Richard Esser’s Recent Comments

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  The wrong questions

  David, I've read the complete series on fear, and I must say it does tickle my intellectual fancy. And I hope I can tickle yours too, because I believe you're avoiding the most crucial question. I will exlain this.

  Off course, I agree that we 'often' suck at risk perception. The Time article convincingly argues why we do. So, your question (whether environmentalists should be focusing more energies on scare tactics) is important. I also agree that using fear is no good tactic for environmentalists. But what's important is that scaring the public is not always their goal. It's not always intended as a tool. Most often is a by-product of rational analysis by scientists, and of the fearful interpretation of worst-case scenarios by environmentalists. So the main question should be: when is the fear of greens themselves justified? Is it justified when the European Union bans GM-crops merely on the basis of the precautionary principle, the same principle that Bush used for his war on terrorism? (Simply put, it means that a 1% risk will be treated as 100% risk).

  The alternative you present (of moral courage by compassion and intelligence about the fate of future generations and the earth) leaves unanswered the question how we should deal make risk assesments. Compassion may be suitable to prevent the violence you're afraid of, but it doesn't prevent scientists and environmentalists from unconciously instilling fear with their models and scenario's.

  I believe that the violent danger of scare tactics can only be dealt with successfully by means of open discussion about what real threats are, what values different people attach to the things presumed to be at risk, and what actions are justified. First, we need experts for that, even though we need to be skeptical of their analyses. Second, we need laypeople for that, even though we need to be skeptical of their evaluations. This is difficult, like democracy is, especially when you are aware of a big threat that requires, according to you (and me) immediate action. But don't forget that the communicative abilities of Homo sapiens, like any other product of evolution, have their limits. And yes, this can be fatal, but not necessarily.

  For more lifesaving insights, please visit my website. This is also where you can contact me. http://www.richardesser.nl

  On They don't go well together posted 2 years, 11 months ago 19 Responses