Park Life Russel Brand (Larsen)

In this clip activist, Russel Brand, the English activist argues against the newly enstated law in Florida stating that no individual is allowed to feed the homeless. He is addressing the incident where an old man gave food to the homeless, in Flordia, and is now facing serious charges including jail time up to 2 months and a 500$ fine.

Brand uses Larsen's persuasion application in several ways. The first way is by applying the wisdom of the rustic which appeals to the idea of a rough start blossoming into a successful ending. Likewise, a lot of emphasis is put on the wisdom of the old with this idea.  Brand describes the old man as being a veteran several times. In fact, he refers to the mans as "the lovely veteran old man". Brand also exemplifies the good characteristics the man has developed from the trail of the war the old man experienced. This shows that the old man was able to emerge through trial (the war) to sucess (the good deed he performed by feeding the homeless). Brand argues that the old man should not be punished for doing what is essentially, a good deed by bringing up values like compassion and the right for every human being to have a home. Brand points out the fact that though the general public does not like seeing homeless people on the streets, they have no where else to go due other laws. He states if there is no where to reside because of all the laws then there will be "park life" meaning people sleeping on the benches. At this point he uses the possibility of sucess by mentioning the protest that will be happening against the law raising rent at a paticular apartment complex. Brand states all the things wrong with the law, and then gives hope by saying there is a place one can go to protest against these wrong doings! Lastly Brand uses the presence of conspiracy by stating that the system is currupt. He makes an attempt at upsetting the public by showing how "un fair" things have become. He states that it is unfair to keep a law in place (making it unchangable) for the purpose of simply preventing society from feeding the homeless, but okay a law that states that you dont have to disclose where one gets their funding from from elections. Brand points out that 4 billion dollars is spent on campaighning, an amount that could greatly benefit the homeless problem. He states that the same rich coorperations that are complaining about the homeless are also funding the elections to ensure the person that would favor their bussiness more wins. The poor people become poorer and the rich become richer as a result. Brand ties up the argument by stating that it is an unfair system with un fair rules.
This argument creates a congnitive affect. It states a problem that the public is well aware of, but presents new information from a different point of view. Brand uses anger, frusteration and compassion to prove his point of the government being currupt.
Brand uses process premise through out the argument. The use of needs is very apparent as the topic is centered around not having what one needs as human. It appeals to the public by threatening their emotional security and tapping into their guilt emotions.
Brand was successful in his argument. Not only did he use several persuasive tools we have talked about in class, but he also made it very intertaining to watch. It was a casual appoach to a big problem that could have been addressed with more structure however, that is what makes it so interesting.

Test #1

Identify what you feel are the ethics of the presentation. What does the narrator lend to its ethics?

The ethics of this presentation weight heavy on the basic ideas of the roles and responsibilities as a farmer. The farmer is depicted as hard working, loyal and outstanding citizen. These are all qualities that America was founded on. The voice in the commercial reminds me of a religious type ceremony which instills a feeling of trust, even importance, in what is being said. It is interesting to me that at the very end they show the big nice truck. In comparison to everything else, it is the most aesthetically pleasing aspect. This glorifies the farmer, setting high standards for the farmer, and viewers of the farmer.

Identify central and peripheral route attempts of the film.

Center:  The fact that we as a nation, need farmers is shown often. A religious standpoint is taken, including hard work and family values. This ties into the peripheral route by creating such a stark contrast between the ability to be strong, and gentle is a common theme throughout. It points out the difficult and the sweet points of being a farmer while at the same time exemplifying the fact that not many people have what it takes to be a farmer.

Define the proofs- pathos, logos and ethos – that function in the narrative.

Pathos: Pathos is represented in the emotion of the clip. Emotion is noted in the narrator when he talks about religion, god and family. These are all aspects of life that are very relatable. Once the viewer realizes that these elements of their own lives are dependent on the farmer, they feel pride in how hard he works and a possible sense of empathy.

Logos: Logos relates to logic. The narrator gives a lot of detail and facts concerning the life of a farmer. These are what make the viewer realize how important farmers are. Logos acts as the light bulb for the viewers of this clip.

Ethos: Applies to ethics. In this clip we see that the narrator seems to know what he is talking about. He seems very creditable. At the end of the clip the viewer trust the narrators opinion so when the truck appears, the viewer feels it is a necessary component of the farm life.

