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February 7, 2007 at 1:54 pm
I’m Organic co-founders Judy and Jill disagree over the meaning of a recent article in the New York Times. Discussion follows…
Judy says:
Having lived this long, I know that there is always resistance to change, but I was still disappointed to read an op-ed piece in the New York Times yesterday titled, “12 Rms, 8 Bths, 38 Wind Turbines By RICK MORANIS I’m just so incredibly excited about the idea of having our whole co-op reduce its carbon footprint.”
It is written as if from a member of a co-op building on Park Ave. to the board of directors. It refers to “harvesting rainwater immediately” by using eminent domain to take over the occupants’ terraces; hanging their laundry from the cable lines; putting wind turbine generators on the roof to light the play room, and replacing imported flowers with worm farm/herb planters, and, of course changing the light bulbs. There’s more, if you want to read it.
It is quickly apparent that it is a sarcastic attempt at humor about the suggestions many people have of reducing our carbon footprint. I love a good laugh more than most people, but this unfunny article reveals a lack of conscience and/or belief that it is true that the ice caps are melting and we will all be affected by the climate change that is the result.
We do have to take responsibility for the fact that our lifestyles are seriously harming the place we live and we have to make some changes. Changing our light bulbs can make an impact and it’s easy and will save us money too. I don’t think climate change can be stopped without government regulations of the major polluters, so along with the steps we can take, we must put pressure on our government to make these changes, with our calls and emails, our votes and the power of our pocketbooks.
I liked best what Al Gore had to say about us not going from denial to despair, but moving into action instead; that there is still hope. Lets spread that hope and inspire others into action.
What do you think?
Jill Says:
While I agree that we need to spread hope and inspire others into action, I read the articled by Rick Moranis in a different way. I thought it was funny, as in chuckle at ourselves funny, not really laugh out loud funny. It seems like a ‘sign of the times’ article. Whether Rick Moranis is serious about the environment or not, I don’t know. But, it is true that change is happening, that it’s become fashionable to be green, and that some solutions may sound a little funny at first. Moranis pushed this point to the extreme to be silly and show us how serious some people have gotten over this issue. Was he laughing AT us? I guess it depends if we laugh at ourselves sometimes, then maybe he was laughing with us.
What you YOU think?
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I agree with Judy and Al Gore. I think there is time to save the Earth if we start now. I do think we need government regulations. I’m just not sure we’ll get them or enough of them. This government, every faction, is so purchased by big business.
Comment by Suz — February 7, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
If this is the Rick Moranis I know, we’re talking about the guy from Saturday Night Live, Ghostbusters and “Honey I shrunk the—” fame. Given his history, I would have to assume this is a total, however feeble, spoof on the subject, and like most Saturday Night Live skits, it lacks taste, substance or conscience. So hey, consider the source… I guess we should be encouraged by the fact that people consider this subject popular enough to spoof. That tells me we’re mainstreaming more every day!
Comment by Debra — February 7, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
I guess I have to agree w/ Judy. This is not a matter to be taken lightly.
We have to ask ourselves: what was Mr. Moranis’ point of writing the article?
To poke fun of the idea of being “green”?
To allow us to “chuckle at ourselves”
“To show us how serious some people have gotten over the issue?”
Maybe to show us how this has become the “in” thing to be a part of.
Is he making a change? I think not! He is not making a difference, he is only poking fun.
Every little step we take to make a difference is worth the effort. It may seem “serious” to some people, but the issue is serious.
Do we poke fun of the AIDS epidemic because people have gotten so “serious” about it?
Do we poke fun of cancer because people are running for a cure? What about heart disease?
Stroke?
Obesity?
No!!
The “Green” issue is a disease much like the other issues mentioned above and should not be taken lightly. This “disease” of the earth needs a cure. Seriously looking at the issues by serious people helps us find that cure.
Comment by Stephanie — February 7, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
Hi. I did read the article and it was definitely a satire. But as we all know there is always some truth in humor.
There are many people who are not green or eco conscious, but do read satire and listen to comedy and SNL. This artcile can possibly expose one or more (possibly millions) to the concepts that Rick Moranis was parodying.
lf one or more people’s curiosity are peaked, then it may spark them to be motivated to learn more. that it is how it began for me! Hearing just one person talk, motivated me to learn more and now I am eating a large percentage organic and decorating my new home with eco friendly paint and bamboo flooring. Ten years ago I didn’t know much about being green.
Afterall if this were not a big deal concept or timely topic, would a busy actor/comedian take time to write about it, even in a satirical way.
Karen
Comment by karen — March 3, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
I like the article! In my experience having organized and a non-profit dedicated to sustainability and green building, I have noticed a discrepancy in the ways generations are responding the “green” issue in general… The level of “seriousness” is really not a matter of seriousness, but a matter of where credibility lies in the minds of the audience…
1) The Baby Boom generation is very heartfelt and “serious” about this issue. Those I talk to seemingly like the idea of the “stick” over the “carrot”, and would prefer governmental regulations in place to make sure that “green” is happening. Regulations lead to business jockeying and lobbying for regulations, and the incessant in-fighting on the respective “hills” of states and Washington D.C. usually only leads to more in-fighting, propaganda, and watered-down legislation.
2) Gen-X and perhaps Gen-Y seem, likewise, generally heart-felt and serious, however, emerging markets, or making “green” the next sexy or “in” style to move it to the consumer seems to be the general motivation or goal of these groups. Having green make business sense is the prevailing movement, and preferring incentives over regulations, this group seems to be working on many fronts to push the movement ahead.
To me, humor can be dangerous if it’s used to undercut credibility, but in this case Mr. Moranis is using humor in a different way. By his “flighty” response to this issue, I think we begin to look at the issue in more detail to see where the truth may live. Humor has always been used in this sense — just look at Mark Twain.
Like what’s been posted here before, is Moranis is writing about green, he’s taking green mainstream. To respond to those who mention SNL in a negative way– yes, they do make fun of serious issues, as does the John Stewart Show, but look at the viewer demographics — younger generations are watching and getting their news from these sources. Just because the vehicle (in this case humor) is driving the change, I don’t think it makes the issue any less serious — it’s just another way to reach an audience. Look at the superbowl ads — comical, but not less serious…
Humor is purposefully being used here because, in our case, government (seriousness) has lost credibility in the next generation’s minds… Showcased in scandal and poor choices, the next generation is looking for a new perspective, one in which change and movement is delivered in a way that is more inviting, and much less “serious”. The message to the next “green” generation — have fun, and do the right thing…
Nobody wants to hear that the sky is falling. Fear is not good incentive as it leads to lost hope, and feeling there is nothing left to do. Happiness and hope and voting with your wallet is the message to be sent — send it far and wide!
Comment by Brandon — April 2, 2007 @ 6:32 pm