Questions for “Can Blogs Revolutionize Progressive Politics?”

1. 

Why do the Democratic leaders embrace blogging as a potential political

communication considering the traditional media landscape in politics?

-Blogging is becoming more popular among democratic leaders. They are using blogging as a way to communicate political agendas and stances to the public. Blogs are able to reach a younger audience also which gives the leader an edge. Air time is increasingly hard to come by and very expensive.

2. 

Blogging encourages a participatory culture. In what way does the

participatory culture in blogging expand digital media convergence?

-Blogging expands digital media convergence because it can be accessed anywhere in the world on multiple digital mediums. Blogging always anyone to participate by responding and sharing with their friends. 

3. 

In the article, the author says: “The ability of the Internet to erase

geographical distances can become a structural weakness in elections

where district lines and eligibility are key.” How can blogging counter this

weakness in the process of turning the netroots to grassroots?

-The internet allows people to access information from anywhere. This can be positive and negative for a Republican or Democratic candidate. This aids them in campaigning from a distance in states they can't travel too. However, if a candidate messes up then multiple people states away are able to hear about it. Blogging has its ups and downs for those brave enough to open their opinions and campaigns to the world. Net roots are turned into grassroots because people now have the ability to share and access these blogs wherever and whenever they want.

4. 

The author spends the second half of the article discussing the lack of

diversity in current blogosphere dominated by elite bloggers. Please use

the concept of digital convergence to explain how blogs can become the

real bearer of freedom, democracy, egalitarianism, and participation in

the new media communication?

-Blogging is accessible to everyone who has access to the internet. The ability too blog is diverse as it gets; one can post anything, respond to anything and share it with whoever they want. Blogging is the perfect example of digital convergence because it can be accessed by anyone and everyone can share their opinions.