Climate Progress Coverage of Coen Brothers Clean Coal Ad
In the wake of take-no-prisoners satire, we would see both a canary pass out from a build-up of dangerous gases in the metaphorical mine of Planet Earth, as well as our bird of legend springing back to life at animation’s close representing and celebrating lives saved as a consequence of sacrifice. A modest phoenix reminding us not only does innocence die, it engenders song. Don’t forget the songs of coal mine canaries were actual and palpable. Perhaps both for themselves as well as the miners. Singing until their time had come to give way to the carbon monoxide. Such a grace note capping the campaign’s animation assets and spots could accomplish as much as hearing that precious song miles into Earth’s crust. In fragility, there is strength. The strength to press forward and live. Hope. Sound familiar? I made this same critique and distinction between the Step It Up and the 350 campaigns; the former envisions horrific sea-level rise while the later urges us to will into being a bright, clean future. During the 2008 Olympics, you think Michael Phelps spent much time or energy concentrating on the consequences of potential failure?
With our re-envisioned tweety-bird conclusion to the Reality ad creatives in mind, let us remember the potential satire holds as a useful tool rather than say fear mongering or just plain comedy and amusement on the other end of the spectrum. While comedy has as its #1 rule No One Gets Hurt (i.e. the eternal return of Willy Coyote), satire’s prime directive is Hurt Until Everyone Gets a Laugh – including the object of ridicule. And by means of that laugh in which ALL JOIN can be found the loftiest outcome for which we might hope. Perhaps with a sense of grandiosity, we aim our needling, direct our sharp-witted efforts towards those with whom we find ourselves in disagreement in the hope they will join us in a better place, moving from wicked laugh to peaceful integrated smile upon our face.
