The Owen Sound Current

The Owen Sound Current

Less Scroll, More Soul & What We Can Learn from Big Tobacco and Big Oil

Joel Pennington draws parallels between Big Tobacco, Big Oil, and Big Social, arguing it's time to take public health impact seriously—and to rediscover real connection in local community spaces.

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Joel Pennington
Dec 28, 2025
∙ Paid
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Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

In the 1950s, Big Tobacco knew its product was bad for health. Instead of doing the right thing, they launched a campaign to deny the data and discredit scientists.

In subsequent decades, Big Oil knew its product was causing climate change. It also chose to deny the data and discredit scientists.

No…

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Joel Pennington's avatar
A guest post by
Joel Pennington
From Australia but shivering since 2010. Live in Owen Sound with my partner Kat and our embarrassingly spoiled cat Mickey. Passionate about community building, chess, soccer, and, uncharacteristically, Mariah Carey's music circa 2000. He/Him.
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