Logical Fallacies Appeal to Authority:

Logical Fallacies

Appeal to authority: Selling the Nike Free

The popular shoe company Nike is currently marketing a new type of running shoe that is supposed to mimic running barefoot. Many runners might be reluctant to adapt their training to this new running style. However, Nike is using an 'appeal to authority' to market the Free. It advertises numerous competitive runners who train in the Free: "Hyleas Fountain - Bryan Clay - Walter Dix - Adam Goucher - Shannon Rowbury Muna Lee - David Neville - David Oliver - Miguel Pate - Khadevis Robinson Britney Reese - Dathan Ritzenhein - Alice Schmidt - Chris Solinsky - Sara Slattery - Nick Symmonds - Nicole Teter - Stephanie Trafton - Lauryn Williams What do these Nike Elites have in common? They all train Nike Frees and yes, some (err, Nick Symmonds) are even willing to strip down to their bare buns to express their belief in the barefoot-like experience of the Free 3.0, 5.0 and Everyday+." The fact that these individuals are very likely paid celebrity endorsers, and might only do a fraction of their training, as their contract requires, in the Free is not mentioned. Furthermore, it is questionable if a gifted athlete and a recreational runner have the same athletic physiology and equipment needs. A recreational runner should ask someone with a similar body type and training schedule for shoe suggestions, not professional athletes.

Source: "They train in Frees: Do you?" Press release. Nike.com May 15, 2009. October 26,

2009. http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikerunning_news-en_US/2009/05/15/they-train-in-frees-do-you

Past belief: Kellogg's Rice Krispies

Concern about the health value of cereal marketed to children has prompted this advertisement by Kellogg's: "Why use Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® as the first crisped rice cereal, Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® has been bringing families together in the kitchen for over 80 years. And now each and every box is fortified with vitamins and nutrients that work together to help support your child's immunity. To experience the timeless flavor, make your Rice Krispies Treats® squares with the original Rice Krispies® brand cereal" Rice Krispies are, the ad implies, good for a child, simply because the cereal has existed for a long period of time. The fact that the cereal is the oldest rice-based cereal is also used for promotional purposes. Why a rice-based cereal is 'good' or better than cereals made with other grains is never addressed. Finally, the "timeless" nature of Rice Krispie Treats (which can be made with the cereal) is also used to appeal to a parent's sense of nostalgia.

Source: "Kellogg's Rice Krispies Cereal: Coco Krispies." Kellogg's website. October 26, 2009.

http://www.ricekrispies.com/products/cocoa-krispies-cereal.aspx

Common belief: Pillsbury's Toaster Strudels