Sunday, May 8, 2011
Fear of Nuclear Power
The blog that we have selected for this week is www.greennuclearbutterfly.blogspot.com. This blog focuses on the ramifications of nuclear power as it pertains to us in our daily lives. The creators, as you will find, are against nuclear power and the great push for its expansion. We have recently witnessed the effects of a failed nulear power plant in Japan, as well as the well noted disater of Chernobyl. This blog uses people's inherent fears from these disasters to persuade readers that nuclear power should be abandoned in favor of other alternative renewable energy sources. This blog uses fear effectively to convey its message that nuclear power is dangerous and should be reconsidered.
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1.
ReplyDeleteThe interface of this blog could implicitly imply many things. The blog is about finding/using new sources of energy, rather then nuclear power. The background of this blog is a mixture of orange, yellow and red. When I think of energy I normally think of the sun, and the colors orange, yellow and red are common colors associated with the sun. The background could be suggesting a shift to solar energy rather then nuclear energy. The title of the blog is in a big green box. Having the box be green could implicitly implying that this blog is environmentally friendly and that they want to be a part of the "green movement". Down the right hand side of this blog are ads and anti-nuke organizations. One of the ads is of a butterfly who is brown and dying. The caption says, "I used to be green, until I flew over a nuclear reactor." The blog may have this on their home screen because people think of butterflies as innocent creatures, and if nuclear power plants harm butterflies, think what they are doing to us. What could the display of anti-nuke organizations signify?
#1
ReplyDeleteThe interface of the blog suggests a flashback of the 1970's. The bright orange, yellow, pink, and green colors that spiral in the background of the posts give the blog a groovy tone. The top of the page presents a picture of a VW bus with writing covering the exterior of the bus also bringing to mind a mental picture of the 70's. The 1970's era is known as a time of rebellion and time of sticking it to the "man" (government). Since nuclear power is controlled and regulated by the government, this page is implying of how they are rebelling against the government by their display against the use of nuclear power.
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ReplyDeleteI have read the posts above and feel that the first bloggers perception of the blog is correct to a point. It isn't really putting a "groovy" spin on going to more environmentally sound energy resources. It simply shows a nature coloration in the background. By doing this it is implicitly stating we need to use environment to or advantage and use energy nature provides us as is. Also I think that it is implying by making this step we can make the earth healthier as a whole and save our lives as well as the butterflies lives.
#1
ReplyDeleteThe background of the blog is many colors, such as orange,white,yellow,green,and a pinkish color. I can relate with the first blogger in the fact that orange, and green have to do with the sun and the earth and how the blog is trying to emphasize on nuclear radiation affecting the earth and atmosphere. However, the background seems to be to colorful and busy for the viewer to attain the main argument the blog is trying to make. I know for me at least that when the blog first came up my eyes went straight to the background, and the colors affected my eye vision so i had to look away from the page. Which could defiantly draw the viewer away from the intended point of the blog.
#1.
ReplyDeleteThe interface of this blog really speaks to what message the blog is trying to portray overall. Starting with the background, the bright colors and swirls give off a very “hippie” feel. Generally hippies are associated with tree hugging and peace for all. Choosing this background tells the reader that this blog is a very peace oriented site. Next, the title area of the blog is also decorated in bright greens and yellows. This not only supports the idea of the hippie vibe, but also is very much associated with the colors of nature. This broadens the audience a little from solely the “hippie” enthusiasts to those readers who appreciate nature in general. Scrolling down the blog, the reader will see images of butterflies and of everyday people, which expands the audience of this blog even further. Choosing to use predominantly videos on the blog gives insight to the ethos of the blog itself. Anyone can write a blog, but finding the evidence to back up the claims may prove to be difficult. Using videos eliminates the need for claims and just gives the reader the pure facts of the situations, making the information quite reliable. It is much like a “take it or leave it” situation, where the reader simply watches the video and interprets it his/her own way. Obviously these videos must be supportive to the mindset of this blog and will only strengthen the overall ideas that the blogger is contributing. In the end, the interface of this blog shows the reader that they will be reading about how to combat nuclear warfare for reasons of peace, love and nature, and will encourage those readers to take part in the fight for those three simple ideas.