Discuss the epistemic perspective of the proofs you've identified and how these function to reach the communicative effects of the film.

The farmer experiences validation in how hard he works through the hyped images of the American farmer shown in the commercial. The viewer experiences what is like to be a farmer through the perspective of the commercial with the major points of family and religion.

Discuss the narrative perspective of the proofs you’ve identified and how these functions reach to the communicative effects of the film.

The commercial shows the viewers the side of a farmer’s life that the individual does not think of when they sit down to a family dinner. It illustrated how long a farmers days are and how skilled they actually have to be. By the end of the commercial the farmer has been glorified and it feels like he deserves the truck, almost needs the truck.

Identify one of Reich’s cultural parables in the social and cultural context of the commercial.

            I choose the benevolent community because it’s about Americans helping those in need. The commercial depicts the farmer as being hard working, religious, family oriented and most importantly selfless. As American’s is portrayed that we need people like this so our communities can thrive. This commercial exemplifies the social and cultural qualities that a person has to embody before being a successful farmer.

Discuss how any of Marwell & Schmitt’s Taxonomy of 16 Influences relates to the commercial’s objectives. What are the objectives?

            Moral appeal is very strong in this commercial since it is based on family and religion, the foundation of how America started. This commercial shows the beginning of the American dream, and you want to support that, don’t you?

Apply how the motivational process premises (remember, there are four) create the appeals presented in the commercial.

                Needs: Ego gratification is shown in this commercial targeting the farmers and their families. This commercial makes them look really good, and I am sure it appeals to them. Pride is a powerful emotion. It uses their attitudes towards their religious beliefs to make it seem like they are needed and called upon giving farmers a sense of importance, and once again pride. Lastly the commercial is very reassuring creating consonance in the farmer that he or she is on the right track in life and that buying the truck would only further them.

From a “Needs” premise, which of Packer’s compelling needs best relates?

            Sense of Power! The truck will make a farmer feel more powerful which will result in making them feel safer and successful in their business. Everyone needs reassurance.

From an “Attitudes” premise, what values are extorted visually to resonate within the attitudes, beliefs or opinions of the audience?

            Attitudes towards religion and family are strongly exemplified and glorified in the commercial. The ad shows the best and most heartwarming of both sides of the spectrum in being a farmer which creates warm feelings in the viewer. This creates pride in the community, religion and value of family. This makes the truck the mascot.

Slendertone abs in just 6 weeks!

With the promise of a six pack in just six weeks, Slendertone peeks the individual's interest. Everyone wants to look good, and Slendertone makes it look so easy. The ad implies that Slendertone can even work while reading, or even watching TV. The ease and simplicity of the product make it very appealing.

Slendertone is very persuasive because it uses the individuals insecurities as a trigger. The individual watching the ad is going to experience discomfort if they have a weight problem. The desire to having a "fit body" is most likely a insecurity for them as they have not achieved it thus far in life. In order to get rid of the uncomfortable and insecure feelings the individual will most likely be motivated to purchase the product. As it mentions in BJ Fogg's behavioral theory, the next factor in persuasion after one is triggered and motivation is the ability of the individual. Slendertone has made their product widely available. They mentioned that 2 million people have purchased their product as well as it being popular in over 30 different countries. They even added that their product has been cleared by the FDA making it seem very trustworthy and credible. They show how easy the product is, stating that you can even read, or watch TV while getting a six pack.

Slendertone uses the process premises theory by tapping into the individual's needs. Specifically, emotional security, reassurance of worth and ego-gratification. Emotional insecurity comes into play when the individual is made to feel self conscious by watching the success of others with their six packs. By buying the product, one is able to reverse the insecurity with the notion that they too will have a six pack in a short six weeks. Now the individual is able to have hope, this aids in their emotional security. The hope of gaining a six pack and looking like a stunt double out of a movie gives the anticipation of self worth. This is why so many different types of health products, even gyms, use the saying, "you're worth it." Ego gratification is the last aspect of process premise addressed in Slendertone. The fantasy of looking fit plays into an individual's ego motivating them to reach their goals for the anticipation of how good others will think they look. There are preconceived notions that come along with this ego gratification such as, more friends, better sexual partners, nicer clothes, invites to parties just to name a few. Process premise was used effectively here.