Logical Fallacy in "L.S.D. Users Not a Part of "Love Generation"

The article “L.S.D. Users Not a Part of ‘Love Generation’” contains mainly Hasty Generalization and Either/Or Fallacy. The author looks at a study comparing teenagers who use L.S.D. and those who do not. The study found that “non-users were argumentative; users were escapists”. It also found that users had antisocial tendencies and “chaotic” sex behavior. For these reasons, the author claims that the term “love generation” should not be applied to users. The author’s claim contains hasty generalization because not all users necessarily have antisocial tendencies or chaotic sex behavior. Both could be dependent on how much or how often they use, which relates also to the Either/Or fallacy. The author’s claim is too simplistic because not everyone who uses may exhibit the negative effects that the doctor’s presented in the study.

Logical Fallacies of "White Rabbit"

Almost none of the argument made by Jefferson Airplane is supported by evidence, so any claims made within "White Rabbit" could be considered as logical fallacies. The group utilizes many weak analogies to a fantasy from "Alice in Wonderland", referring to the strange, other-worldly adventures of the several characters. Jefferson Airplane implies that these sort of events can occur in a high (without actually supporting it), and this shows an appealing viewpoint of drug use. There is also a logical fallacy within the response to the message of the song. Because Jefferson Airplane already had strong credibility in the mind of their young, rebellious audience, people will just assume that what the band says goes, even without any supporting evidence. So, when the song claims initially that "one pill makes you larger and one pill makes you small and the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all", the audience already believes that it's true because a popular group of people believe it, which is called a Bandwagon Fallacy.

Style in "White Rabbit"

Style in art is included within pathos, as style heavily influences pathological appeal. However, style is so important to pathos in art that it deserves a separate analysis. The song White Rabbit begins with bass chords has instruments incorporated into the music one at a time. This gives the feeling of increasing intensity of feelings over time, just as one would feel while taking drugs. The music video adds to this effect, which in itself seems to advocate drug use just by glamorizing the hallucinogenic effects of LSD. The song's lyrics further glamorize the effects of LSD by comparing the world of LSD to the wonderland of Alice in Wonderland.

Main Argument of "LSD is not apart of the Love Generation"

The main argument in "LSD is not a apart of the Love Generation" is that LSD usage is detrimental. Before the article itself, the title both disputes the idea the beneficiality of LSD and implies that evaluation is the stasis in this text. The article uses the study by Dr. John D. Henala, Dr. Leon J. Epstein and Dr. K. H. Blacker to evaluate the adverse effects of LSD usage. Initially article cites the doctors comment about how LSD users "were filled with anger they could not handle". The quote describes one of several negatives of LSD usage, as well as providing a professional opinion to the article. Later on the article list the results of the study with non-users having, better academic performance, better family conflict resolution, and stability "in sex life". While some of these advantages that the article cites are ridiculous, it supplements the overall argument by providing research. The article finishes with a quote from a psychiatrist stating that "Most of the young people who had used LSD were precisely the patients for whom LSD is not helpful". This encapsulates the article's main argument, which is that LSD is detrimental for people who do not need it. Additionally it adds another professional opinion to the article.

Stasis theory and "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane

When tackling the subject of drug use and the culture that surrounded it, Grace Slick used certain aspects of stasis theory in writing her song "White Rabbit". While the questions of fact and definition are not thoroughly addressed, this is because she is speaking to an audience that already agrees that drugs have become a part of American society, especially among young people. Instead, Slick focuses on quality and policy. The main argument of the song deals with the question of if drugs are good or bad? She does not beg the question but instead presents drugs in a positive light right from the onset of the song. Her main stasis comes from policy, in which she answers what should be done next. Slick urges parents to not discourage drug usage from their children when they expose them to drug related stories from an early age. Furthermore, she challenges members of her own generation to continue to explore themselves and their minds.

Pathos in "L.S.D Users Not a Part of the 'Love Generation'"

The article "LSD Users Not a part of the 'Love Generation'" is primarily focuses on appeals to ethos and logos, as the article cites facts and conjecture by psychiatrists rather than emotional appeals. However, there is some appeal to pathos in the article. Notably, the use of the phrase "Love Generation" appeals to the imagination; one imagines a generation full of friendly and loving people. The title of this article is meant to shatter this illusion that L.S.D. users are all friendly and happy people. The choice to mention that users were "filled with anger they could not handle" seems like somewhat of an embellishment that appeals to emotion over logic.

