"Give Fun, Get Fun"

Throughout our entire class this semester, Dr. Adams has reiterated countless times how scary rhetoric can be when we realize, studying it like we are now, that rhetoric works its magic on us without our conscious knowledge of it even happening. I know we have talked advertisements to death, but I am a little ashamed to say that I unknowingly got sucked in by a cell phone ad myself. Not just a singular ad compelled me, but a number of other factors were a part of my decision to buy this new smart phone.

This past year, my trusty slider was falling apart. I also had to endure hanging out with my friends who owned smart phones (a rapidly growing number) and reprimand them for constantly having their eyes on its screen, checking Facebook or perhaps the weather. (However, I was always jealous of the “Tipulator” when it came to paying the bill at restaurants). Even my parents, who are technologically challenged, had Blackberries. I soon began to curse my simple, numeric keypad and feeble camera with each use without even really feeling that strongly about it. My point is that slowly, somewhere deep inside, I began to resent my own possession, and I think that is part of rhetoric’s success – making you dislike what you already own enough to feel okay about discarding it in an instant in favor of whatever is new.

When it came time for my free upgrade, I perused the Sprint store with little interest. What do I really know about technology, anyway? I just wanted something that worked. Because I knew I would not downgrade, I went for the only phones available these days. I went straight for the phone whose commercial I remembered best on television, the Palm Pixi. It wasn’t that I particularly wanted it, but I remembered seeing it and that’s what mattered at the time. And I liked the song in the background. So, the advertisement succeeded because as a consumer, I based my choice upon the catchiest, most aesthetically pleasing commercial. Sad, I know. But at least I have that tipping app. I always wanted…and it’s pretty fun (see slogan at the end of the commercial).