During the 1960s smoking was one of the more common events that could be going on at any given time. Almost everybody smoked, except kids of course unless you were feeling brave, curious, or desired to be like Daddy or Mommy. As mentioned before the definition of smoking was congruent with an idea of relaxation, socialization, and pleasure. Today, smoking is one of the most discouraged actions that any person could partake in particularly because of the information and correlation smoking has too many chronic and usually terminal illnesses such as emphysema, bronchitis, lung cancer, and more. Doctors today are adamant about eliminating smoking, which is almost a reality, but still requires a lot of work. Back in the 60s, Smoking was not seen as an issue and, in fact, was encouraged by doctors in some cases. In this particular example, Camel uses doctors to advertise not only for the usage of cigarettes but the excellence of the Camel cigarette brand. While this is a good technique and imposes a logical understanding of why someone should smoke, there does exist a logical fallacy in that presentation of pathos. Camel is advertising that people should buy Camel brand cigarettes because of its support amongst doctors, but that it also a logical bandwagon. This bandwagon is both effective and ineffective in the sense that that it reaches to the audience and discusses the reason why people should support Camel, but it also does not offer a truly legitimate reason to support Camel. In addition, there is evidence that the link between cigarettes and pulmonary diseases were evident during the sixties, but never really caught full attention until the end of the century.
-Andrew Maduakor (and the previous article)
I really like this post because I think you did a great job at comparing the use of smoking during the 1960s compared to now. There is absolutely a huge difference in the advertising and beliefs on smoking and it is something I do not think many people realize. I also really like how you noticed the logical fallacy within this topic and I think you related it very well to the issue. Overall, I think you used great examples and literary elements to show how the difference in media between the 60s and today.
ReplyDeleteComparing the smoking of two different time periods was essential in connecting this to the rhetorical appeal of pathos. I completely agree that back then smoking was seen as relaxation, but is looked down upon in modern day society.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you talked about the fact that it was perfectly normal and an everyday occurrence for people of all ages to smoke in the 60's, and still mentioned how there was evidence hinting at a link between cigarettes and pulmonary disease at the same time. Additionally, I liked the camel advertisement example that talked about how the most doctors supported it. The only thing I would change would be the order of your sentences to make it flow more logistically, but overall this is a strong post.
ReplyDeleteYour comparisons of modern smoking to smoking of the Roaring Sixties are quite solid! I especially love how you pointed out the pathos evident in the smoking ad you were analyzing. Great spot on the logical fallacy employed in the ad. You are more perceptive than the majority of people back in the 60s!
ReplyDelete-Brendan Xu
The logical fallacy that is bandwagoning is probably one of the biggest reasons smoking became so common. Until recent years, smoking was thought of as cool; people smoked because they saw others doing it. That was how many of my family members got addicted to cigarettes when they were young.
ReplyDeleteSmoking was seen as cool and attractive in the 20th century, until the facts came out about the harmful effects and peoples diseases were being linked to smoking. Cancer, any form, is devastating to a family or loved ones of the person with cancer. You made a great point about kids wanting to be like their parents and smoke to gain a sense of adulthood.
ReplyDeleteSmoking was seen as cool and attractive in the 20th century, until the facts came out about the harmful effects and peoples diseases were being linked to smoking. Cancer, any form, is devastating to a family or loved ones of the person with cancer. You made a great point about kids wanting to be like their parents and smoke to gain a sense of adulthood.
ReplyDelete