Comment on Are Men Killing the Planet? | Our Changing Climate
Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 1 year ago
/u/redpen@lemmy.world /u/spaduf@slrpnk.net thanks for the discussion and for the link to the article. I actually found both the video and article really interesting and informative and can see how my original off the cuff comment totally missed the point. These are things I’ve absolutely seen in my everyday life and really frustrate me. This kind of toxic masculinity bs and shitty behavior hurts everyone in so many ways, it’s pervasive everywhere not just in climate forums and I agree we should be talking about the issues, raising awareness and trying to fix them.
Unfortunately, 98% of people are only ever going to see the title of the video (based on a quick search of youtube conversion rates), which in my view does an awful job of representing the content. It is inflammatory and harms the discussion. How do you think someone on the fence about these issues would be impacted by the title? Just look at the discussion in this comment section, including my own comment, missing the point and the reception this post has been met with will cause it to get buried pretty quickly here. Communication is tough, I don’t have an answer and often get it wrong myself, I’m not a content creator or communicator. It’s just a shame that the article and video are going to go unseen by many or potentially even make people feel attacked and divide folks further when the intention is actually the opposite as you mentioned.
redpen@lemmy.world 1 year ago
I agree that the creator may have chosen a title that could potentially be counterproductive, but it was certainly an intentional moce. At least it led to some discussion on an issue that frankly doesn’t have much awareness is the generl public. “Shock value” is a strategy where creators intentionally use provocative or controversial imagery, titles, or content to elicit strong emotional reactions from their audience. This can be done to grab attention, spark discussions, and raise awareness about a particular issue, idea, or message. The goal is to make the audience think and engage with the content more deeply due to the intense emotional response it evokes. In this case, it worked pretty well, considering many videos posted have almost no discussion at all in the comments.
Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 1 year ago
I think most people know why it’s done, it’s pretty transparent and common especially for a YouTube video where you are incentivised to get clicks, watch time and comments. I just think in many cases including this one it is a perverse incentive that runs counter to the actual goal of raising awareness and generating quality discussions. Human brains are great at coming to quick judgements based off their biases, especially if it confirms pre conceived notions, no need to make it easier. This is how we get echo chambers where everyone who already agrees with each other congregates around certain communities and creators, not how we raise awareness and promote discussion.
Anyway, it’s pretty pervasive everywhere unfortunately, this video is far from the only one so I know I’m just talking into the wind here. The general problem is a tough one like I said and I don’t know what the solution is or if there even is one because it’s tied to the whole business model of all these platforms.
redpen@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Well, I hear the wind talk and appreciate the discussion. I think in broaching a topic like climate change and especially how it relates to established social systems and norms, it takes all kinds. There is definitely an incentive you describe that is perverse when it’s just for money, but when it comes to getting a message out there, I think most well-meaning people just realize they have to play the game. Everything in in the digital age is always is jockying for leverage in the attention economy, and if what your putting out is something you really care about, you want it to have an impact. I definitely agree the approach can be counterproductive, but it’s up the creator in the end. And, other less genuine, reactionary, and shallow exchanges in this post’s comment section aside, at least in this particular case it led to something good. Much appreciated :)