Entry 13

The final blog entry of the semester and I can barely come up with a topic...

My final entry will be dedicated to the most effective way to handle public announcements in terms of Simmel's Social Distance Theory. While this depends entirely on the nature of the message, I will attempt to take all elements into account.

Method 1: Mass Email

This is an effective method for announcing a party or event. However, if it is sensitive information, this may not be the most effective way. There are cases when mass numbers of people are involved that this may be appropriate, but only when a final verdict has been reached.

Method 2: Print

A public announcement by paper must be neither important or sensitive. Such as the case in an expulsion from a private university. A print release within 48 hours of the verdict is highly unsensitive and inappropriate.

A public announcement by newsletter can contain more sensitive and important information, such as a dismissal or resignation. This acheives the goal of a more personal conveyance of information.

Method 3: Oral

A public announcement given orally in front of a congregation is appropriate in many situations. This seems to be the most personal way to convey both spectrums of importance and sensitivity.

There are many ways to make a public announcement. The selection of a method seems to come down to the importance and sensitivity of the situation. Other factors include the number of recipients for the message and the nature of the relationship of announcer to recipients.

Simmel's Social Distance Theory applies on each of these levels. Each method conveys a certain emphasis on importance and sensitivity, while the layers of relationship reflect on the method chosen. Public Announcements can quickly define the perceived distance between entities--individuals to each other, individuals to communities, and communities to each other.