answers to how to fix the world are in those heads – in fact, it is the only resource we have! But so far that resource is being largely wasted. There needs to be better information flow between campaigners, and especially to those who work in groups like Greenpeace or Friends of the Earth. If there is no easy route for that essential information to reach those who make the bigger decisions, then that super-computer is not being exploited. Think tanks need to be established and made accessible to every single activist. (NB slight apology for use of internet to do this, yes it’s exclusive, but resources are prohibitive).
For example: A local campaigner came up with the idea of coordinating people to write to TV broadcasting complaints groups after damaging programmes. Just tens of people would get heard in this way. A Perfect idea; the man was relatively inexperienced in campaigning , but he was a mathematician - a trained problem solver. Nobody was listening to him, and the idea was lost.
Another example: somebody suggested that a Greenpeace group make a record and coordinate campaigners to buy it and so get it in the charts. The idea wasn’t taken up, but this year it was done by a couple of buskers from London. And it worked.
Preach to the Un-Converted
Having a web-site called “Green Action” is only going to attract green activists. That is a waste of energy as they are already converted; we need to focus on getting into the minds of people who don’t like environmentalism! Work with the public would be much more effective if done by stealth. For example, Greenpeace may have better results if they scrap their branded web site and set up many other web sites posing as general interest sites, to get people in, but then leak into people’s minds the information we want to put there.
The Power of No-Labels
People are naturally curious – it’s a survival trait. Eliminating the label leaves their curiosity un-resolved and people pay attention longer. For example, consider The Big Issue – the title can cover any subject at all. If it had been called “Homeless Rights” it would be an immediate turn off to most of the target audience – the unconverted.
Use Available Tools
We become more powerful when we use what is available to us to our advantage. This is a Daoist and Kabbala method; and it is very effective.