In class, we've had the opportunity to explore a number of ways one can bring fun and theories of persuasion into the realm of social change and building, growing, and care-taking of communities. Having a theoretical framework is helping me better understand the arc of events among various communities and campaigns where I've played a role.
I've noticed a pattern. I've seen green and social campaigns that hope to create positive behavior change falter under the weight of their own ideology. And sadly, the cause becomes a turnoff or even a political flashpoint as it gets tied to preachy attitudes, ineffective messages, and the idea that we want to change what people think, instead of affecting what they do.
The frustration that many of us feel when we see others who seem uncaring or uninformed often spills into our communications. While it might be correct, and it is certainly well-intentioned, the fact is, it does not help the cause. And if it isn't helping, then it is hurting.
In the end, the real question is would you rather be right, or would you rather win?
P.S. No matter what they say, winning is way more fun than losing. Are we willing to discard our own pre-conceived notions about what "should" and "would" so that we can empower "can" and "will" and "can't wait to participate"?
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