SOLUTIONS THROUGH SPECIFICS
Day-to-day communication, both politically and personally, often is missing specificity.
Something seems to stop us from telling each other exactly how we feel. Instead, we cloud our communication with generalities. Perhaps this comes from a fear of confrontation. Or, maybe we are afraid that we will insult each other. But, it is not good enough to say, “I’m unhappy”. To change a situation that is causing unhappiness we must fully evaluate the conditions.
Every problem, whether personal or political, has to be communicated in specifics, and once an issue is clearly, and specifically, identified, then we must have a detailed plan to resolve it. We cannot effect change in generalities, but only when we have clear steps to take.
People complain that they are not happy, and yet they don’t fix the specific issues that are triggering their general mood. For example, in the process of handling an addiction a person has to admit that they are an addict. This is very harsh, many times, but it seems to be the only way it works. Skipping this initial step undermines future success. Clearly identifying the problem is the first step to a solution.
When a politician says we are not satisfied with our condition, we want to know exactly what he is talking about. For example, we can be told that we are addicted to oil, but until we personalize it, it means nothing. We drive when we should walk, we use gas-guzzlers instead of hybrids, and we get into our personal comfort zone with air conditioning instead of opening a window or using a fan. If we are party to this oil addiction, it would be helpful if our leaders not only tell us what we can do, but outline a plan of what we must do to break the addiction. If we can conserve oil by buying local produce, they need to tell us to buy local. If we can conserve oil by eating less meat, they need to tell us to reduce our meat consumption. If we can conserve oil by unplugging our televisions at night, they need to give us the specifics so we can do our part. Otherwise, we’re left with fear, guilt, and no way of helping to fix it.
The reality is the only time Americans reduced their gas consumption was during WWII, when gasoline was rationed. If you were entitled to 10 gallons per week, then the government didn’t care what you used that 10 gallons for, but you could not get 11 gallons. Today, we’re asked to make sacrifices, yet no one ever specifies, or makes it a rule that you must make those sacrifices, or even what good sacrifices are. Perhaps one of the solutions is communication that provides specific rules and regulations. Even if we can’t put in enforceable rules, a strong information and public relations campaign can be helpful. For example, by turning off your electricity during certain hours you can save money on your electric bill and conserve the nation’s fuel resources. Or, perhaps, a tax credit in the sale of hybrids, and low emission/consumption vehicles.
We all sit on the sidelines now and are frustrated because we have allowed ourselves to become victims. The oil companies record the biggest profit in history, and the OPEC countries thumb their noses at us. We are not angry with them, but we should be thoroughly disgusted with allowing ourselves to be victimized by our own addiction.
We’ve been manipulated into a lifestyle where 5% of the population uses 25% of the world’s oil. WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US, as Pogo said in a 1950’s comic strip. Yet we have the power to pull ourselves out of this economic and environmental mess. We just need to operate as a cohesive nation with a specific plan of action. We are all willing to do our share - we just need to know what that means. Brazil no longer uses fossil fuels. Surely Americans have the intelligence and resources to develop a similar plan for energy independence.
Our biggest problem is that we are suffocated with meaningless generalities rather than specifics that can actually motivate us to do something beneficial. The answer is that the public should not settle for vague promises from our political candidates, but demand specifics and the reality of solutions. We need to reward a politician with overwhelming votes for motivating us with specifics and positive plans of action. That kind of detailed communication would truly be inspiration to us all.
Communication is inspiration! Share your thoughts below.
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