Blogs You Should Read

The Media Made Me Do It

With a rare sort of enthusiastic attitude, the author here discusses the impact that the media has on our decisions. While many of us tend to simply dismiss the topic of media and advertising influence based on our own preconceived notions, reading through this blog demonstrates that the issue is not nearly as unimportant as we think it is; the specific impact of the topic is explored through ruminations on identity and its connection to media influence, the different facets of advertising, and more, all while keeping a very relatable tone and providing many examples from contemporary pop culture. The insightfulness of the blog (I direct you to the post on the devaluing of identity in soldiers as a good example) coupled with its approachable tone (the author sounds less like a lecturer and more like some sort of well-informed radio host) makes it a must-read blog.

Dark Matter

I have a good bit of respect for this blog, tackling a slightly obscure scientific controversy, dark matter, and succeeding in making it interesting to the average person uninterested in such scientific controversies. Much like the subject matter of the above blog, dark matter isn’t a topic that people tend to place much stock in—mainly because the vast majority of people are unaware of its existence. But I honestly think that the author does a great job of explaining the oftentimes alienating terms related to dark matter in a way that enables readers to get a grasp on the subject matter. For me, the defining aspect of this blog is the way that the blogger personally responds to almost every comment, always forming arguments on rational thoughts and providing evidence. I think that everyone should check out this blog because of the way it reflects its author’s commitment to the subject material and the way that the author guides us through what is usually seen as a topic outside of public scope.

Non-linear Perspectives

Non-linear perspectives is about the legalization of drugs—specifically, marijuana. The tone of this blog is almost in direct contrast with my other two picks: a very academic, intellectual, almost-professional tone is used for these posts in a way. The arguments found in this blog are almost impossibly well-crafted; it’s notable the way that the author tackles such a deeply divisive topic in a rational manner, analyzing the different ways that the argument can be contextualized. While the many proponents for marijuana legalization tend to make half-baked arguments (no pun intended), the author here goes above and beyond in researching why marijuana is so demonized by our government and society and why he thinks that it should be legalized. In summary, the excellent way in which the author handles the different arguments for marijuana legalization—social, moral, and more, along with the exhaustive research and evidence he places behind his well-reasoned and academic arguments makes this blog a great read.