Is blogging effective?

Are blogs an effective form of communication? Why/why not?

(Sorry, but this is part II of my extra credit for Communications. Please don't feel that you have to continue to read!)

Blogs can be a real effective form of communication if used for the right reasons. I know many people, including myself, that have turned to blogging as a form of journal writing. Long gone are the days of tracking the highlights of our day in a notebook. Today it's popular to post our thoughts for the free world to view and thankfully we can block those we don't want reading about personl experiences.

I started blogging a couple of years ago as a way for distant family members to keep up on the highlights of our family. In theory this seemed like a good idea. However, I still believe that keeping some things private is still the way to go. Blogging is a great way to update at a glance, but I prefer talking to someone in person or even over the phone. It's clear that the times are leading us to faster more effective ways of communicating that don't require face to face interaction and blogging happens to be one of them.

Another form of blogging is to share latest and greatest tips on making life a little easier to live. I happen to enjoy this type of blogging. I would much rather take advice and tips from close friends and family members over TV commericals and spokespeople.

Although I believe blogs are an effective form of communication, I also believe that we should blog in moderation and use face to face interaction more. This form of communication should never go out of style and my hope is that it never will. Even with technology changing ever so quickly, I believe that some things should never change.

Downloading Music

To be honest, I'm not sure that I really ever had an opinion about illegally downloading music. I guess I have just always believed that if something doesn't belong to you, don't take it.

Times have changed in terms of technology over the years and some of it, I believe, isn't even for the better. I still remember the days of going into a CD shop (Sam Goody) and buying what you want right off the shelf. Now, CD sales have declined because of the accessiblility from the Internet. Do I feel that just because it's available it's okay to take it? Of course not. Stealing is stealing whether it's an illegal download or putting a CD in your purse before exiting the store.

After the piracy debate on Monday I had a chance to look at things a little differently than I had before. A comment was brought up that whether music is stolen via a download or otherwise, that any exposure for an artist is good exposure. The amount of blood, sweat and tears put into producing a successful album with little to no profit, doesn't amount to much. If someone wants their name to get out, they will take what they can get. Even if this means not being compensated fully for it. It's important to note that just because I have brought up this point it doesn't change my opinion. I stand by my earlier convictions, however I feel it necessary to point out both sides of the case.

Do I believe that illegal downloading will cease in the near future as the laws become more stringent? Probably not. Although there is the hope that more and more people will recognize the error of their ways and maybe even think twice before taking something from someone again.