Science, Risk, and Radio

Consider giving these a listen.

Science Friday 08/03/07
Minneapolis Bridge Collapse: An expert speaks to the risks of bridges, engineers' rating systems, and public reactions. Notable is his estimation of getting the public's notice. Asked if they will continue to be concerned, he chides the public's short attention span, which will probably move on to tainted pet food or spinach.

But is the fault with the media or the public? The exchange reminded me of this depiction of "The Atrophy of Vigilance" in Social Theories of Risk (ch. 10):

How does the fluctuation of vigilance relating to risk incidents compare between the media and the public? And where's the trade-off between vigilance on one issue that comes to our attention compared to another?

Also in this episode: The debate over EPA regulation of nanotechnology between two stakeholders.

This American Life "The Spokesman" 08/13/07
The second story focuses on Rachel North, a London commuter riding in one of the bombed subway cars the morning of July 7, 2005. The story takes an interesting turn when she becomes the target of conspiracy theorists convinced the bombings were a hoax and actually resulted from an electrical failure. They contend the bus that blew up was carrying actors and stunt men. And they go so far as to accuse her of not existing, of being a character created by several government agents. Confronting her accusers within the blogosphere and in person, she finds their attitudes immovable.

Conspiracy theories have become a fascination of mine (just ask Dominique, she'll gladly make fun of me for it), partly stemming from the Kevin Barrett troubles here at UW and from Errol Morris's film Mr. Death. What makes people susceptible to adopting a conspiracy theorist's view? And what is the role of attitudes toward science (and "scientific evidence")?

Radio Lab "Mortality" 06/08/07
I've plugged this show to several of you already, although that may have been preemptive. The episode called "Beyond Time" is hardly worth listening to. But this one, about the process of memory, is surprisingly entertaining... just consider how the Japanese are building robot seals to care for their aging population rather than importing foreign labor. Science meets politics meets culture at its eerie best. Also good are the episodes "Memory and Forgetting" and "Morality."