Before I talk about how relevant the arguments are in terms of Kairos, let me give you a brief summary of his article. The author, Duane Schmidt, raises the point that a significant proportion of medical tests are given because doctors are worried about being sued for malpractice. Schmidt claims that health care and health care reform would be less expensive if doctors didn't have to worry about needless tests or their money being siphoned off by litigious patients. He offers the solution of not letting juries who know nothing of medicine being set over malpractice cases.
The issue of health care reform is still in the stages of debate where people are looking for solutions, so this is a good time to give suggestions. Schmidt also takes advantage of the current decreasing approval of Obama by accusing him of pandering to trial lawyers and of putting someone who was formerly a lobbyist for trial lawyers, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, to preside over the investigation. Now is a most opportune time to make such appeals to pathos that invite us to draw derogatory conclusions about Obama without considering whether the facts back them up.
Schmidt's use of the excitement and contention regarding health reform to distract us from his lack of strong logical support for some of his points is most evident in the third and fourth paragraphs.
Addressing Obama, his article says, "Earlier in the summer, you said that you would “never go there” in terms of enacting tort reform. I presume this has nothing to do with the enormous financial support you receive from trial lawyers." Schmidt does not give us any references as to when Obama said the short phrase "never go there," attempting to discourage us from looking at the context of that remark for ourselves. Also he invites us to assume that Obama receiving financial support from trial lawyers means he must be corrupt, without giving any details about the nature of said financial support.
Schmidt goes on to say that Obama has in fact appointed Sebelius to look into tort reform, noting that, "Interestingly, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was for eight years employed as a lobbyist by the Kansas trial lawyers. Is this the ultimate example of the fox guarding the henhouse?" He sets us up to make a generalization about trial lawyers, that all of them must be untrustworthy and focused on swindling doctors out of their money, neglecting to consider that Sebelius' experience lobbying for trial lawyers might make her more qualified for that appointment. Comparing Sebelius to a fox guarding a henhouse is a false analogy that oversimplifies the issue.
Then Schmidt says, "We can only guess her findings, and would not wager when, or if, she ever concludes anything," using the plural pronoun to help us think we agree with him. I have been using plural pronouns as well, but I feel I am justified in it, because I am trying to encourage you to consider all the facets of the issue, while Schmidt seemed to want us to only consider his side. His proposal for tort reform is sensible and well-timed, but the way he implies that Obama, Sebelius, and the government have dastardly intentions is rude as well as most likely counter factual.
Showing posts with label Kairos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kairos. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Health Care and its Current Relevance (latest draft)
I will be analyzing the timing of an opinion piece on Barack Obama's health care plans called "Tort reform is a cure for our ailing health care system." It's from The Gazette, a newspaper in Iowa, which I selected out fondness for it while I lived there.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Just A Game-Revised
This is a revision of my previous post of Just A Game.
I read Just A Game in the August 2009 Ensign. This article details some of the rising issues brought about by the online gaming genre. This article was written by Charles D. Knutson of Brigham Young University Computer Science Department, and Kyle K. Oswald from LDS Family Services. I think a natural ethos occurs when a reader sees the qualifications of these two men listed at the beginning of the article. When referring to video game addiction and its effects on family, most people will generally think that someone from the BYU computer science department is an authority. The same is true of someone who works in LDS family services in regards to the effects of any addiction on the family.
The authors make another good ethos appeal to their audience at the end of paragraph five: "We hope that the explanations, suggestions, and prophetic counsel included in this article may be helpful to individuals and families as they seek the guidance of the Spirit in finding balance in their lives." In this sentence, most readers will gain a sense of the authors' concern for them personally. They use the word "hope" to give positive connotation and convey their concerns in a way that seems parental and caring. Next they identify their rhetoric as "explanations (and) suggestions" versus criticism, and finally throw in "prophetic counsel" as a fail-safe to any who would challenge their position. Prophetic counsel is in the upper echelon of ethos appeals to an LDS audience.
There are several stories given in the article about individuals dropping out of school, neglecting responsibilities, and straining family relationships as a result of playing video games. The authors mention David A. Bednar recently addressing the world of virtual reality in a CES fireside. He addressed the subject as having "both immediate and eternal implications". This does two things for the audience in this article. From a kairos standpoint, it shows that the LDS leadership is currently concerned with this problem. Secondly, referring to a specific "prophetic counsel" builds even more ethos for the authors. They do this again in the next paragraph, including a significant segment from M. Russell Ballard's article in the July 2004 Ensign, "Be Strong in the Lord".
Why the sudden interest in virtual reality in the LDS church leadership? Primarily, subscriptions to these online games is higher today than ever before. The brethren have obviously seen a need to address this issue, as we are now in a day where a person can access the internet from just about anywhere. People all over the world and even in the LDS church are being lured into spending much of their time in virtual reality. The timing of these messages from the leadership of the Church is most likely an attempt to stem the assault on its members before the problem gets out of hand.
