Talking. Thinking. This is an experiment. An adaptive blog page linked to my 60 sec vlogs.
Here’s an intro vlog. It’s a space to explain thinking, tease out nuance, refer to evidence, apologise for mistakes, link to articles, a place for pushback and feedback – brokering towards diverse dialogues not ideologues.
Tribal pollinator
Tribalism is on the rise. It’s safer, warmer to be with a tribe. Even if the trade-off is groupthink – all looking in the same direction, few daring to ask self-critically curious questions. Here’s one: all farmers have to use pesticides – even organic ones – while also husbanding pollinators. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a mouthful which means applying pesticides only when required. Rachel Carson even got that in Silent Spring. Here’s my vlog on seeking nuance within tribalism.
60 secs on…(click bold for links to vlogs)
Climate is a huge issue. But it’s not the only issue in the room. How to handle competing narratives within the same space is not always our forte. My vlog on the latest IPCC report is more importantly, on how just to start thinking now, not later.
But we also require polarised views to disrupt groupthink, to listen to ‘quiet’ local communities, explain different narratives on standards and not fear the sound of chainsaws. Tighter water regs are coming, but overzealous planning must leave room for creative land use change. Space to hear quiet voices – unfiltered, unaffiliated – at COP26? (my outtake on COP). While adapt to hybrid thinking on managing wildlife – from foxes to aphids. Let’s not lose our face-to-face skills, as land use evolves, and wildlife is ‘hungrily‘ evolving.
Whether media-perfect ‘nature-friendly’ soundbites prevents too much thinking or farming requires more people to move livestock, are points to ponder (or not, if too tricky to!)
Forestry and more
Make space for trees in all their forms, and think interdisciplinary on the Agric and Enviro Acts. Whereas we often base views or perceptions of farming or forestry, on past and sometimes poor practices. How to get scientists to connect with land-based practitioners, triggered a few (15k+ views)! So let’s seek more bipartisan hybrid partnerships in 2022.
Thinking diversely
This rotten-tomatoed top vlog reflects Spike Lee’s thoughts below and perhaps reflected in the spec ed 30sec vlog on 10 years of my woodland.
Others will tell you what to think, as Spike Lee said “people going to make up their own mind. My approach is put the information in the movie and let people decide for themselves. I respect the intelligence of the audience.“
Spike Lee
Curlew calls
The curlew is a melting pot of enviro issues. Linking an urbanising population (since 1861) to bucolic memories of hay meadows, farm labourers and ‘inefficient’ farming. Today, we find it hard to articulate clear and simple solutions to the curlew as touched on in this vlog.
Common ground – not middle ground
I’m intrigued by public opinion, but more interested in public benefit. I’ve been at this for 30 years (see my college project, and letters since). And having recognised my role – to make people think in a different way, to provoke informed robust dialogue – I’m not going away. So here’s… that apology vlog
Onwards to veg mayhem…and beyond
How easy can it be to grow vegetables? This vlog might explain one way of thinking about it. Anyway, if Instagram is going all TikTok ‘simples’, there’s more 60 second environmental complexity to come from me.
Addendum
This BBC series on Age of Denial has some ‘how to argue better’ overtones on enviro/climate issues. More on the presenter, Isabel Hardman, here.
WARNING – this is an adaptive blog, with no timeline, due for updates, revision anytime, at risk of nuance. Do leave a comment, feedback of any form!