Fallacy

Fellow Earthlings,

Fallacy - "a deceptive, misleading, or false notion, belief, etc" (dictionary.com, 2009)

Product Demos - people who create fallacy and portray you need their product and your life will be easier/healthier (Marynick, 2009)

I was watching a product demo at Sears today and the lady was very convincing yet naive as a toothpick. She was saying her cleaning product "makes water wetter" that's how it can make a hole in the carton and drain through. Being a scientist, there is no WAY you can make water wetter. Doing so would be an exceptional finding!! I chose to challenge her and see what she really knew rather than how well she rehearsed her lines. Look at the conversation below:

Me: "How does the water become wetter?"
Demo: "Well it just does... amazing isn't it?"
Me: "No. I feel this is impossible. Please explain I am very interested in this."
Demo: "Well I put this cleaning product and it makes the water wetter!! Here is the product for $19.99 and you get a free... blah blah blah"
Me: "I am not interested in purchasing a product based upon lies. You can't make water wetter. I am a scientist and know better."
Demo: *ready to plow me in the face* "Well I don't know... I am just told to say it. But how does it work?"
Me: "Cartons are made of cardboard lined with wax because they are cheap and biodegradable. Water repels wax and that's the reason why it remains IN the carton itself. Both substances are hydrophobic (repulsion of water) towards each other. Therefore, adding your cleaning product simply binds to the wax, a chemical reaction takes place that dissolves the wax, and finally you have a hole in your carton."
Demo: *looks at me blank*
Me: "Happy Easter!" *walks away*

The point is not me being a smarty pants, but rather, how many times have I or YOU for that matter, been tricked by advertising? Maybe it's something I don't want to know.

Happy Easter,
Cathy