I don’t like the phrase, ‘people won’t understand that’. It means ‘I don’t have the time, patience, skill or insight to explain it’ and it makes people – whoever they are – the problem. The development industry has received much criticism for paternalistic approaches in its work overseas; communications people can at least address the … Continue reading »
Apr
16
Voice over artists
This morning’s poem from The Writer’s Almanac is Vigil by Dennis O’Driscoll. It has many wonderful lines and phrases. The one that jumps out for me in the context of this blog is, ‘You are your own voice-over’. Most examples of the work of development organisations on television – adverts for NGOs or documentaries – … Continue reading »
Apr
13
Three thoughts collide: show the mess
(written on Thursday 12th November 2009) Three thoughts collide: 1. Charity fatigue came in at number 90 on ‘the noughties… was that it?’, a BBC3 show that follows a top 100… whatever, format. 2. I’m starting to scale the foothills of Christmas in my mind. 3. The reactionaries that flock to the phone-in show on … Continue reading »