The Onion Satire

673 Words2 Pages

The ever-present issue of American debt, one that has consistently continued to trend increasingly upward, is perpetuated by the corporate businessman's predation of the common man's naivety. In the article, the satirical publication The Onion speaks to the average consumer in a humorous tone, but also in a tone that addresses the deeper issues of society. Since the beginning of man's specialized careers and market systems, he has cheated, stolen, and deceived without fail. Those who do not approach business cautiously, no matter how pure their heart, are often the victims of these crimes. Modern-day marketing and consumerism is satirized by The Onion through the use of appeals to false science, humor, and irony.
The author uses appeals to false science throughout the article to shed light on the blatant and outrageous falsity of some of today's "scientific sources". The author quotes Dr. Arthur Bluni, "the pseudoscientist who developed the product for Massillon-based Integrated Products." Many references to Bluni and other "pseudoscientists" passive-aggressively attacks the …show more content…

The author quotes a woman who sprained her ankle, saying, "'But after wearing MagnaSoles for seven weeks, I've noticed a significant decrease in pain and can now walk comfortably. Just try to prove that MagnaSoles didn’t heal me!'" This claim attacks the credibility of the product itself, the scientists backing it, and the customers who buy it, because a recovery time of a sprained ankle is one standardly expected with regular medical treatment. The quotation, "'Why should I pay thousands of dollars to have my spine realigned with physical therapy when I can pay $20 for insoles clearly endorsed by an intelligent-looking man in a white lab coat?'" highlights the false trust put in anyone who claims scientific

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