Okay, so I was reading through a story on Grist today, Hollywood's next green generation, where they list, well, Hollywood's next green generation, and, besides from trying not to retch too much on some of the choices, I was mostly amused by the first (and only so far) comment to the article.I just had to repeat it here for your perusal:
You say:
But their celebrity gives them a far greater ability to influence others, so their efforts toward eco-consciousness can make a difference.
Today I was in the library working remotely. On break I got the latest edition of Science magazine. I read how a group in China had discovered how to make fuel cells more efficient by using a porous material for the anode.
I think, if only these "superteens" could somehow send the message to their peers that perhaps doing their homework so they could become nanotechnologists and materials scientists would do the world more good than all the tawdry albums in the world, then...maybe...they would make a difference.
Instead of marching, stomping feet and making leaflets, how about this for Environmental action:
1. Go to the library every week and read Science magazine.
2. Pay attention in Chemistry class. Take AP if available.
3. Cheerleaders...date a nerd. Just one night a month is all it takes.
4. Watch PBS...especially Nature and Nova. Learn about future technologies. Evaluate them and plan how they will be used in the 21st century.
5. Go find an alternative energy startup, and not just a wind farm, but also maybe some guys who spend their whole day trying different compounds to get the best result. Volunteer to program their website, or bring them coffee, or do their laundry.
Those are the gals and guys who are going to solve CO2 pollution...not Miley Cyrus.
Is this even a realistic argument to be making in today's high-entertainment culture? It certainly is a laudable idea, but who is going to make the biggest impact? The unsung hero in the lab or the superstar who auctions themselves off for a few dollars to donate to a charity?
Hmmm. Let me think about that.
9 Crunchy Thoughts:
Uh, duh. In our celebrity obsessed culture, I think it is pretty obvious that while celebrities might "get the word out" and make green "cool" it is the regular little people who will actually MAKE the difference. LIVE the difference. I read the article and have a hard time understanding how being vegan, driving a prius, and wearing organic jeans is soooo eco. Come on! All those celebs have enough money to retrofit their entire mansions with eco options, but instead opt to drive a prius and that gives them instant cred. My 80 year old, don't give a hoot, grandparents drive a prius. Sheesh.
You know, reading that back, the "duh" part sounds snarky, didn't meant it that way!
It's nice that article is out there in the world of media.
Invariably, there will be some teen that grabbed that article---thought to catch how cute the greenie Jake G. is, and then ended up thinking---"hmmm, I've never thought of studying as green before, but maybe...".
At best we may hope that hollywood influences a few wiser consumer choices, but it's nice to think that it may help a kid get enthusiastic about school.
Stranger things have happened.
My kids are always upset when I ask them to define sustainability and stop using the word green. I actually had a boy tell me last year that we shouldn't spend so much time on fossil fuels because "they're boring." Yeah, and also the most pressing environmental issue right now, in my opinion. Oh, and a big part of the college board curriculum.
I think perhaps I will print this and post it on my bulletin board.
Love that comment!!! So true, but so funny!
Now, if only we could get all the eco-bloggers to stop wasting time on their laptops writing random shit to other eco-blogger-wannnabe's and do some of those things the Commenter suggested!!! LOL (;) just a thought!!)
Glorious.
". Cheerleaders...date a nerd. Just one night a month is all it takes"
Remember the Movie Revenge of the Nerds. "Are all nerds good at sex?"
yup.
That article presupposes that the cheerleader isn't ALSO a "nerd", a.k.a., "geek", a.k.a. "grind", a.k.a. "curve buster", or "someone interested in science". I knew at least one cheerleader in high school (1980s) who was headed to med school. Most of the rest of our cheerleaders were honor students.
That article ALSO presupposes that all of the "nerds" (read: people who study and enjoy science) are boys. Unless it's also advocating same-sex dating in high school, which I seriously doubt. As well as presupposing that all cheer leaders are girls. Now, I know that's true a lot of the time, but given that there are male members of cheerleading teams in college, I suspect that some of them started out in high school somewhere. And in that case, they are *still* advocating same sex dating unless they are also suggesting that the "nerds" are girls. Which I strongly doubt.
On those facts alone, that article is a massive FAIL. Forget the "you can go green THIS EASILY!!!" hype. I'm irritated that the same old sexist tripe is being dressed up in lovely green clothes. Feh!
I think some may have missed some words on Crunchy's post...
"I was mostly amused by the first (and only so far) comment to the article. I just had to repeat it here for your perusal: "
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