Comments on: If You Don’t Understand a Technology Don’t Lobby Against It!

By: Ruth Seeley

Ruth Seeley — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:35:18 +0000

There’s also what I’d refer to as ‘imaginative calcification’ that goes on in the minds of the public when the same lies are repeated loudly and ad nauseam. When I worked for a nuclear power plant a video producer insisted on meeting with me to show me his company’s stuff. Among his ‘reels’ was a public education film on nuclear energy that began with a green hulk rising out of the slime on a beach, disturbing a young couple who’d gone parking there. He (and his client) thought they were confronting stereotypes head on; nothing will ever convince me they weren’t reinforcing them.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:34:16 +0000

Unfortunately scaremongering has become an established technique for getting attention, and whatever the subject, the low level of scientific knowledge of those in charge of regulation means that the tactic works.

As the world becomes ever more science based, any evidence that an effect is real or imagined seems to become ever more abstract to most people and so it comes down to shouting matches. This is something NGOs understand, but there are few mainstream scientists who can communicate as effectively – or indeed have a job that requires them to do so.

By: Andrew Maynard

Andrew Maynard — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:18:34 +0000

Madelin’s comments (which were framed in the light of the recent election of two members of the BNP to the EP parliament) stressed the danger of using fear to fuel a debate – highlighting actions and comments by some of the more vocal and reactionary NGO’s. Friends of the Earth were singled out.

To be fair, both NRDC (Jenn Sass) and Consumers Union (Caroline Cairns) have tended to stick to the science in the debate, and that was apparent in the meeting. Their comments were provocative admittedly, but not inflammatory.

But Robert Madelin’s point was very well taken. Abuse of science to stir fear in the name of pushing a political agenda is anathema to informed decision-making, and should be called out and held to account. It’s morally questionable. And as Madelin eloquently laid it out, it is largely uncontrollable. Fear doesn’t engender discernment or considered decisions – it triggers ancient responses evolved to ensure survival at any cost.

Not the best way of ushering the latest technologies perhaps.