Now, there are very few things that really “get” to me. I’ll find a few things here and there that are a little more than bothersome such as taking the elevator to the first or second floor or the cracking of one’s joints, but this is a little different. The picture posted below is an advertisement which I believe to be from veganactivist.net (I came across this picture on stumbleupon.com and the picture led me to their website, so excuse me if I am mistaken.) I understand their wanting to spread their belief of veganism, or whatever you call it, but I find comparing humans to animals a little disturbing. Now, I don’t find the image offensive or anything, but there is quite a difference between being omnivorous and cannibalistic. If one chooses to be a vegan on their own accord then good for them, but I think that being forceful with spreading one’s belief by showing a corpse wrapped in plastic is just gross. But I digress, on to the real matter at hand: the method of advertisement with which they use.
While I don’t especially like this advertisement, they do send a powerful, or forceful, message. The specific use of pathos in this advertisement is most likely, as it did with me, intended to evoke a strong feeling of disgust. While it may not be an especially effective advertisement because of the apparent lack of logos, they do get their point across. Indeed they do. So what do you think? Agree or disagree?
Like you, I find this advertisement to be very disturbing, but it is not going to persuade me to become a vegan. I love meat, and I think that if they wanted to get the point across that "you don't eat people, so why do you eat animals," they went about it in the wrong way. The emotions evoked were very strong, but a commercial showing the treatment of animals raised to be killed or the way in which they are killed would have evoked a stronger message to get people to stop eating meat. As it is, this was a very bad advertising idea on their part, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThis is disturbing. I totally agree with you that there is a big difference between being omnivorous and being cannibalistic, but I think they're trying to show the point of view of something that would eat humans in the same way we eat beef or chicken. In that sense, it is an effective advertisement because of the shock value and the change of perspective.
ReplyDeleteMy sense is that at least for this particular kind of veganism, the underlying assumption is that humans are in no meaningful way any different than other animals. While some people do certainly hold this position, I'd venture that most people understand that there is something unique about human consciousness/experience, and that many people in America also believe humans have souls, while animals do not. (I know that this is not what people in other countries necessarily believe--Judeo-Christian perspectives on this are quite different than, say, Hindu or animist views.)
ReplyDeleteBottom line, I'd guess this ad would only be effective rhetorically for those who share the belief that humans are just another animal--but this won't work for most of America.
I don't know that this is truly an appeal to pathos--while the advertisement is gross and has tremendous shock value, it doesn't persuade me, via my emotions, to change my beliefs. I certainly feel persuaded to look away from the image, or voice disgust and outrage, but I can't take this argument seriously. It's too outrageous; it borders on cruel. Even though the picture is supposed to advocate for veganism, it's horrific and calls to mind true atrocities (those committed against humans)--not injustices against animals. Also, there's an accusatory tone to this message that's a definite turn-off. Instead of goading me to consider veganism, this ad seems to accuse me of being a depraved, cannibalistic murderer. Um, excuse me, but that sort of message is NOT doing much to win my support! This whole thing is just...repulsive. Pathos? More like psychopathy!
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