Ellie Hylland

Intro: “Brag and thrash” 

Card stacking, a fallacy more common than you may realize. Why are we talking about it? Card stacking is seen today frequently in advertisements, politics, commercials and much more but we struggle to recognize it when we cross its path. In this blog post, you will learn what it is, how to identify it and why people use it. 

What is card stacking?

Card stacking is a persuasive technique used to manipulate information by selectively presenting facts, evidence, or arguments to support a particular viewpoint while ignoring or downplaying opposing viewpoints. This method essentially “stacks the deck” in favor of one side of an argument, often misleading or deceiving the audience. In an article posted by The Medium titled “Look How We are Good, and They are Evil,” the author, Nemanja Miljus, has a great way of describing this fallacy. He says, “Tell me what you brag about, and I will tell you what you lack, but card stacking theory is all about the bragging” (Medium, 1).

Why care?

Why should we care about card stacking? Understanding card stacking is crucial because it equips individuals with the skills to critically evaluate information and resist manipulation in various aspects of life. In today’s online social world, flooded with information from diverse sources, discerning truth from misinformation is more challenging than ever. Card stacking, as a persuasive technique, can be employed by politicians, advertisers, media outlets, and even individuals to shape opinions, beliefs, and behaviors.

Learning about card stacking enables individuals to recognize when information is selectively presented to advance a particular agenda or viewpoint. By understanding how this technique works, individuals become more adept at identifying bias, misleading information, and logical fallacies. This awareness empowers them to make well-informed decisions, whether in politics, consumer choices, or everyday interactions.

Moreover, studying card stacking fosters critical thinking skills essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world. It encourages individuals to question information, seek multiple perspectives, and evaluate evidence critically. In an era where misinformation and propaganda abound, the ability to think critically and analyze information is critical.

Where do we see it most?

Today, card stacking is prevalent in various arenas, including politics, advertising, and media. In politics, politicians may selectively highlight their achievements while downplaying their failures or opponents’ successes to sway public opinion. Similarly, advertisers may emphasize the positive aspects of a product while ignoring its drawbacks, creating a skewed perception for consumers. In the media, biased reporting or cherry-picked facts can distort the truth and shape public opinion in a particular direction.

With the widespread use of social media and online platforms, card stacking has become even more prevalent, as individuals and organizations can easily curate information to fit their agendas. This selective presentation of information can make it challenging for audiences to discern the complete picture and make informed decisions. As such, critical thinking and media literacy are essential skills in navigating the modern landscape where card stacking is omnipresent.

How to identify card stacking:

O-C-E-A-N

Identifying card stacking in social media posts and advertising requires a keen eye for detail and a critical mindset. Here is a  strategy to spot this persuasive technique:

1. Look for one-sided arguments: Card stacking often involves presenting only one side of an issue while ignoring or downplaying opposing viewpoints. Be wary of posts or ads that focus solely on the positive aspects of a product, service, or idea without acknowledging any drawbacks or limitations.
2. Check for cherry-picked evidence: Card stacking may involve selectively presenting evidence that supports the desired narrative while omitting contradictory or unfavorable information. Scrutinize whether the information provided is balanced and comprehensive or if it seems to selectively highlight certain facts.
3. Evaluate the Source: Consider the credibility and bias of the source behind the social media post or advertisement. Biased or unreliable sources are more likely to engage in card stacking to promote their agenda or interests.
4. Assess the Tone and Language: Pay attention to the language used in the post or ad. Card stacking often employs emotionally charged language or exaggerated claims to sway opinion without providing a balanced view of the issue.
5. Data with no context: Be cautious of statistics or data presented without context or manipulated to support a specific viewpoint. Card stacking may involve presenting statistics in a way that distorts their true meaning or significance.

By employing my OCEAN evaluation, individuals can become more adept at identifying card stacking in social media posts and advertising, enabling them to critically evaluate information and make more informed decisions.

Resources that can help:

Here I have highlighted some of my favorite resources I have come across to help you learn how to spot card stacking. To learn more, check out the following links. 

Card stacking advertisement examples

8 Propaganda techniques and how they are used

Card stacking article: “Look How we Are Good, And They are Evil”

Hacks for spotting misinformation and card stacking

Practice:

Can you tell which of the following is card stacking? Give it a try. Before you are four advertisement posts. One out of the four is NOT card stacking. Which one is it?

What can we do?

What can we do to stop the mass influence of this fallacy? To mitigate the mass influence of card stacking, education is the necessary first step. Teaching critical thinking and media literacy skills equips individuals to recognize and resist manipulation tactics. Implementing regulations that promote transparency and accountability in advertising and media can also help curb deceptive practices. Encouraging diverse perspectives and promoting fact-checking initiatives can foster a culture of informed discourse. Additionally, fostering a healthy skepticism and promoting the importance of seeking multiple sources of information can empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the digital age with greater discernment for misinformation.

Why does it make a difference:

Educating yourself about card stacking is crucial in combating misinformation. By understanding this persuasive technique, we can discern when information is selectively presented to manipulate perceptions. Armed with this knowledge, we all become more adept at recognizing biased narratives and questioning the credibility of sources. Through critical analysis, we can identify gaps in information, inconsistencies, and logical fallacies. Overall reducing susceptibility to misinformation. Ultimately, by educating ourselves in media literacy and critical thinking skills, we are all better equipped to navigate the digital landscape which we all partake in.

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, understanding card stacking is essential in today’s information-saturated world. This  technique pervades various aspects of our lives, from politics to advertising, shaping our beliefs and behaviors. By learning about card stacking, we can gain the tools to critically evaluate information and resist manipulation. Through awareness and education, we can spot card stacking in social media posts and advertisements, empowering ourselves to make informed decisions. 

Who am I aiming to reach:

My goal is to connect with fellow college students who, like me, are eager to delve deeper into the logical fallacy of card stacking and discover ways to combat misinformation. I strived to create a blog that is cohesive, engaging, and informative. By catering to different learning styles, I aim to ensure that every visitor to my blog can glean valuable insights and apply them in their own endeavors.

Works Cited

“Card Stacking.” Propaganda in Food, julienchloefoodpropagandahaha.weebly.com/card-stacking.html.

Miljus, Nemanja. “Look How We Are Good, and They Are Evil.” Medium, 25 May 2020, medium.com/@nemanjamiljus/look-how-we-are-good-and-they-are-evil-174913fed61a. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Professional, Ritu SharmaRitu from PageTraffic is a qualified Google Adwords, et al. “8 Types of Propaganda Used in Advertising.” Www.pagetraffic.com, 2 Aug. 2022, www.pagetraffic.com/blog/types-of-propaganda-used-in-advertising/.

Prywes, Michael . “You’ll No Longer Be Fooled by Skillful Liars If You Know This Concept.” Lifehack, 1 June 2017, www.lifehack.org/585461/card-stacking.