After watching a fantastic performance by the Upright Citizens Brigade, I stayed to see the free showing of An Inconvenient Truth.
Let's just say I was a bit disappointed. I'm not sure what his target market is for this film, but I apparently wasn't it. Who am I? Well, I believe that global warming is real, believe we can do something to change it, and don't really have much of an opinion either way of Al Gore.
I feel that it was a hundred minute gospel that preached to the choir. Who is going to see this movie? People who think global warming is a fallacy? People who hate Al Gore? I highly doubt it. So why spend so long arguing that global warming is real? I believe you, I believe you, I believe you. The world is getting hotter...so let's DO something about it.
Or (and this is the most suspect) convincing the audience that he is a warm, loving man with modest roots who worked on a farm and likes polar bears. What does this have to do with global warming? Nothing. What it does do is place Al Gore in that happy spot in your brain as you remember (and identify!) with him through his growth and family tragedies. What's the point? It's called a campaign. You are supposed to like him better than the next candidate when he runs again (and he will run again).
The other thing I grow weary of are his speaking engagements. Now don't get me wrong, if you are good at what you do you should get paid for it, but, how much do you think he gets paid to deliver this speech around the world? Lots. I can't make any assumptions about how he spends that money (my googling was unsuccessful) but I sure do hope he is contributing a big chunk of that to this fight for our planet. Or maybe this is political fundraising 2.0? Did you know he also is involved in those Real Estate/Money Wealth Expos full of speakers like Donald Trump and George Foreman? His talk is called "Opportunities in Global Warming" (read more about it).
You don't need to see this film to make a difference (or even get what it's all about). It's not a must-see (and is not the most terrifying film you will ever see either). You don't need to take part in a global warming virtual march. Just step up and make a real change. Use the $5 you'd spend at Blockbuster on this flick and plant a tree or buy a fluorescent light bulb. Here are 10 things you can do right now (PDF).
04:26 AM on 09.30.06
Taylor, I completely disagree with you, as you already know. Yes, we are all pretty much aware of global warming...but I had NO IDEA it was getting so bad. Al Gore did an excellent job of explaining the topic very clearly and destroyed any and all beliefs that global warming isn't really happening (I'm glad you relize it's happening, but believe it or not a lot of people are still in denial about it...ever hear people say it's just part of a cycle? Yea, that's bullshit). He also brought up "consequences" that I never even thought of. He incorporated part of his life story in the movie, and although it was cheesy at times, it explained why he is so passionate about the topic. I doubt he will run for president again because he has been asked that in interviews and his reply is always "NO, never again." It isn't a scheme to make money; maybe he gets paid (after all he was the vice pres of the U.S.) but he isn't just sitting there waiting for someone to pay him to give his speech; he has given his presentation over 1,000 times all over the world. He has been to Antartica and he travels around the world with scientists to better understand our enviornment. I'm sure the government would pay him to shut the hell up if they knew he would take the money. Al Gore has been defending the enviornment for over 30 years...this isn't some random idea he had to make money. I'm glad he made this movie and I would encourage everyone to go see it; it's quite the shocker. After seeing it I felt more inspired then ever before to be envolved in something that could make a differnce. I'm glad he is working so hard to spread the word, and I think people are really staring to listen to him. Go see the movie, it will be well worth your time!