Kitchen is used to describe where we cook our food but it really does not tell us anything.

Next, they explain the difference between signs and symbols.  When the two are used as rhetoric and when they are not. The example that clarified the differences for me is the tree.  A tree in and of itself is not a symbol. However a Christmas tree is a symbol to many people.  An important part of the readings is that the symbol does not have the same meaning to everyone. Miscommunication occur because everyone has their own ideas of what certain symbols represent.

I personally have seen this happen many times. Since I have lived all over America I have learned each region has their own ideas as to what is acceptable to discuss, what words should be used, and when it is appropriate to have discussions. The cultural difference can be vast even within our country.

In my anthropology classes we have learned that for one culture of people being quiet unless you have something important to say is the norm. Other cultures are loud, boisterous, and even obnoxious to the outside world.  If you want to communicate effectively to people you must know what acceptable behavior is in their society.

Recently, in my biology class we had a discussion board about evolution. As a science minded person when someone would post that “evolution is just a theory“I would cringe and try very hard to explain what a “theory” is to me and in the science field. I finally realized what they understood about evolution came from their cultural background and I would not be able to sway them. My only hope was to make these students think about things a little differently. 

Rhetoric Definitions:

"Rhetoric is the art of framing an argument so that it can be appreciated by an audience."
"American Rhetoric: Definitions of Rhetoric." American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the
      United States. Web. 24 Aug. 2010. <http://www.americanrhetoric.com/rhetoricdefinitions.htm>.

The literal meaning of the word in English is the art of speaking or writing effectively.
"Chapter 1: Origin and Definition of Rhetoric." Brightrock Press Homepage. Web. 25 Aug. 2010. 
      <http://www.brightrockpress.com/popsample.htm#chapter1>.