An Inconvenient Democrat
So we saw Al Gore's movie this weekend. You know him--the one who won the Presidency in 2000. The guy who invented the Internets? Him.
I'm guessing you've heard about this movie. It's called An Inconvenient Truth and it's been doing fantastically well at the box office. Oh sure, it's no "The Breakup" (I wonder if he considered casting Jennifer Aniston?) but when you look at ticket sales per screen, it's doing amazingly well. Yeah, it's on fewer screens, but it's selling them out. But I digress.
Good movie. Go see it.
That's my review. Okay, that's not my full review. Here's the problem.
Brace yourself for some gross generalizations. Either you're on board with Gore's message or you're not. Either you like Al Gore or you don't. I believe that if you're the sort of person who is already hip to the dangers of global warming and you're already working to change your behaviors, you're probably somewhat of an Al Gore fan. And if you're not, well, you're not.
What I'm trying to say is that Gore is preaching to the converted. Except for some rare cases, he's not going to win over anyone new. Either you're down with the message or you're not. Maybe there are a few people whose opinions will be swayed, but overall, he's just talking to his base. Sure, he's giving us some great talking points, but there is a percentage of the American public who loathes Al Gore and will tune out the second his name is brought up. It's a shame--he's smart and competent and he's got some really important things to say.
Here's the other issue. Some people just don't care. Sure, the surface temperature of the earth is rising. Sure, the ice caps are melting. So what? I'll be dead in 50 years--what's it matter? I mean, really? Isn't the earth supposed to change?
I've long believed that he world is divided into two types of people--those who are concerned almost exclusively with their corner of the world and how any given issue impacts them directly, and those who believe in and work for the "common good"--that thing that is bigger than any of us individually. Yeah, I told you to brace yourself for generalizations and maybe this is a simplistic way to look at things, but I believe it holds water.
I've long been an outspoken champion of civil rights, particularly those involving First Amendment and free speech issues. Time and again, the response I'll get from people on any given issue is, "Well, it doesn't impact me so why should I care?" You should care because it impacts us all, one way or another and eventually. I'm one of those "common good" people.
So, while most people (unless they're hiding behind the anonymity of an online message board) would never say "So?" that blatantly, their accusations of "fuzzy science" or claims that the "left" (hahahahaha) is just trying to scare people and the threat really isn't that great, their perspective is fueled by an underlying belief that since it doesn't directly impact them (yet), what does it really matter?
It does matter, and to those skeptics I would ask that they step out of their comfort zone and go see An Inconvenient Truth. Go in with an open mind and see what happens. I can't make you change or open your mind. I'm not really even here to try, all I ask is that you give it a shot. Al Gore, like him or loathe him, makes some important points and it does impact us all.
I'm guessing you've heard about this movie. It's called An Inconvenient Truth and it's been doing fantastically well at the box office. Oh sure, it's no "The Breakup" (I wonder if he considered casting Jennifer Aniston?) but when you look at ticket sales per screen, it's doing amazingly well. Yeah, it's on fewer screens, but it's selling them out. But I digress.
Good movie. Go see it.
That's my review. Okay, that's not my full review. Here's the problem.
Brace yourself for some gross generalizations. Either you're on board with Gore's message or you're not. Either you like Al Gore or you don't. I believe that if you're the sort of person who is already hip to the dangers of global warming and you're already working to change your behaviors, you're probably somewhat of an Al Gore fan. And if you're not, well, you're not.
What I'm trying to say is that Gore is preaching to the converted. Except for some rare cases, he's not going to win over anyone new. Either you're down with the message or you're not. Maybe there are a few people whose opinions will be swayed, but overall, he's just talking to his base. Sure, he's giving us some great talking points, but there is a percentage of the American public who loathes Al Gore and will tune out the second his name is brought up. It's a shame--he's smart and competent and he's got some really important things to say.
Here's the other issue. Some people just don't care. Sure, the surface temperature of the earth is rising. Sure, the ice caps are melting. So what? I'll be dead in 50 years--what's it matter? I mean, really? Isn't the earth supposed to change?
I've long believed that he world is divided into two types of people--those who are concerned almost exclusively with their corner of the world and how any given issue impacts them directly, and those who believe in and work for the "common good"--that thing that is bigger than any of us individually. Yeah, I told you to brace yourself for generalizations and maybe this is a simplistic way to look at things, but I believe it holds water.
I've long been an outspoken champion of civil rights, particularly those involving First Amendment and free speech issues. Time and again, the response I'll get from people on any given issue is, "Well, it doesn't impact me so why should I care?" You should care because it impacts us all, one way or another and eventually. I'm one of those "common good" people.
So, while most people (unless they're hiding behind the anonymity of an online message board) would never say "So?" that blatantly, their accusations of "fuzzy science" or claims that the "left" (hahahahaha) is just trying to scare people and the threat really isn't that great, their perspective is fueled by an underlying belief that since it doesn't directly impact them (yet), what does it really matter?
It does matter, and to those skeptics I would ask that they step out of their comfort zone and go see An Inconvenient Truth. Go in with an open mind and see what happens. I can't make you change or open your mind. I'm not really even here to try, all I ask is that you give it a shot. Al Gore, like him or loathe him, makes some important points and it does impact us all.
Labels: Politics
posted by Kay at
5:29 AM
8 Comments:
I think for me it's sort of a "the problem seems so immense, what can I do?" kind of thing. People can be well-meaning but still feel inclined towards causes where think they can make a difference.
However, I stopped using hairspray in the '80's. I had really hoped that that alone would solve the whole problem.
You know, Al mentioned that your hairspray sacrifice made a huge difference.
I know that the problem seems insurmountable, but near the end he talks about small things that can be done that make a big difference and he also uses the CFC example about how together we can make a difference. During the final credits, there are a lot of suggestions about what individuals can do.
One point he doesn't stress enough is about the economics of sound environmental policy, and the point he fails to make at all is how the personal changes we can make also have positive personal economic impacts.
We save a small fortune by only running one car, and also by line drying our clothes. Those little things do make a difference, and they make a sizable difference to our own personal economic well-being.
Every day when I come to work and sell somebody the highest efficiency furnace on the market as my attempt to save the planet, I think to myself, "Perhaps Al will notice me now." But no, he stays with that stupid wife of his. Ugh.
And what kind of name is Tipper anyway?
Wonkery is one of my turn ons, too, too.
I love it when you talk dirty, Sarpon.
You just have to take it one step at a time. Low energy lightbulbs. Reducing waste by looking at how products are packaged. Just one step at a time...
Word, Tar Creek is in my backyard.
So what if Tipper got to Al first? You can take her Jane!
Some day I will tell you about the Al Gore dream I had when I was PG. It may take a few drinks though.
I can't wait to see this movie. We discuss environmental issues in school almost every class. Charlene Spretnak spoke at our last conference about many many things we can all do to have a profound effect.
Little things mean a lot if everyone does them right.
Ironically, this was also the theme of the Al Gore dream I had.
Not so anonymously yours,
KP
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