Virtually Vocal

 Social media has revolutionized the way public opinion is shaped, altering communication strategies. The rapid dissemination of information and the influence of algorithms have created both opportunities and challenges in the digital landscape. While individuals now have greater access to diverse perspectives, the way information is filtered and presented has significant implications for public discourse.Social media platforms have transformed public opinion formation by enabling real-time sharing of information, often before traditional media outlets can respond. As Melissa Agnes (2015) discusses in her TEDx talk, this shift has placed pressure on organizations to develop crisis management strategies that are proactive rather than reactive. She highlights a case where a passenger in a train derailment took to social media before calling 911, illustrating how public perception is now shaped in real-time. Photo Credit: Guo Qingshan, 2025 This speed can be beneficial in amplifying c...

  Misinformation and logical fallacies are common in online media, influencing public opinion and policy decisions. Fallacies undermine logical reasoning and mislead audiences by presenting arguments that lack sound evidence. We can identify three communication fallacies from recent online articles: hasty generalization, false cause, and ad hominem attacks. These examples highlight how fallacies function and why they are problematic. Cannabis Edibles Incident (CBS Chicago) An article by CBS Chicago reports on a 13-year-old girl who was hospitalized after consuming a cannabis edible (Sulek, 2025). The article implies that cannabis edibles pose a significant danger to children, citing multiple incidents at a single school. However, it does not provide broader statistical evidence about the prevalence of such cases or compare them to other risks children face. This is an example of a hasty generalization, a fallacy that occurs when a conclusion is drawn based on insufficient evi...

I chose to browse Reddit for an argument. In the Subreddit r/news, a post (Link Here)   was linked to a Reuters article concerning Elon Musk’s alleged involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and influence on governmental decisions. In the comment section of this post , Redditors discuss Musk’s role, government actions, and the broader political implications of his White House presence. However, the debate contained elements that hindered the arguments’ effectiveness. One of the most concerning elements of this online argument is the prevalence of personal attacks and name-calling. Many users resort to derogatory terms rather than engaging in rational debate, such as referring to Musk as “Elmo” or making hostile statements like “Sack him in front of his kid. Who the F cares...” These types of attacks create a toxic environment that discourages meaningful exchange, undermining the legitimacy of the discussion (Campbell et al., 2014).   Another si...