Rhetorical Analysis, Global Warming the Great Delusion Essay Example

Rhetorical Analysis, Global Warming the Great Delusion Paper Patterson contends that In fact, global warming is the most widespread mass hysteria in our species history, and that the beliefs Of global warming proponents are the result of their own delusional imaginations and a subconscious apocalyptic yearning toward which masses of people tend to subject themselves. While Patterson worries that what he perceives to be the delusions of global warming proponents run amok could prove to be a legitimate threat to the progress of Man, he argues that there is a growing trend of dissenters to the theory among the scientific community that will break the supposed fever of global warming hysteria. The author begins the piece by drawing a parallel between the actions of global warming supporters and the erratic behaviors of witch hunters and alchemists prior to the 20th century. He claims that Charles McKay, 19th century journalist and author of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, would draw the same conclusions today concerning global warming proponents that he did when observing popular susceptibility towards belief in with hunts and alchemy. In doing so, he attempts to illustrate his point that the proponents of global warming are simply falling prey to the madness fueled by those around them, rather than basing their actions and beliefs on facts or evidence. To support this assertion, Patterson employs a bevy of Devil terms to describe the commonality between the ignorance observed by McKay toward witch hunters and the ignorance observed by Patterson toward global warming activists. Terms like superstition, guilt, hatred, and apocalyptic yearning all seek to paint global warming believers as a reactionary group acting on impulse over evidence. We will write a custom essay sample on Rhetorical Analysis, Global Warming the Great Delusion specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Rhetorical Analysis, Global Warming the Great Delusion specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Rhetorical Analysis, Global Warming the Great Delusion specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer A rebuttal might point out that Patterson has yet to provide evidence against global warming or discredit the available evidence that supports the theory, and Mackey point about humans self-inflicting worries upon themselves eight not hold any water if the worry in question was indeed valid and supported by evidence. Patterson continues this assertion into the next paragraph, adding more emotional emphasis by claiming that In fact, global warming is the most widespread mass hysteria in our species history'. By framing the argument so dramatically, Patterson draws a visible distinction to whom his intended audience may be: those who already agree with his position and are looking for solidarity in their own opinions, as well as those on the fence or who have a neutral opinion on the validity of global warming. By emphasizing the extent of the error of global warming believers to such a degree, Patterson may be attempting to pique the interest of those who have paid little attention to the global warming debate before. Additionally, global warming proponents are grouped into the term Waveforms in this paragraph, and later referred to as climate cultists. These terms carry a belittling connotation that implies that global warming proponents are members of an extremist fringe group, rather than the majority. A rebuttal of this point might simply note that the majority f climatologists still subscribe to global warming as a viable theory, and Patterson is still yet to present any evidence to support his assertions. The authors argument continues on to present this perceived hysteria of global warming as not only a potentially viable threat to humankind and the institutions that have enabled it to thrive, but one that is evidently on the decline. Patterson expresses a fear that Man will be convinced by these climate cultists to turn his back on the very political, economic, and scientific institutions that made him so powerful, so wealthy, so healthy. By framing is argument in a way that transitions from highlighting the scientific ignorance of global warming to the policies that such a worldview could impact, Patterson attempts to establish a chain of logic that justifies his concern for global warming as an influence on government. The language used in the sentence (climate cultists tying to convince Man, turning their back on beneficial institutions) also implies to the reader that the proponents of global warming are actively attempting to undermine the institutions that have allowed humankind to thrive in the modern world. This opinion is underlined later in the article, when Patterson contemplates why many hope for climate change catastrophe. At this point, Patterson approaches the core of his argument, wherein he provides what he believes to be sufficient evidence that the idea global warming will soon cease to be a threat to the progress. He argues that the fever is breaking, as more and more scientists come forward to admit their doubts about the global warming paradigm. The use of a fever as a metaphor suggests that the hysteria that surrounds global warming acts as an ailment on society, and as more and more scientists challenge the theory, TTS credibility and ultimately its power is diminished. To support this statement, he cites quotes from scientists expressing reluctance and doubt toward the theory of global warming. Patterson makes sure to mention the alleged prominence of the dissenting scientists and to identify IVR Giver as a Nobel prize winner, in an attempt to bolster the credibility Of his sources through the use of God terms. A rebuttal of this point might argue that this is not evidence against global warming, but rather an argument from authority. By citing two examples of scientists dissenting from popular scientific nonsense on global warming and asserting them as proof of the untruth of the theory, Patterson ultimately says nothing persuasive in opposition to global warming. Were he able to provide evidence of an increasing trend of scientists rejecting the theory, his argument might gain credibility, but by citing only two singular examples, he gives the reader no reason to believe that this information is indicative of the norm rather than the exception. Perhaps anticipating the counterargument that the majority of scientists still accept global warming as a viable theory, Patterson posits another quote room the group of dissenting scientists, who claim that Alarmist over climate is of great benefit to many, providing government funding for academic research and a reason for government bureaucracies to grow. While Patterson doesnt expound on this claim, its presence in his article strongly implies that he identifies with the point made by these scientists. He then goes on to dismiss federal mandates related to carbon emissions as schemes meant to undermine the individual liberty of the voters. A rebuttal might argue that these points contradict the primary argument Patterson add at the opening of the article; by heavily implying that global warming proponents cling to the hope of climate change catastrophe mainly as an effort to profit from government funding and to further bureaucratic control, he nullifies his argument based on the quote from Charles McKay that global warming fear is borne from superstition, Western guilt, and apocalyptic yearning. Overall, Matt Patterson article proved to be an unconvincing piece of rhetoric against global warming. He provided astonishingly little evidence to support his argument that global warming was a ridiculous superstition, and elided on two singular examples to demonstrate that scientists were flocking away from the theory.

