S45

media type="custom" key="25151912"

To inform humanity of it’s diminutiveness in the universe. It makes some of us feel very insignificant, some of us unprecedented and extraordinary, yet all strongly unified in the comforting fact that we are all organic matter. No less than the trees, no less than the stars. Though humanity tends to view itself as a Monolith in the universe, we are actually very trivial compared to the vastness of the galaxies. It is a tribute to our one, true home planet and a request to take care of it and those who live on it, as well as a statement that  any other part of the universe humanity may explore is, and will continue to be, inconsequential compared to our Earth.
 * What is the purpose of the speech? Provide a brief statement of context. **

Humanity
 * Who is the audience? **

Pathos. It appeals more emotionally to the audience with very poetic expression and ideas that can appeal to everyone.
 * Which appeal (ethos, pathos, logos) is most prevalent? How do you know? **

Very effective. It’s hard to argue with the fact that we are small specs in the cosmos, flourishing on a rock in cold, dark space.
 * Is the argument effective? Were any logical fallacies used? **

Sagan tends to use some poetic, yet complicated syntax. I think if he wanted to appeal to a wider audience, he could make his (in my opinion already rather simple) point across in a less complex word choice.
 * How could the argument have been strengthened? **

-Natalie Korfhage