A Better Place: An Analysis of "Ideas Mate, and We're Better for It" by John F. Stossel

                Stossel’s bluntly inspirational column “Ideas Mate, and We’re Better for It” compels the reader to think more optimistically about making a difference for the better, which can be done just by having thought-provoking communication between individuals. The strategy of Stossel’s argument changes throughout the piece. The author shifts from figurative language, to ethos, to pathos and logos.

                Stossel’s column begins with several uses of figurative language. He starts off with a joke about an “idea [walking] into a bar”, meeting another idea, and having a “new idea” become “born” from the two. Not only is this an allusion to the popular “bar joke”, it’s also a use of personification, allowing an idea to have human like qualities such as walking and being born. By kicking off his argument with a joke, the reader is much more open to reading on. Also towards the beginning he goes on to write about how “ideas” can “mate” or have “sex”. This part of the writing is also crafted with personification. When he uses it this time though, he applies it more bluntly to catch the reader’s attention.

                The author then shifts to proving his argument, although very subtly, through ethos. Stossel writes that no matter how “stupid” a group of people may be, if they “communicate” they can “achieve a lot more”. The author shows the reader the key to making a difference, instead of just leaving them guessing. This builds to his ethos by demonstrating that he cares enough to thoroughly explain the way to accomplish the betterment of the world. He then leads on to the mentioning of a “great economist” who “stood virtually alone” with his idea that the “mixing of ideas” was a good thing. This warns the reader that even if he combines his ideas with someone else, it might not always be accepted right away. This also implies that there are not any worthless ideas.

                Stossel then ends his column on a note of pathos and logos. The author provides a quote from the great economist; the economist writes about how when he was a kid the older generation was made of “pessimists” and rambled on about how the “future” was “bleak”. This is Ridley’s, the great economist’s, personal story of growing up with pessimists. Through his attitude towards this subject, the reader gathers that being pessimistic did not solve on problem. The author then pulls into Gates’ view that “worrying” can “drive a solution”, but argues that “optimistic people” such as “Steve Jobs” and “Archimedes in ancient Greece” were people who achieved solutions. Stossel changes his perspective to past historical events and people to argue his point. With the addition of these facts, Stossel successfully refutes his counter-argument.

                The author packs his column with various rhetorical devices such as ethos, pathos, logos, and figurative language to convey his viewpoint and in turn fulfill his overall purpose. Showing that he means business about his argument of optimism over pessimism, his writing is sharp and to the point. Letting his audience know that making the world a better place is as easy as sharing ideas inspires the reader to follow his message.