There is an additional element. I have worked in advocacy organizations which over time ditched the careful analysis and research (to some extent) to go directly to organizing and slogans. The result? Unexamined or unsubstantiated claims. That also did not work, not over time. So there is a space for the careful research that is in many UN reports,... See more

often think about the triangulation between advocacy, communication, and organizing. What falls right in the center of where those three meet? That’s the sweet spot. And it isn’t a report!

downloading doesn't necessarily mean reading.

All of this is messy: when you engage with people, you have to listen to them, even you don't agree with them. Maybe thats why we like the cold, hard certainty of a clean, polished pdf. The work is done, put it online and move on to the next one.

Imagine if we put a fraction of the resources currently spent on disinformation and divisive content into designing new media platforms and ecosystems for cultivating curiosity, connection and community?

real communication is always two-way. The moment we put information into a PDF and send it out, the conversation ends. It’s a monologue: "Here are the facts. We’re right. Do as we say."