Google’s news feed seems to be learning what I’m about because the other day it brought up this gem that I haven’t been able to get out of my head. An article entitled “Environmental actions are motivated by personal experiences“. Don’t worry it gets meta. It’s a UMich “news” piece about a U-M study co-authored by a bunch of young scientists where they associated people’s willingness to make changes beneficial to the their environment/climate to their ability to share their stories about tied it.
What’s been nagging me about this whole notion is the fact that this nut is something I’ve been trying to crack for the better part of my adult life. Or to put it another way, “How can I convince you to make changes that will benefit everyone.”
Good grief, I’ve tried. When social media was first a thing I thought Hell yeah, now people will listen. Nope, not really. Now, my voice will be lost in an ocean of other voices mostly wailing for attention. Want love? Give it. This was true before Facebook and Instagram and remains so. Ain’t nothing going to change that friends. The problem, at least from my perspective, is that social media isn’t a meritocratic exchange of ideas and I’m no salesman.
Here is the Trough, Now Drink
This has been my approach to a lot of things. When I was writing fiction for instance, this horse to water method was how I tried to sell my stories. Same goes for working in trees and honestly, it’s very true for this trail advocacy I’ve been working on since the brain tumor.
The problem, at least according to a small group of University of Michigan researchers, is that this is **my** story I’m sharing. Yes, it’s pretty. Yes, it’s immersive. But at the end of the day, if you bother to watch even a little of any of these videos, what you’re getting is a window onto my life. Not very personal, and considering how lonely I often feel, not a narrative you’re playing any part in.
So bottom line. Even if you’re a thirsty horse, you’re still probably conscious of the fact you’re drinking from my trough. Right?
The Big Question
I imagine that many film makers face this challenge. There are probably books written on the topic, just not on my particular niche, but I still want to know how do I turn this horse trough into an infinity pool.
On a budget.
Alone.
With no narration.
Still thinking and planning.
New thought, same idea. What I wrote above is definitely my “at-home” brain at work. When I’m on the trail I’m usually just grateful I’m there, in that moment. Yeah, sure sometimes I’m thinking about how to compose a shot or even how I might frame something later, but on the whole “trail-brain” means calm, peaceful, usually grateful “me” who isn’t trying to change anything. Change is.
I will keep that in mind.
FeetForBrains 