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:One name: Isaac Asimov

[wizardforce]

On the other hand, he wasn't as famous as Michael Jackson or Britney Spears. Says something about our sick priorities, eh?

Clearly we should find a way for Britney Spears to popularize good science. Brilliant!

Re:Just do what Global Warming Advocates Do

[Anonymous Coward]

Declare over and over again that there's no debate at all and that your side is absolutely right. Whenever they bring up objections, merely inform them that "the debate is over. Anthropogenic Global Warming is a scientific fact."

Yep, it was a hoax. I'm throwing in the towel and letting the cat out of the bag.

It is an evil left wing hoax designed to screw you over. We've paid off every climate scientist, atmospheric chemist, and all other physical scientists. There are a couple that we forgot to pay off, but we couldn't get them to pronounce their names correctly or they might have been too stupid to figure out how to deposit those golden checks we wrote them.

Yep, YOU UNCOVERED THE VAST LEFT WING CONSPIRACY AGAINST CAPITALISM AND AMERICA and we were trying to use global warming to ruin everything wonderful.

And if it weren't for those snooping kids and Nova Express (100383), we would have gotten away with it, too.

Re:One name: Isaac Asimov

[hondo77]

Oh well. I still regard him as the greatest American.

Greater than George Washington or Abraham Lincoln? Oooookaaaaayyy...

Re:Mandatory IQ and other cognitive ability

[Gyga]

"Do not attempt to stop chainsaw with hands or genitals."

The moment you say "do not" someone will. Therefore that chainsaw manufacturer is helping humanity.

My method

[erroneus]

I have a "special" dentists chair in my basement. It's very comfortable so they don't "need" to move. Then I make the air really humid so that they don't need to blink which really helps make the toothpicks in their eyes much more tolerable. Then I just play them simple, repeatative educational videos for a short time... say about 72 hours or so. I find people are rather receptive to new ideas in the right environment.

Re:easy mode

[Unclemort]

If you put all idiots on an island and make a reality tv show out of it, who would watch it?

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

[Anonymous Coward]

As a Scientologist I am offended by your remark.

Re:What we have here

[siphonophore]

The hearts and minds of the populace are mostly centered between the stomach and groin.

Wow, I sure am in the mood for a burrito and some sex right now. Thanks for reminding me.

Re:One name: Isaac Asimov

[AJWM]

Clearly we should find a way for Britney Spears to popularize good science.

What, you mean like Britney Spears' Guide to Semiconductor Physics?

Re:Entertainment value

[johnsonav]

I'd like to amend that to remove TLC. Sadly, we're well beyond the days of James Burke's Connections and the like. There's not much science involved in 2-day home renovation shows, fashion makeover shows, or pimp-my-vehicle. Whaaaat?! If it wasn't for Trading Spaces, my Ph.D thesis, "The Effects of Quantum Entanglement on Low-Cost Interior Design" would never have happened. I owe my job here at CERN (Cost Efficient Redesigning, National) to that show.

Re:Entertainment value

[a_nonamiss]

Look how Discovery channel etc get hyped and dramatized and facts removed to make for a more entertaining package Actually, this is a myth. I know because I saw it on Mythbusters. And it was totally busted.

Re:People don't believe in it anymore

[jo42]

...the progress of Intelligent Design to Idiocracy continues...

Re:Don't let facts get in the way of good fun

[spun]

I wish the fundies would do what Jesus did. You know, getting hung up on a cross and dying.