#1
ReplyDeleteThe first thing thing when i expected when i heard the purpose of the site was the fear of nuclear power i was expecting green, red as those colors represent radiation and the countless deaths it leads to however my expectations were quickly proved wrong as the site was quite the opposite. The site has yellow and orange theme symbolizing not only power and energy but also has the resemblance of a flame. The swirls in the background really give the site an unorthodox feel. The layout of the site is quite interesting as this blog is not filled with text but instead the majority of the posts are actually of videos relating to nuclear power. And even the textual components of the site is very interesting. One in particular is titled "where is Astro boy" with a picture of astro boy but what the text actually describes is how the government is lying to us about the effects of nuclear energy. Overall i feel this site is very informative and its fun as it's very unorthodox.
1. With all of the bright colors and swirls, it takes away from the creditability of the sight.It makes the blog seem childish. Plus they are not defined on what they want to discuss. They posted videos about closing the nuclear plant Indian Point, yet as one scrolls down there are also posts about how to be green, and also about fashion advertisement. Yet, they do provide many different sources such as videos and articles.
ReplyDelete#1
ReplyDeleteI expected this blog to be about nuclear power and energy and the possible dangers or benefits of nuclear power. However, it seems the interface of the blog is trying to suggest more of a “green revolution” similar to the ideas of the hippie revolution. The back round of the blog contains bright colored swirls and there are several other hippie images such as a green van and butterfly. These images also suggest a theme of nature and protection because of the nature themed colors and images. Because the titles speak of rebellion and protesting but also environmental issues, this blog expresses the ideas of the revolutionary thinkers that this blog is attempting to attract. This blog is also interesting because its posts are mostly video clips instead of writing. These videos are also attempting to attract the so called hippies and trying to spread ideas of peace of nature.
#1
ReplyDeleteWhen I first viewed the blog, I thought that I had somehow gone to the wrong blog. I wasn't expecting the background to consist of orange, yellow and pink swirls when the blog was talking about nuclear power. The title of the blog is in a green box with a picture of an old VW van beside it. Along the side of the blog are ads and links to anit-nuke sources and organizations. I feel that the background is a reference to the hippie era and/or the 1970's. This time period consisted of a generation that was free spirited and "tree-hugging" so I feel that the blog is implicitly pointing to a green revoloution. The blog is trying to point out that people should use green power instead of nuclear power. Some of the videos posted on the blog even explicitly suggest this idea. One of the videos points out that there are 104 nuclear reactors in the US. This could create fear in people and lead the viewers to what the blog was already implicitly implying which is to use green power.
#7
ReplyDeleteHow could an anti-nuclear power blog possibly do anything to change the nuclear plant's statuses? No one can actually do anything to shut down power plants in favor of...? There is no explanation to what could replace nuclear power and one meltdown due to natural causes should not be reason for riddance as a whole. This website does not really do anything, but to inform on "nuclear incidents". No one has cared to comment on any of the recent posts; one of the most recent is a video from 2002, not very timely at all. There is nothing persuasive other than using the opposing fear as a technique maybe of the meltdowns, but when it comes to one that was nothing but mother nature's fault, that isn't changing people's minds for the right reasons. Coercing through fear is not going to give people the edge in trying to change something that will need more of an alternative to change this power source not just that leakage is possible and I am afraid of that so rid of all nuclear power.
1.
ReplyDeleteThe interface of the blog shows bright colors as the background. There are swirls throughout the orange and a happy felling is represented. The blog deals with nuclear power. The colors of the background help represent the blogs intention. The blog speaks about using greener energy and the environmental issues. The colors drive the intent of the blog away from the nuclear power and more to the greener use of power. The color scheme helps support the use of greener energy but also drives the blog away from the dark image of nuclear power.
The frist thing that cought my eyes were the very light more hippy colors and designs going on in the background. It does not really go well the theme of trying to warn us about the dangers of nuclear power. Nuclear power can more likely relate to a red color. The ads in the blog and videos though do relate to the theme
ReplyDelete4.)
ReplyDeleteThe validity of ethos that involved in an environmental blog is a top priority for the editors and writers of that blog since the arguments should largely be based on credible, factual information. The “Green Nuclear Butterfly” blog features a smorgasbord of “reblogged” information. Much of the content in provided in embedded video. Many of the posts come from relatively credible sources, but some seem as though they are trivial, pathos-based messages. For example, the blog continually harps on the use of LED light bulbs, bragging about new lighting fixtures featuring LED lighting. In truth, LED lighting is simply impractical right now. Based on EPA information, the amount of energy LED bulbs consume is close to florescent bulbs. Furthermore, because of their outrageous price tag, they cost only slightly less to operate than expensive incandescent bulbs. I found these LED promotions to only be an avocation for yet another stylish green gadget.
