unSpun: Chapter 1 unSpun: Chapter 1

Delayne Durdle & Hana Ayele

Deceptive Evidence

The History of Listerine: 1920’s cures bad breath 1930’s curing sore throats & colds 1940’s prevents dandruff 1977 brought to court

Had to run a year of corrective ads

Did Listerine learn its lesson?

2004 create ads claiming:

““Listerine’s as effective as floss at Listerine’s as effective as floss at

fighting plaque and gingivitis. Clinicalfighting plaque and gingivitis. Clinical

studies prove it.”studies prove it.”

Clinical Study: Test subjects were incorrectly using floss Have to do research to see what the clinical

study really was

False Advertisement isn’t a new phenomenon

Snake Oil› Clark Stanley › “good for man and beast”

People were paying $.50for petroleum oil, fatty oil, and some camphor

In 1915, Department of Agriculture seized Snake Oil

Stanley’s punishment?

$20 fine$20 fine

The only things that have changed overtime are the products

Same technique, same methods, same goal

Misinformation, Deceptive Evidence,

2006 Emu Oil

› “BETTER than botox!”› Could eliminate wrinkles

Their support:› One scientifc study of 11 people› Concluded it was better than mineral oil for

moisturizing

The name of this product?

› “Deception Wrinkle Cheating Cream”

Demi religiously uses Emu Oil as part of her

skin care regime.Demi Moore as shown

in People Magazine.

Supreme Greens › “Doctor” Alex Guerro › Natural herbal remedy› Would cure:

ArthritisArthritis RheumatismRheumatism Heart diseaseHeart disease DiabetesDiabetes AND CancerCancer

Alex Guerro made thousands overnight› One month supply cost $49.99

FTC seized product › His punishment:

had to give government his had to give government his

CadillacCadillac

Deceptive Language

Weight Loss Programs 8 million Americans a year

“Operation Big Fat Lie” › Started by FTC to stop weight loss scams

Pills, programs, patches, liquids

How do they convince people?

Weasel Words

Truth: Politicians lielie to us.

Truth: Politicians lie to us and we

knowknow it.

Truth: Politicians lie to us and we

believebelieve them.

What is George W. Bush referring to?

Politicians have a way of saying something without really saying anything at all

Bush’s 9\11 implication against Kerry

Obama’s DNC Speech:Questioned why McCain would "define define

middle- middle-

class as someone making class as someone making underunder five five million million

dollars a year?” dollars a year?”

Intention: McCain wasn’t trying to Intention: McCain wasn’t trying to help common personhelp common person

McCain McCain did did say thissay this But he said it as a But he said it as a jokejoke

Under Bush’s tax-cut bill “80 percent of the tax relief for upper income filers

goes to small businesses.”- Republican claim during 2004 election

To citizens it sounded like a great plan› That was Bush’s intention

Words can be deceiving Republican definition of small

businesses: any and all business partnerships

Reducing income taxes for wealthy would lead to tax cuts for small businesses

Bush and Cheney = small business owners

Politicians will intentionally alter facts › Misinterpret the truth to hide the truth

Invasion of Iraq› Bush and his administration filled Americans’ head with false statements› Able to gain huge amount of support on fake evidence

2004 election:› Bush and Kerry promised energy

independence

Rocky Mountain Institute › Used to support claims

How to achieve energy independence:› Heavy tax on gas› Large subsidies from taxpayers

The techniques of Oceania are not so very different from the ones used today

Leaders in both worlds use: Fear Promises Lies

Orwell was warning us of what could happen if we allow politicians to lie

Connections

Telescreen Television Both have programs filled with propaganda

Eurasia\Eastasia Iraq False claims to gather support

Language Control PoliticalSpeeches

1984: Emmanuel Goldstein being named in connection with him was fatal

2008 Election: Fidel Castro

What can we do? Recognize the techniques

› Advertisements: Deceptive Evidence, Misinformation,

Deceptive Language

› Politicians: Unfounded Implications, Vague Words,

Misinterpretation of Facts

Stay informed Don’t accept everything they tell you

And most importantly..

We have to come to the realization that advertisements and politicians are NOT telling us the truth.

We have to hold those in power accountable for their lies.