Press "Enter" to skip to content

The dark magic of communication – How we manipulate others | Christopher Cummings | TEDxNTU


communication is a lot like magic

communication is a lot like magic now our stories are myths and our

now our stories are myths and our

now our stories are myths and our legends and our cultural histories teach

legends and our cultural histories teach

legends and our cultural histories teach us that magic can be used for good or

us that magic can be used for good or

us that magic can be used for good or evil for benevolent purposes where we

evil for benevolent purposes where we

evil for benevolent purposes where we can try and improve the lives of others

can try and improve the lives of others

can try and improve the lives of others or for more malicious intentions and I

or for more malicious intentions and I

or for more malicious intentions and I think that communication is actually

think that communication is actually

think that communication is actually quite similar at it’s very best

quite similar at it’s very best

quite similar at it’s very best communication can help us to demonstrate

communication can help us to demonstrate

communication can help us to demonstrate our love and our affection for one

our love and our affection for one

our love and our affection for one another it’s communication that allows

another it’s communication that allows

another it’s communication that allows us to share our stories and our daily

us to share our stories and our daily

us to share our stories and our daily lives as we commune with our friends and

lives as we commune with our friends and

lives as we commune with our friends and our families and it’s communication that

our families and it’s communication that

our families and it’s communication that allows us to inspire others to come

allows us to inspire others to come

allows us to inspire others to come together to face the most difficult

together to face the most difficult

together to face the most difficult challenges that we see in a generation

challenges that we see in a generation

challenges that we see in a generation however there’s a dark side to

however there’s a dark side to

however there’s a dark side to communication communication can be used

communication communication can be used

communication communication can be used to foster injustice and breed

to foster injustice and breed

to foster injustice and breed intolerance it can also work to improve

intolerance it can also work to improve

intolerance it can also work to improve the idea that hate is okay and it can

the idea that hate is okay and it can

the idea that hate is okay and it can even be used to incite violence now it’s

even be used to incite violence now it’s

even be used to incite violence now it’s my goal for our time together today to

my goal for our time together today to

my goal for our time together today to discuss how yes communication can be

discuss how yes communication can be

discuss how yes communication can be like magic but to more importantly

like magic but to more importantly

like magic but to more importantly understand the roles of communication so

understand the roles of communication so

understand the roles of communication so that way we can improve our ability to

that way we can improve our ability to

that way we can improve our ability to be good communicators while also making

be good communicators while also making

be good communicators while also making sure that those who might use

sure that those who might use

sure that those who might use communication in a more malicious way

communication in a more malicious way

communication in a more malicious way don’t cast their spells upon us so

don’t cast their spells upon us so

don’t cast their spells upon us so that’s our goals for today now when I

that’s our goals for today now when I

that’s our goals for today now when I talk about communication being like

talk about communication being like

talk about communication being like magic I really mean it when we look back

magic I really mean it when we look back

magic I really mean it when we look back at all those stories and histories magic