Logos in “L.S.D. Users Not a Part of the ‘Love Generation’”

In “L.S.D. Users Not a Part of ‘Love Generation’” the author presents its negative view of psychedelic drugs. The author appeals to logos of the audience by citing facts presented by doctors regarding the effects of psychedelics. A study was done comparing 20 hospitalized teens who had taken LSD and other patients who had not. The author claims that users are not a part of the “Love Generation” because psychedelics can often have effects on a user’s behavior. LSD, in many cases, can cause anger and antisocial behavior. They also pointed out that users did not do as well at school or work. In presenting the negative effects that can come from using psychedelic drugs, the author appeals to the logic of the reader. The reader might have otherwise been unaware of the negative consequences of a “bad trip” and might be less willing to use. They might consider the negative effects that using could have on their emotional and physical health.

Appeal to Logos in "White Rabbit"

It is rather difficult to analyze the logos within a trip-induced metaphor based on Alice in Wonderland and supporting drug use. But the "logic" described in "White Rabbit" involves trying to prove to the audience that drugs make you feel surreal and happy and that what your parents say is inhibiting you. Jefferson Airplane uses the events from Alice in Wonderland to describe what being on a high is like. The main credibility that Jefferson Airplane has is that they were open and heavy drug users. Because of this, the audience believes that if this highly popular and influential band says this is what being high is like, then they must be right. Also, in one of the first lines of the song, the band writes that the pills "mother gives you don't do anything at all". The highly respected and enjoyed band denounced the actions of the overprotective parents, reinforcing their popular message among the primarily teenage audience. Although the band doesn't actually utilize facts or evidence in "White Rabbit" to support their argument for drug use, they establish credibility through their own drug use and experiences.

Ethos of "L.S.D. Users not a Part of "Love Generation"

"L.S.D. Users not a part of "Love Generation" was written by an anonymous author, which is why this will only be an analysis of the intrinsic ethos of the article."L.S.D. Users not a part of "Love Generation" immediately expresses the author's opposition towards L.S.D. use.  This article was published by Synapse, a student newspaper, so the credibility of the source is okay. That being said the argument of the article followed other news outlets at the time, expressing doubt and disapproval towards the use of L.S.D and the users. While the author's diction was not complex, it was not overly simple. The author also uses proper medical terms when referring to drugs, and when describing patients that had a "bad trip". The author properly described a study on L.S.D. users, the study's authors ethos are also credible in particular Leon Epstein. The author uses the study to imply that L.S.D. use is primarily negative. This shows a level of competence on the author's part, as he or she uses evidence to argue his or her claim. The article's diction, similarity to other news outlets, and source lend credibility to the author's argument. Overall these element's provide an additive effect to the efficacy in this article.

Pathos in "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane

In the song "Jefferson Airplane" songwriter Grace Slick tries to parlay her message of a drug experience through the descriptive usage of pathos through metaphor. Particularly, instead of describing verbatim her experiences, she uses the analogy of Alice in Wonderland to connect with an audience that may not have experienced hallucinogens before. By using a children's story that most of her audience is familiar, Slick is able to illicit an emotional response from her audience, seeing her experience and connecting with the experience of the characters in the story. Through this she is also able to help her argument against disapproving parents by having her audience side with her through their connection to Alice in Wonderland. This use of pathos strengthens her message and makes it more clear and descriptive to the listener, having the imagery of the children's story do her work for her. Pathos is an appeal to emotions and hopes to create an emotional response. Without her metaphor to Alice in Wonderland, the song seems more like a lecture and does not have the same emotional appeal as before. Pathos pushes the song from the mind of the listener to the heart of the listener

Audience analysis of "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane

"White Rabbit", famously written in 1965 and performed by Jefferson Airplane in 1967, was top 10 in the Billboard Hot 100 and currently resides in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs list. Being as popular as it was in an iconic era of music and revolutionary movements, it is apparent how well absorbed the message of this song was by the young people of the Psycahdelic era. During most of the 1960's, many social movements propelled the young generation into freedom-fighting and independence. A very important aspect of these revolutions was music, and there were many songs that influenced and inspired many young people to strive for independence, especially through the drug revolution. "White Rabbit" appeals especially to its young audience because it referenced characters and events from the other-worldly children's story "Alice in Wonderland". The lyrics illustrate desirable fantasies that seemingly result from taking drugs. There is even a line at the beginning that says the pills "that mother gives you, don't do anything at all", pushing the audience to act on their own and to pursue what stimulates their minds. "White Rabbit"'s influence on young people to pursue drug use and independent thinking was made through the reference of a popular childhood fantasy and the implication of a calming, Psycahdelic, and enjoyable experience.

