Self-disclosure?

Here's a really different take on self-disclosure. Here you mail in your secrets anonymously and they're posted for all to see. Because it's anonymous, this wouldn't be called self-disclosure, as we normally think of it. And yet it is a form of self-disclosure and probably serves many of the same purposes (at least intrapersonally) that interpersonal self-disclosure serves. According to its counter there have been over 277 million visitors to the site.

Annoying Phrases

Here's an interesting little graphic bit from USAToday--the most annoying phrases in conversation. Here are the five top (from a survey of 938 adults):
"Whatever" 47%
"You know" 25%
"It is what it is" 11%
"Anyway" 7%
"At the end of the day" 2%
It seems an interesting way to introduce verbal messages--their denotations and connotations, cliches, conversational fillers, and lots more.

Religion and Free Speech

Here's an interesting opinion piece that addresses what are called "blasphemy laws"--laws restricting speech that might antagonize religious groups. By extension, would this limit the freedom of speech of religious groups who attack alternative life styles? Regardless of how you feel on this issue, it's a perfect case for discussion in any communication course dealing with free speech.

Speech of Apology

Here is a great and recent example of a brief and effective (I think) speech of apology, no matter that it's in print; it's still a speech. It offers lots of classroom possibilities for public speaking--comparing this one with Iacocca's classic speech apologizing for Chrysler's disconnecting odometers or with Bill Clinton's "apology" or estimating its effectiveness on different audiences. In the hybrid course it provides a useful connection between interpersonal and public speaking (something that's not always easy to make--between the interpersonal communication discussion of the apology and the public speaking discussion of special occasion speaking. And, of course, there's lots to discuss in terms of the media's role and effectiveness in presenting apologies like this.

Hybrid and Public Speaking

Just searching some college websites and found (again)Maui Community College's (U of Hawaii)speech website--there's lots here for anyone teaching the hybrid or the public speaking course--handouts, student testimonials, guides, and more. I think it would be a great exercise to have students search academic communication websites and bring something they felt interesting back to the classroom to share with others who have done likewise. It's also a good exercise for the instructor--it ensures that you stay in touch with what others are doing in similar courses.