Getting The Public To Listen To Good Science

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "We all know that false or misleading science headlines are all too common these days and that misleading media combined with an apathetic and undereducated public lead to widespread ignorance. But the real question is, how can this trend be reversed? At a session at the recent AAAS meeting, a study was discussed indicating that what matters most is how the information is portrayed. While people are willing to defer to experts on matters of low concern, for things that affect them directly, such as breast cancer or childhood diseases, expertise only counts for as much as giving off a 'sense of honesty and openness,' and that it matters far less than creating a sense of empathy in deciding who people will listen to. In other words, it's not enough to merely report on it as an expert. You need to make sure your report exudes a sense of honesty, openness, empathy, and maybe even a hint of humor."

Comments

Re:Mandatory IQ and other cognitive ability

[ChromeAeonium]

..or you could educate them instead of locking up everyone who doesn't live up to your standards, but that wouldn't satisfy you elitism, would it?

Re:Root of the Problem

[urcreepyneighbor]

The lack of emphasis on Science, Maths and good ol' Logic during schooling, especially in the earlier years, is to blame for the lack of public interest in real science. But Lakeesha and Nevaeh ain't good at dim white boy tings, yo! We needs rap class! An' mo' Black Hisdairy Munth!

(Think this is a racist post? Fuck off; it's so damn close to the truth that you don't want to recogize it. ;))

Re:Entertainment value

[ChromeAeonium]

Religion and ignorance have lost ground, while knowledge and understanding have gained. Nice false dichotomy you've got going there. It's not uncommon for them to be present together, but religious belief is not synonymous with ignorance, nor is it the opposite of knowledge and understanding. Religion causes ignorance like flies cause garbage; directly linking religion to ignorance is as dumb as Jack Thompson directly linking video games to murder.

Re:Yeah, but can you 'prove' it?

[revengebomber]

As a Scientologist I am offended by your remark. As a rational person I'm offended by yours.