Comments on: Sarcasm? Does it Work? http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/environmental-writing-insights/ Make a splash with your communications! Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:11:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Colleen http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/environmental-writing-insights/comment-page-1/#comment-3578 Colleen Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:27:17 +0000 http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/sarcasm-does-it-work/#comment-3578 I have never had my mind changed by a sarcastic bumpersticker that promotes a view that I do not share. The stickers that I agree with amuse me. The ones I don't agree with just tick me off. I have never had my mind changed by a sarcastic bumpersticker that promotes a view that I do not share.

The stickers that I agree with amuse me. The ones I don’t agree with just tick me off.

]]> By: Gary http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/environmental-writing-insights/comment-page-1/#comment-3577 Gary Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:59:14 +0000 http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/sarcasm-does-it-work/#comment-3577 I have that bumper sticker and I love it! However, I have a personal tendency toward sarcasm that I leave behind when I put on my environmental outreach professional hat. Many years ago I grew tired of wagging my finger and telling people what they couldn't do (don't dump in the storm drain, don't go off the path, etc.) and I began to develop classes and messages about positive steps people can take: build a rain barrel, use green cleaning products, etc. I believe these positive messages and the kind of language Eric insists we use are part of the reason for the current popularity of sustainable practices. My sarcastic side sees the irony of becoming trendy after a dozen years as an environmental educator, but I have every intention of using our popularity to deliver positive calls to action instead of indulging my personal love of sarcasm. I have that bumper sticker and I love it! However, I have a personal tendency toward sarcasm that I leave behind when I put on my environmental outreach professional hat. Many years ago I grew tired of wagging my finger and telling people what they couldn’t do (don’t dump in the storm drain, don’t go off the path, etc.) and I began to develop classes and messages about positive steps people can take: build a rain barrel, use green cleaning products, etc. I believe these positive messages and the kind of language Eric insists we use are part of the reason for the current popularity of sustainable practices. My sarcastic side sees the irony of becoming trendy after a dozen years as an environmental educator, but I have every intention of using our popularity to deliver positive calls to action instead of indulging my personal love of sarcasm.

]]> By: Kelly http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/environmental-writing-insights/comment-page-1/#comment-3576 Kelly Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:04:19 +0000 http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/sarcasm-does-it-work/#comment-3576 I think the research is right on target -- people "REACT" to fear and threats, but they "RESPOND" to hope and postivive action with a clear goal. Reactions are usually short-sighted, knee-jerk band-aid thumbs-in-the-dyke, while responses are usually thoughtful plans that involve multiple stakeholders and encompass long-term goals. I think the research is right on target — people “REACT” to fear and threats, but they “RESPOND” to hope and postivive action with a clear goal. Reactions are usually short-sighted, knee-jerk band-aid thumbs-in-the-dyke, while responses are usually thoughtful plans that involve multiple stakeholders and encompass long-term goals.

]]> By: Jesslyn http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/environmental-writing-insights/comment-page-1/#comment-3575 Jesslyn Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:31:16 +0000 http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/sarcasm-does-it-work/#comment-3575 I know of one sarcastic success story. The Clark Fork Coalition based in Missoula, MT led a campaign to get Milltown dam--which was very old and filled with toxic sediment from the copper mines upstream, dredged and removed. One of their tools CFC used was to post billboards all over town picturing a lovely lady from the 1950s, grinning her head off on waterskis. The billboard read "SKI MILLTOWN! IT'S TOXIC!" It got everyone's attention, and the dam is being taken out. I know of one sarcastic success story. The Clark Fork Coalition based in Missoula, MT led a campaign to get Milltown dam–which was very old and filled with toxic sediment from the copper mines upstream, dredged and removed. One of their tools CFC used was to post billboards all over town picturing a lovely lady from the 1950s, grinning her head off on waterskis. The billboard read “SKI MILLTOWN! IT’S TOXIC!” It got everyone’s attention, and the dam is being taken out.

]]> By: Lisa http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/environmental-writing-insights/comment-page-1/#comment-3574 Lisa Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:27:49 +0000 http://waterwordsthatwork.com/2008/04/09/sarcasm-does-it-work/#comment-3574 I wouldn't call it rigorous research, but a marketing firm that we're working with on a stormwater outreach message just tested a few ideas with focus groups. The participants did NOT favor the messages that were crafted to be irreverantly humourous/moderately sarcastic. I was surprised. Most of the committee (about 50 people) working on the issue had favored those messages. It certainly warrants some research! Great blog...and great bumper sticker :) I wouldn’t call it rigorous research, but a marketing firm that we’re working with on a stormwater outreach message just tested a few ideas with focus groups. The participants did NOT favor the messages that were crafted to be irreverantly humourous/moderately sarcastic. I was surprised. Most of the committee (about 50 people) working on the issue had favored those messages. It certainly warrants some research!

Great blog…and great bumper sticker :)

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