Why is this?
Yes, it may be tempting (and accurate) to just dismiss this as evidence that I lack the maturity required to find the adult world interesting. But there’s got to be more to it.
Think about it.
If I–a person who has staked his financial and psycho-spiritual wellbeing on the success of the sustainability movement—can hardly stay awake reading about this topic, what are the odds that ordinary Joe’s and Jane’s in the mass market are going to find this topic compelling, urgent and personally relevant?
The odds are low. Low, indeed.
Look around you please. Right now – please. Raise your head up from the computer and look around. What do you see? It’s business as usual, isn’t it? People are playing house and being nice, complaining about the government/co-workers/spouses/etc., investing in the new miracle ‘lap band’ to help then shed 50 lbs without the power of personal will. Meanwhile, the ice-caps are indeed melting, water supplies are dwindling, rain forests are depleting, and species are dying off like hair follicles on Matt Lauer’s shiny head. The greatest global shift in human history is happening, and most of our fellow humans aren’t even paying attention.
What is the cause of this apathy? Is it in them…or is it in US – in the way we communicate our passionate vision to those around us?
As a lifelong musician and performer, I’ve learned at least one lesson over and over again:
Boredom is always in the eye of the beholder.
Could it be that the mass apathy we confront ‘out there’ is actually our own?
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I couldn’t agree more! Why do people have to make this topic so depressing?
ood point. It’s a tough subject to make fun and exciting. Maybe we should all just make a game out of it. We’re all pretty good at video games…
When you make it a task to transform the principle of sustainability into a practice within the boundaries of the 3 pillars (People= Social, Planet=environmental, Profit= Economy) it is not boring at all.
I find it very exciting to contribute to change in an area were outsiders look upon as a boring field, sustainable concrete.
It becomes passionate when you know you can mean something when you reduce 2.4 billion CO2 by 1/3 one day, even not in your life. And that you can help reduce povery. And that you show how other people can make money then those who have been the greedy ones. I get a kick out of these exciting objectives.
I see your point Boudewin. Unfortunately about 90% of the world population doesn’t seem to find this topic quite as interesting, and so we need to do something quick. We need to wake up and help others do likewise. I believe our way of communicating can be the secret key to unlock enthusiasm in the apathetic or cynical masses.
Thanks for contributing your 2 cents. Keep up the good work.
Absolutely true – I am passionate about this topic – have devoted my entire adult career lfe to it, live as sustainably as I can – yet even I find it boring to read about. And I see that reaction multiplied when I start to talk about what I do (sustainable purchasing work with governments, large enterprise, etc – very transformative work!) to other people. I think the atttitude is that it is do-gooder work that is outside the relevant aspects of daily life – that sustainability would require them to goive up all their normal practices and enjoyments for an ascetic life of denial and suffering – for an elusive goal that they won’t share in…
I notice when I tell stories instead – stories about going in to the head of sales of some big company and letting them know that I work wiht a client who won’t be buying their stuff unless they change the way it’s made/what’s in it/etc – then it becomes much more enjoyable – sort of a sports story or something…
John,
This is so right on, ever since I met you and read your book and last Saturday attended your workshop, I have been wondering also on why we seem to drown out what is insperational in our messages with so much stuff that perhapse dosnt need to be repeated.
I am wondering is it unfocased yellow thinking thats the cause,
my firstgut level feeling is probably not, but what is at work.
All I know is that their must be a better way.
I keep thinking that a way must be found to deliver messages that inspire all colors, blue, orange and yellow,
I think your material will solve the riddle.
But, I can’t help it. I passionately believe and live sustainability values. It is quite a challenge for my listeners/readers to stay upright and awake. As a technician, my writing sucks. So much so I have hired a ghost writer for my blog to add flavor and dimension to my ideas and perspective. The challenge, I think, for most progressives, is communicating our ‘why’. Getting out our values in a coherent and inspiring way is like pulling teeth.
Thank you for writing you book. I have read it and am now studying it hoping it will help me connect with more than just the choir.
Christian — thanks for your perspective. I couldn’t agree more that WHY is the critical question in all successful endeavors. When it comes to communication, WHY is everything. I’m starting to see this idea really catch on lately. Welcome to the era of ontological capitalism?
How has hiring a ghost writer for your blog worked out for you?