Recently it has become clear that fossil fuel reserves will not serve humanity for eternity, but many energy companies and states continue to exploit them not thinking much about the consequences. The protest of those who care about the planet becomes unavoidable. In their thought-provoking documentary Bidder 70, Beth Gage and George Gage raise the controversial issue of public protest against environmental degradation and the nihilistic attitude of the big businesses towards natural resources reduction. The story of brave environmental activist Tim DeChristopher proves that non-violent revealing measures in contrast to radical ones are the only way to unite the people in the fight for the prosperity of the Earth.
The directors managed to depict the heinous actions of the state and energy companies without any direct accusations. According to its original mission, the Bureau of Land Management has to protect and save the lands for future generations. However, the BLM in Utah seemed to be interested in transient material benefits rather than in natural conservation. The interests of oil and gas companies interested in exploiting the wildlands of Utah for their business purposes were put higher than the preservation of nature. BLM successfully practiced public lands auctions often including precious pieces of land bidding lots. First planning to come to one of the auctions in 2008 where some territories of the Canyonlands National Park were included and to deliver a protest speech, young environmental advocate Tim DeChristopher eventually decided to behave more wisely and wittily. He registered as a bidder number 70 and “bought” most of the parcels striving to prevent their acquisition by oil and gas companies (“Bidder 70” par. 3). Tim’s actions were revealed and convicted, but such a bold deed was worth – the public found out that the government agencies and businesses have no moral values and would refer to the most nefarious actions to gain more profits.
The main controversy of the film lies in that Tim’s actions, no matter how noble and saving they were, still broke the law. The lands were excluded from the auction and preserved, but the state machine managed to sentence the savior thanks to its elaborately developed system of punishment. Tim did not cause physical harm to anyone or anything; he did not conduct arsons or property damages as, for instance, radical activists would do. He spoke out against the system; the system managed to protect itself. Perhaps, Tim was put into custody immediately after sentencing because the prosecution was afraid of the further spread of his just and revealing ideas. But the state won only one battle and not the war. The extensive public support for Tim and his non-violent Peaceful Uprising environmental movement can be considered as the real victory.
Despite the ultimate goal of two activists may be the same, Tim DeChristopher’s actions cannot be compared with Daniel McGowan’s from If a Tree Falls. Daniel was blinded by rage and deceptive effectiveness of radical violent actions; he ended up with almost nothing. Tim knew that violence was unlikely to incite the public to actions, so he wisely chose peaceful protest and open discussions as the only means; he proved that the word can be mightier than the sword.
Thus, it can be stated that thanks to such people as Tim DeChristopher the planet receives a chance to be saved at least for some time. And this salvation is possible only through peaceful actions of the united world community.
Works Cited
Bidder 70. 2012. Web.