DiSalvo & Lehrer- Blog 1

For this short assignment I decided two read the two blogs by John Lehrer and David DiSalvo. Both very different types of blogs with how each blogger approaches their message, however, still very similar as well. DiSalvo’s blog reminded me of an online newspaper template which was very easy to read and search for his blog posts. I chose to read, “Can Energy Drinks Cause Heart Attacks?” The reason I chose this particular blog post is because I am addicted Redbull; it is the equivalent of the “coffee in the morning” routine. So, immediately I felt a connection from rhtetor to audience member once I came across this title. DiSalvo made it a point to show his readers and followers by providing statistics to his scientific study of energy drinks and if  really cause heart attacks and possible death. DiSalvo mentions the FDA and the AAPCC-NPDS as a part of his results and proof of his hypothesis and message. Grant-Davie’s article came to mind when I read DiSalvo’s blog post. Grant-Davie exclaim, “…that a rhetorical situation is partly, but not wholly, created by the rhetor… ‘receptivity’- the ability to respond to the conditions and demands of individual situations.” (Grant-Davie 263). DiSalvo uses exigence to co-play his receptivity throughout his discourse.

John Lehrer has a completely different approach to his audiences. The perfect sound of eloquence in his language along with the exigence being used as well; easy enough, Lehrer got my attention with just his blogging template. I chose to read his blog post, “Why Does Beauty Exist?” The title alone is so bold, I only grew curious as seconds went by. Lehrer explains in detail that curiosity is what leads to finding beauty. His theory is, “Beauty is a particularly potent and intense form of curiosity.” But why is this so crucial and important to one’s life? It is the same question with, why is discourse needed? Grant-Davie say it results in fact and definition, “establishing that the subject exists and characterizing it, identifying the source of the subject and its consequences, to examining its importance and quality.” (Grant-Davie 266). The integrity that embellishes throughout Lehrer’s writing shows the different strategies and their affectability to any given situation can be successful.