Overview
Discussion 1
We live in a world where the ideas of others are transmitted instantly through social media, whether it is related to a breaking world event or what the kid next door had for dinner. Considering the general credo for ethical communication developed by the National Communication Association, what degree of responsibility do different people play in sharing information online?
a. For instance, does a national leader have a higher degree of ethical responsibility when it comes to sharing factual information with citizens?
b. What responsibility does a celebrity have when commenting on a divisive topic or trending event?
c. What ethical responsibilities does social media have in sharing news stories that may or may not be factually correct?
e. What about our ethical responsibilities as social media users?
Discussion 2
Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech known as The Man In The Arena. In it he says, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”
Why do we let what others think, say, and do have more power than our evaluations?
It’s one thing to say we are not going to let something or someone bother us. But why is that harder to actually put into practice?
Theodore Roosevelt’s speech highlights the distinction between those who judge from the
sidelines and those who are in the arena with you. Why is such a distinction important?
a. Why would the feedback from someone who is also “marred by dust and sweat and blood” hold more value than those who sit in the stands? Roosevelt ends with the idea of “daring greatly.” What does that mean and why is it important?
b. Is showing up and failing more valuable than succeeding in achieving the challenge at hand?
c. If so, do we apply that to all areas of our lives? Not just tackling a hard assignment or showing up to run that
5k, but also when it comes to our relationships and how we care for ourselves?
Discussion 3
The text states that culture is communication and communication is culture. Language plays a significant role in shaping and transmitting culture. It is estimated that 5,000 to 7,000 human languages exist in the world. According to the Navajo Times, in 2010, only 51% of Navajos spoke the language, down from 93% in 1980. The loss of language and culture among the Navajos, as well as other Native American tribes, continues today due to a variety of factors (e.g., modernization, loss of elders, integration of society, etc.).
What aspects of your language are representative of your culture?
Who taught you the words and ways of communicating that define and transmit your sense of culture?
How do different cultural groups influence how you communicate?
How do you code-switch or change how you communicate when you are around
different groups?
What internal and external forces change how you communicate?