Storytelling to Save the World

 I agree with Meeker's idea that genre is a continuum. I don't feel that you can really distinctly separate one from another - because if you do - you may miss a few intrinsic overlaps. With respect to which genre may be most hopeful and the kind of stories that may initiate greater interest in the future of the environment - there is no restriction here. Storytelling is a powerful form of communication and any form of storytelling that inherently delivers a message will work in initiating greater interest in a subject. Preference in the medium of communication through storytelling may also need to be modified as per the interests of various peoples. Little children, of course, would want a short, simple, and relatable story. Adults may prefer more realistic tones perhaps with more complexity. I, however, prefer nonfiction. I would rather read Ishmael Beah's memior - A Long Way Gone than read a fictional story about a similar experience. I would rather read William Kamkwamba's - The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, than read a fictitious portrayal of a similar event. I also enjoy and am moved when learning about critical current day issues through film and interview. I would rather watch the film "Elemental" - (http://www.elementalthefilm.com/) - a film devoted to sharing the stories of environmental abuse and other troubles from three continents) than read a depressing newspaper article on a similar subject. I would rather watch an interview of Greenlandic shaman Angaangac explaining the dangers of the glaciers that are collapsing in Greenland and the plants that are arising from the ground for the first time in 30,000 years than read a novel about a similar subject (http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/shaman). To reiterate my original point, I think any form of storytelling is powerful but perhaps certain forms may overpower others with respect to certain groups including a more realistic - nonfiction approach for adults and a more simplistic, fictitious approach for children.