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
Is Erwin's distaste with the Camel
advertisements based solely on her objections to tobacco?
Do age and gender biases enter into her
argument? If so, explain.
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