Psst! How'd you like a nice whack upside the head?

Cooperation versus antagonism in environmental activism. 4

Perusing AlterNet's headlines today, I noticed the new EnviroHealth article expands on a subject covered in both Daily Grist and Gristmill. Zack Pelta-Heller discusses the the pros and cons of different approaches to environmental activism. Case in point: The Sierra Club uses positive reenforcement and collaboration to get Ford to alter its modus operandi, while the Rainforest Action Network is much more confrontational and antagonistic, running an ad in The New York Times comparing Ford CEO Bill Ford, Jr. to Dick Cheney and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. RAN justifies its methods with the following anecdote:
There's a story about a guy with a mule. He couldn't get the mule to move. His friend says, "You've just got to whisper 'Move' in his ear and he'll move." So the first guy whispers into the mule's ear. Nothing. He says louder, "Move!" Nothing. Eventually the friend says, "Here, I'll show you." He takes a two-by-four and whacks the mule on the head. Then he whispers, "Move" into the mule's ear, and the mule moves. The first guy is shocked by the violence. "What was that about?" "Well," says the friend, "first you have to get his attention."
So my question is this: Is the "two-by-four" method necessary to make the "whisper" method effective? I'm tempted to say Yes, because large corporations are quite good at being deaf when it serves their financial interests. However, as per the recent Gristmill discussion about the value of eco-sabotage, antagonism has a way of boomeranging and estranging people that aren't already singing in the choir...

Corey is Grist’s Production Project Coordinator.

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  1. jdhlax Posted 9:44 am
    22 Jul 2005

    The Issue Is ...what is effective.  The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) is one of the most effective enviro groups, winning many important victories.  Sierra Club is a mixed bag, with many sellout to go along with some important victories.  However, RAN has an exponentially smaller budget than Sierra Club and is much more effective per dollar received and spent.

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  2. davedenali Posted 11:59 pm
    24 Jul 2005

    RAN "more efffective??"Comparing Rainforest Action Network -- a relatively small, recent, single-issue organization -- to the 750,000-member Sierra Club is just silly.  The club works on a broad range of issues, with hundreds of local groups nationwide.  There are roles for different organizations and different approaches.  But effective, broad-based activism means you have to reach mainstream Americans, and angry, confrontational tactics generally don't accomplish that.

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  3. davedenali Posted 12:18 am
    25 Jul 2005

    Sierra Club and FordYour post leaves out a crucial fact.  The Sierra Club has been extremely critical of Ford in the past, even running an ad that blasted Ford for going backwards on mileage since the Model T.  Now Ford comes out with a hybrid SUV with far better mileage.  That act deserved to be recognized, but again, you have to know the context: the Sierra Club has been a vocal critic of Ford.

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  4. amazingdrx Posted 5:28 am
    26 Jul 2005

    whoops.You misunderstood the "2x4" metaphor.
    The 2x4 in this case is a boycott of Ford and GM products, which is underway, with environmentally activated consumers buying Toyotsa and Honda vehicles.
    Were that 2x4 swung hard enough and vocally enough, then the big 2 execs would here the whisper.
    Sierra Club ads should call for a boycott by all it's members until Ford and GM introduce real hybrid vehicles like Toyota and Honda have, and in signifigant numbers.
    There's your 2x4.

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