at all those stories and histories magic

at all those stories and histories magic typically takes one of three forms the

typically takes one of three forms the

typically takes one of three forms the first type is a magic of creation that’s

first type is a magic of creation that’s

first type is a magic of creation that’s where the magician might pull a rabbit

where the magician might pull a rabbit

where the magician might pull a rabbit out of a seemingly empty hat and then

out of a seemingly empty hat and then

out of a seemingly empty hat and then there’s the second form of magic the

there’s the second form of magic the

there’s the second form of magic the magic of transformation like alchemy

magic of transformation like alchemy

magic of transformation like alchemy turning lead into gold and the third

turning lead into gold and the third

turning lead into gold and the third type of magic that we see from our

type of magic that we see from our

type of magic that we see from our stories and our histories is a magic of

stories and our histories is a magic of

stories and our histories is a magic of control where we can actually cast a

control where we can actually cast a

control where we can actually cast a spell and make others do our bidding for

spell and make others do our bidding for

spell and make others do our bidding for us and I see certain parallels when we

us and I see certain parallels when we

us and I see certain parallels when we talk about communication the first one

talk about communication the first one

talk about communication the first one when we’re talking about a magic of

when we’re talking about a magic of

when we’re talking about a magic of creating I see

creating I see

creating I see as communication itself the basic

as communication itself the basic

as communication itself the basic conception of communication is to note

conception of communication is to note

conception of communication is to note that we might take an idea from our

that we might take an idea from our

that we might take an idea from our minds and be able to put that same idea

minds and be able to put that same idea

minds and be able to put that same idea in somebody else’s mind literally create

in somebody else’s mind literally create

in somebody else’s mind literally create shared understanding that’s pretty

shared understanding that’s pretty

shared understanding that’s pretty magical to me

magical to me

magical to me the second form that magic of

the second form that magic of

the second form that magic of transformation well that seems a lot

transformation well that seems a lot

transformation well that seems a lot like the actual physical process of

like the actual physical process of

like the actual physical process of communication as I see it you see when

communication as I see it you see when

communication as I see it you see when we actually want to communicate anything

we actually want to communicate anything

we actually want to communicate anything we go through an incredibly elaborate

we go through an incredibly elaborate

we go through an incredibly elaborate process that it actually transforms the

process that it actually transforms the

process that it actually transforms the energy that we use to create this shared

energy that we use to create this shared

energy that we use to create this shared understanding so when I have an idea in

understanding so when I have an idea in

understanding so when I have an idea in my head that I want to share my brain

my head that I want to share my brain

my head that I want to share my brain sends an electrical signal down to many

sends an electrical signal down to many

sends an electrical signal down to many parts of my body and more than 100

parts of my body and more than 100

parts of my body and more than 100 muscles are actually involved in me

muscles are actually involved in me

muscles are actually involved in me producing speech sounds and these

producing speech sounds and these

producing speech sounds and these muscles don’t just fire at random they

muscles don’t just fire at random they

muscles don’t just fire at random they have to fire in perfect harmony and in

have to fire in perfect harmony and in

have to fire in perfect harmony and in doing so they create pressure that

doing so they create pressure that

doing so they create pressure that pushes air up out of my lungs and that

pushes air up out of my lungs and that

pushes air up out of my lungs and that air travels up to my larynx and through

air travels up to my larynx and through

air travels up to my larynx and through my vocal cords where I shape the volume

my vocal cords where I shape the volume

my vocal cords where I shape the volume and pitch of my words and that air goes

and pitch of my words and that air goes

and pitch of my words and that air goes further forward and is shaped further by

further forward and is shaped further by

further forward and is shaped further by my tongue my lips my jaw even my nasal

my tongue my lips my jaw even my nasal

my tongue my lips my jaw even my nasal passages all play a role in producing

passages all play a role in producing

passages all play a role in producing those vowel and consonant sounds and

those vowel and consonant sounds and

those vowel and consonant sounds and what started as an electrical impulse in

what started as an electrical impulse in

what started as an electrical impulse in my brain suddenly travels out to all of

my brain suddenly travels out to all of

my brain suddenly travels out to all of you as sound waves it’s been transformed

you as sound waves it’s been transformed

you as sound waves it’s been transformed and those sound waves travel out and

and those sound waves travel out and

and those sound waves travel out and they hit those big beautiful satellite

they hit those big beautiful satellite

they hit those big beautiful satellite dishes of years that you have on the

dishes of years that you have on the

dishes of years that you have on the sides of your head and those satellite

sides of your head and those satellite

sides of your head and those satellite dishes of ears funnel those sound waves

dishes of ears funnel those sound waves

dishes of ears funnel those sound waves down as vibrations and those vibrations

down as vibrations and those vibrations

down as vibrations and those vibrations hit your eardrum and they go and hit

hit your eardrum and they go and hit

hit your eardrum and they go and hit those three tiny bones that you might

those three tiny bones that you might

those three tiny bones that you might remember from your seventh grade science

remember from your seventh grade science

remember from your seventh grade science class the hammer or the anvil and the

class the hammer or the anvil and the

class the hammer or the anvil and the stirrup right and it goes to your inner

stirrup right and it goes to your inner

stirrup right and it goes to your inner cochlea which magically or seemingly

cochlea which magically or seemingly

cochlea which magically or seemingly magically transforms those vibrations

magically transforms those vibrations

magically transforms those vibrations back into an electrical impulse that

back into an electrical impulse that

back into an electrical impulse that travels along your auditory nerve and

travels along your auditory nerve and

travels along your auditory nerve and hits your brain and poof we have shared

hits your brain and poof we have shared

hits your brain and poof we have shared understanding from my brain to yours

understanding from my brain to yours

understanding from my brain to yours we’re able to see this magic of

we’re able to see this magic of

