RE: Changing the narrative – how to talk about climate change
Somehow I got stranded here and read this blog post with great interest. It's true, statistics are never able to represent a situation as it actually is in reality. You may know the book "Freakonomics", where it is also discussed in a very humorous and inspiring way. The causal relationships that politicians like to work with often do not correspond to the predicted consequences of certain actions (in a way, they have to do that since the societal model is still the same).
Many people who have dealt with this have also known and understand this. Funny that you point to the author Nassim Nicholas Taleb here, I didn't know him until another blogger mentioned him this morning.
We modern people have been growing up with programmes and documentaries about flora, fauna and the ecosphere ever since the advent of television. Such a message is stored in the field of a society and no one really remains unimpressed by it. It is even so strong that it leads to the fact that one rejects or ignores the climate change. This is due to the subjective (false) feeling that nothing has actually changed since the 1980s. Which of course is not true, but the more you look at the world as a global place, the more it seems as if one' s own country is sinking into meaninglessness.
But the anchoring of this field message has long since happened and is gaining strength, at least in the industrial nations that have been calling themselves that for quite some time and consciousness has steadily increased. Now the people are differently fast and do without different things. If one leaves the competition aside, that who is vegan is a better person than another, who perhaps eats meat but does not own a car, does not travel by air or has a solar-powered heating system in his cellar... you see what I mean. Ultimately, it is sensible to practice voluntary renunciation - it can even be fun and why not?
The fact that one exercises better caution, adjusts oneself to less instead of more, is a good advice that applies to the material as well as to the interpersonal: Since I never really know exactly what is going on, it is better to expect the best from each person and to give confidence and to get used to a reality that will be different from today.
The car as a status symbol: I'm sure it will change radically. The younger generation in the cities is now very indifferent to the subject of "driving licences". Many no longer consider it cool or necessary to make one at all.
I used this example because you said we need a better story. I agree.
Like roads and cars are not the bringer of great freedom and adventures any more. I guess many people see them now also as intruding humans lives and want more innovative and better solutions for transportation. Blockchain-technology will also do it's thing there. Maybe you find that interesting: The part where it says:
Mobility after Uber & Co
https://www.vditz.de/fileadmin/media/bekanntmachungen/documents/vdi_publikation_blockchain_RZ_web_neu.pdf
You talked a little about decision making.
I would like to see the systemic consensus started to be used as an aid to group decision-making. The advantages become clear through the continuance and experimentation of this formalized method (which goes much faster than the consensus reached through strenuous debate). Join my little experiment if you feel like it (my latest blog entry).
I really like your new writing style. It works without effects and it is clear, enjoyable and good to read. More from "Theist", less from "Ego". :-)