Survey Time
Developing this blog, my main goal was to make this site more about you and less about me. The growing attention we’re getting is encouraging, but I’m a little disappointed by the lack of discussion and debate. With that said I want to throw out a few questions to get to know you the reader and find out ways I can retool and improve on things for the future.
1. Tell me about yourself. How did you find this blog? What were some of the things that kept you interested?
2. How often do you participate in online discussions or forums? What kind do you participate in?
3. If you haven’t commented on this site, is it due to a lack of interest or not feeling comfortable enough about the subject matter?
4. What types of news do you usually read?
5. How do you react to news about violence, particularly violence involving youth?
6. Is there something more of or less of that you would like to see on The Violence Project?
7. Anything extra?
June 6th, 2008 at 11:22 am
1. I’m a broadcast journalism student at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. My main interests are sports and politics. I was forwarded to this blog by a classmate.
2. I rarely participate. When I do, it’s on espn.com’s post-windows. I plan on getting more involved in the blogging world.
3. I only recently became aware of the site. I wouldn’t comment at this point, mostly because I don’t feel comfortable yet with the subject matter. It is interesting, though.
4. I focus on news involving sports and politics.
5. I admit I generally tune it out. It seems like there’s so much violence every day in this country. It’s on the news every night. At some point, you grow numb to it.
6. More visuals.
June 6th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I stay abreast of local and national news via the Internet, CNN and local news stations. I’m particularly disturbed at the increase in youth violence as a mother of two young adults. I would like to see more reporting on the impact that the loss of a young person has on their family, school and community. Would also like to see reported exactly how and what, the CPD in combination with other state and federal agencies, are doing to combat the increase in violence.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
1. I’m a grad student in journalism, focusing on writing. I found the blog through our class website. What’s kept me interested is the ways you cover youth violence: with feeling and an emphasis on the human side of these deaths. Also like that you write about what’s being done to stop the killing (rallies, legislation, etc.)
2. I don’t participate in too many discussions or forums. But I do like to read them, especially ones about difficult issues like the ones covered in this blog.
3. I’m not sure if I’ve commented. If I haven’t it’s really just because I don’t comment often in general. Nothing to do with the subject matter.
4. Newspapers mostly, often online. And I’m getting more into blogs and non-mainstream journalism. Also love news magazines, especially the New Yorker.
5. With sadness. And I try to understand what happened - both in a specific instance and as a trend. Not sure how successful I am, but I do think about it a lot.
6. Not really. I think you have a good mix of topics here. I like that you focus on the human side of youth violence — who’s impacted and how. I also like your writing style and how non-breaking-news-y it is. Keep up the great work!
June 7th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
1. I too am a journalism graduate student. I originally found this blog via our class website, however referenced it in one of my blog posts, and also paid attention to it when there was an uprising of violence in the community I live in. It’s an important topic, and one that should be followed as closely as possible instead of sweeping it under the door with tomorrow’s news.
2. Any online posting I do is generally on Youtube videos or in sports communities - I generally like reading content.
3. I have commented on this site! The subject matter is very heavy, granted, but if violence isn’t being covered, it only will get worse. I’m not sure if it was intended, but your site advocates for peace just as much as it does raise awareness of what’s going on in our community.
4. I read a lot of sports news, but also pay attention to local Chicago news, and national news that has an impact on my life.
5. My reaction to violence is undoubtedly one of shock and disbelief. I can’t fathom shooting someone or being shot, can you? What goes on in the minds of the people commiting the crimes? I’m a long way away from suburban Massachuetts.
6. Videos.. I’m sure local coverage from WGN has plenty of videos you can embed. Internet-goers need something to stimulate their senses along with reading insightful content.
7. Can’t we all just get along?