Standup comedy is one of my favorite things in the world. And one of my favorite comidiennes is Andi Smith. She’s FUNNY! And she got bounced off NBC’s reality show Last Comic Standing for reasons I can’t quite fathom. Anyway, Andi has a thing or two to say about a couple of topics kinda sorta maybe related to the topic of this blog: fishing and camping. So here you go. Enjoy the witty words of Andi Smith:
Here’s a video sure to get your blood boiling. Matt Chancey is running for Public Service Commission in the state of Alabama, and he’s running on a pro-nuke anti-enviro platform. Watch this video and check out all the unkind things he has to say about you:
Most of my relatives live in Alabama, and I’m sure they will all vote for Matt and take great pleasure in telling me about it at the next wedding or funeral. So it goes. But as a general matter, social research suggests that if Alabama conservationists play their cards right, Matt’s accusations won’t do lasting damage to their reputation. Here are some tips:
Don’ts
Chancey has called you “radical.” Don’t deny it! The more you deny it, the more some voters will believe Chancey. You should response by saying “we exercise our freedom of speech to protect the health of Alabama families.”
Chancey has called you the “liberal elite.” That’s a charge that might stick, so watch yourself. It’s not a great time to throw around a bunch of elite vocabulary like “watershed,” “riparian,” “biodiversity,” etc… you’ll only prove his point if you do. (It’s never a great time to throw around elite vocabulary in front of everyday citizens)
Do
Post comments on Chancey’s YouTube video accusing him of being a shill for corporations that want to build dangerous and polluting nuclear power plants that threaten the health and safety of Alabama families (assuming you sincerely believe that to be the case, of course).
Point out that the corporations Chancey is shilling for are accountable to anonymous shareholders rather than local citizens.
Do point out that the responsible way for the state to help residents save money is by investing in conservation and clean, renewable energy, not by giving handouts to wealthy corporations.
Thanks to Katie at the Alabama Rivers Alliance for the great tip on this video.
It was my great pleasure to return to the Water Resources Education Network to present Water Words That Work. The presentation has evolved and changed a great deal since the first time I gave it, hasn’t it?
Click here to download the file to your computer.
One of the most common mistakes nature protection and pollution control experts make in their communications efforts is to mishandle the economic issue. Because we often find ourselves up against (and sometimes losing to) business interests making economic arguments, it seems like we should make an effort to win on that point. Here’s the latest example that landed in my inbox — an email from the good folks at Restore America’s Estuaries — but I see lots of similar examples:
I’m sure if I actually read the report that I would learn how estuaries provide gazillions of dollars in various economic benefits to society, including fisheries, outdoor recreation, protection from storms, higher property values, etc… For the record, I believe it.
But when it comes to everyday citizens, there are two things you have to keep in mind. They:
- Won’t read a report like this in appreciable numbers
- Are very skeptical about these kinds of claims, particularly from people like you
This second point often dismays people like us, but it well documented. Here’s one good quote:
A finding that deserves emphasis here is that the contribution of fishing and boating to the local community and the conservation of natural resources is not seen as believable.
Source: Anglers and Boaters Attitudes Towards Various Messages That Communicate the Benefits of Fishing and Boating: Results of a Series of Nationwide Focus Groups, Responsive Management, 2001
So what’s a good conservationist to do? When you’re trying to reach everyday citizens, I have two suggestions:
- Have economic interests make the economic argument for you. This is the best way. Remember that the economic story that works for everyday citizens is very simple: people losing their jobs or struggling to afford life’s basic necessities. If you can find regular people who will tell these stories in public for you, go for it. But nature protection and pollution control experts touting abstract and hard-to-understand economic studies are not believable.
- Respond to econmic arguments by emphasizing family togetherness and health. These arguments are compelling to everyday citizens, and everyday citizens believe them coming from you.
