SpaceTime&Design

The Rhetoric of Online Arguments: A Case Study of "The Dress" Why I Chose "The Dress" Online Argument I selected the online debate surrounding "The Dress" for this assignment because it offers a compelling example of how a seemingly trivial topic can escalate into a viral phenomenon, This argument from 2015 not only highlighted differences in human color perception but also showcased the rhetorical strategies employed by participants in online arguments. We can examine the ways people argued about the dress's colors and learn insights into the strengths and weaknesses of online communication. Negative Examples and Concerns Polarization and Lack of Empathy : The online debate often became polarized, with people failing to acknowledge or understand opposing viewpoints. This lack of empathy hindered constructive dialogue and led to a breakdown in respectful communication. Misinformation and Speculation : The spread of misinformation and speculative theori...

I've always enjoyed NPR's All Things Considered , and I want to share this incredible segment I heard about coastal communities and climate change. I chose this piece because of how well it shows what we read about making connections through conversation (Griffin et al., 2023, p. 111). Host Mary Louise Kelly has this amazing way of walking us through tough topics - when locals share stories about losing their homes to rising waters, she knows just when to pause, letting their words really hit home. It's like she's leading a careful conversation between facts and feelings. The story feels made for listeners who want to understand both the science and the human side of things. Kelly does what Berger calls "managing complex plans" really well (Griffin et al., 2023, p. 110) - she moves smoothly between explaining climate science and sharing personal stories. What really stood out was how Kelly used timing and tone. There's this powerful moment where someone de...

The Immigrant/Native Divide  In 2001, he identified what appeared to be a clear pattern: young people were naturally adapting to new technology while older generations struggled. He framed it in terms we still hear today - "digital natives" vs "digital immigrants." The data tells a different story. Recent research, particularly from Kirschner and De Bruyckere, plus a comprehensive ECDL study , effectively dismantles this framework. Being born after 1984 doesn't automatically make someone tech-savvy - the relationship between age and digital competence is far more nuanced. What's concerning is how this misconception impacts organizations. We're seeing older workers dismissed as technologically incompetent while younger staff get pigeonholed as technical support rather than leadership material. The research shows that executives who understand technology the least tend to lean hardest into this "digital native" narrative. The business impact is s...