I noticed that this article was released in the August issue. I suspect that this was done to coincide with students returning to school this fall. Reminding students to prioritize their studies and curricular activities, and to be aware of the ever-present distractions offered by the internet is an attempt at preventative maintenance. Hopefully, it will be successful to at least a small degree.
I think that the article accomplishes its goal for the most part, but I would have changed the timing of the headings within the online version. This was done effectively in the magazine by placing the "Am I Addicted" heading as an insert prior to the solution "Where Can I Find Spiritual Help and Hope". I think that those who read the online version would have been better served this way. Obviously, if a person reading this article is not addicted, then they don't really need to find spiritual help and hope regarding said addiction. With this adjustment, Elder Ballard's statements are better positioned to persuade those in denial to re-analyze their gaming habit with a more eternal perspective.
Per some comments from my esteemed mentor James Goldberg, I feel that I should comment on the effects that the visual presentation of this article in the print version had on its ethos. Sadly, after establishing good credibility for themselves through the aforementioned means, the authors' ethos is denigrated by the poor quality of the accompanying graphics. The artwork is unattractive, cartoon-ish, and altogether unappealing. The computer monitor taking the form of a ravenous monster devouring the family is a bit extreme. In fact, the premise of the artwork has the computer as the source of treachery instead of the individual, and this somewhat undermines the spirit of the article.
I read Just A Game in the August 2009 Ensign. This article details some of the rising issues brought about by the online gaming genre. This article was written by Charles D. Knutson of Brigham Young University Computer Science Department, and Kyle K. Oswald from LDS Family Services. I think a natural ethos occurs when a reader sees the qualifications of these two men listed at the beginning of the article. When referring to video game addiction and its effects on family, most people will generally think that someone from the BYU computer science department is an authority. The same is true of someone who works in LDS family services in regards to the effects of any addiction on the family.
The authors make another good ethos appeal to their audience at the end of paragraph five: "We hope that the explanations, suggestions, and prophetic counsel included in this article may be helpful to individuals and families as they seek the guidance of the Spirit in finding balance in their lives." In this sentence, most readers will gain a sense of the authors' concern for them personally. They use the word "hope" to give positive connotation and convey their concerns in a way that seems parental and caring. Next they identify their rhetoric as "explanations (and) suggestions" versus criticism, and finally throw in "prophetic counsel" as a fail-safe to any who would challenge their position. Prophetic counsel is in the upper echelon of ethos appeals to an LDS audience.
There are several stories given in the article about individuals dropping out of school, neglecting responsibilities, and straining family relationships as a result of playing video games. The authors mention David A. Bednar recently addressing the world of virtual reality in a CES fireside. He addressed the subject as having "both immediate and eternal implications". This does two things for the audience in this article. From a kairos standpoint, it shows that the LDS leadership is currently concerned with this problem. Secondly, referring to a specific "prophetic counsel" builds even more ethos for the authors. They do this again in the next paragraph, including a significant segment from M. Russell Ballard's article in the July 2004 Ensign, "Be Strong in the Lord".
Why the sudden interest in virtual reality in the LDS church leadership? Primarily, subscriptions to these online games is higher today than ever before. The brethren have obviously seen a need to address this issue, as we are now in a day where a person can access the internet from just about anywhere. People all over the world and even in the LDS church are being lured into spending much of their time in virtual reality. The timing of these messages from the leadership of the Church is most likely an attempt to stem the assault on its members before the problem gets out of hand.
I noticed that this article was released in the August issue. I suspect that this was done to coincide with students returning to school this fall. Reminding students to prioritize their studies and curricular activities, and to be aware of the ever-present distractions offered by the internet is an attempt at preventative maintenance. Hopefully, it will be successful to at least a small degree.
I think that the article accomplishes its goal for the most part, but I would have changed the timing of the headings within the online version. This was done effectively in the magazine by placing the "Am I Addicted" heading as an insert prior to the solution "Where Can I Find Spiritual Help and Hope". I think that those who read the online version would have been better served this way. Obviously, if a person reading this article is not addicted, then they don't really need to find spiritual help and hope regarding said addiction. With this adjustment, Elder Ballard's statements are better positioned to persuade those in denial to re-analyze their gaming habit with a more eternal perspective.
