Key insights

• ⚛️ La vulgarisation scientifique n'atteint qu'une fraction minimale de la population
• 🦠 Le COVID a révélé cet échec relatif
• 🤔 Il faut repenser les moyens d'accès au grand public pour diffuser les connaissances scientifiques
• 📉 Le mot 'progrès' a perdu en importance au profit du mot 'innovation' dans le discours public
• 🔄 Innovation est devenu plus prominent vers 2003, coïncidant avec le déclin du mot 'progrès' dans les discours publics
• 🔀 La rhétorique de l'innovation contredit celle du progrès
• 💡 Comprendre la motivation derrière une question sur le progrès est important
• 🔍 Traiter la déstabilisation en reconnaissant l'objection et en y répondant avec respect

Q&A

• How should climate change skeptics be handled in public forums?

  When engaging with climate change skeptics in public forums, it's important to respond to objections to address the nature of the debate. Responses should focus on the argument itself rather than targeting the individual. It's also crucial to recognize that skeptics' reactions reflect a normal expression of frustration and to endeavor to understand their perspective.

• How should one deal with destabilization when addressing objections?

  Dealing with destabilization involves acknowledging objections respectfully and empathetically. It is essential to respond not only to the individual but also to the wider audience. Maintaining a respectful and calming approach is crucial in effectively addressing destabilization.

• How does the rhetoric of innovation contrast with the rhetoric of progress?

  The rhetoric of innovation contradicts the rhetoric of progress. While innovation is presented as a conservation principle to combat the corrupting effects of time, progress assumes that time is constructive. Understanding the underlying motivation behind inquiries about progress is crucial in addressing this contrast.

• What is the shift in public discourse from 'progress' to 'innovation'?

  The term 'progress' historically held significance with a capitalized 'P' for three centuries but lost this capitalization after World War II. It further saw a decline in usage from 1981 onwards. Conversely, 'innovation' gained prominence around 2003, coinciding with the waning usage of 'progress' in public speeches. By 2012, 'progress' had largely disappeared from public discourse, being replaced by 'innovation'.

• Why did the COVID-19 pandemic reveal the relative failure of science popularization?

  The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that scientific popularization only reaches a small fraction of the population. This revelation necessitates a rethinking of how scientific knowledge is disseminated to the general public, requiring new and more effective methods to ensure broader access and understanding.

• What is the impact of integrating new knowledge into existing beliefs?

  Integrating new knowledge into existing beliefs is challenging, especially when it comes to topics like climate change. It requires making space for the new information within preexisting opinions. This process can be particularly difficult when dealing with the destabilization caused by human progress and its impact on the climate. Choosing and mastering a subject are essential for effective knowledge dissemination.

• 00:00 Vulgarisation de la connaissance et changement climatique : impact sur les opinions existantes. Importance de l'intégration des nouvelles connaissances dans nos croyances. La difficulté de faire de la place pour la vulgarisation sur le changement climatique dans les opinions préexistantes. L'exemple du progrès humain et la déstabilisation du climat. L'importance de choisir un sujet et le maîtrister pour une bonne vulgarisation.
• 01:38 Vulgarisation scientifique n'atteint qu'une fraction minimale de la population, le COVID a révélé cet échec relatif, il faut repenser les moyens d'accès au grand public
• 03:07 The word 'progress' has been gradually replaced by the word 'innovation' in public discourse over the years, indicating a shift in focus from progress to innovation
• 04:43 The rhetoric of innovation contradicts the rhetoric of progress. Innovation is a conservation principle to address the corrupting effects of time, while progress assumes time is constructive. Understanding the motivation behind a question about progress is important.
• 06:14 Dealing with destabilization by acknowledging the objection and addressing it respectfully. Responding not just to the individual but also to the audience. Maintaining a respectful and calming approach.
• 07:31 Dealing with climate change skeptics, it's important to respond to objections in public forums to address the debate's nature. Respond to the argument, not the individual. Understanding the skeptics' reactions as a normal expression of frustration.