Just look at this image. Magnificent. Can you make out what it is? It’s a magestic stingray suspended – as though in mid-flight – on the side of a giant skyscraper. You might not guess it, but it’s advertising a film that’s all about mass animal extinction and global climate change. These are enormous, depressing problems that we must deal with if we’re to enjoy life as we know it.
But the poster. Look at the poster. What do you feel when you see it? Are you uplifted? I am. Its message is one of hope. The aim is for it to inspire each of us to change just one little manageable thing in the way we live, so that other beings may continue to live too.
This is the story of how to get people to care and take action.
We each have something that fires up our belly. You’re probably armed with many facts and truths that really nail what it is you’re passionate about and why. But. If it’s doom and gloom that you share, rather than a way out, chances are you’ll be preaching to the backs of potential choir goers as they turn away, depressed and despondent.
Yes we need to bring things to people’s attention, and a lot of what needs sharing isn’t pretty. But if it’s change that you’re after, then take a leaf out of this wonderful article in the International New York Times.
In it, Cara Buckley nails how to get people to wake up to how we’re killing our way of life. I especially love the quotes by Shawn Heinrichs, a photographer and activist featured in “Racing Extinction”.
He says: “If you beat people over the head with shame, guilt and despair, you get exactly what you expect – people turn away and try to forget about it.” This holds true for whatever it is you want to bring to the fore, or to have change.
He goes on to say:
“The last thing people want to do is take on a heavy dose of depression. We have to recognise that.”
Enable and empower. That is key. If you want someone to do something – show them how. Make it easy for them. Bring the various bits of the puzzle together. That is, if you really want to affect change. Else, all you’re doing is adding another voice to the choir, where those who know and do, do, but aren’t reaching that tipping point of actual effective change.
Do you want to be right, and a great activist, or do you want the bigger, greater results of an actionvist.
Check out: http://racingextinction.com/ for more.
Would you share what one thing you’re going to change? It’d inspire others I’m sure.
