communication

[Kjell Johansen <kjell.johansen@wepco.com>]

The recent topics of conversation on RADSAFE (irradiated milk and the
EPA's radioactive alpha particle) have a common denominator, language
usage.  People fear what they do not understand or understand
incorrectly.  We must be precise in our explanations and use the correct
word, for example, do not use radiation and radioactivity
interchangeably.  We must educate the public using the correct words and
not try to "dumb down" the message or use colloquial terms that have an
imprecise meaning.  The EPA educational website is a good example.  On
the other hand we should not obfuscate, hide behind jargon, or dismiss
people's fears about radiation as signs of stupidity.  The fears are
real, the reason for their fear is what we need to address.  

There is an apocryphal story of a Nobel Laureate who after explaining
his work got the reply "Oh, it sounds so simple."  His reply, "If it
were simple they wouldn't give a Nobel Prize for it."  So, as I see it,
ours is the difficult task of taking the mystery and fear out radiation
which has been engendered by the BOMB, films like The Attack of the
50-foot Woman, and various anti-nuclear activists (the Tooth Fairly
Project) who play on people's fears.  Precise, correct, and personal
communication goes a long way. It will take a while but it will be worth
it.
 
Kjell Johansen
kjell.johansen@wepco.com
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