CMC Magazine December 1, 1995 / Page 11
FEATURE |
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by Amelia DeLoach (deloaa@rpi.edu)
This message comes to you from Amelia DeLoach, a writer and Link Editor for Computer-Mediated Communication Magazine, who is researching an article on the impact that the online medium is having on the legislative process and decision making at the national level. If you are not familiar with CMC Magazine, here are a few facts about the magazine: * It focuses on the act of, social implications of, and possibilities of communication made possible by the Internet and World Wide Web. * It is the oldest sustained monthly Web magazine and was founded by John December. * It is a niche publication that appeals to approximately 5,000 academics and other intellectuals. * CMC Magazine is located at URL: http://www.december.com/cmc/mag/index.html The questions below outline specific information I need in order to do an complete and accurate article. However, if you have any additional observations or insights about how email, the Internet, or the World Wide Web has affected lobbying, opinion making, decision making, etc., please include that as well. (If talking to me would be more convenient than writing a lengthy response, please call me--Amelia DeLoach--at (518) 274-4640.) Thank you for your time. ____________________________________________ 1. If you are a staffer, please include your name and which senator or representative you work for. 2. How many messages do you receive each day/week/month? How do the number of email messages compare to the number of letters and phone calls you receive? (Include whatever breakdown is the most convenient for you. If it’s difficult to pinpoint a number, please say so but do give some indication as to the amount of email you do receive.) 3. What have been the issues/legislation prompting the larger email responses? (Please include any numbers you have on hand to back up your answer.) Also, did the pro and con responses tend to be balanced in number or did one position dominate? In your opinion, why or why not. Did the medium have some affect on the position? 4. Has email caused your office to receive more feedback on issues than before Internet usage became more prevalent? If you can recall when email usage became a common way to contact your office, please note this. 5. Do email messages tend to be in a form-letter style or do they tend to be individually composed? How does this compare to the snail mail letters and phone calls you receive? 6. What affect do the demographics of the average” online user have on how their opinions and positions are perceived and weighed? 7. What impact--in your opinion--has email, the Internet, and the World Wide Web had on the decision-making and legislative processes? In addition, how do you foresee the online medium affecting these processes, and even the nature of democracy, in the future? ____________________________________________
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