Audience Feedback

Around 85 people watched a showing of the film “The Age of Stupid” at the Steyning Centre, on 2 December 2009. They were asked to rate the film from 1 to 10, where 1 is ‘dire’ and 10 is ‘great’. Space was also provided to add comments.

45 people voted in total, and the average score was 7.6. The graph below shows the distribution. A few people left half way through the film, so the results might be a bit skewed towards the enthusiasts.

Comments on the film

These are recorded below, listed in order of their scores, and starting with the most critical comments.

  • Incredibly manipulative and biased film. Why can’t we be treated as sentient adults? What is the scientific basis for the claims? The bit on wind farms was rubbish. It is impossible to predict 40 years ahead (but we must not trash the planet!). There is a strong possibility that we could really damage our UK industry and make virtually no impression on the problem. What about population control?
  • Only one brief mention of total world population. No reference to exponential rate of population increase and consequent increase in consumption. A taboo subject?
  • Some interesting points made in a rather simplistic way. Having lived in Nigeria for over 40 years I am well aware the Delta problem is very complex! Environmental issues are important, together with ‘climate change’ and CO2, but much more open and scientific research and discussion is needed.
  • Steyning is a small society and cannot solve all the world’s problems. We should concentrate on practical issues.
  • I would have liked to see more debate on the link between global warming and climate change
  • Effective appeal to emotions. Information and facts were inevitably slanted to make the point. A personal opinion is that more of the finances used in preventing world temperature increases would be equally well and better used in preventing the actual effects in the ‘developing world’.
  • I already do a great deal, cycle, walk, burn wood, use minimum electricity, etc.
  • Very depressing
  • Focussed too much on the power of the oil industry and not enough on what we can do to help our beautiful planet. Having fewer children would be a start.
  • I’m one of the converted – but if I were not, this wouldn’t have converted me. Too much about oil; not enough about climate change.
  • Film very impressive but too long. If business – banks, trade is too restricted – all of which use enormous energy – the world will fold up anyway. And air travel – Imagine! What have they against Shell in particular?
  • Very good but no new information. Preaching to the converted – most people I talked to already try very hard to minimise CO2 emissions/energy use. But I support the initiative and will continue to try and influence others.
  • Animations were very effective – could have had a little more emphasis on positive alternatives to fossil fuels. Still a very good film.
  • How can we help people with no finances?
  • Steyning is a great place for 4x4’s and all the pet dogs with carbon footprints, and many bathroomed houses
  • We are ‘oldies’ but our grandchildren – oh dear!
  • Good in parts!
  • Good to get some dates and stats.
  • Very good but too long and I would prefer more detail and less ‘how Shell treats people’
  • Informative bringing together so many aspects already known but not necessarily connected. Should be shown perhaps to a wider audience.
  • Well done – we’ll keep at it!
  • Stimulating and inspiring.
  • It doesn’t seem enough to reduce our own carbon footprint (but a start). Big business is money/oil/shareholder driven and needs to change. Lobbying needed but will there be hardship/unemployment and is there a happy medium?
  • A step further than “An inconvenient truth”
  • Will we be shaken from our lethargy?
  • Very thought provoking film – liked the way it highlighted the corporate/government role in the issue
  • Excellent food for thought
  • Most issues well presented. Avoiding disaster in 100 years will not be sufficient motivation. People need encouragement to more wide ranging thoughts.
  • Thought provoking and very valuable.
  • Emotive – but what does one expects from a film? A bit light on hard predictions, but a good follow up to “An Inconvenient Truth”.
  • Excellent, straightforward, direct, memorable.
  • Less preachy than I feared. Good that it highlighted multinational companies and the plight of less developed nations being exploited.
  • Thought provoking. Depressing. Oh for some leadership from our government.
  • I hope we start something big
  • Would we support a wind farm above Steyning? Shall we reduce our Christmas lights?
  • Very good bearing in mind it was made on a low budget
  • Brilliant
  • Brilliant – a real eye opener, but depressing
  • Sobering & thought provoking. Can you show the film in local schools? Distribute this leaflet or similar with next Steyning Magazine?
  • Excellent film
  • A great big wake-up call
  • Governments and multinational business need to be lobbied more as well as individuals being encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Never thought ‘The End’ would come. So much meaning in a film!
  • Fantastic, inspiring and thought provoking film yet also rather depressing (but realistic)! Thank you so much for organising this screening and well done for organising the campaign.
  • Very encouraging to see this initiative in Steyning. It would have been good to see the hall full and more young people.
  • Wow!