Middle-Class Citizens in the 19th and 20th Centuries essays

Middle-Class Citizens in the 19th and 20th Centuries essays Some people rejected the notion that anyone could make it to a higher plateau in social status, but "others aspired to middle-class status" (pg.59). Middle-class citizens were suburban homeowners that held positions like "lawyers, doctors, businessmen, ministers, bank tellers, newspaper editors, and even schoolteachers" (pg.60). The middle-class status was a position of prestige in the late 19th early 20th centuries. Although the fears of the middle-class were not as realistic as those of the poor, they did live with certain fears that were unique to their class. Women lived with the fear that they would not be accepted because of a lack of beauty. Middle-class women were expected to be as beautiful as possible. An ad selling massage cream for skin read "the Pompeian complexion immediately wins the mother, as it does in every other instance in social or business life" (pg.70). Men had cosmetic fear also which was the fear of blood-poisoning from a shaving soap that used animal fat. T hey would only use the highest quality products that would not damage their skin. Also, being that some middle-class men were store owners, they feared their stores being robbed. So, they were well equipped with the firearms needed to drive off any offenders. The family as a whole had fears also. They feared diseases like croup attacking their newborn babies, their young children being bombarded with negative media and other negative influences in general, and having to struggle during old age. They bought products to protect their babies against disease. They bought wholesome magazines, music machines, and bicycles to keep their children (mostly sons) out of reach of bad influences. They also bought insurance policies to ensure their well-being as senior citizens. The values of middle-class citizens were in some ways like those of the rich. Women were housewives in most cases. They did the housework with the latest and greatest improvements in technol...

Why is an understanding of research techniques important Essay

Why is an understanding of research techniques important - Essay Example Essentially, the June 2014 press release meets the requirements posted by CASRO (Council of American Research Organization) in which a study has to have a sponsor so as to support its successful completion. The director of Survey Research at Pew Research Mr. Scott Keeter explains why they chose to sample 10,000 instead of 1, 000 in which the reason is that the research was able to describe the attitudes of people in smaller fragments within the larger public. Another requirement by CASRO met in the July 2014 article by Pew Research is that it provides actual dates of when the survey was conducted are documented and also indicates the actual group that conducted the same, which in this case is the American Trends Panel, an arm created by the Pew Research Center. However, neither the press release nor the article provides the exact wording for the questions as required, hence influencing one of the shot falls on the same. Other information available as presented in the survey finding that a person reading the report would find helpful are data coding for easy interpretation of confusing data and analysis of the same. The survey also provides the data collection methods applied in order for the panelist to obtain the required attitudes of the sampled population as part of studying political polarization. In total the guidelines applied in the press release are five while one is applied in the full survey report. The media coverage of the June 2014 press release partly serves the public interest, but is somehow a political tool that politicians can use to gain popularity and win in elections. The positive trait brought about by this press release is that it helps in promoting ethnic tolerance among ethnic groups as it does not portray any of them in bad light. It also serves as a way of evaluating the stereotypes associated with certain ethnic groups and trying to work against for the good of the American population despite the religious affiliations that each