To Approach a Controversial Subject

[THOaken]

I've been thinking recently that I'd like to campaign for the benefits of nature. I spoke to Steve Wright recently and he's going to be running forest school courses to 11-18 year olds soon to try to get them involved with the outdoors. There are many ways one could campaign for nature, forest schools, leafleting, and the rest, but I would like to target a particular group of people. I'd like to approach the subject with video/computer gamers. Where would I contact such people? On the internet of course. I can imagine a website built to show them nature from the eyes of someone who had only seen the blinding glare of a computer screen for most of his life. I can imagine several testimonials on said website about the joys of finding nature from many of us.

It's obviously a very controversial topic and I'm aware of how pushy and, worse, preachy it'd sound, so I'd only go ahead with an idea like this if I knew I could persuade these people to venture out into the woods without degrading them or their hobby. It could very easily sound like I'm saying “you're wasting your life on the computer. Go outdoors and see the true beauty of nature in all its vibrancy and complexity”, and I don't want that. I'd need to strike a balance between the two, tell them that it's possible to combine the two and enjoy them both and gradually one will spend less time playing games indoors.

This thread isn't particularly about me or my idea to run a website, it's just a friendly discussion, a brainstorming session, on the different ways we could get such disillusioned people to see the wonders of nature. How have you seen the subject broached in your area? Have you had similar ideas? What do you think is the best solution? Do we need to act or should we leave these people alone for fear that we'd be harrasing them?

It's a very controversial topic as I said, so I'd be very interested in hearing what BCUK members have to say.

Thank you.

 

[shaggystu]

Which bit's the controversial bit?

 

[THOaken]

Which bit's the controversial bit?

I feel that it's controversial and a touchy subject to address because I, or any one else with a mind to do this, would be telling them that the way they spend their time is really not good for them. There are many benefits to nature and they are receiving none of them indoors all day. I just feel that it would seem like more an attack than a good natured incentive.

 

[Ivan...]

And their off! Firstly do you mean Steve Wright the Radio 2 DJ? Somehow i think not, if you don't mind footwork, i would put together a leaflet expaining what you have to offer, or are proposing, take them to game shops, interenet cafes and alike, introduce yourself to the youngsters in said establishments, also ask if you can post a leaflet in the window, and be prepared to talk to any of the kids that are willing to listen.

Best of British luck with this one, that would be too harder challenge for me.

Ivan...

 

[Clouston98]

I think you should stress that you have experience of both hobbies and find nature more intriguing etc.
And be lighthearted about the subject, most kids won't be interested if you talk about spiritualism in the woods etc.
Good luck .

 

[THOaken]

And their off! Firstly do you mean Steve Wright the Radio 2 DJ? Somehow i think not, if you don't mind footwork, i would put together a leaflet expaining what you have to offer, or are proposing, take them to game shops, interenet cafes and alike, introduce yourself to the youngsters in said establishments, also ask if you can post a leaflet in the window, and be prepared to talk to any of the kids that are willing to listen.

Best of British luck with this one, that would be too harder challenge for me.

Ivan...

I meant SWright of BCUK, the bearded fellow who always wears a hat.
That does sound like the best way to do it. I feel like I could connect with them because I was for the longest time in their position. I think politely writing to several gaming forums about the positive aspects of nature and surveying what gamers think about nature would be a good first step.

Thanks

 

[THOaken]

I think you should stress that you have experience of both hobbies and find nature more intriguing etc.
And be lighthearted about the subject, most kids won't be interested if you talk about spiritualism in the woods etc.
Good luck .

Yes, indeed. I would only take the discussion so far as the physical benefits at first, but hopefully progress to the more obscure and indepth aspects of what some might call a "spiritual" connection to nature.

I appreciate the support.

 

[Corso]

Yes, indeed. I would only take the discussion so far as the physical benefits at first, but hopefully progress to the more obscure and indepth aspects of what some might call a "spiritual" connection to nature.

I appreciate the support.

The information is already out there, as is smoking and drinking too much is bad, the social group your trying to reach is unlikley to be that interested IMHO

But the main issue for most will be acess and cost

 

[Big Stu 12]

The main issue for most will be acess and cost

Or getting them of their backsides.......

 

[shaggystu]

I feel that it's controversial and a touchy subject to address because I, or any one else with a mind to do this, would be telling them that the way they spend their time is really not good for them. There are many benefits to nature and they are receiving none of them indoors all day. I just feel that it would seem like more an attack than a good natured incentive.

Ah, I see, by "controversial" you meant "offensively self-righteous pontification".

I'd suggest that you do some research into your potential demographic, for example you're going to need figures: just how many of "them" are spending "their" time in a way that you think "is really not good for them". After that you'd just need to find an organisation that agrees with your own personal opinions about the way that other people should be forced to spend their leisure time, and then you could start working out a framework for forcing your opinions on other people. Simple really

All the best,

Stuart.

 

[Ivan...]

I think you have a better chance than most, as you are young, you have been an avid gamer, you understand the whole indoors computery thing, but you have also discovered the joys of the outdoors, there is no reason that the kids cannot enjoy both!

Not being rude, but if you can get a few to join/listen/try i bet they will be a bit like sheep and follow.

