Derek Thomas' rhetoric of design post really goes in on the relationship of actual and imaginary line. Definitely opened my eyes to a differing perspective. Excellent post by him.
Within the video are several examples of positive space and negative space in designs, detailing how both work hand in hand in creating a dynamic aesthetic.
Three-minute video on the history of rhetoric. Nice brief-yet-informative video on the basic concepts and other nice tidbits that provides good background knowledge.
The New Yorker's Ezra Klein breaks down why a skillful use of rhetoric will not always help a President achieve his purpose. This goes back to the point that one's audience will have people who have differing purposes and, in many cases, it will be impossible to persuade everyone.
Watching this video, which was linked within the introduction to rhetoric on the Purdue OWL site, helped me become cognizant of the origins of rhetoric and the historical background of the skill. It's a very good primer before diving into the readings.
After having read the first two chapters of the Designed Fundamentals for New Media book and the other required readings, I feel I was better equipped in regards to being able to identify the different methods of communication present, and understand why the author of the article referred to Obama's rhetoric as "predictable."
