Friday, December 6, 2024

Science Communication

  In my speech I spoke a bit of long termism and talked about how we could relate it to the way we should treat others when speaking about climate change. I would like to start this off with a short story which subsequently occurred today. Whilst I was walking on campus I saw the two preachers out in front of the circle doing their thing and speaking their word. I approached the one who was not speaking and simply asked him if he saw climate change as a problem. He spoke about how he knew how the world was going to end and that it was all within the book he held in his hand. I too was very familiar with the tales of revelation, of wormwood and the seven headed dragon. He eventually wrapped up his viewpoint by saying it was a political conspiracy of sorts. I ended the conversation there and began to reflect on the mindset which I personally held and the one he was agreed with. 

Climate change is absolutely an issue of immediate recognition and the quest many of us are on is of how; how are we going to help people understand the importance of our work and or message. This is where science communication raises its humble hand to make suggestions. Much of the frustration when talking about climate change with people is due in part because of the uncertainty and wide spread of false information through media coverage and outlets. Some of these media heads such as Facebook, new platforms, and other social media platforms separate many people. Because they allow some to live in echo chambers feeding into their own ideas. Oftentimes it’s hard to have civilized discussion about these things because people are driven up with so much passion built up in their echo chambers. As environmentalists we need to accept the best ways to talk to people who are likely more opposed and difficult to relate to. But getting to relate to people who don't accept science will be the biggest hope in defending the earth. 

Now I’d like to draw attention to environmentalists' protests. The most infamous environmental protests seem to come from an organization labeled as ‘just stop oil’. Just stop oil is a name you've probably heard after scrolling on tik-tok or Instagram. They are quite active with their protests and have been seen in action all over the world. As prominent as they are in our world, the big problem with their plan of attack with climate change often steps on the heads of those who don't understand the severity of the issue. This sparks more unease towards climate activists and honestly just gives us a bad look. Examples like this should give us more incentive to care about those who do not understand, and attempting to sit down with for instance a pastor who doesn't believe in climate change. But that's just a possible answer, an idea how we as individuals can strengthen the fight for a protected earth.

Being a communicator of ideas is nothing new but when it comes to being a part of a community who may have some drawbacks to science it's best we provide them facts they can relate to. Being the boundary spanners are the people who can communicate ideas within two different communities. Let’s say I am a part of a church and a scientific community. With a metaphorical foot in both places I am able to communicate scientific ideas and thinking to those who are a part of my church community. Even in times like thanksgiving or just general family situations can being a boundary spanner help with the environment. Now you might be saying to yourself, in this day and age most people hold true to what they hear or are spoon fed. This is very true but it's simply just another thing we need to account for.

With social media radicalizing people more and more the danger of misinformation is at an all time high. Simply regulating time spent on the internet is a phenomenal way of removing possible strain or even the opportunity to argue with someone online. Arguing online is blatantly a deconstructive way to communicate scientific ideas. Most people who are posting comments in the fox news instagram page are not very likely to see your comment and have a reasonable conversation with you. It's important to start these conversations IRL where you can have more emotion and the human element of eye contact, these things are especially important in an important conversation. Making people comfortable with your presence should be a given in really any situation, but an especially important thing to remember when dealing with these topics. 

An alternative thing you could do to help understand what is really going on with misinformation on the internet. I've taken it upon myself to dive deeper into some internet rabbit holes to get an understanding of what kind and exactly how this misinformation affects people. Oftentimes I will say it's pretty disheartening to see some of the things people say online. But much like how one would spread a religion, one should spread the good word of nature in a similar way. Much like what we learned in this class, nature is sacred and to many people invaluable. To touch on each other's hearts with the mindset of preserving such a seriously complex system is what we were; in a sense meant to do.  I felt as though these times where people with such a skewed perception of the world are more prominent in the world than several years ago. It's a great idea to learn strategies in compliance with our ideologies that can urge people to do more research, accept new ideas, and even contribute to the preservation of our planet. So remember when you are talking to someone with a different perspective, be kind but also share important topics with a sensitive spirit. Here are some links I have provided in the context of science communication. 

Science communication definitions

How to talk to climate skeptics


1 comment:

  1. "be kind but also share important topics with a sensitive spirit"-- Great advice.

    Those links (and a few more) needed to be embedded, not listed at the end.

    Thanks, Eli.

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