The Power of Visual Arguments Pg 442-444: "Everything's an Argument"

This section talks about the power of visual arguments and how they can stick in our memories. Also the different types of visuals like, images, t-shirts, billboards or movie screens. Visuals date back for centuries, starting with cave paintings, statues of pharaohs of Egyppt, portraits of Roman emperors. Two events occured that were turning points in the power of media. The first was the 1960 presidential election. When J.F.K and Richard Nixon had a debate on nationally television. Because of this event, images and physical apperance became a big deal and changed what was an acceptable look for a president. The second event that happend in the early 1980s when an introduction of personal computers with graphic interfaces surfaced. This made it easier for people to see images, letters and symbols using computers. People are still adjusting to the new decade of visual arguments and being prepared to deal with a world that is more than just words.

A certain part of this section that was interesting to me was the example of visual power in the J.F.K. and Nixon debate that was televised. It is crazy to me that something as simple as the way you look can lead you to being president of the United States. Just because Kennedy was "beeter" looking and more put together than Nixon lead to a narrow victory for him. Even though Kennedy was more presidential looking, Nixon could have made better arguments and would have been a better president but because he looked "ill" it lost him that oppurtunity.

An examply of this would be in some reationships girls will chose the better looking male who may not be as intellectual or passionate as someone who may not be as attractive. Even though the other male that is said to be not as good looking would be a better partner than the better looking male, the girl will still chose him based on looks and sexual attraction. May be shallow or just may be a visual argument.






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