Really?

By: Brian, Joseph, and Morgan

In our English Composition class we reviewed Dr. Frankfurt's interview over his literary marvel, "On Bullshit", which reveals the application and style of Bullshit. Bullshit is not lying, but is not using the whole truth to persuade your audience. One, who uses the Bullhockey, utilizes it for his own personal gain whether it is fact or fiction; he only wishes to further his own agenda.


Our group decided to view a commercial over the home security company, Brinks. The whole purpose of the TV spot was Bullbutter. It starts with a man walking down the street of a peaceful neighborhood. He seems to be an ordinary man out for a walk. He seems to be calm and even smiles at the departure of one of the residents of the neighborhood. The situation changes when no one is watching and the "thief" goes to work. He throws on his hood and kicks in the front door of a random house. The alarm sounds, which scares the would-be crook away, and immediately afterwards the frightened woman receives a call from the operator.


There are several points in this commercial that are complete Bovine Stool. What burglar robs a house in broad daylight? That makes no sense at all; that is the worst possible time of day to rob a home. He also makes eye contact with an inhabitant of the neighborhood, which should make it quite easy to provide a description. He should have just given the guy his driver license and social security card. Also the woman happens to arm her alarm seconds before her home is raided. Why would you turn on your alarm in the middle of the day, while you are home? The commercial wants you to believe that all crooks are stout middle-aged men who try to force their way in the front door. It doesn't show the sleep deprived meth-addict knocking on the door for 30 minutes, who just wants a quick-fix.