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Behavioural Science and Nudge
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By *irldn OP Couple
over a year ago
Brighton |
Interesting topic in The Spectator about how ethical or not the behavioural science and nudge techniques used in Govt Comms around Covid have been. In particular the following caught my eye (as it is relevant to behaviour seen in these forums)...
“Meanwhile, the shaming and scapegoating of those deemed to be non-compliers has inevitably created minority outgroups (the unvaccinated, for example) that others feel empowered to vilify and verbally abuse.“
Also...
“...three particular interventions during the pandemic raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation, equating compliance with virtue and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform. The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice.“
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No doubting nudge theory techniques are used to encourage vaccinations. It is definitely used in a lot of anti vaccination communications. Obviously the pro vaccination side has more science, facts and numbers behind it probably less nudge theory techniques than the anti vaccination which has more gut feelings and emotions etc in it . Dominic Cummings was very open about the use of nudge techniques during the brexit campaign and the last election. |
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By *ovebjsMan
over a year ago
Bristol |
"Interesting topic in The Spectator about how ethical or not the behavioural science and nudge techniques used in Govt Comms around Covid have been. In particular the following caught my eye (as it is relevant to behaviour seen in these forums)...
“Meanwhile, the shaming and scapegoating of those deemed to be non-compliers has inevitably created minority outgroups (the unvaccinated, for example) that others feel empowered to vilify and verbally abuse.“
Also...
“...three particular interventions during the pandemic raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation, equating compliance with virtue and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform. The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice.“
"
And what about the unvaccinated berating the vaccinated for doing so ?
It works both ways  |
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By *otMe66Man
over a year ago
Terra Firma |
The government would say it was open in how it considered the defence against covid. They set the stall out with being on a war footing, that said all of the things quoted in the findings, propaganda, nudging through presenting fear, or shame.
Whatever it takes to get the % of compliancy to the right place would be seen as fair game and deal with any fallout later, which is pretty much how they explained away the fast-tracking of VIP fast lane bids for government covid contracts. |
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"Interesting topic in The Spectator about how ethical or not the behavioural science and nudge techniques used in Govt Comms around Covid have been. In particular the following caught my eye (as it is relevant to behaviour seen in these forums)...
“Meanwhile, the shaming and scapegoating of those deemed to be non-compliers has inevitably created minority outgroups (the unvaccinated, for example) that others feel empowered to vilify and verbally abuse.“
Also...
“...three particular interventions during the pandemic raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation, equating compliance with virtue and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform. The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice.“
And what about the unvaccinated berating the vaccinated for doing so ?
It works both ways "
There are those unvaccinated who choose to berate the vaccinated for doing so…. But experience tells me, and a quick look round the forums confirms, the majority of non vaccinated appear quite happy for others to vaccinate or not. I’m unvaccinated and care not what you do. The voice from the vaccinated appears louder in most cases with the same messages the OPs article describes.
While the article is just that… how would you feel if you realised one day you’d been manipulated, your thoughts weren’t your own you were just subjected to a series of messages which were designed to make you ‘believe’? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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As these vaccines only last short while and we are told we need to constantly top them up I think over time less and less people will keep going back for yet another shot in the arm. So the number of technically unvaxed will increase. I for one had only two and not going to get anymore. |
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"Isn't all marketing really just the same idea, planting a notion/image in our minds that if only we buy x, y or z we'll be smarter, handsomer and happier."
Everyone in this section of the forum would be well advised to read Laura Doddsworth's "State of Fear".
We've been played like fiddles for two years.
The worst thing is, now the government have a taste for it, they will no doubt use similar techniques in the future.
So much for democracy eh. |
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"Interesting topic in The Spectator about how ethical or not the behavioural science and nudge techniques used in Govt Comms around Covid have been. In particular the following caught my eye (as it is relevant to behaviour seen in these forums)...