we’re able to see this magic of transformation now it’s the third form

transformation now it’s the third form

transformation now it’s the third form of magic that I really want to talk to

of magic that I really want to talk to

of magic that I really want to talk to you all about today

you all about today

you all about today in our histories we talked about this

in our histories we talked about this

in our histories we talked about this idea of a magic of control right

idea of a magic of control right

idea of a magic of control right hypnotism in this full form where we can

hypnotism in this full form where we can

hypnotism in this full form where we can put you under a spell and get you to do

put you under a spell and get you to do

put you under a spell and get you to do exactly what we want you to do and for

exactly what we want you to do and for

exactly what we want you to do and for me as a health communicator and a wrist

me as a health communicator and a wrist

me as a health communicator and a wrist communicator I’m fascinated in the idea

communicator I’m fascinated in the idea

communicator I’m fascinated in the idea that communication can be like this

that communication can be like this

that communication can be like this magic of control that there are things

magic of control that there are things

magic of control that there are things we can do with communication that might

we can do with communication that might

we can do with communication that might actually get you to barely even think

actually get you to barely even think

actually get you to barely even think about what you’re doing and instead act

about what you’re doing and instead act

about what you’re doing and instead act on a greater impulse let’s put it to the

on a greater impulse let’s put it to the

on a greater impulse let’s put it to the test I’m gonna give you a classic test

test I’m gonna give you a classic test

test I’m gonna give you a classic test that was developed in the 1920s on the

that was developed in the 1920s on the

that was developed in the 1920s on the next slide you’re gonna see two shapes

next slide you’re gonna see two shapes

next slide you’re gonna see two shapes your job is to tell me which shape

your job is to tell me which shape

your job is to tell me which shape should be called bobba and which shape

should be called bobba and which shape

should be called bobba and which shape should be called Kiki you ready here we

should be called Kiki you ready here we

should be called Kiki you ready here we go

all right on three

all right on three I want everyone to seal out the name of

I want everyone to seal out the name of

I want everyone to seal out the name of the shape on the left one two three Kiki

the shape on the left one two three Kiki

the shape on the left one two three Kiki that’s correct and that makes the one on

that’s correct and that makes the one on

that’s correct and that makes the one on the right buh-bah now how did I do that

the right buh-bah now how did I do that

the right buh-bah now how did I do that right this is a classic test that shows

right this is a classic test that shows

right this is a classic test that shows that yes I can predict exactly what’s in

that yes I can predict exactly what’s in

that yes I can predict exactly what’s in your heads already right not fully what

your heads already right not fully what

your heads already right not fully what this test helps to demonstrate for us is

this test helps to demonstrate for us is

this test helps to demonstrate for us is that all of our senses are connected to

that all of our senses are connected to

that all of our senses are connected to how we envision in the world right to

how we envision in the world right to

how we envision in the world right to how we actually perceive and make

how we actually perceive and make

how we actually perceive and make decisions in real life it’s called

decisions in real life it’s called

decisions in real life it’s called synesthetic ideation a big fancy word

synesthetic ideation a big fancy word

synesthetic ideation a big fancy word that notes that our senses are connected

that notes that our senses are connected

that notes that our senses are connected now when you think about the

now when you think about the

now when you think about the pronunciation of the words boba and Kiki

pronunciation of the words boba and Kiki

pronunciation of the words boba and Kiki you’ll note that boba is a rounder sound

you’ll note that boba is a rounder sound

you’ll note that boba is a rounder sound that you actually make a round shape

that you actually make a round shape

that you actually make a round shape with your mouth which parallels boba the

with your mouth which parallels boba the

with your mouth which parallels boba the amoeboid shaped image that’s on the side

amoeboid shaped image that’s on the side

amoeboid shaped image that’s on the side over here right and Kiki has a higher

over here right and Kiki has a higher

over here right and Kiki has a higher pitch and fall rate which generally

pitch and fall rate which generally

pitch and fall rate which generally makes you think about a shape that looks

makes you think about a shape that looks

makes you think about a shape that looks more spiky like our Kiki here

more spiky like our Kiki here

more spiky like our Kiki here fascinating now we know that there’s not

fascinating now we know that there’s not

fascinating now we know that there’s not full 100% control for communication the

full 100% control for communication the

full 100% control for communication the magic isn’t fully real right

magic isn’t fully real right

magic isn’t fully real right but it is still pretty powerful and as a

but it is still pretty powerful and as a

but it is still pretty powerful and as a health and risk communicator I’m really

health and risk communicator I’m really

health and risk communicator I’m really interested in the ways that we can

interested in the ways that we can

interested in the ways that we can potentially use communication to

potentially use communication to

potentially use communication to influence people to that next great

influence people to that next great

influence people to that next great degree now I don’t want to scare you but

degree now I don’t want to scare you but

degree now I don’t want to scare you but I’m gonna show you an algorithm alright

I’m gonna show you an algorithm alright

I’m gonna show you an algorithm alright this is the general risk algorithm that

this is the general risk algorithm that

this is the general risk algorithm that we use to actually calculate health

we use to actually calculate health

we use to actually calculate health risks what it says is that risk is a

risks what it says is that risk is a

risks what it says is that risk is a function of magnitude times probability

function of magnitude times probability

function of magnitude times probability now if we break that down we’re actually

now if we break that down we’re actually

now if we break that down we’re actually looking at two basic variables magnitude

looking at two basic variables magnitude

looking at two basic variables magnitude and probability magnitude is the

and probability magnitude is the

and probability magnitude is the likelihood or is the degree to which

likelihood or is the degree to which

likelihood or is the degree to which something can cause harm to you the

something can cause harm to you the

something can cause harm to you the degree to which something can cause harm

degree to which something can cause harm

degree to which something can cause harm to you and probability is the likelihood

