Blog Post #3

One time in my life where I convinced someone of something was when my friend believed that his Jeep was not having a substantial effect on the environment despite him being a vegan for reasons of protecting the environment. Personally, I am very moderate on the political spectrum but my friend is very liberal: specifically on climate change. He even went to protests and many other events to advocate for his views. However, one day at dinner he criticized me for not caring enough about the environment, which in return I said “well you are the one driving a Jeep.” He rebutted saying that his Jeep does not contribute a bunch to climate change. I used some facts that I found on reliable websites (ethos and logos) showing what simply one Jeep can do if driven consistently for 5 years. I told him that it was irony because he made fun of me for not eating one vegan meal, yet he was the one saying his “one Jeep” did not cause enough effect to get a change of cars. I also used some pathos by bringing up the environments effected by natural gases because it makes one think of cute animals losing their lives and their homes. This conversation happened when I was a senior in high school and when I went back home over Christmas Break, he was in fact driving a new, fully electric car (which definitely could’ve been coincident). I thought I approached the situation very well because I respected his view, yet not only persuaded him with facts and emotion, but my strategically countering his argument. Looking back, I feel I could have brought up more facts on fossil fuels regarding the Amazon Rainforest because he was always obsessed with it and was hoping to do a research project on it in college. This would have brought in even more pathos because he feels more attached to the rainforest then say the Antarctic. What also could have helped was that me and my other friend at that dinner drove electric cars. I definitely could have used this situation to put some pressure on him to switch cars, especially with the fact his family was very well to do and that he chose to drive a cheap as opposed to one with better gas mileage. Overall, I think I approached this situation very well and respectfully because we must remember to stand up for what we believe in, while still being respectful of others opinions.