Rhetorical Analysis of the Article "The Future is Now" by Joel Achenbach (Essay Sample)

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Topic: Rhetorical Analysis of the article The future is now by Joel Achenbach
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Summary
Joel Achenbach is a prolific staff writer of Washington post and a critical thinker. His writing is more inclined to human issues like environmental and technological impacts. His subjects are captivating and capable of triggering curiosity of how is the world and how will it be. "The Future Is Now: It's Heading Right at us, but We Never See It Coming," is an outstanding post about technology and its effects on the destiny of humanity. It is not technology oriented but is concerned with how such technology will affect man’s natural way of living. The article portrays technology as unstoppable double headed agent of which should, therefore, be understood in all its aspects to reduce adverse article, the author does not frankly condemn technology. This article sarcastically introduces the possibilities of technology like rich men never getting old but don't conclude whether technology is evil or good. effects it might have in our lives. Although lines that demystify effects of the technology are in the
Technology is moving forward fast, and Achenbach acknowledges this fact but construes that more critical advances are taking place somewhere. Achenbach calls the technological advances that take place in secrecy "the most important" to convince the readers that things herein talked of significant touch on their very existence. The entire text is a logical interrogation of ideas and thoughts other prominent people. It neither argues the right or the wrong way of approaching technology but leave the reader with more questions than before.
Rhetoric Analysis
The article uses various stylistic devices to capture readers’ attention and direct theirs in a manner that best suits him. Giving contemporary examples in the world of technology like the revolution the internet has brought positions the entire journal as trustworthy (Achenbach, 2008. 5). Achenbach’s work is relevant to the public, policy makers, and scientific community. It is, however, more inclined to the public; "out of sight, inscrutable and unhyped until the very moment when they change life as we know it" (Achenbach, 2008. 2). In a democratic environment, this article can best serve its intended purpose since the public can sanction policy makers who control scientific experimentation. Ideas are logically arranged and argumentative. The author needs the other credible and uses popular accounts and people to develop an argument which is readily believed by the readers.
Lagos is also used to make unique connections. Instead of bringing the forth argument in the perspective of a learned and technologically advanced person, the author develops logical arguments based on the comment of professionals and famous people. It is hard to know what negative impact will a technology brings but by reflecting what already existent technology as done like the internet will open the possibility of technology to have a reverse effect. From the article, logical comparisons between already existent technology and future technologies further open the mind of the reader to the possibility that technological advances may create complex problems.
The significance of innovation is hard to grasp even for those with the "tube of brains that can bend silverware at a distance" as Achenbach puts it. The above-stated statement hyperbole is used to create an impression that it is acceptable not grasp significant of technology as it is never easy even for people like Joel Lyken (Achenbach). The Author also quickly separates "us" (himself and his audience from the immortals/scientists) and he, therefore, speaks like an ordinary person who is observing what science is doing and projecting its future effect.
The author uses the first person narration throughout the text. He refers to the nonscientific community as "we”. He is, therefore, an ordinary person who could be ignorant of scientific advances but concerned with the manner in which it is affecting the general public. The first person narration also promotes the accuracy of his claims and projections. Achenbach also takes exact words of appropriate people in his text. This enables the reader to translate the concept in a manner that best suits them. The author does not plainly support nor condemn technological advance. He is being versatile and wants the reader to take responsibility of their translation. The world we live is continually being modified by science which is intoned to solve or prevent certain problems but unfortunately, may create other problems. Although at the beginning of the text the author does not portray the bad things about science, the fact that most of the experiments that matter take place without the knowledge of the public are by itself creepy.
Achenbach uses the comment of famous people to develop his arguments. Eric Horvitz is a Microsoft sharpest mind (as the author call him), and he believes "life is where computers ought to be. Considering authors tone, there is no evidence of the possible unsuitable outcome of the technology. Although Achenbach is well versant with technological staff, he escapes the conclusion or projection of such particular advancement as artificial intelligence....