to you and probability is the likelihood

to you and probability is the likelihood that that thing might actually happen to

that that thing might actually happen to

that that thing might actually happen to you so we can actually grid this out and

you so we can actually grid this out and

you so we can actually grid this out and look across at some different things in

look across at some different things in

look across at some different things in the world and look at them and see what

the world and look at them and see what

the world and look at them and see what kind of risk are they so we might have a

kind of risk are they so we might have a

kind of risk are they so we might have a low probability low magnitude risk so it

low probability low magnitude risk so it

low probability low magnitude risk so it doesn’t happen very often and when it

doesn’t happen very often and when it

doesn’t happen very often and when it does happen the consequences aren’t that

does happen the consequences aren’t that

does happen the consequences aren’t that bad so this is what happens when you get

bad so this is what happens when you get

bad so this is what happens when you get a paper cut right it’s a very small risk

a paper cut right it’s a very small risk

a paper cut right it’s a very small risk it’s not one that you typically read

it’s not one that you typically read

it’s not one that you typically read major headline news about right it’s one

major headline news about right it’s one

major headline news about right it’s one that when the risk actually happens you

that when the risk actually happens you

that when the risk actually happens you deal with it you move on you put a

deal with it you move on you put a

deal with it you move on you put a band-aid on you go back to work doesn’t

band-aid on you go back to work doesn’t

band-aid on you go back to work doesn’t happen very often doesn’t even hurt very

happen very often doesn’t even hurt very

happen very often doesn’t even hurt very much the consequences aren’t very large

much the consequences aren’t very large

much the consequences aren’t very large however we might have a low probability

however we might have a low probability

however we might have a low probability high magnitude risk doesn’t happen very

high magnitude risk doesn’t happen very

high magnitude risk doesn’t happen very often again but when it does it’s much

often again but when it does it’s much

often again but when it does it’s much more catastrophic these are our airplane

more catastrophic these are our airplane

more catastrophic these are our airplane crashes right these are things that are

crashes right these are things that are

crashes right these are things that are much more deadly but they still don’t

much more deadly but they still don’t

much more deadly but they still don’t happen very often and then we might have

happen very often and then we might have

happen very often and then we might have our high probability low magnitude risk

our high probability low magnitude risk

our high probability low magnitude risk any allergy sufferers in the room I’m

any allergy sufferers in the room I’m

any allergy sufferers in the room I’m with you I have to take an allergy pill

with you I have to take an allergy pill

with you I have to take an allergy pill almost daily just so I don’t have the

almost daily just so I don’t have the

almost daily just so I don’t have the itchy watery eyes right I’m even

itchy watery eyes right I’m even

itchy watery eyes right I’m even allergic to my dog it’s not fair

allergic to my dog it’s not fair

allergic to my dog it’s not fair right so I take a pill and I move on

right so I take a pill and I move on

right so I take a pill and I move on with my life right the consequences

with my life right the consequences

with my life right the consequences aren’t that dire but they happen quite

aren’t that dire but they happen quite

aren’t that dire but they happen quite often right I live with the animal right

often right I live with the animal right

often right I live with the animal right it sleeps on my bed so I have to deal

it sleeps on my bed so I have to deal

it sleeps on my bed so I have to deal with it and then we have the high

with it and then we have the high

with it and then we have the high magnitude high probability and what’s

magnitude high probability and what’s

magnitude high probability and what’s interesting is that

interesting is that

interesting is that times this particular type of risk

times this particular type of risk

times this particular type of risk doesn’t get as much coverage when we’re

doesn’t get as much coverage when we’re

doesn’t get as much coverage when we’re looking at health media as other types

looking at health media as other types

looking at health media as other types of risk the high magnitude high risk is

of risk the high magnitude high risk is

of risk the high magnitude high risk is cardiovascular disease World Health

cardiovascular disease World Health

cardiovascular disease World Health Organization reports that cardiovascular

Organization reports that cardiovascular

Organization reports that cardiovascular disease kills more people than anything

disease kills more people than anything

disease kills more people than anything more people than anything die from

more people than anything die from

more people than anything die from cardiovascular disease yet it’s other

cardiovascular disease yet it’s other

cardiovascular disease yet it’s other things like airplane crashes that tend

things like airplane crashes that tend

things like airplane crashes that tend to get a lot of our attention a lot of

to get a lot of our attention a lot of

to get a lot of our attention a lot of the coverage when we look at the media

the coverage when we look at the media

the coverage when we look at the media and that’s fascinating to me and the

and that’s fascinating to me and the

and that’s fascinating to me and the reason why is because we need to revisit

reason why is because we need to revisit

reason why is because we need to revisit what we know about risk in risk

what we know about risk in risk

what we know about risk in risk communication we know that people don’t

communication we know that people don’t

communication we know that people don’t necessarily understand risks like

necessarily understand risks like

necessarily understand risks like experts do to just judge them on

experts do to just judge them on

experts do to just judge them on magnitude and probability we add a whole

magnitude and probability we add a whole

magnitude and probability we add a whole new variable all of us and that variable

