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Biased Author Simulation

One common signal of a biased author is the use of highly charged language. Examine the brief excerpt from Diana Griego Erwin's Sacramento Bee column about Camel cigarette advertising.

As evidence I present the disgusting old geezer featured on the newest billboard pimping Camel cigarettes. What's with that image, anyway? At least Joe Camel looked friendly. . . . In case you've missed it–and I truly hope you have–the humongous billboard features an impeccably dressed older man smiling (or leering) like no tomorrow. Actually, to call him "older" is misleading. We're talkin' old. His thinning hair is white and the age spots are unmistakable on his hands. The age only matters because in his arms is a flirty, bejeweled blonde wearing a sexy red dress. He's 70-ish; she's 20. Maybe. And they're not just friends. Bad enough? Wait.

Answer the Following Two Questions

  1. Is Erwin's distaste with the Camel advertisements based solely on her objections to tobacco?

  2. Do age and gender biases enter into her argument? If so, explain.

 

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