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Question 1

Katherine Kersten in her article claims that the crime rates at Northfield had escalated

and were in fact at their peak in 2007 but when we look into the actual crime data from 2000 that

is not the case (Cressey 3). Reports on individual crimes like robbery, assault and rape, which

can pass for violent crimes, show a significant reduction in the rates of their occurrence for the

past seven years (Cressey3). The total number of people supposedly arrested in the category of

heroin in the year 2007 (Cressy 82) were 14 and 26 in 2008 (Cressey 77). These statistics

generally disqualifies Katherine's report. There is typically a reducing trend in the Northfield

crime over the years with violent crimes reducing and property crimes decreasing as well.

Question 2

Katherine relies too much on anecdotal evidence that’s why she is wrong. She uses

information from a press conference released by the local police (Kersten 1). Press conference

reports are helpful, but they cannot be sufficient grounds to declare an epidemic. Another factor

is that Kersten uses emotional manipulation by using emotive words and emotional appeals to

manipulate and persuade the contemporary audience. “The epidemic has increased crime and

caused consternation in Northfield, one of the most educated and affluent cities in Minnesota,”

(Kersten 3). This statement is purely meant to arouse emotion from a Northfield patriot.
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Question 4

One of the fallacies interconnected with the KARE 11 news report is that of anecdotal

evidence. An individual using heroin in Minnesota does not qualify the whole as using the same

drug. Use of experience and logical arguments is lacking in this case. Hasty generalization is

another misguided fallacy used. When Ashton begins to narrate his story the news report

considers him as a representation of all high school students in Minnesota. Circular arguments

are also used by the news reporters who revolve around few victims to make arguments about

heroin abuse in that region. Circular arguments don not make compelling arguments at all.

Question 5

All truth passes through three stages; Ridicule, opposition then acceptance (Shermer 50).

Take for instance Pam Rotella’s report dubbed, I believe there is a cure for cancer and AIDS.

Clark’s system of treatment is at first ridiculed by most people and it receives numerous

oppositions not only by the government but also by many civilized individuals. However, we see

acceptance in Pam’s final remarks when she lets the world to decide on whether to use Clark’s

system on not. Heresy Does Not Equal Correctness, sound arguments should back information.

Question 6

Science, when properly conceived is a materialistic enterprise for beyond that is to

engage in superstition (Shermer 49). Scientific words do not quantify the science in a statement.

In the web advocating for weight loss, Acupuncture is described as an adjunct therapy. Using

that scientific term doe not make the therapy proven scientifically. Also, when they introduce the

herbal tea BAO HE WAN, the heavy name does not qualify its proven scientific safety for use.
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Works Cited

Cressey, Donald R. "The state of criminal statistics." NPPA Journal 3.3 (1957): 230-241.

Kersten, Katherine. "Minnesota’s Profile of Learning: A primer on why it still flunks." American

Experiment Quarterly 5.4 (2002): 37-51.

Shermer, Michael. Why people believe weird things: Pseudoscience, superstition, and other

confusions of our time. Macmillan, 2002.