Intel’s Shooting Star drones to get star-spangled for 4th of July aerial light show

This article about Intel’s Shooting Star drone light show for Independence Day 2018. It is a great example of the use of rhetoric to support STEM. The article is about the Intel drones, but it also includes the Travis Airforce Base and their relationship with Intel and the tech community. The article describes the motivations of both Intel and the Airforce for creating this technological visual spectacle. The inspiration on Intel’s side as described here was to replace firework shows with a new environmentally friendly and technologically capable aerial lightshow. Travis Airforce Base is happy to give its community a magnificent show and have a special relationship with the local tech companies. The article was published July 3^rd, the day before the show, most likely to inspire attendance and support. The video in the article shows the practice run footage of the show being performed. The last statement made before the article closes with the video is about the logistics of the show (when & where) and encourages people to attend. The video is “For those not able to make the show”.

Here we see all the elements of Aristotle’s theory of rhetoric. The logic of making such a drone is described. The audiences’ want for new and entertaining shows is provided for. The article has the basics of credibility, as statements made quoting the Airforce are not lightly made falsely, and the news site has been running for a number of years, so likely they did speak with someone representing Travis Airforce Base; a reliable source for this topic for sure. The article also is a clear attempt at using the rhetoric to promote the technology and event, being released only a day before the performance. While the article is short and succinct, it makes its point well by considering (or at least utilizing) the ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos of their statements and the technology they are talking about.