Zoé

This object is a “neuro functional gum and mints [that] contain a nootropic blend of brain boosting ingredients” (Neuro Gum Overview, 2025). Neuro Gum is marketed as a gum/mint that can optimize performance by improving energy & focus, as highlighted on its packaging. I’ll be analyzing how Neuro Gums' mode of presentation constructs relevance to consumers, shaping how its functional claims are perceived, and increasing the likelihood that these claims are accepted as credible knowledge. Specifically, this object illustrates that the acceptance of knowledge is strongly influenced by perceived relevance, which is shaped by the context and mode of presentation in which the knowledge is communicated. 

The most prominent words on the packaging, “energy & focus,” immediately attract attention and function as persuasive knowledge claims. These concepts are highly relevant to students like myself, who are a clear target audience for the product, as concentration and productivity are linked to academic achievement. In today's society, “people's attention spans have shrunk considerably,” especially for students, which contributes to the perception that energy and focus are scarce and valuable qualities ("Why our attention spans are shrinking, with Gloria Mark, PhD." 0:1:00). This amplifies the relevance of the product's claims, making them immediately applicable to consumers' experiences. As a result, individuals may be more inclined to accept these claims as credible knowledge, even in the absence of explicit evidence.

The perceived relevance is further constructed through language such as "natural," "balanced," and “infused,” which situates the product within a health-conscious and scientific framework. By aligning the product with widely valued ideas of wellness and optimization, the packaging makes the knowledge claim seem more meaningful and personally applicable. Additionally, the visual presentation enhances this relevance. Color psychology plays a key role in shaping interpretation, as visual cues influence how consumers evaluate credibility. Neuro Gum's use of blue, commonly associated with trust and reliability, increases the product's attractiveness and reinforces that its claims are dependable. Collectively, these presentational choices do not validate the claims themselves but make them feel relevant to their target consumers' needs, increasing the likelihood that the knowledge presented is accepted.

This object is a picture of my mother holding an egg after completing a traditional ritual rooted in my Mexican family’s cultural beliefs. In this ritual, when bad energy is felt, an egg is passed over the body in a mirrorless room, then placed in a cup of water under your bed to seal the bad energy away and cleanse your body's spirit. I believe in this ritual because I trust the source of knowledge, my mother. This raises an interesting question about how we accept knowledge based on personal trust in the source. This object represents how deeply the influence of personal trust can shape the acceptance of knowledge. 

This ritual holds credibility for me because this knowledge has been passed down through generations within my family, reinforcing its significance and meaning. If the same ritual had been encountered through an online source or an unfamiliar individual, its legitimacy would likely be questioned or dismissed. However, because it originates from someone I trust and respect, the knowledge becomes intertwined with personal belief, cultural identity, and emotional connection. This contrast demonstrates how the acceptance of knowledge is strongly influenced by the relationship between the knower and the source. 

Ultimately, this object demonstrates how personal trust, especially within families, can outweigh empirical evidence. In this case, it is not the ritual itself that carries authority, but the trusted relationship and cultural lineage behind it, revealing how deeply personal belief systems shape the knowledge we accept. This object demonstrates how factors like familial connections, which carry emotional weight and trust, make us more willing to embrace certain beliefs without questioning them, influencing what knowledge we accept.