TOW #18: We Need Better Presidential Debates

 

          Written by Robert Donovan and John Rosenkranz for the Wall Street Journal, this article takes a direct stance on the current format of the presidential debates. The authors do this by first identifying and exploring the cons surrounding the style of debate used now. This includes not only personal opinions on the matter, but also numerous data points to explore regarding the topic. This, in fact, is where the true strength of their argument lies -- in the facts. The authors of this article are meticulous with the examples they provide to support their case. They argue that the current method of debating -- which they describe as being nothing more than a "ploy" to ask catch the presidential hopefuls off guard -- is ineffective at its job andpresnts an ill representation of their true ideals. Instead they suggest hosting these debates in an Oxford debating style. This style is unique from the present method in that is more structured and formulaic.  Oxford Style debates follow a formal structure which begins with audience members casting a pre-debate vote on the motion that is either for, against or undecided. Each panelist presents a seven-minute opening statement, after which the moderator takes questions from the audience with inter-panel challenges. Finally, each panelist delivers a two-minute closing argument, and the audience delivers their second (and final) vote for comparison against the first.

          The evidence provided from these two co-authors is quite impressive. To prove their argument, they provide many examples of their point -- a strong appeal to logos. This brings a lot strength to their argument. By including references to numerous debates that have followed the same debate structure and how they too would work for the presidential debates.

TOW #17: Canadian Journalist Ad

       Juniper Park is a global advertising agency which has worked with numerous companies throughout its 50 year run. Over these years it has become known very famously for its clever use of symbolism in its ads to successfully display its message to the public. In August of 2012, Juniper Park's published it most recent series of ads for the NGO Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. The NGO is a strong petition group which protests the Canadian acts for restriction of journalists. This particular ad by the company depicts these very journalism tools (cameras, recorders, etc) as weapons, with the phrase "information is ammunition" written toward the bottom. This simple ad is extremely powerful in its use of creative juxtaposition of camera material and a high power gun. By comparing these two things, the ad is able to lead viewers into the conclusion of similar abilities. In showing that a camera can be just as powerful as a gun, it follows the theme of the well-known adage, "the pen is mightier than the sword".
         The ad also is very smart in utilizing very dull color tones. This, although being the opposite of eye catching, actually gives the advertisement a greater sense of urgency. Truly the success of the advertisement comes from its ability to illustrate a correlation between journalism and warfare -- against the same enemy. To many, the use of firearms is the only way to counteract evil in this world. However, this ad suggests that this is not necessarily so, instead providing the idea that journalism can be just as powerful in ending countering such things. Given the intent of the ad and the simplicity of its message, the audience for such an ad is the general public. With this message, the ad hopes to bring forth a call to action from viewers, in hopes of getting them to also protest the acts about journalism restriction.

IRB Intro #3 Half The Sky

Half The Sky is a self proclaimed "call to arms, call for help, call for contributions and call for volunteers" toward one of the greatest humanitarian issues of our era. Focusing on sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and girls' education authors Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn argue that the oppression of women is the ultimate paramount moral challenge facing our society, comparing it to the fight against slavery from the past. Though the subject matter in itself was not necessarily the most eye catching to me for this book, it was actually my brother who recommended that I read it. He too explained that he did not have much initial interest in reading it (but as it was a required reading for his college he didn't really have much of a choice) but it's subjects and themes cover much more than just the oppression of women -- focusing on the discussion of moral values in a society and what implications they have on a culture.

TOW #16: Race in America

       Inspired by recent debates filling American life regarding the idea of racial prejudice within the United States, writer Matt Leran began his article series, Race in America. Written exclusively for the opinion pages of the New York Times, Race in America is an exploration into the "identity of America" through the lens of its actual citizens. This series is particularly insightful in that it utilizes the stories and experiences of actual American people to paint its narrative about what America is truly like -- for all people. The stories within its pages do an exceptional job of describing not just the events that people have experienced in this country, but the rather, who is experiencing them, driving home the point that this truly is not a dividing subject about different races, but a unifying one about joint human experience. Not to discredit its as an informative piece, however, as it does provide a good deal of knowledge on a topic that many who are not directly related to are not aware of. Of course, this used of anecdotal structure is what holds this piece together and also what makes it most successful as it adds to both its appeals to ethos and especially to pathos.
      What makes this article series different from any other piece looking into the racial divide in America is, as I mentioned before, its use of stories to describe its message. Whether it be from Maya McCoy about her conversation to her black son, or Josh Frias about growing up being told by his white parents that racism doesn't exist, this article presents a myriad of experiences from all different perspectives on the issue. What this brings to the article is a greater level of ethos for connecting to the American people, it isn't just a writer telling you what is going on in America, it is people describing there personal experiences within it. It also brings success in its appeals to pathos for the same reason. Having real people describe what its like believing that "race definitely factored into how one participated in school" or that is truly "isolated one from their peers" brings an emotional pull that is unparalleled by mere statements of racism in America. This makes the article stand apart and, consequently, be extremely successful in doing what it sets out to achieve.

