Touché

In the heat of an ugly argument beliefs clash, fallacies fly, and contradictions arise.  But if the argument is effective, mindsets may change for the better.  The question is, how do you know when to change your mindset and agree that your opponent has justly proven themself correct?

"After an argument, silence may mean acceptance or the continuation of resistance by other means."-Mason Cooley.  This acceptance can be show through the simple word, "touché." It is defined as "the acknowledgement of the striking home of a remark or the capping of a witticism."  Don't be afraid of this word.  It can be your tool to having a better understanding of disputable topics.  Acknowledging another's wit is a mature way of understanding a new approach on the topic. 

The usual thought process before arguing may be similar to, "My understanding is correct and I am going to prove it by winning."  But what does it truly mean to win an argument? Maybe winning is proving that your beliefs are correct or maybe it is having a better understanding on the topic.  Both are advantages of arguing, but I believe the only way you can lose an argument is if you are too stubborn to admit the opponent is right.  

Being stubborn is a horrible trait.  It creates a resistance to learning new ideas and appreciating other's beliefs.  Yes, sometimes people's beliefs are very different and it is okay to stick up for what you believe in, but you must be perceptive.  People need to understand that an opinion doesn't make up a person's identity.  We must agree to disagree sometimes but still be willing to see the world through someone else's perception.

Entering an argument without an open mind is like entering a bet without anything to bet, you're not going to gain anything from the experience.  One must step into the shoes of their opponent in order to have a productive debate.

The method that this video discusses is the true objective of rhetorical dispute.  Take your opponent's mindset and do more than just disagree with it, pretend to believe it in order to understand perspective.  I believe the proper steps to an argument would be the following: (1) enter with an open mind, (2) understand both your own argument and your opponents', (3) and don't be afraid to change your understanding of the topic by simply saying "touché" when it is justly deserved.

PUNishment by comPUNies?

Persuasion is a beautiful thing.  Being able to take someone's ideas and change them simply through your own dialect can be a very powerful skill.  Rhetorical dispute raises new ideas that an individual may have never considered before.  Especially if your in the business field.  Maybe you never considered buying a Snuggie before, but an advertisement has never made a piece of cloth look so appealing.  They make your life before the product seem so dull and boring. 

They use a black and white setting with an overly-frustrated actress to make it seem like your life without this product is just too unbearable.  "This poor actress can't even cover her feet with her boring, old blanket!  Well, it is kind of hard to change the channel in a blanket.  Now I just have to have one!"  Are these the mental processes that we go through?  Or is it just so ridiculous that we simply have to participate in the Snuggie phenomenon. 

We fall into appealing advertisements that feed our need for a good laugh all the time.  When a commercial makes us laugh, we tell our friends about it.  This makes their company's name spread by word of mouth.  "Did you see that new commercial?"  Then they go on to explain the humor of the advertisement, but also the company.

What could be a better example of this blind persuasion than the Geico commercials.  They are known for being far-fetched but that is what makes them so appealing.  Without even explaining how they are better than other car insurance companies, their memorable commercials make their name seem more credible.  Geico is a prominent car insurance company, and their influential factor is due in part to their appealing advertisements.

Renowned companies aren't the only ones getting in on the PUNtential of new clients.  A subtle, yet witty, form of this humorous business persuasion is puns. 

Smaller businesses can make more of an impact on their small town simply through an appealing sign.  Similar to the reaction of the Geico commercials, "Hey did you see that sign at the new shoe repair down the street?"  "No, I never noticed that place."  This person now has a motive to look for the business.  While I don't believe that the first thing they are going to do is drive there and immediately find out about that business, I do believe that next time they need their shoes repaired they'll think of their new friend Jimmy. 

So is this a PUNishment?  I believe not.  The company and us are both benefiting from the advertising.  If we can't differientiate between being persuaded into buying something truely useful, as opposed to something that will be in our next garage sale, then what power do we have as customers?

Rhetoric can be used through persuasion in important issues such as political debates, but it can even be used in more subtle settings such as the family-run shoe repair around the corner.  The dynamics, universal meanings, and unique opinions of rhetoric are what make it so interesting to explore. 

Welcome

Welcome to my Rhetoric and Civic Life blog for my LA 101 H class for the Spring 2012 semester.