Loomio
Wed 15 Apr 2020 1:40PM

Setting up a system to put the counter-narratives we need

BS Ben Stollery Public Seen by 15

We're currently hearing lots on the media about how we're potentially heading for a large shrinkage in our economy and this being presented as a wholly bad thing. There is absolutely no counter-narrative of the Climate Emergency requiring us to embrace certainly zero growth and possibly degrowth, or even just questioning growth as the sole indicator of our society’s success. It seems really important that this counter-narrative is put forward.

Perhaps, for instance, when we hear the one-sided narratives we could orchestrate a mass phone-in to the media company to put the counter, and in the medium-term encourage the framing of the issue in the appropriately wider terms. Clinton/Blair's Labour used the 'Excalibur' rebuttal computer programme so as to have positions, spokes-people and activists ready to swiftly counter anything issued by their opponents. Could and how might do the same?

IA

Indra Adnan Wed 15 Apr 2020 2:30PM

Great ambition Ben. I wonder if we could achieve something like that through using all the great material in the blogs we have? Twitter storms might be easier to orchestrate than phone-ins?

BS

Ben Stollery Wed 15 Apr 2020 3:06PM

Yes great ideas Indra, be great to use the whole spectrum of ways of getting our narrative across, and to consolidate the knowledge from which such a narrative springs. Hoping to gather a few people together to make this happen and do let me have anything you think will support it.

NO

Naomi Orbegozo Thu 16 Apr 2020 6:29AM

I'm in! I would even consider opening a twitter account to take part :)

I think it is a perfect opportunity to illuminate the gap between what governments are doing and what they could be doing and that it is in fact a moral imperative, specifically in this moment, to make the systemic changes that will save lives in the short and long term (I know that is always the case, but perhaps it is more tangible for more people right now??)

I like the idea of emphasising the choice that those in power are making...perhaps asking the question "If we can see so clearly, that the worst depression for 100 years is on it's way, why don't we just choose not to have it? ...here's what we could do instead...

Perhaps I'm being a bit too naive here :)

BS

Ben Stollery Thu 16 Apr 2020 12:55PM

That's great Naomi, I think we should just start doing it. I'll send you a direct message to suggest a Zoom call.

M

Maria Tue 28 Apr 2020 12:23PM

Hi Ben / Naomi. How can we join your WhatsApp group? :-)

BS

Ben Stollery Tue 28 Apr 2020 1:26PM

Absolutely Maria, I need your phone number to do that - could you email me it at [email protected]?

Thanks,

Ben

BS

Ben Stollery Tue 28 Apr 2020 1:54PM

UPDATE:

We've now set up a couple of shared documents and a WhatsApp group to get us started - with some ideas of what the alternative narratives are, a spreadsheet to record instances and the input made, and a WhatsApp group to alert each other of instances. Do let me or Naomi know if you'd like to access and join these so you can start participating. Ben

BS

Ben Stollery Sun 31 May 2020 10:24PM

We'll update the main thread on this on the main Alternative UK forum page but so it's covered here as well... Do contact us at [email protected].

Update and latest opportunities

Thanks to all those who attended our online call on Friday, very useful to get your views! A couple of things were approved by the group which we are instigating:

Supporting Extinction Rebellion (XR)'s “Emergency, Our Planet Matters” BBC Campaign

This campaign, running over the next 2 weeks in the run up to the G7 meeting on June 10th-12th, is clearly aligned with our own so we're joining forces!  

It will target the flagship news programmes on BBC radio and TV putting exactly the alternative narrative we wish to see presented. See the EOPM Facebook page for full details.

As part of this, we're asking participants to volunteer to listen to/watch one of the targeted programmes over the next 2 weeks, note any items of interest (or their lack), submit a comment or complaint, then post the item and your comment on the AN or the EOPM Facebook pages. Please commit to monitoring one or more programmes on our rota.

Alternatively look out for the postings of others at the relevant times for items  you might like to respond to. Already there have been some excellent and articulate comments submitted, providing lots of inspiration for further submissions. They also have available some excellent email templates which you are welcome to use and customise: bit-urls.com/resources.

Concise Alternative Narrative

We thought it would be helpful to provide a distillation of the narrative we're promoting. We remain open to this evolving in light of our debates and discussions. Our vision:

  1. A society that puts the wellbeing of all peoples and our planetary home ahead of profit and corporations. That doesn’t find it acceptable that our or anyone’s prosperity comes at the cost of anyone else's exploitation or suffering (at home or abroad);

  2. Where any bailout is one which underwrites the economic security of ordinary people rather than just providing a lifeline for large corporations and banks;

  3. That acknowledges that, totally unexpectedly and almost overnight, many familiar aspects of life have been swept away, including many things which weren't necessarily serving us or indeed were downright harmful (ie ‘the house has burnt down’). There is therefore a great opportunity to, rather than merely ‘rebuilding the old house’, to build something better that truly meets our needs.

Another exciting initiative is also being developed - watch this space!

Best wishes and do let us know if there's anything else we can do to support you,
Ben, Nai & core team

[email protected]

BS

Ben Stollery Mon 15 Jun 2020 3:32PM

UPDATE: Thank you to all those who submitted something to the BBC on Friday and over the weekend, I really appreciate your engagement and we got a great take-up. A number at least secured a general reply and their complaints dept registered a high volume of submissions! 

Good news this morning that the BBC will be starting a new series that will focus and how we can rethink our lives after the pandemic and choose our new normal. 

It’s doesn’t have to end here! You can keep sending the BBC your feedback - reminding them of their duty, as a public service, to cover the climate & ecological emergency - and the economic measures needed now to bring social and environmental justice. And do continue to post your comments on our Alter Narratives FB page.

Thank you again! Together we are louder!

Ben