Modern civilization will often find mankind in compromising situations that will attract varied opinions from the laymen, the trade idealists and the academicians. The demand for carbon-free energy has compelled the global society to erect nuclear power plants with a promise of an environment-friendly coexistence. The accounts of the Chernobyl disaster, however, have provided a platform arguing that the existing nuclear plants should be shut down. Contrary to popular opinion, all the same, is the unanimous agreement between the trade journalists and the scholars that nuclear energy is very appropriate and is invincible and accident free.
Justin Worland addresses the nuclear issue in the popular article titled “The Mixed Fate of Nuclear Power 30 Years after Chernobyl.” He observes that the world is yet to learn from the accident that killed thousands and forced the residents of Pripyat city to flee. Although it is apparent that there is a section of public that is aware of the volatile situation, it is evident that the policy makers will continue allowing the use of nuclear energy in hope that it is helpful in curbing environmental pollution. More so, it is a cost effective and a reliable source of electricity as opposed to wind and solar energy which is subject to weather adjustments.
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Terrorism is a modern issue that has left the society paranoid about the worst possibilities, all which are part of popular opinion. Michael Shellenberger, in a trade article titled “If Nuclear Plants are so Vulnerable to Terrorist Attack, Why Don’t Terrorists Attack Them?” provides an informed opinion on why nuclear energy is the best option for the developed societies. Shellenberger responds to propaganda by Greenpeace, an anti-nuclear organization, that a terrorist attack on a nuclear plant is inevitable. To drive their point, the organization crashes a drone into a French nuclear plant. To a layman, this is a reminder that every nuclear plant is a potential disaster. In their bid to sway popular opinion against nuclear energy, the anti-nuclear crusaders have also attempted attacks on power stations. Shellenberger provides the facts, in retaliation to the ideals, by confirming that the containment domes are effective in providing heavy fortification on the reactors. He further refers to an American experiment where a phantom jet crashes on the wall of a nuclear plant and vaporizes leaving the wall intact. The trade article, in this light comes in to shed light on what the society should expect. It also informs on the appropriateness of investing in nuclear energy.
Thomas R. Rochon, in his scholarly article titled “Mobilizing for peace: The Antinuclear Movements in Eastern Europe” highlights that nuclear warfare is still a concern of the organizations against nuclear energy. He makes note that the manufacture of nuclear weapons has led the common man to take everything nuclear as disastrous. Shellenberger, in the trade article, clarifies that the components used in the energy plants different from those used in making nuclear bombs. He further explains that it is for the same reason that nuclear energy power plants are not potential targets for terrorists.
There are three modes of persuasion with each being manifested differently as is the case with the articles discussed above. The popular article, for example, appeals to the readers’ emotions. In its bid to sensitize on the seriousness of the nuclear issue, the article alludes to the Chernobyl accident. This prompts the readers to put themselves in Pripyat city where they are faced by death or indefinite evacuation. Pathos, therefore, is the article’s mode of persuasion. The reader is not expected to research further in order to agree that nuclear energy is disastrous.
The trade article, on the other hand, banks on logos as a mode of persuasion. It makes a logical explanation of the situation, clarifying on any speculation. It is an opinion that investors would require and thus should be reliable and factual. By affirming that the plants are fortified against internal and external attacks, the article assures the authorities and the populace that there is nothing to worry about. Logos has also been applied in the clarification that there is nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. The article makes it clear that the components used in the production of nuclear energy cannot be used by corrupt individuals to make weapons. The connection between terrorism and nuclear plants, therefore, has been logically interpreted as a result of paranoia by misinformed individuals.
Ethos as a mode of appeal is present in the academic article as the author makes attempt to pass as credible. Driven by the need to provide an informed opinion the article points out the need for peace. It further outlines the reason behind the anti-nuclear campaigners in Europe. By appealing to ethos, the article is between popular article and the trade article. It serves as the bridge from pathos to logos.
Indeed, different journals will provide varied outlooks on a specific issue depending on the desired appeal. In this light, popular articles will often appeal to the readers’ emotions forcing them to act from half baked opinions. Scholarly articles, on the other hand, will attempt to gather all the credible information available in a bid to offer informed opinions. The trade article, on the other hand, has to appeal to the logos such that the information given is backed by deeply researched facts. It sums up the available information and serves as the most appropriate source of information for opinion shapers.
References
Rochon, T. (1988). Mobilizing for Peace: The Antinuclear Movements in Western Europe . Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7ztw6f
Shellenberger, M. (2018). If Nuclear Plants are so Vulnerable to Terrorist Attack, why don’t Terrorists Attack Them. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2018/07/06/if-nuclear-plants-are-so-vulnerable-to-terrorist-attack-why-dont-terrorists-attack-them/#362c0ee05877
Worland, J. (2016) The Mixed Fate of Nuclear Power 30 Years after Chernobyl. Time. Retrieved from http://time.com/4307796/chernobyl-anniversary-nuclear-energy-industry/
