GreenSage E-zine 04/2009

Iconoclasts, Green Brains, a Culture of Fear and Other Quirks
By Elaine Ireland

I love books and I love to read them. Some fiction I find particularly inspiring story telling. But mostly I'm fascinated by non-fiction works about how we humans think, what inspires us and why we do what we do. Those of you who are fans of my articles, know I often write about these qualities, particularly as it relates to green issues. Its very curious what lights us up, how deep do we go, how far out there can we get and what is that process? Let's face it. We're quirky. The only thing I'm sure of is your process is definitely going to be different than mine.

Since in my lifetime I'll only meet a nano-fraction of the almost 7 billion people now on this planet, I figured I'd have to read a lot about these processes to get a broad enough perspective just to begin to understand the breadth of us. Not long ago I picked up a book entitled Iconoclast by Gregory Berns. Berns cites many folks he considers iconoclasts from Florence Nightingale and Martin Luther King Jr. to Picasso, Henry Ford and Steve Jobs.

Berns claims the most innovative ideas come from individuals who do what others say can't be done. While most people perceive the world based on their past experience and "what other people say," the iconoclast is both willing and able to risk seeing things differently. Risk seems to be the operative term while most folks conform and capitulate. Perhaps they like the status quo, maintain old belief systems or get fearful of change — behaviors that hold back the kind of innovative thinking processes at the very core of these iconoclasts.

However, according to Berns, who is a neuroscientist, almost anyone can become more innovative to some degree, whether its in their thinking, their perspective, or creating a new product or process that will help save the planet. So can we ask ourselves, what is so risky about innovative thinking? About thinking differently? Do you feel you've become out of touch with your innovative process?

Since last Fall (think 'in these economic times') there has been such an air of fear and negative thinking, that positive and creative thinking may seem like a big risk. I have to ask is all this fear really justified at this level? The fear motivators have been all over prime time with an adamant "ain't it awful" message. Many people I meet have been talking that message too in some form or another. It drives me crazy. Maybe neuroscientists and cognitive psychologists understand all the nuances of why we so heavily absorb what others are saying, but I don't get it. C'mon! Its the job of the media to spin its stories, to sell emotions to keep viewers and readers tuned in. Its not true. Everything is not so doom and gloom.

Now is the time we need the innovative thinking we are all so capable of. Fear chokes off innovative thinking. Stops it cold. This entire "Green Movement," if I can call it that, was based upon innovative thinking, standing outside the box of conformity, doing it differently. Who cares about the fear motivators or the nay sayers. If you're thinking green, keep on going. We support you!

20 years ago when I began seriously promoting greener living, so many nay sayers simply told me I was crazy! Can you imagine? I simply turned a cheek, kept on going and resisted any temptation to look back. I enourage you to do the same. Take a deep breath. Think of one new thing, large or small, you can do differently each month — or if you can, each week — to make your own life a little more green, to waste a little less, or adapt a heallthier lifestyle. Maybe its simply a question. Maybe its an answer to an age old question. Perhaps a commitment to change a habit. Maybe its a new idea, or a new project. Let the process begin — and be aware of your process. That awareness makes it easier to repeat your process the next time.

If you're one of those folks who has taken on a bit of this culture of fear, whether acquired during this challenging economic time or not, Barry Glassner, in his book, The Culture of Fear, shows that we have much less to fear than we think. "Americans are afraid of the wrong things," he writes. "False and overdrawn fears only cause hardship."

As I was finishing the draft of this article, I came upon a related article by Jon Gertner in The NY Times Magazine entitled, "Why Isn’t the Brain Green?" that adds insight to the perceptions. In his article he mentions some conclusions drawn by members of a group hired to examine decision-making as it relates to environmental issues. Some findings were that:

- we are "not always adept at long-term thinking" so things like severe climate change in 50 years may not be so compelling;

- “single-action bias.” We take one action, like buying a more efficient furnace, insulating our attic or voting for a green candidate, which effectively diminishes global warming as a personal motivating factor; and

- "we have a 'finite pool of worry,' which means we’re unable to maintain our fear of climate change when a different problem — like a plunging stock market or a personal emergency — comes along."

Aha! a little insight from behavior and decision scientists bringing curiosity to our own process, in turn bringing awareness bringing perspective bringing calm bringing space bringing the idea of that one new thing you think of.

Let us know what you come up with.