Sarah Bostic

     What does a picture of a dog and inmate interaction and the broadcast of a news parody have in common? To start, both are types of media. Even more importantly, both draw out the emotion of the audience.  

     After reading “Political Culture Jamming” by Warner, I began to think more in depth about how emotionally manipulative media can be. I have always known that the news is biased. The information is skewed primarily because most the population interprets information differently. However, I have never stopped to consider just how influential other forms of media were in forming our opinions. To stay in-the-know, people watch the news. What I didn’t take into account was the amount other media we are exposed to on a regular basis. Millennials are constantly checking Facebook, twitter, Instagram, and watching television shows—many of which feature comedic political memes or segments. The underlying emotional component of the media, whether it be ingrained in the humor, despair, or appeal of the information, is what makes the information enticing and cause the reader to trust the source despite the actual information presented. The article “Political Culture Jamming” mentions that The Daily Show uses a news parody to point out the flaws in the current political system. By adding the disclaimer that “after all, it is just a joke,” (Warner 152) the speaker can get away with otherwise offensive material. By asking questions in a Socratic irony fashion, Stewart is able to remain neutral yet point out the absurdities of the other argument. This tactic in storytelling brings in another perspective from the media and challenges the audience to consider a different opinion on the matter. However, audiences should be weary of this form of rhetoric because it relies more on emotion than fact. As Warner so perfectly phrased it, “Stewart’s self-effacing humor fosters both a sense of trust with those interviewed on the show and a sense of camaraderie with the audience” (152). It is a great tactic, but it has its faults because he information may be skewed.

     As for the photo essay “Puppies behind bars,” I was immediately aware of the pathos used in the formation of the piece. The information was not hidden behind humor. Rather, it was displayed full-screen in the form of an emotion-grabbing image. Nevertheless, there was a reason for this. My first thought was “How sweet!” My second thought was “Why did they choose images over a written article about inmates owning dogs?” The answer to that question is clear. First, a cute picture of a puppy draws attention to the article. Second, a photo essay clearly shows the loving relationship between the dog and the owner. By drawing on the emotions of the audience through pictures, the creator of the gallery can more easily share how positive the interactions are and not have to mention any of the negatives. The author shifted the audience’s  perspective on the topic by incorporating heart into their platform.