Planned Discovery Channel Protest Is Awesomly Dumb
Filed under: campaigns, not green — Michael d'Estries @ 2:12 pm
February 1st 2008
While I’m an environmentalist that holds great respect for the campaigns and initiatives of some of my fellow activists, there are times when I simply shake my head at the things people say or do. Take for instance this campaign to protest the Discovery Channel Headquarters from February 15-23. Here’s the rally call:
Organizers of the protest chose the Discovery Channel because the network, as stated by the founder and leader of the event, Lee; “They claim to be a concerned partner in championing environmental issues when in actual fact most of their programming is frivolous entertainment. The protest is aimed at calling attention to the hypocrisy that exists when the so-called environmental channel airs shows like “Cash Cab” and “Dirty Jobs”. These shows serve as diversions to keep the focus off what is really important, which is Global Warming, Habitat Destruction, and Animal Extinction. The channel deliberately shows ineffective programs to make it seem like something is being done when nothing is really happens. Their ineffectiveness is evident by the lack of results”.
Wow. Apparently nobody at Discovery got the memo that the fate of the world is in their hands. You’d think the people (or rather, one guy named Lee) behind this idea might actually direct their energies at corporations or networks not doing anything to promote healthy, green living. I understand that Planet Green has not yet launched, but can we think of anyone else involved in television actually taking a risk at a 24-hour network dedicated to sustainable issues?
Blaming a television network for the ills of the world because the shows they are producing fail to bring about massive change is like giving Bono the finger because AIDS hasn’t been cured yet. This is a global issue where everyone plays a part. Discovery is doing their part to inform, entertain, and reach out to an audience that might otherwise never even consider ‘green’ living. Protesting that seems like a misdirection of energy.
If you must protest, enjoy feasting your eyes on the LEED-certified Discovery Channel Headquarters – one of only 64 buildings given such an honor for environmental design in the entire United States. Who knew the bad guys could have such a cool, green building? Sneaky bastards.
Do they also not know that Discovery Networks about Treehugger.com for 10 million dollars not too long ago?
Treehugger is the most popular green living site on the web with 4 million daily views..
not to get off topic, but treehugger does not get 4 million DAILY views. Check these stats.
Many would like to see Discovery Channel use its strong reach to influence a captive audience. With their intentional positioning to be a voice in the “greener” efforts for the planet, it would be nice to also see their commerce divisions support these efforts as well. Go to their shop and check out some of the items they sell for profits.
http://shopping.discovery.com/category-1_SALESPECIAL/3_SAL_CAT_TOYSGAMES-27992.html?hp=HPA_mp2_SalesSpecials-ToysGames
Perhaps educational in theme, the production impact of most of these items is not beneficial for our environment and inhabitants.
Hey, if Discovery Channel can use its reach to help convince some people to live a greener life, then that’s a start.
FYI, I auditioned to host one of the new Planet Green shows, which I wrote about here:
http://suddenlyfrugal.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-green-living-fashion-quandary_08.html
Sadly, I did not get the part. ;-(
Leah
How about this fact: if the Discovery channel constantly aired gloom and doom all the time, they wouldn’t be much better than Fox News, now would they?
Of course, if you’re protesting against the DISCOVERY channel, you probably wouldn’t mind this fact.
Any body live in the DC area and want to show that we like Discovery and disagree with Lee? Planning to go tomorrow (2/15) around lunch to anti-protest. Bring your ‘I love How It’s Made’ signs.
This is a real protest? I saw an ad (”ad”?) in The Onion and was thinking it was a joke.
Nope, it’s a real protest. And it is absolutely hilarious and unnecessary.
The Discovery channel is about product, not much more. They highlight ecologically violent industries , inaccurately and without much substance. They also celebrate America’s history of death machines and conflict, focusing on new military armaments. So it’s a celebration of profit, not of learning. Thoughtful folks agree, wars, weapons and environmental destruction don’t lead to a future worth Discovering.
Speaking as an employee of Discovery, I have to say that this is the coolest place I’ve ever worked. The focus is on the business but also the individual. Our Lifeworks programs is wonderful with a myriad of programs dealing with life and stress and family. We have an on-site doctor that my wife can come visit. I can’t list all the benefits of what we have here. I’m a lowly IT guy (Mac specialist to be specific) but I feel that we have something special going on at this company. And no, not all our programming is geared to saving the earth. But I feel that as a global media company, we put one heck of alot more effort in that arena then many.
I am by no means privy to the inner mechanisms of decision making, however, we are a (for now) privately held company that needs to make a profit. We have over 3500 employees world wide. I have the pleasure of working with many of them and without a doubt, they add up to a very creative and thoughtful group.
We are taking a greater leap into the ecologically aware market place with Planet Green. I know a bunch of that group and they are working hard at making a difference. We’ll see if being green can help make some green. I wish them well.
As far as this protest, if you call spitting at windmills and paying people to hold your signs a protest, then so be it. I can think of many “dirtier” companies and industries to protest.
regards
ken
Thank you for this commentary.
I also saw the “Protest The Discovery Channel” ad while reading The Onion on my morning bus ride and wasn’t sure if it was real or not.
Much of the Discovery lineup of shows like “Mythbusters”, “FutureFile” and nearly the entire lineup of the Discovery Networks promotes science literacy in a real and entertaining way.
My wife and I are fans of “Orangutan Island” and learned in the season finale that the show has generated a nearly 400% increase in donations to the Nyaru Mentang Orangutan project, allowing them to greatly expand operations.
Just one example of the Discovery Channel helping the conservation movement in a real, quantifiable way. If they can make a buck doing it, and prove that treating an audience as mature and intelligent can be profitable, good for them! This can only benefit ALL television viewers.
A scientifically literate public will only help the green movement, particularly to separate the reality from the fiction….
Hell, I’d even propose that a show like “Dirty Jobs” can open the eyes people with an elitist streak to just how vital some of the “little guys” of the world are to our daily lives.
A general public more literate in science and the natural world can only equal good things for our country and our planet. Hooray for the Discovery networks.
here’s a very site that Lee put up… no fans of his there.
http://savetheplanetprotest.yuku.com
Thank god someone said this!
Seriously, seeing Lee’s full page ads for this event was embarrassing. His event/ad space was a waste of money adn time better spent on something more constructive.
Like maybe starting his own pro-green channel?