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by OminousWeapons 1661 days ago
I feel you are being overly pessimistic. We can still accomplish substantive change, we just need to know how to market it. A message of collective sacrifice doesn't resonate with a society like ours because we don't view ourselves as part of a collective; we are individuals. You need to alter your messaging to fit the existing culture. Changing your messaging is far easier and effective than changing the existing culture.
1 comments
AnIdiotOnTheNet 1661 days ago
Alright, so what is the message then? How do you get a selfish entitled status-obsessed overconsumption-promoting culture to do anything that will actually help?

I'm pretty convinced there is no such message. I think it is telling that you refer to such a concept without even suggesting what it's co tent might be. It is fairy dust.

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OminousWeapons 1661 days ago
The message is that many changes we will have to make for climate change will either make life better or will not negative affect people. Switching to electric vehicles will lower long term vehicle ownership costs and mean that you never have to go to the gas station, and oh yeah they are faster, more modern, and cooler; using efficient appliances lowers costs without lowering quality; switching away from beef will make you less likely to get fat, improve longevity, and save you money; switching to solar power makes you more resilient against the type of issues that happened in Texas; switching to high speed rail means less TSA bullshit and more comfort for less money; carrying a water bottle around instead of buying one time use plastic bottles means you will always have a cold beverage with you and you will never be thirsty; etc.

These aren't messages that will resonate with everyone, but they will resonate with more people than saying "life sucks deal with it". Look at how Ford is marketing their new electric pickup. Do you ever see the words "global warming", "climate change", or "sacrifice" appearing anywhere in their copy? No, because that messaging doesn't work so they focus on talking about capabilities, features, and QoL improvements instead.

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