There’s a reason language online feels so powerful. It helps us develop identity, argument, and even a strange kind of digital confidence.
Transcribed:
INT. OFFICE (NIGHT)
(Cheyenne seated at her desk, on the computer.)
(A notification sounds)
CHEYENNE:
Ew. Oh, you’re here. Sorry.
If you’ve somehow stumbled onto this website by accident, welcome. But if you’ve come here intentionally… Seek help.
Either way, I’m Cheyenne, and this stupid corner of the internet is where I write about rhetoric, storytelling, and the numerous ways language dictates our life online.
Because whether we like it or not, rhetoric is everywhere. Even up your big ahh-
Anyway.
Your favorite influencer uses it. Your least favorite politician abuses it. And your group chat deploys it with DEFCON efficiency.
This site is essentially my ongoing attempt to answer one question, and that is why humans are so easy to persuade. And the answer, broskis, is unfortunately complicated.
Sometimes it’s logic. Sometimes it’s credibility. But more often than not, it’s vibes. Sha.
INT. WHITE VOID (PRESENTATION)
Ancient rhetoricians had names for this. You may have heard of them.
(Socrates appears to the right of the frame.)
CHEYENNE:
No, not you. Everyone knows your name. Get out of my house already, man. I’ve alerted Chris Hansen four times now.
(Socrates sulks.)
CHEYENNE:
What I meant was referring to the three main aspects of argumentation. Ethos: credibility. Pathos: emotional appeal. And Logos.
INT. OFFICE (NIGHT)
(Cheyenne at the computer again.)
CHEYENNE:
Pure, unadulterated logic. Common sense buff. Something a lot of y’all are at a deficit in. But if you’ve spent more than five minutes on the internet instead of diggin’ in yo butt, you’ll know that one usually wins most of the time.
The answer is pathos. It’s always pathos.
So, what exactly will you find here, you might be asking. Great question.
You’ll find essays I’ve written about rhetoric and how it manifests in modern media before our very peepers. Reviews of narrative-heavy games you bed-rot your life away playing. Creative writing that conveniently functions as rhetorical argument and shameless self-plug. Blog posts where I waffle about persuasion as an art and digital culture. And a gallery where I share snippets from my book Scrolls & Screens: An Odyssey Through the Ages of Rhetoric.
Again, Soc has laser eyes.
(Cut to Socrates appearing once again.)
SOCRATES:
The better to vaporize you with, my dear.
CHEYENNE:
Vape? Where?
The real goal here is simple. I want to make rhetorical theory less intimidating. Less terrifying. Because most people hear rhetoric and imagine dusty, old books written by old farts named Demetrius or Quintilian. Or L’Carpetron Dookmarriott.
But rhetoric isn’t ancient. It’s happening right now. Every tweet. Every ad. Every viral TikTok. Every YouTube apology video where they did the crime and tattoo crocodile tears on their face.
All rhetoric.
(Cheyenne gives a thumbs up.)
So, if you enjoy pondering about language and its roots, questioning sheep media, or occasionally staring into the abyss of modern doom…
(Cheyenne sneezes.)
CHEYENNE:
Pardon.
You’re in the right place.
Feel free to explore the site, read something uncomfortable, and always remember to handle rhetoric with care.
Because those who understand manipulation- I mean persuasion, usually win.
Deuces.