Per some comments from my esteemed mentor James Goldberg, I feel that I should comment on the effects that the visual presentation of this article in the print version had on its ethos. Sadly, after establishing good credibility for themselves through the aforementioned means, the authors' ethos is denigrated by the poor quality of the accompanying graphics. The artwork is unattractive, cartoon-ish, and altogether unappealing. The computer monitor taking the form of a ravenous monster devouring the family is a bit extreme. In fact, the premise of the artwork has the computer as the source of treachery instead of the individual, and this somewhat undermines the spirit of the article.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Analysis # 1 Kairos
Dan Simpson's article "Get out of Afghanistan, too" displays the rhetorical tool of Kairis, in that it addresses the right people at the right time in the right place. It argues, obviously, for leaving Afghanistan. The article was published Febuary 4th, shortly after president Obama was elected, in part due to his promise to leave Iraq. Mr. Simpson shows his sense of Kairos by writing and publishing his article just after the president promising to end the war in Iraq was elected, in the minds of many americans the war in Afghanistan and Iraq are connected. By promoting the end of the war in Afghanistan, when the end of the war in Iraq is near Mr. Simpson capitalizes on this perception. The Article is also addressed to the right audience, that is an America weary after 6 years in Iraq and 7 in Afghanistan. Also by publishing the article when the end of the war in Iraq is at least within sight, Mr. Simpson also addresses an audience that is hopeful for an end to American entanglement in major overseas engagements. Mr. Simpson also addresses the right people. It seems to me that he is addressing (in addition to the rest of america) those who wanted an end to the war in Iraq, which they now have. By addressing those who supported American withdrawal from Iraq Mr. Simpson targets those most likely to be convinced that getting out of Afghanistan is good. These people have already ended one conflict, so it is logical to conclude that they will support the end of another. The article was also published in the right place, America, which is the leader of the NATO forces in Afghanistan. By publishing the article in America Mr. Simpson targets the root of the conflict. Mr. Simpson clearly demonstrates an understanding of Kairos by publishing his article at the right time, just after Obama's inaugeration, to the right people, those who supported withdrawal from Iraq (as well as the rest of war weary America), and in the right place, America, the leader of the NATO/UN forces in Afghanistan.
Health Care Reform and its Current Relevance
I will be analyzing the timing of an opinion piece on Barack Obama's health care plans called "Tort reform is a cure for our ailing health care system." It's from The Gazette, a newspaper in Iowa, which I selected out fondness for it while I lived there.
Before I talk about how relevant the arguments are in terms of Kairos, let me give you a brief summary of his article. The author, Duane Schmidt, raises the point that a significant proportion of medical tests are given because doctors are worried about being sued for malpractice. Schmidt claims that health care and health care reform would be less expensive if doctors didn't have to worry about needless tests or their money being siphoned off by litigious patients. He offers the solution of not letting juries who know nothing of medicine being set over malpractice cases.
The issue of health care reform is still in the stages of debate where people are looking for solutions, so this is a good time to give suggestions. Schmidt also takes advantage of the current decreasing approval of Obama by accusing him of pandering to trial lawyers and of putting someone who was formerly a lobbyist for trial lawyers, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, to preside over the investigation. Now is a most opportune time to make such appeals to pathos that invite us to draw derogatory conclusions about Obama without considering whether the facts back them up.
Schmidt's use of the excitement and contention regarding health reform to distract us from his lack of strong logical support for some of his points is most evident in the third and fourth paragraphs, which I will examine more closely.
Addressing Obama, his article says, "Earlier in the summer, you said that you would “never go there” in terms of enacting tort reform. I presume this has nothing to do with the enormous financial support you receive from trial lawyers." Schmidt does not give us any references as to when Obama said the short phrase "never go there," attempting to discourage us from looking at the context of that remark for ourselves. Also he invites us to assume that Obama receiving financial support from trial lawyers means he must be corrupt, without giving any details about the nature of said financial support.
Schmidt goes on to say that Obama has in fact appointed Sebelius to look into tort reform, noting that, "Interestingly, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was for eight years employed as a lobbyist by the Kansas trial lawyers. Is this the ultimate example of the fox guarding the henhouse?" He sets us up to make a generalization about trial lawyers, that all of them must be untrustworthy and focused on swindling doctors out of their money, neglecting to consider that Sebelius' experience lobbying for trial lawyers might make her more qualified for looking into the matter. And he asks the question of is this like the fox guarding the henhouse, but after consideration I have to say, "No. It's more complicated than that."
Then Schmidt says, "We can only guess her findings, and would not wager when, or if, she ever concludes anything," using the plural pronoun to help us thnk we agree with him. I have been using plural pronouns as well, but I feel I am justified in it, because I am trying to encourage you to consider all the facets of the issue, while Schmidt seemed to want us to only consider his side.
As a commentary on my own analysis, I could not refrain from betraying my thoughts about the validity of the arguments I was analyzing, but I did it in addition to looking at how the author uses Kairos.
