TOW #6 - Article: Data-Mining Our Dreams

In the New York Times article titled Data-Mining Our Dreams by author and scholar Kelly Bulkeley, Ph.D., he discusses the timeless concept of whether dreams are just random sequences that occur in our minds while we sleep or if the dreams we experience actually hold any significant meaning. He begins the article by giving context to his argument that dreams do hold significant meaning by introducing the more widely accepted theory among scientists: dreams are meaningless. However, Bulkeley argues that very recent research with more modern technology that he himself has taken part in goes contrary to the currently accepted theory. He then continues on to describe the method which he and his colleagues use to conduct their research and “data-mine” people’s dreams. While the research taking place right now only proves that relatively basic factual information about the dreamer can be obtained or “mined” from his or her dream, such as major hobbies or important relationships, Bulkeley’s goal is that he and other researchers will soon be able to learn not just surface-level information about the dreamer based on his or her dream, but subconscious information about the dreamer as well.

In order to achieve his purpose of convincing his audience that dreams do hold some significant meaning, Bulkeley uses several examples of real information he himself has “mined” from peoples dreams to support his claim. By far the biggest and most obvious appeal being made in this article is to logos, through his examples and use of research. At the very end of the article, there is a short blurb that gives background information about Bulkeley himself stating that he was, “Former president of the International Association for the Study of Dreams [and] is the author of ‘Dreaming in the World’s Religions: A Comparative History.’” This is also rather obviously a very strong appeal to ethos by establishing him as a credible author who knows what he’s talking about. While I feel the article would have made a more lasting impact if the blurb describing Bulkeley’s credibility was at the begging of the article instead of the very end, I do believe that he was successful in achieving his purpose by primarily appealing to logos using factual evidence and research.

Spinning top totem from Inception (2010)