I keep narrowing my seminar paper and trying to focus more. From the comments I’ve received it seems as if my connections to WAC are more arbitrary and so I may eliminate that area from my paper. Here is my new more focused plan:

Question #1: How are blogs affective?

The affective labor of blogging produces both “real” and virtual social networks. These networks are evident in the posting of “valuable” information and the commenting that bloggers do on each others’ blogs. Virtual networks can lead to offline contacts…

Question #2: What is possible when we experiment with blogs?

These social networks are filled with potentials.

  • places/spaces to experiment and take risks by sharing ideas, images and the personal (link to Massumi)
  • break rules of tradition and convention by posting, and posting about personal things and by admitting academics do more than study and write all the time. Criticize conventional ideas (e.g. writing is fun, students don’t read…)

Question #3: What is possible when we notice these circulating affective (dis)connections?

  • fun!
  • passion!
  • expression
  • new ideas
  • compassion?

Question #4: What are the implications of all this?

Ok, I’ve got to leave to go to my Shakespeare class’s viewing of 12th Night. Wish it was on some other night earlier in the semester.

This is all pretty loose. Still, if anyone has any comments or suggestions, please feel free to comment.