After looking back at the posts on my blog, I still feel as though the beat that I have chosen is the right one. The connection that I have with the topic has grown stronger through the research that I have done. Along with that, I learned more about the world of nerd culture and gender politics. Before, my passion was based on personal experiences and research from past projects. However, now my new knowledge has brought to light more information that strengthened my bond and passion.
At this halfway point, I still like my blog. The design is one that I enjoy. And the posts that I have made are ones that I think adequately represent my research. The only critiques that I would have on my current blog is to go back and do extensive re-edits of some of my posts. This would be in order to push them closer to fully realising my research. Along with that, I would want to add a few more researched posts. I have developed my voice on Twitter, but I still feel there is some development to had on my blog.
My experiment is one that's working well. By focusing on a particular sect of nerd culture for each week, it has enabled me to narrow down my efforts. I am able to research and find credible resources. I am also able to give all of my attention to the particular sub-sect of that week. However, I think that I might be changing my experiment for the remainder of this semester. Instead of working on a sub-sect a week, I might extend the time that I focus on the sub-sect for two weeks. This would allow me to research more on the topic and explore the sub-sect even more.
Just as with my reasons for choosing this beat, my reasons for sticking with this beat is because of how much it means to me. I have seen harassment and bigotry in nerd culture since my middle school years. I have experienced many injustices towards others based on gender and the backwards morals of nerd culture. And my personal experiences aren't the only ones that have happened. Through my research, I've read about other people -- of all genders and sexes -- and their experiences with bigotry in nerd culture. Through their stories, I have been inspired even more to research and bring to light the morals and ideals of nerd culture that perpetuate prejudice and intolerance.
I have struggled to keep my posts objective. Yet, with such a strong tie to this subject, the struggle came with the territory when I chose this beat. It's something that I'm going to continue to struggle with, but it's a struggle that I want to overcome. I want to overcome it because I want to learn as much about this beat as possible and relay the information and research that I have found in a reliable manner.
Hi Undercover -
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed reading your blog week to week. I definitely see myself as nerd-ish, considering I love the original Star Wars and all comic book movies. However I'm more of an interloper rather than an actual member of the nerd community. It's been fascinating to learn about the various facets of what it means to be a nerd. You always create very detailed, carefully researched articles, which I also really appreciate.
I agree with you that some of your earlier work could use a more critical eye. In fact, in this piece I found some typos. I typically attribute these to the passion that you obviously put into everything you write, but they can get distracting. My only other recommendation would be to put yourself in more of your work. We're halfway through the semester, and I still don't know if you yourself have been a victim of the injustices you describe week over week. I think that personal connection will help drive your research home and resonate with your reader.
Can't wait to read more! Have a great Spring break!
~Twin B
Hi Undercover,
ReplyDeleteNice halfway post. As with all of your articles, the critical thinking and thoughtfulness is very clear to me.
Overall, I find your posts detailed and interesting – you obviously care a great deal about your subject, and enjoy the research and writing greatly. Your posts are always related, interesting and show a good knowledge of the community and careful eye to how you report and reflect upon it.
I actually disagree with Twin B- I see a lot of you within your work. I actually was planning on advising something that is somewhat the opposite; I would like to see a bit more of a wide picture view in your articles. While you don't have to agree with all opinions, I sometimes feel as if the total view of dangers and difficulties within the communities is glossed over. You mention them, yes, but they feel sometimes peripheral to what your point is – and to people outside the community, that makes these problems easy to ignore, especially if they haven't heard the extent of the issues.
In addition, I DO agree with Twin B's comment about keeping a critical eye on your work; your grammar, punctuation and spelling could all use a more thorough review. A trick I learned for spelling in high school was to read your piece backward – that way you don't get distracted by the flow of words. For grammar, read your piece and make sure to pause for a beat when you encounter a comma – this will help tell you if it should be there. If the beat sounds strange in the flow of your writing, chances are it shouldn't be there.
Hope all this helps!
VM
Undercover- great piece here. I like how you've taken the time to look at and review your beat and your older blog entries. I did the same for my beat and came to the same conclusions as you did about yours. I too liked my beat but was becoming bored with just one angle of it. So I've decided to open up my beat and give myself a wider berth under the same theme. I see you're doing the same. Twin and Viscus pointed out some spelling and grammar, but that can be fixed with good editing. The secret is, no one's writing is perfect and we could all use a good editor. You're passion is there and so is your voice. You're doing great things with it, Undercover!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
MadMom