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I’m reading a lot of well-intentioned articles that make it clear how many scicomm peeps have no idea disaster risk reduction is a deep field with a lot of research into effective communication.
ProTip: Using fear & shame as motivation backfires when applied to public health.
ProTip: Using fear & shame as motivation backfires when applied to public health.
I can’t write this article (or even thread!) right now as I’m under medical orders to drop my stress levels (ahahahahasob), but...
If you’re writing well-intentioned pieces trying to influence pandemic behaviour, please take some cues from disaster sociology research. It exists!
If you’re writing well-intentioned pieces trying to influence pandemic behaviour, please take some cues from disaster sociology research. It exists!
Fundamental premise:
Vanishingly few people make active choices they believe will endanger themselves or the people they love.
If they’re making “bad” choices, it’s a fundamentally different risk perception. Until you understand how & why, your argument will miss its audience.
Vanishingly few people make active choices they believe will endanger themselves or the people they love.
If they’re making “bad” choices, it’s a fundamentally different risk perception. Until you understand how & why, your argument will miss its audience.
We’re deep into the disillusionment phase of disaster response, with a heavy dose of fatigue. This is predictable & well-studied.
Research on how to communicate through this fog exists. So does research on how & why risk perception varies. None of these challenges are new.
Research on how to communicate through this fog exists. So does research on how & why risk perception varies. None of these challenges are new.
To my scicomm kin:
I love & respect that you’re trying so hard to save lives. The work you’re doing is incredibly important.
Assign yourself homework on reviewing disaster communication techniques. You’ll be so much more effective helping create change for a less shit tomorrow.
I love & respect that you’re trying so hard to save lives. The work you’re doing is incredibly important.
Assign yourself homework on reviewing disaster communication techniques. You’ll be so much more effective helping create change for a less shit tomorrow.
To non-SciComm peeps trying to keep your friends & family alive through this mess:
Your authenticity is the most powerful tool you have. Your real fear, compassion, weariness, & even anger will be more effective than the techniques that apply to institutions or media.
Just talk
Your authenticity is the most powerful tool you have. Your real fear, compassion, weariness, & even anger will be more effective than the techniques that apply to institutions or media.
Just talk
Dear disaster risk reduction folks,
Thank you for diving in to the replies with resources & keywords.
It’s not a sprint & it’s not a marathon: it’s a relay. I’m perpetually grateful to have you as teammates. DRR is too hard, too sad, & too interdisciplinary to do solo.
Thank you for diving in to the replies with resources & keywords.
It’s not a sprint & it’s not a marathon: it’s a relay. I’m perpetually grateful to have you as teammates. DRR is too hard, too sad, & too interdisciplinary to do solo.