TOW #15: What Would Martin Luther King Do?

     Written just in time to celebrate this upcoming holiday of Martin Luther King Day, this article takes a almost satirical look into the way politics is carried out in this country in comparison to the high moral standards we hold ourselves up to. In this way, the author, Will Tennen, takes a memorialized figure such as Martin Luther King Jr, and compares his actions to our own as a country. It is a humorous strike on the saying, "what would Jesus do?" in comparing moral standards to the actions of others. Though the article takes a satirical jab at almost all elements of the political spectrum, including the way in which debates are now run, his most adamant is at the policies of Republican front runner Donald Trump, particularly his stance on Muslims in this country. In his article, author Will Tennen uses powerful allusions to past events in order to draw convincing comparisons to the faults in our political upbringing and consequently bring forth a sense of change.
     Beginning his article with a quote from King Jr himself about the "necessity of social justice in America" brings a strong and forward message to his audience about the topic of his discussion throughout the rest of the piece. This powerful quote is then easily used to negate the modern tactics and policies of recent politicians, bringing a source from which to point flaws in our current character as a country. It is from this very quote that Tennen derives the morality with which to ask his ending question, "what would Martin Luther King Jr. do?". He asks this regarding our political attacks, our split congress and of course immigration reforms. It seems that this saying repeats itself throughout the article, being referenced in relation to other aspects of King's life. Overall, the success of this article can be accredited to this clever idea repeated throughout its work.

The Elegant Universe (IRB #2)

      The latter half of Brian Greene's non-technical book takes an interesting turn in subject matter, switching from the development and evolution of string theory to its relation to what he refers to as "hidden dimensions". In his last chapters he takes this topic -- which, in some scientific way that I cannot claim to understand, connects back to string theory -- and explores, in a similar way, its implications to the human condition as a whole. This comprehensive study of the theoretical 11th dimension and its relevance to the unification of the twenty first century follows through Greene's technique approaching these especially technical subject matters, by connecting them to everyday life of people. He does this, as mentioned in the previous post, most effectively through his colloquial writing style. However, another aspect to this style that became cleat to its success appealing to the layman is Greene's creative use of metaphors and other analogies. These analogies not only add a creative flair to the writing, but also give an easier understanding to the complexity of his subject matter.
       The most effective metaphor to be constantly referred to throughout the book is his comparison of the fabric of space to a quilt. Albeit amazingly simple, this metaphor which compares the very fabric of our universe to the simple stitched fabric of a quilt makes it unquestionably easier to understand the topics as hand. Greene is able to explain the "Newtonian directional physics" that are  "law to the relativity of interstellar connectivity" (203) which this metaphor. He explains that "like the quilt, they particles are stitched together. And, very much like the quilt, there are tiny holes which can let other pieces of matter through" (100). This constant relation back to quilt furnishings makes it easier for myself and other audience members to relate to what is being stated throughout the book and what ultimately contributes to its success.

TOW #13: WWF (Visual Text)

          The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) is the world's leading non-profit conservation organization. Their primary goal as an organization is to combine global reach with a foundation in science, involve action at every level from local to global, and of course to ensure the delivery of innovative solutions to meet the needs of people and nature across the world. Or, in layman's terms, to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats on the environment. In order to achieve this goal, the WWF relies heavily on the sponsorship and support from the common citizen and it is for this reason that the majority of their advertisements are geared toward the general public. This ad in particular is used to demonstrate the harsh effects of deforestation, showcasing its impact on the wildlife in an area. Through the use of symbolism and contrasting color palettes the WWF ad is able to successfully bring forth an emotional response from the audience, causing a reconsideration of deforestation and an ultimate demand for change.
         The true genius in this ad comes from its masterful use of symbolism. In showing the cluster of trees in the shape of lungs, the ad symbolically represents the life of the forest and corresponding wildlife. So, with this comparison made, the effects of deforestation are made much more powerful -- showing the death that it causes. In that sense, the contrasting colors of the various hues of brown against the hues of green also create a powerful image for onlookers. This stark difference in colors make it clear how different the brown depicts a sense of death and destruction. It is the four words at the bottom which serve as the final call to action for the audience of the image. The words, "before it's too late" make it clear that the WWF wants those who see this image to make a change and to end the death of the forest. Ultimately, it is these four simple words that make the point of the ad crystal clear and cause a stir in anyone who looks upon it. It is for this reason that this ad is so successful, because it is able to call to the emotions of its audience.