On Wednesday I was the envy of my 20-year old daughter because I got to hear Al Gore speak at Dominican College in San Rafael. I was pretty lucky that I got to see him because I didn’t buy tickets in advance, and they sold out. But optimist that I am, I stood in the “standby line” while I ate my tostada salad and gained entrance 15 minutes before the official event began. I got a good spot in the middle of the second row in the balcony..
Al Gore has written the book The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change. But he didn’t read from it. In fact he didn’t even use notes. He abandoned the podium almost immediately and actively walked the stage while he spoke passionately and knowledgeably about the six emerging forces that will affect all of us. And even though his presentation was polished and he spoke with confidence, it didn’t feel at all canned. I know he’s on a speaking circuit—I just saw him on The Daily Show too—but he included very recent news items, so this wasn’t a cookie-cutter speech that he’s been telling the same way for months. He had a lot of facts at his fingertips, but he didn’t try to drown us in sensational stats. Al Gore struck a great balance of communicating with intelligence and reason but also sounding like a favorite uncle sharing some earth-shattering news with you.
He covered as much as he could in about an hour and then answered audience questions for another 25 minutes or so. He gave each question careful consideration and answered thoughtfully and honestly.
I haven’t yet started the book, but I already believe it.
As I was listening to him, I thought what a shame it was that he was robbed of the presidency when George Dubya took office due to some fishy Florida chads. He most likely would have made a great president. But then he probably wouldn’t have been able to accomplish as much as he has in the last eight years. It’s a tough call…
The View from a Berkeley Optimist 