Analysis Of 'Pokémon Go, Draymond Green Prove Smartphones Not So Smart'

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In Mitch Albom’s article, “Pokémon Go, Draymond Green Prove Smartphones Not So Smart,” he denounces the use of smartphones to take inappropriate photos and the younger generation who play on an app called ‘Pokémon Go’ (1). Albom scrutinizes a former Michigan State basketball player named Draymond Green, who accidentally uploaded a photo of his nether regions to a popular phone application called Snapchat, that lets users send photos to friends privately or for the public to see (1). Not only Green, but the players of the game Pokémon Go, who feel that the game is a way to explore and socialize with others prove to be an issue to Albom, stating that they shouldn’t be looking at their screens if they want to get off the couch (2). Both Green …show more content…

Using an arrogant tone and harsh claims, Albom criticizes young smartphone users as unsociable, lazy, or ridiculous, due to way they use their phones for games and taking exposing photos. Making heavy use of allusions and anecdotes, Albom appeals towards pathos and ethos in a way to gain support from his audience. Albom’s readers are described as middle aged, and are “travelers, entertainers, involved in cultural and social/civic activities and are retail purchasers,” so his claims will be heard by the same people seen driving pricey cars and have a hobby of going shopping (USA Today, 2007). Albom’s use of pathos is overloaded with his opinions and emotions spread throughout the article, but there is little use of ethos, to back up his credibility on his claims. Throughout the article his credibility is damaged by the strong use of emotion over the chance to prove his arguments with logic, which will catch the attention of readers who closely consider his points. With his choice of words, disapproving tone that ridicules the younger generation; heavy use of opinion with snarky allusions and anecdotes; and little logic to back up his evidence, the argument presented is ineffective, and does not approach the audience …show more content…

Due to his preferred word choice, he sets the mood of his debate as a “I’m better than you” tone, and shows his disapproval of the younger generation. A prime example, when Albom criticizes Pokémon Go players, stating how they can say “I wasted months of my time,” while talking about the purpose of the game (2). He states that there is “No money. No payoff. Just the pride,” basically claiming that the players end goal is worthless (2). With all of his remarks, if Albom were face to face with someone having this discussion, he would be rolling his eyes the entire time. Overall, he pins the fault on fans of the application and the accidental publicizing of peoples’ nether regions as not being able to comprehend the meaning of socializing. Albom even acknowledges his critical views when he states how people might say “his generation doesn’t get it” (3). His targeted audience of middle aged readers will get a kick off these remarks, as they are known to partake in “cultural and social/civic activities” (USA Today,

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