new variable all of us and that variable

new variable all of us and that variable tends to be outrage it tends to be all

tends to be outrage it tends to be all

tends to be outrage it tends to be all of the other stuff all of the emotional

of the other stuff all of the emotional

of the other stuff all of the emotional things that we bring to the table when

things that we bring to the table when

things that we bring to the table when we’re judging a risk and some of those

we’re judging a risk and some of those

we’re judging a risk and some of those we call affect and it’s what I want to

we call affect and it’s what I want to

we call affect and it’s what I want to talk about for the rest of the time that

talk about for the rest of the time that

talk about for the rest of the time that I have with you today is this concept of

I have with you today is this concept of

I have with you today is this concept of effect now effect is the thing that

effect now effect is the thing that

effect now effect is the thing that happens to us whenever we confront a

happens to us whenever we confront a

happens to us whenever we confront a stimulus some other agent enters our

stimulus some other agent enters our

stimulus some other agent enters our lives we have an instinctual and primal

lives we have an instinctual and primal

lives we have an instinctual and primal reaction that’s effect it’s the thing

reaction that’s effect it’s the thing

reaction that’s effect it’s the thing that drives us to understand and react

that drives us to understand and react

that drives us to understand and react and then form judgments about the thing

and then form judgments about the thing

and then form judgments about the thing that we confront every organism has

that we confront every organism has

that we confront every organism has effect so you can imagine the jellyfish

effect so you can imagine the jellyfish

effect so you can imagine the jellyfish under the water

and I hit a rock okay I’ll go this way

and I hit a rock okay I’ll go this way Oh hit another rock go back this way Oh

Oh hit another rock go back this way Oh

Oh hit another rock go back this way Oh found a nice tasty fish right and I can

found a nice tasty fish right and I can

found a nice tasty fish right and I can eat that fish well what happens when the

eat that fish well what happens when the

eat that fish well what happens when the jellyfish bounces around in the ocean it

