Everyone loves change until they face the plan
February 2025 2 min read
I first noticed this pattern during an open data gathering where it was many words of support for transparency how it'll help build a better world through encouraging governments to publish more data. Then Steven De Costa joined with a proven solution - CKAN that is a successful vehicle for enabling open data publishing. I haven't observed the same level of enthusiasm when the conversation moved about concrete steps to make.
I was recently reminded of this gap between big dreams and concrete actions. Genevieve Guenther (a climate change activist) points out that: "... 59 percent of Democrats said climate change should be the Federal government’s top priority, but only 48 percent said they supported a phaseout (of a fossil fuels - author)".
That 11% difference. That's where the real story lives.
Think of it like wanting to get in shape. Nearly everyone supports the idea of "being healthy," but suggest skipping dessert tonight or waking up at 6 AM for a run, and watch how quickly theoretical support meets practical resistance.
Here's what's really happening: our brains process abstract concepts in the clever prefrontal cortex, where everything feels manageable and good. "Climate action? Of course! Who doesn't want a better planet?" But specific changes activate our more primitive brain regions, triggering loss aversion and status quo bias. Suddenly we're thinking about gas prices, job security, and whether we can still take that road trip next summer.
The societal implications are fascinating. Companies and governments often exploit this gap, making bold promises about future actions while resisting immediate changes. It's why organizations announce ambitious 2050 climate goals but fight tooth and nail against next year's emission regulations.
But here's the thing: understanding this pattern gives us a blueprint for driving real change. Instead of starting with grand visions, we might do better breaking down massive challenges into smaller, more digestible pieces. Rather than asking people to support an entire energy system overhaul, we could focus on specific, local improvements with visible benefits.
Ultimately, the path from 59% to 48% isn't just a statistical gap - it's the distance between who we aspire to be and who we're ready to become, one small decision at a time.