 |
| Gov + Memes = |
Those considering joining this sector don’t want to have to sacrifice who they are just so they can work here.
We need to bring back the jester.
We need more levity.
(apologies for the short post, its been a very busy week, click that last link, you will be happy you did)
I was watching the new Showtime House of Lies shows and they were talking about “decks” and actually spent 30 seconds giving a definition of it. Was pretty awesome….
Thanks for sharing – the Gov Memes site is pretty amazing…
Cheesy Gov! http://cheesygov.uservoice.com/forums/41375-cheesygov
I *totally* agree. Should we start a “$#!* Government Says” video script?
Ditto. Currently, I’m exploring appropriate amounts of levity with Facebook posts using music, film, and sketch comedy skits from SNL. Haven’t posted much yet. I liked Jeffrey Levy’s example he shared with me recently about relating pop culture to more or less serious government topics: http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/pdf/epa_winehouse_20080201.pdf
Sometimes there’s a mix of reactions to the levity. Still, maybe it’s something that others who are uncomfortable at first just need getting used to. There’s still an emphasis within gov to maintain certain messages or images of government. For Hi5 Friday here’s my song for you all you to get some inspiration from for the weekend: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Bcxqh6Roo&feature=related
One more thought too. One of things I’ve experience with other grad students, especially undergrads, is this desire, on one hand, to be taken seriously by leaders in the field (of politics, gov, you name it), while on the other, to have the freedom to express one’s informal, care-free side. It’s an interesting tension. Seems to me that there’s a time and place for everything and part of why the public sector lacks some levity is due to the lack of trust. Think about it. Why do some agencies have more trusting cultures vs. ‘CYA’ cultures? Part of it is generational, but also it’s cultural. Food for thought, anyway…