A+Chappell

media type="custom" key="27774967" width="159" height="159" Appeal to Popularity-- Bandwagon: This fallacy can be explained as using the popularity of a proposition as evidence for its validity. If an item is being pursued by the majority, it would be considered the "right" thing to buy. If a concept is being perceived as the truth only because it is popular and not because it has been proven, it could be a fallacy. These examples are fallacious because the popularity of something does not always ensure that it is the best option.

media type="youtube" key="QR8A3T6sPzU" width="560" height="315" In this commercial, a long line of people are waiting to buy the new IPhone. Because so many people are buying it, it seems like the best option to everyone. Most people think that the phone will have all the new technologies, and it will be the "best new thing." A few people are arguing that the Samsung Galaxy S3 is a better option because it already has the features that people are looking for in the new IPhone. As these select few start explaining and showing others why the Samsung is better, they slowly become the ones convincing others that it is better. The commercial shows that people are easily persuaded to change their mind just because of what others are doing. Originally, the IPhone is drawing more attention because more people are buying it, but once the Samsung seems to be a better option, people are convinced to start buying that phone whether they know for sure if it is a reliable phone.

media type="youtube" key="mlDL6CCnMJY" width="560" height="315" This video is showing how a fan of a losing team can quickly become a fan of a winning team, and it does so by providing examples of people becoming fans just because they fit the stereotype of the team's fans. One of the most common ways to join a bandwagon is becoming a popular team's fan. When a team does well for an extended period of time, people typically become fans of that team, even if they do not know anything about the team. Even a team that wins one big game can suddenly gain a lot of fans. This is mostly based off of popularity, not true liking for the team. As the man in the video is fitting certain fans to the team that they "belong" to, the people are not learning anything about the team, however they just know that the popularity of this team comes from fans who are like-minded.