Be prepared for disappointment though,and probably one or two "Get Lost's!"

If you are determined enough, and you have backup (S.Wright) you have a chance.

Ivan...

I think it would be a bit strange to be chatting on a gaming forum, and suddenly bring up the subject of the great outdoors etc, you never know though!

Ivan..

 

[THOaken]

The main issue for most will be acess and cost

Access to woodlands and cost of travel, you mean?
Well, I know gamers and tech types very well. I don't mean to turn negative here and point the finger at people, but my own brother just bought a specialist gaming keyboard more than £100. To me, and I'm sure it's the same for most of you, a keyboard is a keyboard. It's that sort of mentality I would be dealing with. I don't mean to target people who casually play games, I meant to discuss these issues with people who are deeply invested in the hobby and spend thousand of pounds on high tech gear. These people would save money by going outdoors.

 

[THOaken]

Ah, I see, by "controversial" you meant "offensively self-righteous pontification".

I'd suggest that you do some research into your potential demographic, for example you're going to need figures: just how many of "them" are spending "their" time in a way that you think "is really not good for them". After that you'd just need to find an organisation that agrees with your own personal opinions about the way that other people should be forced to spend their leisure time, and then you could start working out a framework for forcing your opinions on other people. Simple really

All the best,

Stuart.

Lovely sarcasm. But yes, I know how hard it'd be. I mean to start small, however. I don't mean to partner up with an organisation initially, I just want to gauge the reaction to this idea.

 

[shaggystu]

Lovely sarcasm. But yes, I know how hard it'd be. I mean to start small, however. I don't mean to partner up with an organisation initially, I just want to gauge the reaction to this idea.

I wasn't being sarcastic, I think that your opinions are offensive.

 

[Big Stu 12]

Access to woodlands and cost of travel, you mean?
Well, I know gamers and tech types very well. I don't mean to turn negative here and point the finger at people, but my own brother just bought a specialist gaming keyboard more than £100. To me, and I'm sure it's the same for most of you, a keyboard is a keyboard. It's that sort of mentality I would be dealing with. I don't mean to target people who casually play games, I meant to discuss these issues with people who are deeply invested in the hobby and spend thousand of pounds on high tech gear. These people would save money by going outdoors.

I would agree, most the Avid Gamers I know spend loads on kit, one guy I know runs five PC's with differnt chariter on each machine and k go's to weekends away playing the game of their choice... but he spends ALL his time glued to the Chair..

Differnt world to the odd night on teh Xbox...

 

[THOaken]

I wasn't being sarcastic, I think that your opinions are offensive.

I'm trying to be as good natured as possible here. My intentions are positive and I don't mean to berate these people. What did I say to that was offensive to you? If you read my posts again, you'll see that I know how this comes across. Once again, I'm trying to be as polite as possible.

 

[Lister]

To me, and I'm sure it's the same for most of you, a keyboard is a keyboard. It's that sort of mentality I would be dealing with.

Steady now, let's not get stereotypical here, I'm a gamer and no keyboard is created equal! It might have single of mulitcoloured backlighting, it might have programmable keys, it might have a stupidly fast response rate, it could be wireless, it could have an integrated mouse.......you get the idea and that said, if one of the "gaming types" told one of us "bushy types" that "it's just an axe" we'd be up in arms for no axes are created equal.......you get the idea i hope.

Cracking idea mind you that said if you can combine the 2, say holding a gaming event in the woods, now THAT would kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

Best of luck, or as the "gaming types" would say: GL & HF!

 

[THOaken]

Steady now, let's not get stereotypical here, I'm a gamer and no keyboard is created equal! It might have single of mulitcoloured backlighting, it might have programmable keys, it might have a stupidly fast response rate, it could be wireless, it could have an integrated mouse.......you get the idea and that said, if one of the "gaming types" told one of us "bushy types" that "it's just an axe" we'd be up in arms for no axes are created equal.......you get the idea i hope.

Cracking idea mind you that said if you can combine the 2, say holding a gaming event in the woods, now THAT would kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

Best of luck, or as the "gaming types" would say: GL & HF!

Yes, sorry. I can see both sides of the coin here. I was mearly trying to speak to Bushcrafters as Bushcrafters, but I didn't realise that there are gamers on this forum. I said that a keyboard is just a keyboard, but I of course know all about such equipment. I know about macros, response times and everything else.

 

[shaggystu]

The quote I was trying to respond to:

"I'm trying to be as good natured as possible here. What did I say to that was offensive to you?"

The edit that took place in the couple of minutes it took me to go back and check what the OP actually said in the first place (I say in the first place, it had already been edited by the time I first read it, I don't know how many times it's been edited now).

I'm trying to be as good natured as possible here. My intentions are positive and I don't mean to berate these people. What did I say to that was offensive to you? If you read my posts again, you'll see that I know how this comes across. Once again, I'm trying to be as polite as possible.

It's very very difficult replying to your messages when you constantly edit the content. Your opinion that that's an acceptable way to behave; that's offensive.

 

[shaggystu]

.....Bushcrafters as Bushcrafters, but I didn't realise that there are gamers on this forum.....

That there, pre-judgement of people based upon their membership of a certain group, there's names for that, and there's also laws against that, and lots and lots of people find it offensive.