Needed Narratives Chess, Not Go Fish
Author: Douglass Carmichael Issue: 2024-09-04
Needed Narratives: Chess, Not Go Fish
by Douglass Carmichael
In many conversations that touch on climate issues, the discussion seems awkward. I've come to think that most people do not have a reasonable narrative about where we are in history, much less what's going on with the climate.
A good conversation is somewhat like a chess game–each participant should have a view of the board and the possible moves. Playing with someone who can only see two moves ahead is not fun to play with, much less have a conversation. Real conversations move like the horse.
An example of a weak but common conversation:
A: What do you think is causing climate change? B: Burning fossil fuels. A: Where? B: In cars. A: Anywhere else? B: In trucks. A: What might be a solution? B: Clean energy. A: What happens when we burn clean energy? B: It goes into the air and is invisible. A: Is that what we mean by clean? B: Yes. I think so.
Such poorly developed minds cannot enter into the narrative without a lot of help.
Related:
- Douglass Carmichael (author)
- 2024 (year)
- Topics: Climate and Environment