A polar bear is the Brooks School’s new environmental mascot. A virtual one, anyway.
It uses energy monitoring software created by TellEmotion to educate kids about their energy consumption. But instead of graphs or numbers, the polar bear’s well-being visibly changes with the level of energy use. So the bear is happy when energy consumption is low, like early in the mornings, but as it increases—as more computers and other appliances are switched on—the ice begins to melt from under the bear’s paws. If it really climbs, the bear falls into the water and flails around.
Poor bear! The approach sounds like a form of libertarian paternalism, a philosophy that believes the government should help you “make the choices you would make for yourself”—if only you had enough willpower. But since you don’t, you get a guilt trip, instead. It’s similar to a tactic Obama’s budget director uses on himself, the incentive with TellEmotion is just a little cuter and fuzzier, and the target audience a little younger and perhaps more impressionable.
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Image: TellEmotion
May 15th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I think the idea is a great one. Whatever it takes to get people thinking about how their behavior affects the environment–this one seems smart and worthwhile to me. And if it works, all the better.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Rachel, relax. Seems to me that this is just one more way that schools are trying to teach their students responsible energy use through a cause-and-effect model. If the students turn off some lights, disconnect their cell chargers, and turn music off when they are not there, they get some instant positive feedback. And, as they grow attached to their “mascot” they do even better. I think this is creative and innovative way to tackle this tough topic.