Drilled Exploiting Scientists' Kryptonite: How Oil Companies Weaponized Uncertainty
12 snips
Aug 28, 2018 AI Snips
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Good Communicators Are Penalized In Science
- Scientists face a credibility tradeoff: strong communicators are often perceived as less serious researchers.
- Katherine Hayhoe and former Exxon scientist Morale Cohen both reported being judged for communicating too well.
Uncertainty Became A Weapon
- Oil companies exploited a core feature of science: its inherent uncertainty.
- Exxon and peers intentionally amplified
Victory Memo Laid Out A Calculated PR Playbook
- The industry created a measured, metric-driven campaign called the Victory Memo to normalize uncertainty and influence Congress and media.
- The memo listed targets: members of Congress, media share, talk-show appearances, and routed funds through front groups.