jellyfish bounces around in the ocean it

jellyfish bounces around in the ocean it makes very quick primal sense out of

makes very quick primal sense out of

makes very quick primal sense out of what it’s bumping into out of the

what it’s bumping into out of the

what it’s bumping into out of the stimuli so effect is a psychological and

stimuli so effect is a psychological and

stimuli so effect is a psychological and physical state that we go through and

physical state that we go through and

physical state that we go through and it’s one where we process primal

it’s one where we process primal

it’s one where we process primal emotions now humans aren’t jellyfish

emotions now humans aren’t jellyfish

emotions now humans aren’t jellyfish right we’re a higher being we have more

right we’re a higher being we have more

right we’re a higher being we have more complex emotions this is the emotional

complex emotions this is the emotional

complex emotions this is the emotional color wheel that shows a lot of the

color wheel that shows a lot of the

color wheel that shows a lot of the emotions that we portray and go through

emotions that we portray and go through

emotions that we portray and go through in different times in our lives and we

in different times in our lives and we

in different times in our lives and we have very complex emotions which are

have very complex emotions which are

have very complex emotions which are tough and is difficult to deal with now

tough and is difficult to deal with now

tough and is difficult to deal with now for me studying health and risk

for me studying health and risk

for me studying health and risk communication I’m interested in

communication I’m interested in

communication I’m interested in basically one of these for the most part

basically one of these for the most part

basically one of these for the most part in my personal research and the emotion

in my personal research and the emotion

in my personal research and the emotion that I look at when I’m dealing with

that I look at when I’m dealing with

that I look at when I’m dealing with investigating effect is the emotion of

investigating effect is the emotion of

investigating effect is the emotion of fear fear is an incredibly powerful

fear fear is an incredibly powerful

fear fear is an incredibly powerful emotion and it’s an incredibly powerful

emotion and it’s an incredibly powerful

emotion and it’s an incredibly powerful affective state that we process that

affective state that we process that

affective state that we process that number one helps to keep us alive fear

number one helps to keep us alive fear

number one helps to keep us alive fear keeps us away from danger because it

keeps us away from danger because it

keeps us away from danger because it alerts us to danger well right we can

alerts us to danger well right we can

alerts us to danger well right we can see the danger coming and choose to

see the danger coming and choose to

see the danger coming and choose to react appropriately but sometimes we

react appropriately but sometimes we

react appropriately but sometimes we don’t react in the right way so I want

don’t react in the right way so I want

don’t react in the right way so I want to write here and now have you all feel

to write here and now have you all feel

to write here and now have you all feel what that affects like by confronting

what that affects like by confronting

what that affects like by confronting your very own fear message you ready

it worked now what just happened here

it worked now what just happened here because it’s a very interesting thing

because it’s a very interesting thing

because it’s a very interesting thing that just happened right I jump out and

that just happened right I jump out and

that just happened right I jump out and go ah the basic most primal fear message

go ah the basic most primal fear message

go ah the basic most primal fear message there is and every single person in the

there is and every single person in the

there is and every single person in the room had that effect of reaction it

room had that effect of reaction it

room had that effect of reaction it didn’t just happen in your mind it

didn’t just happen in your mind it

didn’t just happen in your mind it happened in your body as well right and

happened in your body as well right and

happened in your body as well right and you go back and forth between the mind

you go back and forth between the mind

you go back and forth between the mind and body to make sense of what happened

and body to make sense of what happened

and body to make sense of what happened the very first thing that happened was

the very first thing that happened was

the very first thing that happened was you jolted right you had that visceral

you jolted right you had that visceral

you jolted right you had that visceral reaction of fear and then you had a

reaction of fear and then you had a

reaction of fear and then you had a cognitive process to figure out what

cognitive process to figure out what

cognitive process to figure out what should I do with this fear now that I

should I do with this fear now that I

should I do with this fear now that I have this effect of fear State and you

have this effect of fear State and you

have this effect of fear State and you kind of turned and you looked and you

kind of turned and you looked and you

kind of turned and you looked and you went okay am i a safe place yes this is

went okay am i a safe place yes this is

went okay am i a safe place yes this is a safe place okay I can release the fear

a safe place okay I can release the fear

a safe place okay I can release the fear by laughing right now if I showed up in

by laughing right now if I showed up in

by laughing right now if I showed up in your bedroom at 3 in the morning tonight

your bedroom at 3 in the morning tonight

your bedroom at 3 in the morning tonight and I left out of the closet you

and I left out of the closet you

and I left out of the closet you probably wouldn’t be laughing then right

probably wouldn’t be laughing then right

probably wouldn’t be laughing then right it’s a tricky case you have to

it’s a tricky case you have to

it’s a tricky case you have to understand what that fear means given

understand what that fear means given

understand what that fear means given the context and so we see that fear is

the context and so we see that fear is

the context and so we see that fear is an incredible driver and it’s something

an incredible driver and it’s something

an incredible driver and it’s something that we can use effectively to

that we can use effectively to

that we can use effectively to communicate about health and risk but we

communicate about health and risk but we

communicate about health and risk but we can also see that sometimes it goes a

can also see that sometimes it goes a

can also see that sometimes it goes a little too far and sometimes we use fear

little too far and sometimes we use fear

little too far and sometimes we use fear when we shouldn’t there’s one very

when we shouldn’t there’s one very

when we shouldn’t there’s one very interesting historical case where in the

interesting historical case where in the

interesting historical case where in the UK in the 80s cow’s brains were eating

UK in the 80s cow’s brains were eating

UK in the 80s cow’s brains were eating the holes into themselves sounds very

the holes into themselves sounds very

the holes into themselves sounds very very scary right and the pictures are

very scary right and the pictures are

very scary right and the pictures are pretty gross basically what was

pretty gross basically what was

pretty gross basically what was happening was cows were eating diseased

happening was cows were eating diseased

happening was cows were eating diseased food and because of it the proteins in

food and because of it the proteins in

food and because of it the proteins in their brains were folding upon

their brains were folding upon

their brains were folding upon themselves and literally chewing holes

themselves and literally chewing holes

themselves and literally chewing holes through their own brains now scientists

through their own brains now scientists

through their own brains now scientists said well we need to educate the public

