Childhood Obesity

After watching, Al  Gore’s documentary on global warming entitled “An Inconvenient Truth”, as assignment I was very enlightened. I didn’t really think too much about the title at first. Then towards the end, it just came to me that this subject really is “An Inconvenient Truth.”  Gore constructs his authority by discussing his background, knowledge and research of the subject and his education.  He also supports his authority by discussing the creditability of his professor and mentor.  Viewers can feel confident in the intellect of the sources of information on global warming.

Gore appeals to the emotions, logic and ethics of the viewers by continually reminding the viewers that he is not just a lecturer on the subject. He does this by personalizing himself; this reminds the viewers he is a regular family man like most others. This helps viewers to respect him more and trust his word more than if he were just someone lecturing on the topic. He does this by “flashing back” and self narrating while the pictures and storyline is shown. Gore also puts all of the facts on global warming out there in the simplest form. He does a great job of ensuring every viewer of any level can understand what he is trying to convey. He also anticipates questions and criticisms once he explains something he then elaborates more thoroughly and backs it up with statistical support and facts; leaving little room for doubt.

Gore uses humor when he is trying to relay the skeptics thought process. This is how he tries to convince the viewers that it is observed to be a skeptic. He is lying out the facts and it is so impossible to not see the issue it is almost “funny” that someone can’t grasp the urgency of the topic. It is a very influential tactic. To paraphrase, my favorite point is that it is difficult to get someone to understand something when their salary depends on them not understanding it. The use of humor also helps break up the monotony of a lecture style.

Gore’s documentary is more effective than just another lecture because it enables him to appeal to his audience’s emotions more effectively. Lecturers can get boring, the documentary style allow him to personalize himself with the audience, helping him to avoid the technical approach.   The use of cartoons helps make this film educational for all ages. He has simplified the science so well a younger generation can understand his explanations but while simultaneously keeping it appealing to adults at the same time; a difficult task when considering your audience.

Gore’s explanations and data construct the correlation with CO2 and temperatures making it very difficult for a skeptic to discredit global warming.  I also think Gore’s comparison of removing slavery and providing rights to women as a moral right made a strong argument that global warming is not just an environmental problem it is moral problem. I did reach a point when I thought to myself, “Point made, I get it but what are the solutions already?” Although he mentions some ways to help I don’t feel he constructed enough of a true effective plan solution that needs to be implemented. I still felt I was left asking, “Well what do we do?” (“We,” being the world, our government.) I understand I can participate in eco friendly behaviors but what else can do bigger?

Overall Gore’s film was an incredible example of risk communication. I found his tactics to be very persuasive. It puts my childhood obesity topic into perspective on how to effectively communicate risk.