Moving on to some of the work from the actual writers, I found unique ideas but much content seemed to be conspiracy-based and not factual. Remy C writes: “But we need young people to understand, to stop believing the lies about healthy doses, to know that these radioactive isotopes don't exist in nature.” I find this to be another blow to the blog’s ethos because there is no credited source or research. In fact, both of these claims are incorrect based on other articles I have read. Even bananas emit radioactive potassium. Maybe it’s more persuasive for those with a greater vulnerability to pathos, but it isn’t doing anything for me.
Looking at the blog’s ethos as a whole, the credible posts do help in intellect, but I can’t help but shake my head at some of the editor’s comments. A message to the writers: if you’re trying to scare me into dropping $120 on an LED light bulb, maybe you could at least use some credible facts to back your large claims?
1)
ReplyDeletethe interface of this blog implicitly takes people back to a "hippie" feeling. The swirling colors and music on the page make readers feel like they are reading something from a 1970's conspiracy theorist who preaches peace and a clean environment. There are many posts about movements to end nuclear power, even though it is almost impossible to end it completely. There are many links posted that can take readers to different sites to learn more, and it seems like the blogger has done a lot of research on the subject. I cannot say whether this is extremely credible however, because there are many radical opinions on the page.
#1.
ReplyDeleteOrange color is the major color used in the blog. Orange is often related to fire. In this blog, the color is used to induce fear among people about the biggest impact nuclear power could have – explosion! The creator of the blog tries to warn people about the danger through this color, mainly. Explosion from nuclear power is one of the most disastrous things that everybody should prevent it from happening. The header of the blog tries to suggest another method for people to choose other than using the nuclear power itself. The header suggests something that could save the environment and people.
#6
ReplyDeleteThis blog was absolutely dripping with anti-nuclear power propaganda. After reading one article the author posted on the blog, one could definitely feel how much the author was against the use of nuclear power. His more recent posts bring up the incident in Japan as a warning to the use of nuclear power. One particular claim he makes is an attempt to shed a subjective light on the subject: the media on the issue in Japan. He states that government lies by downplaying about what is truly happening in Japan, and criticizes that America will find itself in a similar situation. This argument is valid, but is still under debate. So it is not a valid support to his argument and somewhat wrecks his credibility. Most of his arguments seem to be "orator-style" writing that attempts to evoke some sort of emotion from his readers instead of developing a persuasive argument from reports and supporting evidence.
7.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this blog is really doing much. Most of its' posts aren't even original content, often linking to youtube videos about the dangers of nuclear energy. It also seems that they almost exclusively focus on the Indian Point reactor in New York. The blog contains very little information besides fear tactics, and the fact that there are almost no comments on any of the blogs posts leads me to believe that this blog is not really influencing anyone very much.
#1
ReplyDeleteThe blog takes on a very retro look or 60s free people look very psychedelic background look. the front page uses a look of ads or placement of products looking for producing a green type movement. which is what the blog is placing over. the blog uses a lot of videos in there post so it is more user friendly and people are more likely to get the message because videos are more likely to be watched than articles read. the blog is pushing for nuclear power to be removed and using the extreme cases to push there agreement. In uses these argument the blog is implicitly imping that nuclear power is bad not clean and need to be eliminated.
4.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading through a few of the posts, something that caught my attention is the usage of quotations from outside sources. RemyC is the author of many of the blog; he even posts an article coming directly from CNN news, which is perceived as a very reliable media source and ads to RemyC’s credibility. In the article “Who is this ‘Int’l Commission’” he quotes the late Dr. John Goffman who co-invented Plutonium. The simple fact that he quotes a doctor, not to mention a doctor that helped create Plutonium, shines through towards the reader and illuminates the credibility of the article. Ethos bloggers seem to rely mostly on safety in this blog. It is relevant to the reader in that the government could place a nuclear power plant anywhere; you just don’t want it to be near you. Therefore, since the ethos of the blog is so vividly seen, the blog can invoke a greater fear in the reader of nuclear power and the health/murder issue it creates.