Martin Heidegger's Memorial Address, delivered in Germany in 1955, is both a call to action – not only to the German people, but to the human population of every continent – as well as a notion regarding the future of humanity. When described using rhetorical elements, or rather styles, these very specific directions that Heidegger chose to give to his discourse fall into two distinct but concomitant classifications: deliberative and epideictic. Concomitant in the sense that the two arguments, throughout the speech, are masterfully woven and build on each other to explain Heidegger's assertions. Rhetoric that is seen as a deliberative attempt to persuade the public to act. The steps to take vary between examples, but in Martin Heidegger's case he clearly argues for humanity to retain its "essential nature." Throughout his speech, we can conclude that Heidegger has two main assertions: that man's autochtany (state of indigeneity or belonging to a native region) is threatened by the emergence and superiority of technological progress. He warns that man must move away from the slavery of technology and open himself to the mystery of his existence. Heidegger calls this theory “liberation towards things and openness to the mystery of belonging together” (Heidegger). The other statement he makes asserts that man must cling to his “essential nature” – in the sense that man is a meditative being; able to think and question beyond what is obvious or reasonable. The evidence Heidegger uses to support these claims is riddled throughout his speech as he details man's ability to think both meditatively and calculatively. Because man has these two characteristics, he is a god... middle of paper ...... ate a musician, without elaborating on a possibly dark future - this is one of the reasons for which historians and literati have been analyzing this commemorative speech of the last 60 years. The rhetorical situation is completely unique and Martin Heidegger had the courage to deliver this speech at such a time. As to whether this speech was effective or not, it's all up to the viewer. Personally, I found this speech eye-opening and extremely important, even today, 60 years after his original speech. But for those listening in Germany that day in 1955, I can't say whether they would have found Heidegger's approach repugnant or whether they would have applauded his courage in standing up for something he believed to be in the best interest of the world. What can be said, however, is that 60 years later, the words of that speech still have an impact on humanity – and they likely will for generations to come..