said well we need to educate the public

said well we need to educate the public about this issue because there may there

about this issue because there may there

about this issue because there may there may be a small chance that if people

may be a small chance that if people

may be a small chance that if people then eat that cattle eat that beef that

then eat that cattle eat that beef that

then eat that cattle eat that beef that they too could have an Associated

they too could have an Associated

they too could have an Associated disease now scientists had a name for it

disease now scientists had a name for it

disease now scientists had a name for it they called it bovine spongiform

they called it bovine spongiform

they called it bovine spongiform encephalopathy bovine spongiform

encephalopathy bovine spongiform

encephalopathy bovine spongiform encephalopathy right it’s a mouthful you

encephalopathy right it’s a mouthful you

encephalopathy right it’s a mouthful you win an award if you

win an award if you

win an award if you say it three times fast right bovine

say it three times fast right bovine

say it three times fast right bovine spongiform encephalopathy now when they

spongiform encephalopathy now when they

spongiform encephalopathy now when they started reporting about bovine

started reporting about bovine

started reporting about bovine spongiform encephalopathy they noticed

spongiform encephalopathy they noticed

spongiform encephalopathy they noticed that a lot of the public wasn’t really

that a lot of the public wasn’t really

that a lot of the public wasn’t really concerned about this disease called

concerned about this disease called

concerned about this disease called bovine spongiform encephalopathy right

bovine spongiform encephalopathy right

bovine spongiform encephalopathy right why because it’s such a mouthful there

why because it’s such a mouthful there

why because it’s such a mouthful there was a journalist David Brown in 1990 who

was a journalist David Brown in 1990 who

was a journalist David Brown in 1990 who changed the term and he said you know

changed the term and he said you know

changed the term and he said you know instead of describing what the disease

instead of describing what the disease

instead of describing what the disease is

is

is we should describe what it does and he

we should describe what it does and he

we should describe what it does and he changed the term to mad cow disease

changed the term to mad cow disease

changed the term to mad cow disease which is how you all know the disease to

which is how you all know the disease to

which is how you all know the disease to be called what that did is it provided a

be called what that did is it provided a

be called what that did is it provided a new touchstone that actually could

new touchstone that actually could

new touchstone that actually could elicit a different fear response among

elicit a different fear response among

elicit a different fear response among the public and they could then deal

the public and they could then deal

the public and they could then deal appropriately with their own emotion

appropriately with their own emotion

appropriately with their own emotion about it to make a decision about the

about it to make a decision about the

about it to make a decision about the risk now interestingly when press

risk now interestingly when press

risk now interestingly when press started coming out and demonstrating

started coming out and demonstrating

started coming out and demonstrating that yes this disease might be dangerous

that yes this disease might be dangerous

that yes this disease might be dangerous and yes it’s associated with another

and yes it’s associated with another

and yes it’s associated with another long sounding difficult disease called

long sounding difficult disease called

long sounding difficult disease called creutzfeldt-jakob disease which affects

creutzfeldt-jakob disease which affects

creutzfeldt-jakob disease which affects humans in a very similar way when we

humans in a very similar way when we

humans in a very similar way when we changed the name to mad cow disease we

changed the name to mad cow disease we

changed the name to mad cow disease we saw people starting to pay attention and

saw people starting to pay attention and

saw people starting to pay attention and you saw people starting to pay attention

you saw people starting to pay attention

you saw people starting to pay attention in mass you saw people stopping buying

in mass you saw people stopping buying

in mass you saw people stopping buying beef you saw people really angered about

beef you saw people really angered about

beef you saw people really angered about the issue you saw people having protests

the issue you saw people having protests

the issue you saw people having protests about the issue and the like and you saw

about the issue and the like and you saw

about the issue and the like and you saw it even spilling over into other sectors

it even spilling over into other sectors

it even spilling over into other sectors where it wasn’t just influencing beef

where it wasn’t just influencing beef

where it wasn’t just influencing beef but even other types of meat when we

but even other types of meat when we

but even other types of meat when we look at risks and we look specifically

look at risks and we look specifically

look at risks and we look specifically at how the public comes to understand

at how the public comes to understand

at how the public comes to understand risk there are two sides both sides are

risk there are two sides both sides are

risk there are two sides both sides are wrong that’s the sad part there’s one

wrong that’s the sad part there’s one

wrong that’s the sad part there’s one potential true risk that’s the best

potential true risk that’s the best

potential true risk that’s the best understanding the actual risk that we

understanding the actual risk that we

understanding the actual risk that we try to come close to and working with

try to come close to and working with

try to come close to and working with our scientists right our toxicologist

our scientists right our toxicologist

our scientists right our toxicologist our epidemiologist the like try to come

our epidemiologist the like try to come

our epidemiologist the like try to come up with this number real risk true risk

up with this number real risk true risk

up with this number real risk true risk representative risk that’s the line in

representative risk that’s the line in

representative risk that’s the line in the middle and unfortunately when we are

the middle and unfortunately when we are

the middle and unfortunately when we are trying to communicate with the public we

trying to communicate with the public we

trying to communicate with the public we oftentimes are combating with people

oftentimes are combating with people

oftentimes are combating with people being on either side of real risk and so

being on either side of real risk and so

being on either side of real risk and so our job as communicators is to try and

our job as communicators is to try and

our job as communicators is to try and bring them back to closer to that real

bring them back to closer to that real

bring them back to closer to that real risk side so we have on one side

risk side so we have on one side

risk side so we have on one side the attenuated risks these are the risks

the attenuated risks these are the risks

the attenuated risks these are the risks that should be more feared by society

that should be more feared by society

that should be more feared by society and aren’t for instance radon radon is

and aren’t for instance radon radon is

and aren’t for instance radon radon is an odorless tasteless colorless gas that

an odorless tasteless colorless gas that

an odorless tasteless colorless gas that is radioactive and is known to cause

is radioactive and is known to cause

is radioactive and is known to cause lung cancer same thing goes for high

lung cancer same thing goes for high

lung cancer same thing goes for high calorie diets there’s something that are

calorie diets there’s something that are

calorie diets there’s something that are everywhere in our societies nowadays and