Before I talk about how relevant the arguments are in terms of Kairos, let me give you a brief summary of his article. The author, Duane Schmidt, raises the point that a significant proportion of medical tests are given because doctors are worried about being sued for malpractice. Schmidt claims that health care and health care reform would be less expensive if doctors didn't have to worry about needless tests or their money being siphoned off by litigious patients. He offers the solution of not letting juries who know nothing of medicine being set over malpractice cases.
The issue of health care reform is still in the stages of debate where people are looking for solutions, so this is a good time to give suggestions. Schmidt also takes advantage of the current decreasing approval of Obama by accusing him of pandering to trial lawyers and of putting someone who was formerly a lobbyist for trial lawyers, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, to preside over the investigation. Now is a most opportune time to make such appeals to pathos that invite us to draw derogatory conclusions about Obama without considering whether the facts back them up.
Schmidt's use of the excitement and contention regarding health reform to distract us from his lack of strong logical support for some of his points is most evident in the third and fourth paragraphs, which I will examine more closely.
Addressing Obama, his article says, "Earlier in the summer, you said that you would “never go there” in terms of enacting tort reform. I presume this has nothing to do with the enormous financial support you receive from trial lawyers." Schmidt does not give us any references as to when Obama said the short phrase "never go there," attempting to discourage us from looking at the context of that remark for ourselves. Also he invites us to assume that Obama receiving financial support from trial lawyers means he must be corrupt, without giving any details about the nature of said financial support.
Schmidt goes on to say that Obama has in fact appointed Sebelius to look into tort reform, noting that, "Interestingly, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was for eight years employed as a lobbyist by the Kansas trial lawyers. Is this the ultimate example of the fox guarding the henhouse?" He sets us up to make a generalization about trial lawyers, that all of them must be untrustworthy and focused on swindling doctors out of their money, neglecting to consider that Sebelius' experience lobbying for trial lawyers might make her more qualified for looking into the matter. And he asks the question of is this like the fox guarding the henhouse, but after consideration I have to say, "No. It's more complicated than that."
Then Schmidt says, "We can only guess her findings, and would not wager when, or if, she ever concludes anything," using the plural pronoun to help us thnk we agree with him. I have been using plural pronouns as well, but I feel I am justified in it, because I am trying to encourage you to consider all the facets of the issue, while Schmidt seemed to want us to only consider his side.
As a commentary on my own analysis, I could not refrain from betraying my thoughts about the validity of the arguments I was analyzing, but I did it in addition to looking at how the author uses Kairos.
Just A Game?
I read Just A Game in the August 2009 Ensign. This article was written by Charles D. Knutson of Brigham Young University Computer Science Department, and Kyle K. Oswald from LDS Family Services. The article details many of the rising issues brought about by the online gaming genre. In this case, online gaming refers to the playing of massively multi-player games over the internet, not those of the gambling/casino type.
There are several stories given in the article about individuals dropping out of school, neglecting responsibilities, and straining family relationships as a result of playing video games. David A. Bednar recently addressed the world of virtual reality in a CES fireside. He addresses the subject as having "both immediate and eternal implications".
Why the sudden interest in virtual reality in the LDS church leadership? I have a few ideas. Primarily, subscriptions to these online games is higher today than ever before (Wiki). The brethren have obviously seen a need to address this issue, as we are now in a day where a person can access the internet from just about anywhere. People all over the world and even in the LDS church are being lured into spending much of their time in virtual reality. The timing of these messages from the leadership of the Church is most likely an attempt to stem the assault on its members before the problem gets out of hand.
I also noticed that the article I read was released in the August issue. I'm certain that this was done to coincide with students returning to school this fall. This message was timed to remind students to prioritize their studies and curricular activities, and to be aware of the ever-present distractions offered by the internet. This is an attempt at preventative maintenance. Hopefully, it will be successful to at least a small degree.
There are several stories given in the article about individuals dropping out of school, neglecting responsibilities, and straining family relationships as a result of playing video games. David A. Bednar recently addressed the world of virtual reality in a CES fireside. He addresses the subject as having "both immediate and eternal implications".
Why the sudden interest in virtual reality in the LDS church leadership? I have a few ideas. Primarily, subscriptions to these online games is higher today than ever before (Wiki). The brethren have obviously seen a need to address this issue, as we are now in a day where a person can access the internet from just about anywhere. People all over the world and even in the LDS church are being lured into spending much of their time in virtual reality. The timing of these messages from the leadership of the Church is most likely an attempt to stem the assault on its members before the problem gets out of hand.
I also noticed that the article I read was released in the August issue. I'm certain that this was done to coincide with students returning to school this fall. This message was timed to remind students to prioritize their studies and curricular activities, and to be aware of the ever-present distractions offered by the internet. This is an attempt at preventative maintenance. Hopefully, it will be successful to at least a small degree.
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