Introduction
In ENDEVR’s 2015 investigative documentary The Chocolate Diet- A Scientific Hoax, the directors Diana Lobl and Peter Onnecken outline the issues of diets being marked as scientifically proven and demonstrate an experiment of their own to show the methods being used in articles and newspapers around the world. The experiment Lobl and Onnecken had begun to perform involved losing weight and one of the most popular sweet treats around the world, Chocolate. Both Diana and Peter argued that no diet is permanent, nor are they all proven scientifically correct, and that scientists manipulate these results to release these diets as scientifically proven. The film then shows Lobl and Onnecken performing the experiments with three test groups and using the results in order to eliminate the diet, as scientifically proven in articles and newspapers nationwide.
The documentary serves as a critique of the manipulation tactics employed by scientists and researchers to promote diets, revealing the pervasive influence of sensationalism and pseudoscience in shaping public perception. By sticking to the principles of honesty and openness, Lobl and Onnecken interact with the audience to reconsider their attitude to diets in the era of massive fake news. They underline the need for critical thinking and skepticism in interpreting the labyrinthine terrain of dietary counsel. The documentary provides a “wake–up call” for viewers to reflect on the authenticity of nutritional claims and look for evidence–based solutions to health and wellness.
Thesis: The argument presented in The Chocolate Diet – a Scientific Hoax by Diana Lobl and Peter Onnecken is effective at exposing the fallacies of diets purported as scientifically proven, employing ethos through the expert testimonials, logos of statistical evidence, and pathos of personal appeal to persuade the readers of the manipulation present in such claims.
Ethos
The documentary applies strategic rhetoric by featuring expert testimonies and pointing out the prominent names in the scientific community. A notable example is Professor Ingrid Makers, referred to as “one of the biggest healthcare scientists from Germany” (12:48). By that title, she receives an air of authority and knowledge, and so do the filmmakers; their credibility rises. In addition, John Bohannon’s placement as a “Journalist with a science magazine” also contributes to the general credibility of the documentary (8:09). Associating Bohannon with a well-established scientific journal, the directors are clearly referring to reliable information sources and their expertise. Such precise selection, however, does strengthen the point of the filmmakers and also induces a feeling of assurance and conviction in the minds of the audiences.
Moreover, the documentary intelligently infuses testimonials and interviews from different experts on the topic. In addition to using experts who have deep expertise and knowledge about the subject matter, such as prominent nutritionists and healthcare professionals, the filmmakers improve their own and the argument’s credibility. The statements of the experts thus provide support for the documentary’s arguments and substantiate its central thesis; hence, the audience believes in what they are told.
Logos
The documentary strategically employs a logical appeal, or logos, by incorporating statistical evidence to bolster its argument and appeal to the audience’s rational faculties. A telling instance is the citation of the daunting figure of 1,000 nutrition studies from all over the world, functioning as the quantitative basis for the filmmakers’ claims (8:41). This statistic not only catches the attention of the spectators but also underlines the size of the problem examined, thus providing credibility to the filmmakers’ view. In addition, the documentary smartly employs logos when the Professor disputes nutritional science for its overreliance on observational studies and its inability to generate testable hypotheses. The filmmakers accentuate the methodological defects specific to dietary studies, hence illustrating the importance of skepticism and critical examination. The logical arguments presented here not only support the documentary’s main thesis but also appeal to the audience’s sense of reason and logic, thereby compelling them to reexamine their beliefs about dieting and scientific rigor.
Pathos
The film adeptly intertwines emotional appeal, or pathos, to evoke empathy and resonate with the audience on a personal level. Throughout the documentary, the directors used such words as “manipulation” and “brainwash” to describe their experiments, which imparted a distinct, revolting, and indignant feeling to the viewers (23:57). Through the representation of their acts as deceptive and predatory, the filmmakers accordingly appeal to their audience’s emotions, inducing them to support the filmmakers’ subjects. Through this portrayal, a reaction is evoked that goes further to encourage a sense of togetherness with those who are victims of the malpractices of the diet industry. In addition, the documentary employs emotionally loaded terms like “Hoax,” “Ridiculous,” and “Booming” to stir up the urgency and emotional appeal into the story (52:12). These descriptors emphasize the filmmakers’ ideals and creed with regard to the subject and thus add to the emotional appeal of the subject matter to the audience. Through such effective linguistic means, the documentary not only attracts the audience’s attention but also makes them reassess their notions of chocolate diets.
Through these instances of pathos, the documentary establishes a profound emotional bond with the audience, compelling them to reconsider their preconceived notions and engage with the filmmakers’ argument on a deeper level. Through invoking empathy and moral outage, the directors convincingly address the harmful effects of deceptive practices within the dieting industry. Viewers are encouraged to reexamine critically the presented claims.
Conclusion
The Chocolate Diet- A Scientific Hoax achieves its purpose admirably, effectively exposing the fallacies of diets purported as scientifically proven. By integrating ethos, logos, and pathos, the directors effectively convince the audience that such assertions are manipulative. Through expert testimonies, statistical evidence, and personal involvement, the film successfully appeals to the audience’s reason, emotion, and trust. The style of the documentary, with its direct approach, which is characterized by the clearly rationalized presentation of facts and the emotional involvement, forms a powerful impact on the content, thus impressing the viewer. Finally, The Chocolate Diet- A Scientific Hoax becomes a strong criticism of the diet industry to the audience to exercise skepticism and critical thinking in scientific claims.
Work Cited
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=VCMrVTSBAZM&pp=ygUlVGhlIENob2NvbGF0ZSBEaWV0LSBBIFNjaWVudGlmaWMgSG9heA%3D%3D
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