A Cog in the Writing Machine
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Rhetorical Reminds Me of Rhino. Does That Make It Cruelty Free?
So I'm a big proponent for cosmetics not tested on animals. I mean, seriously, you're supposed to be wearing the makeup, not them. Rabbits don't care if they have the right shade of plum lipstick. Anyways, I decided to go ahead and google cruelty free products and see what I come up with. I honestly just go to Target and Clinique to buy all my cosmetics so this was interesting to actually see what a "cruelty free" website would look like.
Ok so first off, the title of the url alone makes it seem like a link EVERYONE can click on. C'mon, Caring Consumer, that doesn't seem offensive at all! It sounds inviting to the entire population and people aren't hesitant to clicking on it as if it could possibly be some sordid link. A lot of people probably associate "cruelty free animal products" to very high intensive pro-active groups, which is definitely true in some cases but I like the fact that this website is trying to be nice about everything. No screaming at your face about poor animals being tested on, animals aren't even in the url. So I think the website is trying to be open to the general public.
Now actually looking at the website makes me go "Awww" in a very "So cute!" way. The color palette is comprised of Easter blues and pinks, soothing colors and the font is very soft font for headlines before going in to the articles which also have a lot of colorful links. There is a picture in the top left hand corner of a cute little white mouse peaking out and then a caricature of a bunny with large ears is placed in between of Caring and Consumer. Already, there's been a huge usage of cutsey stuff. Total abuse on the emotional scale. This website is trying very hard to make everything it's talking about seem honest and true and non-offensive in any form or fashion. They're appealing to compassion.
Caring Consumers, however, was created by a certain group. Three guesses and the first two don't count. Yeah, PETA created this website because they know being out right in your face all the time doesn't exactly roll for everyone. This website has jewelry that says "I <3>
There are tons of websites and links on the page to show you companies who do animal testing and companies that don't. You can get a smart buying book to tell you what companies are cruelty free as well as coupons for signing up. There are articles on up and coming fashion and makeup that is cruelty free and the advantages of buying such items. How cruelty free items can make your life better. Not only do they use pretty colors and pictures to make you feel safe but they appeal to your logical and ethical side with all the websites. I mean if Shampoo A and Shampoo B cost the same, why shouldn't you buy Shampoo B if it was Cruelty Free? By buying B you didn't give money to Company A to further fund its testing which is unnecessary. Appealing to logic and ethical behavior in one fell swoop.
I could go on for days and days at a time about how this site is one huge argument but I think I've described it enough where you're curious to go looking for yourself. We're all well educated people, I'd like to see what you deduce.
<3,
Audrey B
posted by Audrey B at 8:24 PM
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