David Suzuki has written another very nice and well intentioned essay about environmentalism (posted on Environmental News Network), but sadly, he just doesn't get it. He complains about "how many Apprentices, Bachelors and celebrity antics will we be distracted by before we step outsiide and say, "This smog stinks."?
Attacking mainstream culture is not the way to fix these things. Step back and see what you can learn about what's going on with this stuff. He's talking about reality tv shows. Their popularity is saying something about what's going on these days in America. The general public is tired of scripted television shows. They are tired of things they have seen a million times and know what to expect. They are desperately seeking unpredictability and spontaneity.
Once upon a time the environmental movement provided lots of spontaneity through fast moving, large unpredictable events like the first Earth Day. But not so much any more. The public can pretty much predict what they will hear out of the mouths of environmentalists and thus they tune away. There's a need for innovation. That's what reality tv shows represent. Environmental voices like David Suzuki need to work a little harder to keep up with the interests of the general public instead of just chastising them.
Posted by Randy Olson at May 6, 2004 11:15 AM