Ok, this is crazy, but I’m, more or less triple posting on this subject. 1) I dropped a comment over at Michael Aubrecht’s blog about the integration of the video into his post of April 6 (yesterday)… then I… 2) made a comment on my digital rhetoric class blog about the same. Now… 3) I’m going to say something here. I’m not so much focused on the meaning of the blog post in terms of the Civil War, but I’m looking at it with my “technical communicator” hat on today. Michael’s done something pretty cool in advancing the interaction between the reader and himself. He hasn’t simply pointed us to a YouTube video, he has integrated it into his presentation, and the way that it is used, gives a feeling of “interaction” between the blogger and the reader. Without writing a new set of comments here about what I took from viewing the video, I’ll repeat what I said over there in a comment, here.
Very interesting integration of “self” into the blog. I think it’s particularly intriguing the way that it brings the reader closer to “you” in a more personal manner (they are “in” your car, no less). It’s no longer just your words or use of imagery that engages the reader, but the humanization element of the video. This is personalization on an entirely different level. The only downside to this is that the reader has no means to interact with and become a writer (as opposed to the read-write sense of the blog as an element of Web 2.0) in the video. It seems that there should be a way to work something into that, but the limitations are actually with what a person can do with YouTube in this respect.
That said however, I think I was actually feeling motion sickness watching the video. I’ll have to look into that one, but it might be the size of the screen or the limitations of the camera to deal with the “bouncing” effect of the visual. Otherwise, I wonder if the video was too long. Good suspense element, but not sure about the length.
On another note, he’s touched on something else that is pretty interesting… especially for one who has an interest in the use of interpretive markers. With this in mind, I said…
you’ve touched on something else that intrigues me; that we as “Civil War people” have come to automatically assume that markers that have the Civil War Trails marker look are, in fact, Civil War markers. I wonder if everyone else does the same or if it is only those (beyond us “Civil War people”) people who have learned to assume that the shape and look of these markers means that the marker must be a Civil War Trails sign. I may have lost this automatic mechanism within me because I have seen my fair share of non Civil War signs that have the same look.
All-in-all, he’s done something pretty cool by using another medium in this environment! Yet, because I have become a “creature of Web 2.0,” the only thing that kind of disappoints me is the limitations that the YouTube video impose on the reader… and, of course, the feeling of motion sickness. The video is one-way presentation. I wonder if there is a way in which it can be turned into a two-way opportunity, the “interaction” being more than just the reader clicking on the “start video” button.
I didn’t embed the video here, because, by doing so, you won’t get an appreciation for the manner in which Michael, as the blogger, has integrated the video into his “presentation.” Click here for a view of the blog post. Regretfully, his format doesn’t permit me to link directly to his post of April 6, 2009, so you have to look for that particular post for that date. The link that I provide is simply one to his blogsite.
*I’ve actually been looking over the Roxio video editing software, as I’d like to refine my video presentations. Of course, I’d also like to get a decent video recorder that doesn’t sink me for too much money.
Cenantua's Blog 
Harry Smeltzer
April 7, 2009
I think the video idea, while intriguing, has serious limitations. For example, I have a face for radio and a voice for photograph. I can’t imagine anyone watching me for long without them experiencing severe, ummm…, motion sickness.
cenantua
April 7, 2009
LOL… I hear ya… and I don’t know that I’m quite up to going “prime time” either…
cenantua
April 7, 2009
By the way, Harry, when ya gonna get a gravatar? I mean the “quilt-like” image thing that is standard issue is quaint, but it “ain’t” you. Need help, just let me know.
Michael Aubrecht
April 7, 2009
Thanks Robert. As usual, you bring up some excellent thoughts and I added an update addressing a couple over on my post. This idea spawned from one of my favorite shows “The Naked Archeologist” and a desire for me to connect with my readers on a more personal level. It’s raw, and edited, and honest which is my goal. I could invest in fancy software and makeup and have flying logos and such, but my goal is for the viewer to ‘ride along’ with me. Mannie’s productions are first rate, but I feel my approach is a bit different. That connection IMO is more obtainable if I simply let the scene unfold and my words unscripted. As you know I do a lot of speaking engagements and spend a great deal of time on my speech and audio-visual aids. This is the opposite approach of what you see is what you get. Thanks again. I plan to cross post over to this one as I think you’ve initiated some interesting discussion.
cenantua
April 7, 2009
Hi Michael, Yeah, I hope I don’t come across kind of weird on some of the things I say, but, like I said, this is stuff said with my technical communicator hat on. I’ve become an absolute nut over the differences between presentation in print and presentation on the Web now… and the sad part of that being that some folks aren’t taking full advantage of what is available in the environment to enhance presentation (and sometimes its just a matter of them not being aware of what is available). There is so much that isn’t being tapped and historical stuff can gain so much more if it were tapped.
Craig Swain
April 7, 2009
I guess I aught to do a “Marker Hunter” book to properly define the different classes of markers and such. “NPS Tabletop” markers are officially known as “waysides” by the Department of Interior. Found that out one day conversing with a man at DOI who’s in charge of designing the frames. I call him “CINC-Markers”, which sounds better than of “Deputy Director for Outdoor Interpretation.” Guess he could also be “Special Agent in charge of Bird Excrement Collection Panels.”
John Wood
April 10, 2009
Great site. I get on sites like this and my 2 grad degrees dont mean crap. I’m still a pretty good history teacher (though I’ve not really published anything or have a curriculum vitae) and decent secondary coach (have to multi-task in public schools), I see that I am far behind the learning curve. Thanks for the information on your site.
cenantua
April 11, 2009
Thanks John! I’m coming up on two grad degrees and I still feel I need to learn more… call it a good addiction 🙂 My wife says that, as much as I say I’m looking forward to finishing the grad program, she’ll be surprised if it is better than three months before I want to start taking classes again! She’s right, as always, LOL.