Argumentation is all around us. We are bombarded nonstop by the media's visual arguments everyday in the form of television, magazines, newspapers, music, the internet, and even on billboards. Their goal is usually to either to get you to buy their products or attempt to sway your stance on an issue. They accomplish this by portraying the people in their ads as stylish and successful by using their products or by presenting jaw dropping pictures and statistics if they are trying to sway an individuals opinion on an issue. A good example of visual argumentation are some of those beer commercials that they always air nonstop during football on Sundays. The ads usually showcase a group of young and healthy friends relaxing and having a good time while drinking a few beers. These ads are misleading as the companies are trying to get you to believe that if you drink their beer you will always have a good time and be surrounded by a plethora of friends, which we know doesn't happen. To try and differ your opinion on an issue, a company may show some shocking facts that really make you question you stance on a subject. For example, an ad against cigarettes might display a fact such as "around 100,000 kids start smoking a day worldwide". That fact is certainly one that would open your eyes!
The picture shown at the top of this page is an example of visual argumentation at it's finest, that being in the form of a bumper sticker. We all see quite a few of these everyday, but do we stop and think about the point that they are trying to get across? Whether it is a bumper stick about Obama, one about Darwin and evolution, or one similar to the one posted above above that pokes fun at global warming, they are all displaying a visual argument. This bumper sticker posted above pokes fun at the existence of global warming and is essentially saying its just as real as a unicorn. While each individual has their own stance on this issue, its quite clear what side the creator of the sticker is on and what message they are trying to get out to the public. Next time your out on the road pay attention to the ads, bumper stickers, and billboards that you see and think about the message that each is trying to get across.
OH NO! NOT THE UNICORNS!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I would like to say congratulations, I literally busted out laughing when that bumper sticker popped up on the page. You also make some good point by drawing the comparison between global warming and the fantasy of unicorns, basically arguing that global warming is just as existent as said mythical creature. All in all, this post was the perfect blend of humor and information. Nice job.
--Kelly Scheidell