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5.04 Discussion - Fear & Manipulation
Answer the discussion question using the APEC format.

In the context of The Daisy Girl Ad, how can fear be used to manipulate? Use evidence from this text, your own experience, and/or other art, literature, or history in your answer.

User Yanes
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Answer:

A: Assertion

Fear can be used as a powerful tool for manipulation, as demonstrated in The Daisy Girl Ad and throughout history.

P: Proof

In The Daisy Girl Ad, fear is used to manipulate viewers into supporting a political candidate. The ad depicts a young girl picking daisies, which is suddenly interrupted by a nuclear explosion and a voiceover implying that the candidate's opponent would lead to nuclear war. This ad preys on viewers' fears of nuclear war and implies that the only way to prevent it is to vote for the candidate.

This tactic is not new; throughout history, fear has been used to manipulate people into supporting a particular agenda. Examples include Nazi propaganda, which used fear of Jews and other marginalized groups to gain support, and McCarthyism in the United States, which used fear of communism to silence opposition. Additionally, advertisers often use fear to sell products, such as home security systems or insurance policies, by playing on people's fears of crime or accidents.

E: Explanation

The use of fear in manipulation works by tapping into people's primal instincts for self-preservation. When people are afraid, they are more likely to make impulsive decisions and follow the guidance of those who claim to provide protection from the perceived threat. This can lead to irrational thinking and support for harmful or unjust actions, as seen in historical examples of fear-based manipulation.

C: Conclusion

In conclusion, fear can be a powerful tool for manipulation, as seen in The Daisy Girl Ad and throughout history. By understanding how fear is used to manipulate, people can become more aware of when it is being employed and make more informed decisions based on reason rather than emotion.

User Neethi Ratawa
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