Blogs Change the World

One of the fascinating things about blogs is that everyday people can publish their opinions for the world to see. Maybe this results in too many boring rants about celebrities, or the painful abuse of the rules of spelling and grammar, but at their best, blogs allow those people who are affected by world events to comment on them. For example, some bloggers from Iraq have shown the world what it is like to live in this afflicted country. What bombs do to drinking water, family celebrations and the life of an engineering student.

Although you do not live in such a troubled place, you do have a unique and important perspective. Unique, because as a student studying far from home, you have an opportunity to see Canadian culture (Anglo Canadian, that is) from the eyes of a newcomer. At the same time, you have some distance from your own culture, and a chance to see it with fresh eyes too.

From now until our next class, use that perspective to learn about your topic. Balance your research between North American media and the media from your home. Begin to notice bias or patterns in coverage. Challenge yourself to find a broad range of opinions: not just the ones you agree with.

On Thursday, I'll post your next writing assignment.