Can Blog Revolutionize Progressive Politics?

1.     Why do the Democratic leaders embrace blogging as a potential political communication considering the traditional media landscape in politics?

Democratic leaders embrace blogging because of “netroots”, “an online grassroots constituency that can be targeted through Internet technologies.” Blogs are most popular because they serve as organizing hubs for information on one specific topic. Blogging gives the everyday citizen to participate in politics.

2.     Blogging encourages a participatory culture. In what way does the participatory culture in blogging expand digital media convergence?

The participatory culture expands digital media convergence because of its ability to allow anyone and everyone share there ideals and opinions with the online world. Once it is on the web, its there forever; letting it be accessed to millions. Blogs can be accessed through various types of technologies as well, including mobile devices, tablets, and computers. 

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?

Blogging can counter this weakness by having blogs appealing to the desired group of people. This Internet tool is an easy and accessible way to get out information to demographics of people other types of media would not hit. Blogging also has the ability of breaking down abstract ideas into simpler fundamentals for all to follow.

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?

Blogs carry the principality of freedom because it gives anyone power to access a computer and post their opinion on matters for the world to see. It is the perfect place to expand on ideals and interact with others. Freedom of speech prevails within blogging because it gives the everyday man the power to speak freely without fear of being persecuted.