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December 03, 2004
SORRYEVERYBODY.COM
When I first started looking through the gallery entries on sorryeverybody.com, what struck me first was how varied the entries were, both in terms of age and location, as well as economic status(or superficial perception of). I think something that helps this site succeed as a persuasive tool is that such a varied range of computer users exist now, and that the number of users is continuing to grow as computers (and access to the internet) become more affordable around the globe. As this trend continues, I see sites that allow for a personal, yet globally reaching, message to be sent internationally helping to bring about understanding between people who otherwise would only have nationalistic perspectives on each other. I see it allowing, as sorryeverybody.com does, creating a link to the international community for those who choose not to, or are unable to, travel internationally. The use of photographs is especially important to this end, since pictures make the message infinitely more personal. Most blogs allow for anonymity, which can damage the credibility of posted messages. But the use of pictures--especially those with handwritten messages-- eliminates this. Just try and get someone from the Stanford Review to pose for a shot with a “I’m sorry Bush won” sign. I would argue that even those photos that are not hand personalized might be convincing enough, in a similar way to how flattery can be an effective tool even when it is obviously insincere. Just as a thought to where sites like this could take us, I Imagined the following: sorryeverybodyFutureEdition.com allows me to send a photo or audio (or video) reply to postings via cell phone. I Imagine what it would be like to have just posted a photo apology and checked the box allowing for one daily response to come through my phone, and minutes later getting a phone call from a fellow student in France, or wherever, just calling to say "hey, I saw your post, I'm glad there are people like you in America, I just want you to know I appreciate it, and that not everyone here blames you either." I think the persuasive potential for this kind of communication is enormous, and once communications technology make it possible, I think it will certainly influence the way we think and act.Posted by at December 3, 2004 09:46 PM
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