Today's post will deviate from the previous weeks' posts and discuss an interesting video I saw on my Facebook newsfeed...
This video "We Love to Smoke" was posted on my friend's wall to poke fun at his naturally gravelly voice. At first, I had a good laugh, proceeded to think to myself what a vulgar show "The Simpsons" was, and then rambled on in my head about how I now realize why my mom never let me watch it as a kid. While I now watch it with amusement and laughter at the many horrible stereotypes and vulgar humor, I as sure as heck would not want my 10 year old child to have access to this show through cable tv.**
But watching the video made me think twice about the show. While, by all means, "The Simpsons" is not exactly the best show to teach kids their morals, this video has the potential to exert a rhetorically powerful message into the minds of those who watch it.
This video takes the stereotype of a "smoker" and hilariously exaggerates it to highlight the disgusting aspects of smoking.
The song itself is very short. But strong. After about 2 listens, you'll be able to sing along with the lovely Patty and Selma. Here are the lyrics sans the delightful coughing and spitting sound effects:
We love to smoke, till our lungs turn gray. We love to smoke, 17 packs a day!
We love to smoke, like a chim-chimney. Although we'll croak, before 2003!
The lyrics emphasize the bold meaning behind the video: you smoke, you'll end up like us.
The most rhetorically characteristic aspect about this video is that doesn't end in a grand finish. It ends with the two coughing up their lungs. While we may all laugh and be amused by this lovely performance, it leaves imprinted in our minds the message that their voices are not something we want for ourselves, which ultimately, equals the message that smoking is not something we want for ourselves.
I'm sure this "public service announcement"-like message was not the first thought in the heads of the writers behind the iconic tv show. I would have never imagined to find such "moral goodness" within the Simpsons. However, rhetorical techniques happen both intentionally and by accident, no?
**Not an attack on "The Simpsons," I promise. I know it also happens to often be rhetorically ingenious. If you enjoy the show, by all means, continue to enjoy it. :]
My parents didn't let me watch the Simpsons either; there are just some cartoons that are for slightly more mature audiences and I agree that isn't necessarily bad. That being said, there is a valuable message to be found in the dangers of smoking. Also, it is very purposeful that Patty and Selma, two of the less attractive Simpsons characters, display this behavior.
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