Thread by @mowensmd, Many astute folks tell us that #scicomm works best if doom and [...]

MOwensMD

mowensmd

Many astute folks tell us that #scicomm works best if doom and fear are minimized. Whether climate, a pandemic or epidemic. I know this isn't true.

Here is first hand, award winning evidence:

@MichaelEMann @KHayhoe @drkiki @leahstokes @ClimateBen @Revkin

I had the pleasure of working with epidemiologists, public health experts and a theater during the HIV epidemic. Remember the crisis in comms??

We struck a new path creating a way to reach teens. Like so many now, they don't listen. Impervious to facts, experts and authority. Sound familiar?

Now layer the taboos around HIV/AIDS. Sexuality, preference, religion, politics...it was way beyond the difficulties we face with COVID or climate. How the hell can you reach folks???

Our theater connection showed us: drama. You must connect at THEIR most feared place in their heads. You have to really, really get in there

So we created a play. I joined a black female med student to appear, in front of hundreds of high-schoolers, as one of them.

We scared the crap out of them. The 45 min story we delivered was personal, direct, and would make folks walk out. We sugar coated nothing. Brutal honesty.

We elicited tears and fears. Then the lights came up. We introduced ourselves IRL. Then, they were mad. We toyed with their emotions in a way they hadn't experienced before. They threw things. We stood firm.

The ensuing lecture and Q&A always ran over time. The interactions priceless. The side bars after changed lives.

So we studied this. NOTHING else came close. Nothing impacted their opinions or understanding even closely.

Our effort won awards, but more importantly it saved lives.

Like it or not, most humans proceed very little past high school in their views and psychology.

30 years later, I've told patients they have terminal cancer Every. Single. Day. No sugar coating it. No doom where unwarranted, but compassionate straight talk that builds a rapport and gets me and them on same team.

1. Cut the crap and talk straight.
2. Don't minimize
3. Level w the listener w/o your own motives or agenda
4. If it's scary DON'T downplay. Setup the situation with exactly how bad, how fear provoking, it should be.
5. Use that to engage.

And dammit, these great people are still at it.

https://thecoterie.org/dramatic-health-education-project#.X7tPOjGIYr0

And then our research went global.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-m&q=dramatic+aids+education+project&oq=dramatic+aids+education+project&aqs=heirloom-srp..

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