Procrastination, the Global Pandemic - Blog Post 6

Arguments in Music

   

         Argumentation is generally thought of as occurring conversationally; however, we all often make arguments and protests in many other ways such as protesting with a sign or with our bodies. Perhaps one of the most impacting ways that people argue and make points is through music. For centuries, music has been a method of expression for people. Consider Billie Holiday's haunting song "Strange Fruit", addressing racism and the violence that erupts from it, or the song from the video above by Phil Collins, "Another Day in Paradise", which deals with poverty and the ignorance we all engage in on a daily basis about it. Through music, these artists strive to move people to action, to convince people that there is indeed a problem that needs to be addressed. Often times, arguments in music are much more effective, memorable, or emotional than a traditional conversational argument because the music adds an extremely moving quality to the logic presented within the lyrics.  

Be Happy. Be Healthy.

http://www.moneysavingmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/honey-nut-cheerios.jpg

WATCH: https://youtu.be/ehi7XT_Avbc

My roommate was eating Cheerios this morning, and she grabbed the box and said their famous line, "Be Happy. Be Healthy". Upon hearing that, I realized that General Mills was making a claim with their beloved cereal. They were arguing that, by eating their cereal, the consumer could be happy and healthy, as evident by their many commercials with that line. Similarly, on their box, they also claim that their cereal can help to lower cholesterol because of the soluble fiber it contains. Are these claims true? I suppose you'll have to eat them to find out.

Strawman Fallacy

http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID13237/images/Strawman(1).jpg

This cartoon is an example of the Strawman fallacy because it seems to be providing evidence against creationists. However, upon further inspection, it becomes clear that the arguments made are not always true, rather, they are hasty generalizations that seek to draw attention away from the real arguments. They are weak distractions. Similarly, the cartoon also contains the ad hominem fallacy as it attacks creationists as being brainless.

Bandwagon in Argumentation

http://budriscc2.weebly.com/uploads/1/8/4/6/18469126/9110321_orig.jpeg

This is an example of the fallacy of bandwagon in argumentation. It demonstrates the fallacy because it plays on how many iOS devices have been shipped, highlighting their success and using that to point out to others that, they too, should join the 120 million and get an iOS device. 

Killer Smoking Ads - Blog Post 5

https://sites.google.com/a/westcta.ccsd.net/drug-awareness-panels/anti-smoking-ad-panel-one


http://webneel.com/daily/sites/default/files/images/daily/03-2013/28-creative-anti-smoking-ad.jpg

             Smoking has been a huge issue for decades. With each passing year, the dangers of tobacco and nicotine continue to multiply, and yet, it continues to be a common habit among all ages. As a result, organizations that seek to educate people and raise awareness of the dangers of this habit are always putting out new ads to extinguish the desire in people to smoke. However, questions surround their ad choices which are often shocking, to say the least. Both these ads effectively portray their respective messages.

            The first one, using the image of a corpse with a toe tag on it colored similarly to a Marlboro cigarette pack, enhances its text which notes that number of people who die from smoke-related diseases and how many began as teen smokers. That particular ads suggested that tobacco consumption leads to diseases that can cause death and is directed towards both smokers and non-smokers because it is meant to encourage either party to take action whether that action be quitting or never starting the habit. However, it seems to especially speak to the smoker who uses Marlboro by connecting the brand to the corpse, literally. This ad, while disconcerting, does not seem to suggest anything unreasonable or harmful for smoking has been proven to contribute to many different diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and other respiratory issues.

             The second ad is much more disturbing because it raises the issue of second hand smoke and its affect on children. Children always make an argument more personal and emotional because no one likes to see an innocent child harmed in any way. The Chilean Corporation Against Cancer uses this to their advantage by suggesting that smoking is "not only suicide. It's murder". This strikes deeply in the heart of nonsmokers and smokers alike. The issue raised by this ad is indeed a legitimate one. I, personally, know people who, as adults, suffer from the effects of their parents' smoking habits. Though their method is shocking and disturbing, their point is valid.

             Smoking is a sensitive issue. Despite all of the studies and knowledge surround it, many people still smoke. Often times, it is because they are addicted to the chemicals, enjoy the stress relieving aspect of smoking, or simply do not want to quit. However, perhaps the most disturbing reason is the complete ignorance many youth smokers embrace regarding smoking. Many do not understand the long-lasting consequences of the habit and simply what to "try it out", not realizing that they would get hooked very quickly. According to an article in the New York Times entitled "Why Smokers Still Smoke", the problem is as simply as a lack of self-control (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/opinion/sunday/why-smokers-still-smoke.html?_r=0). 

               Research suggests, however, that perhaps the most influential reasons that people quit smoking are because of their health and their family. Knowing this, it seems that the best way to encourage people to stop is to emphasize the dangers to health and to family which is the approach many anti-smoking organizations are utilizing. However, efforts clearly need to be increased in order to dissuade people from smoking. Also, greater access to the necessary steps to quit should be emphasized as well. People need to be educated, but, ultimately, they will make their own decisions. That is, indeed, the sad reality.

           

the Either-or Fallacy

http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/611023-11626-42.jpg

We have all experienced the traditional faulty argument that, "We can either do this or we have to do that". I, for one, often feel very defeated by so few choices. Rarely do I respond with something such as "Those are not the only two options in the world". As demonstrated by the cartoon, the either-or fallacy often assumes one solution or another without examining or admitting the possibility of something else. It is extremely ineffective in argumentation and can lead to the appearance of ignorance on the part of the arguer.