everywhere in our societies nowadays and

everywhere in our societies nowadays and there’s something that needs to have a

there’s something that needs to have a

there’s something that needs to have a greater emphasis of fear upon in the

greater emphasis of fear upon in the

greater emphasis of fear upon in the public and then we have the other side

public and then we have the other side

public and then we have the other side the amplified risks those are the risks

the amplified risks those are the risks

the amplified risks those are the risks that the public views as not risky or as

that the public views as not risky or as

that the public views as not risky or as risky but they shouldn’t be viewed as

risky but they shouldn’t be viewed as

risky but they shouldn’t be viewed as risky they’re over amplified in their

risky they’re over amplified in their

risky they’re over amplified in their risk perceptions and these are things

risk perceptions and these are things

risk perceptions and these are things like y2k if you lived through y2k where

like y2k if you lived through y2k where

like y2k if you lived through y2k where they thought that the entire world was

they thought that the entire world was

they thought that the entire world was going to end when it the clock struck

going to end when it the clock struck

going to end when it the clock struck midnight changing into the year 2000 I

midnight changing into the year 2000 I

midnight changing into the year 2000 I have a friend his dad bought a house up

have a friend his dad bought a house up

have a friend his dad bought a house up in the mountains and packed it was ready

in the mountains and packed it was ready

in the mountains and packed it was ready to go just in case the world fell apart

to go just in case the world fell apart

to go just in case the world fell apart right and child kidnapping is another

right and child kidnapping is another

right and child kidnapping is another one where unfortunately a lot of people

one where unfortunately a lot of people

one where unfortunately a lot of people are very concerned that strangers are

are very concerned that strangers are

are very concerned that strangers are going to kidnap your children when we

going to kidnap your children when we

going to kidnap your children when we look at the real data your child is much

look at the real data your child is much

look at the real data your child is much more likely to be kidnapped by someone

more likely to be kidnapped by someone

more likely to be kidnapped by someone you know or an immediate family member

you know or an immediate family member

you know or an immediate family member all right so these are different kinds

all right so these are different kinds

all right so these are different kinds of risks that are over amplified and it

of risks that are over amplified and it

of risks that are over amplified and it brings us back to a tough part about

brings us back to a tough part about

brings us back to a tough part about communication and risk communication

communication and risk communication

communication and risk communication where as dr. Peter Sandman notes one

where as dr. Peter Sandman notes one

where as dr. Peter Sandman notes one aspect of risk communication is figuring

aspect of risk communication is figuring

aspect of risk communication is figuring out how to scare people right right and

out how to scare people right right and

out how to scare people right right and then the next and other component of

then the next and other component of

then the next and other component of risk communication is trying to get them

risk communication is trying to get them

risk communication is trying to get them to calm down again and I think that

to calm down again and I think that

to calm down again and I think that understanding that people are

understanding that people are

understanding that people are purposefully and motivated ly trying to

purposefully and motivated ly trying to

purposefully and motivated ly trying to get your eyes trying to get your

get your eyes trying to get your

get your eyes trying to get your attention through using fear lets you

attention through using fear lets you

attention through using fear lets you know that they’re trying to implement

know that they’re trying to implement

know that they’re trying to implement that third type of magic on you that

that third type of magic on you that

that third type of magic on you that magic of control when you’re reading

magic of control when you’re reading

magic of control when you’re reading online and it says five things your

online and it says five things your

online and it says five things your teenage daughter is doing that could

teenage daughter is doing that could

teenage daughter is doing that could kill her right these are the types of

kill her right these are the types of

kill her right these are the types of articles that are purposefully trying to

articles that are purposefully trying to

articles that are purposefully trying to get your eyes and get your body to align

get your eyes and get your body to align

get your eyes and get your body to align with what they’re saying through this

with what they’re saying through this

with what they’re saying through this type of fear message so if you remember

type of fear message so if you remember

type of fear message so if you remember and understand

and understand

and understand that yes people are indeed trying to use

that yes people are indeed trying to use

that yes people are indeed trying to use fear upon you you can become a better

fear upon you you can become a better

fear upon you you can become a better communicator yourself by not using fear

communicator yourself by not using fear

communicator yourself by not using fear messages when you don’t think you need

messages when you don’t think you need

messages when you don’t think you need to and by being able to protect yourself

to and by being able to protect yourself

to and by being able to protect yourself when other people are trying to put you

when other people are trying to put you

when other people are trying to put you under there

”

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *