S15, Ep9 How To Fail: Greta Thunberg on activism, friendship and failing to be a 'normal' teenager
Oct 26, 2022
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Greta Thunberg, founder of the School Strike for Climate movement and Nobel Prize nominee, discusses her activism, failure in getting politicians to act, and coping with trolls. She opens up about her unconventional aspirations and the significance of friendship for climate activists. Thunberg also shares her love of carrots and her use of humor, including a group chat called the Moose Cult, to respond to critics.
Greta Thunberg responds to personal attacks with humor and maintains a positive mindset, allowing her to focus on her activism.
Politicians' failure to take sufficient action on the climate crisis highlights the need for grassroots activism and public support to drive meaningful change.
Deep dives
Failure to take anything seriously in private
Greta Thunberg shares that she doesn't take personal attacks or criticism seriously, responding with humor and not allowing the negativity to affect her. She uses her Twitter biography as a tool to playfully respond to trolls, turning their words against them. By not taking things too seriously, she is able to focus on her activism and maintain a positive mindset.
Collective failure to get politicians to act
Greta Thunberg acknowledges the failure of politicians to take sufficient action on the climate crisis. She argues that the current system prevents effective change and exposes the gap between politicians' words and actions. She emphasizes the need for a complete system change and the inability of politicians to act within the existing framework. Thunberg highlights the importance of grassroots activism and public support to drive meaningful change.
Failure to be a normal teenager
Greta Thunberg reflects on her unique experience as a teenager, navigating fame and activism. She describes not fitting into the societal expectations of a normal teenager, but appreciates the independence it has given her to fight for the climate cause. Thunberg embraces her differences and finds support and understanding from her close circle of friends and family, which helps her cope with the challenges of being in the spotlight.
Defining personal and global success
Greta Thunberg believes that personal success lies in well-being and happiness, rather than external validation or achievements. On a global scale, she recognizes the need for significant changes to address the climate crisis and achieve true success. While recognizing the limitations and slow progress of systemic change, Thunberg encourages individuals, businesses, and other stakeholders to continue taking action and striving for meaningful impact, even in the absence of immediate transformation.
I'll be honest. I was intimidated by the prospect of this interview. Plus, I never believed it would *actually* happen. I was going to get to speak to arguably the most famous activist on the planet? Yeah, right. As if.
But then - it happened! And Greta Thunberg - the founder of the School Strike for Climate movement who has been nominated three times for a Nobel Prize - was an absolute revelation. She is a deeply intelligent and thoughtful 19-year-old: someone who takes issues seriously but never herself. I laughed SO MUCH more than I thought I would during this conversation. And I learned a lot too - about the climate crisis, yes, but also about what drives this extraordinary young woman and what she thinks of 'failure' on a personal and a global level. We talk about her failure to be a 'normal' teenager, her failure to get politicians to act and how she copes with being trolled by Presidents. Plus what she *really* thinks of everyone from King Charles to Emmanuel Macron. And: her love of carrots.
Whatever your preconceptions might be, leave them at the door. This episode will blow your mind.