Question

plugged in, but tuned out: the evil influence of ear buds
darrell thomas
i. invasion of the body snatchers:
have you noticed a change in the world around you recently? have you seen how more and more people are walking around with little rectangles in their hands or pockets with long wires plugged straight into their ears? at the grocery store yesterday, i counted at least twenty people completely lost in the music provided by their ever - present cell phones. it’s as if the old science - fiction movie invasion of the body snatchers was coming true; we are being overtaken by pod people. so at the risk of appearing to be a crotchety old man complaining about the “good ole days,” i have to make a stance against the evil influences of the cell phone and ear - bud phenomena on our society.
ii. a rational and well - thought out fear:
now, i am not a luddite; i have no desire to go around smashing up every cell phone or technological gadget in sight. i enjoy and benefit from technological advances just like everyone else. i have a microwave, a television, a lap - top computer, and a gas stove, and i use them all practically every day. i am not accusing people listening to music on their cell phones of having detrimental effects upon our society because i hate music either. i profoundly do not hate music—but i do, ridiculous as it sounds, hate when cell phones are used to block out the real world.
iii. the dangers and distractions of ear buds:
people who have ear buds in their ears simply cannot hear danger approaching. all they hear is the pretend soundtrack of their lives. people walking with ear buds in cannot hear a dog dashing up behind them nor can they hear the footsteps of a thief or murderer sneaking up behind him or her either. people who drive their cars with ear buds plugged in their ears (an act that is considered a traffic violation in many states) cannot hear a child screaming or a horn blowing in warning. cell phones are known to be a factor in many car
by implying that removing earbuds will increase a sense of community, the author could be guilty of using which logical fallacy?
a ad hominem
b red herring
c false causation
d appeal to authority

Explanation:

To determine the logical fallacy, we analyze each option:

• Option A (ad hominem): Attacks the person, not the argument. The author's claim isn't about attacking a person, so A is incorrect.
• Option B (red herring): Introduces an irrelevant topic. The author's claim about earbuds and community isn't a distraction, so B is incorrect.
• Option C (false causation): Assumes a cause - effect relationship without sufficient evidence. The author implies removing earbuds (cause) will increase community (effect), but there's no proof this relationship exists, so this fits false causation.
• Option D (appeal to authority): Relies on an authority's opinion. The author doesn't cite an authority, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. false causation