Ethos in "White Rabbit"

Grace Slick, of Jefferson Airplane, makes a statement about drug culture through the song “White Rabbit”. She uses the song to note the hypocrisy, or even the stupidity, of parents who read their children stories like Alice in Wonderland, where Alice changes sizes after taking a pill, and then wonder why their children decide to use drugs. Slick’s extrinsic and intrinsic ethos are both important when looking at how “White Rabbit” relates to the larger drugs and psychedelics movement. Slick, having used drugs herself, understands the culture and has a positive opinion of them. The fact that she wrote “White Rabbit” while using promotes the argument that psychedelics help foster creativity. Anyone aware of Slick’s extrinsic ethos might view drugs positively because of this and might be further influenced to use themselves. On the other hand, anyone unaware of Slick’s background would still likely listen to “White Rabbit” and gather that it is clearly about using drugs and psychedelics. The song’s message itself addresses and promotes drugs, so anyone aware only of Slick’s intrinsic ethos might also view drugs more positively as a result.

Audience of "L.S.D. Users not a Part of "Love Generation"

The name of the newspaper where "L.S.D. Users not a Part of "Love Generation" is from is called the Synapse, it is a newspaper published by the University of California San Francisco or UCSF. Synapse is a student run newspaper, thus this article's intended audience was written for people on UCSF specifically other college students. The author shaped his or her diction to be simpler, So that other college student can understand the text with more ease. In addition the author did left in several of technical terms such as "acute toxic effects" and  proper medical terms for "marijuana and amphetamine". The technical terminology used in the article demonstrates to the audience that author is proficiently knowledgeable about his or her topic. It convinces the audience to take the article as seriously.  The author makes the effort to be concise and keeps the article short. The concise nature of the article make it easy to read and digest the information.The author structured a portion of the article to compare L.S.D users to non-users to persuade the audience that L.S.D. is not a drug of "love". The author's molded his or her diction and structure of the article to make the information easier to take in, while persuading the audience of the negatives of L.S.D.

Kairos in "L.S.D. Users Not Part of 'Love Generation'"

The kairos in this article was the prevalent use of LSD and other substances in America in the 1960s. In the 1960s, a growing group of people were using LSD as part of the youth counterculture. In addition to drug use, youth counterculture advocated a return to nature and a "dropping out" from societal expectations. In the article, psychiatrists at the UCSF Medical Center found that users of LSD had mental and social issues, such as non social or anti social tendencies, anger, and family issues, and in higher rates than non LSD users that were hospitalized. LSD users also self-identified as "drop-outs". However, it was found that in most cases, these problems existed before the users of LSD started taking the drug, and users of LSD frequently took other drugs. This article suggested that there could be problems associated with taking LSD, but such problems were not necessarily, or even not likely a result of LSD itself, but with conditions that predisposed people to taking LSD. The psychiatrists said that those who took LSD were "the patients for whom LSD is not helpful," suggesting that LSD could in fact be helpful for some people. The suggestion that LSD could be beneficial for certain people and that potential downsides could in most cases be attributed to conditions that made people predisposed to taking LSD was extremely relevant given the growing popularity of counterculture at the time.

The rhetorical use of kairos in "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane"

"White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane was written by its singer Grace Slick in 1965, when she was twenty six years old. Slick had been living in San Francisco for several years at this point, which had become a gathering place for young people to come and try new things that had always been taboo, especially psychedelic drugs. Slick was heavily involved in the music club scene at the time, and thus participated in this new drug culture. The song, which describes the experience of being under LSD, is also a criticism of parents who expose their children to tales such as Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, that resemble a psychedelic trip, yet disapprove of such drugs. The kairos of this song comes from the timeliness of its message. When it was finally released in 1967, thousands of teenagers were flocking to San Francisco, leaving their disapproving parents. The message of this song works because it hit at the right time for an audience that felt disconnected from their parents and saw drugs such as LSD as a positive experience. Slick's message of frustrated and rebellious youth hits at the right time for her to be heard by the masses and truly have an impact through her words. Much of the songs power may have been lost had it been released three years earlier or before. Kairos, the timeliness of her argument, allows the song to be more powerful to a larger number of people.