“Meanwhile, the shaming and scapegoating of those deemed to be non-compliers has inevitably created minority outgroups (the unvaccinated, for example) that others feel empowered to vilify and verbally abuse.“
Also...
“...three particular interventions during the pandemic raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation, equating compliance with virtue and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform. The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice.“
"
The Spectator have essentially described pretty much the playbook of any social engineering system.
You could for example, frame the whole article around pretty much most world religions and it would apply.
You could apply most of it to product marketing campaigns.
Heck, you could describe the battle for offspring #1 to eat their dinner
"...three particular interventions during the parenting event raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation (If you don't want dinner you will go hungry), equating compliance with virtue (Offspring #2 has eaten theirs) and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform (Because we're your parents and this is our job). The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice."
In summary, there is no great exposé here in my view. Do bears poop in the woods ? Yes. Do they have to ? Yes.
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"Interesting topic in The Spectator about how ethical or not the behavioural science and nudge techniques used in Govt Comms around Covid have been. In particular the following caught my eye (as it is relevant to behaviour seen in these forums)...
“Meanwhile, the shaming and scapegoating of those deemed to be non-compliers has inevitably created minority outgroups (the unvaccinated, for example) that others feel empowered to vilify and verbally abuse.“
Also...
“...three particular interventions during the pandemic raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation, equating compliance with virtue and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform. The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice.“
The Spectator have essentially described pretty much the playbook of any social engineering system.
You could for example, frame the whole article around pretty much most world religions and it would apply.
You could apply most of it to product marketing campaigns.
Heck, you could describe the battle for offspring #1 to eat their dinner
"...three particular interventions during the parenting event raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation (If you don't want dinner you will go hungry), equating compliance with virtue (Offspring #2 has eaten theirs) and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform (Because we're your parents and this is our job). The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice."
In summary, there is no great exposé here in my view. Do bears poop in the woods ? Yes. Do they have to ? Yes.
"
Are psychologists ethically empowered to attempt to steer public behaviours at the behest of elected governments? Is such a behest a valid government activity? Does society want this to be the case? Are we, as your edit suggests, children that should be parented by our politicians? |
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By *irldn OP Couple
over a year ago
Brighton |
"Isn't all marketing really just the same idea, planting a notion/image in our minds that if only we buy x, y or z we'll be smarter, handsomer and happier."
Not really. The difference is that consumer marketing almost universally focuses on the positive attributes of a product and the benefits to the individual/consumer.
This is the polar opposite of the main thrust of the Govt comms around Covid that has been to focus on the negative and social norming, helping to vilify those who question the narrative or do not conform.
The irony is that one of the specific campaigns called out is the “look them in the eye” advertising. Personally I would love to see these photoshopped with an addition to the headline saying “Boris Johnson (or Prime Minister) and staff of No.10, look her in the eye and tell her you never bend the rules”.
The hypocrisy is simply unbelievable. |
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By *irldn OP Couple
over a year ago
Brighton |
"Interesting topic in The Spectator about how ethical or not the behavioural science and nudge techniques used in Govt Comms around Covid have been. In particular the following caught my eye (as it is relevant to behaviour seen in these forums)...
“Meanwhile, the shaming and scapegoating of those deemed to be non-compliers has inevitably created minority outgroups (the unvaccinated, for example) that others feel empowered to vilify and verbally abuse.“
Also...
“...three particular interventions during the pandemic raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation, equating compliance with virtue and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform. The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice.“
The Spectator have essentially described pretty much the playbook of any social engineering system.
You could for example, frame the whole article around pretty much most world religions and it would apply.
You could apply most of it to product marketing campaigns.
Heck, you could describe the battle for offspring #1 to eat their dinner
"...three particular interventions during the parenting event raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation (If you don't want dinner you will go hungry), equating compliance with virtue (Offspring #2 has eaten theirs) and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform (Because we're your parents and this is our job). The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice."
In summary, there is no great exposé here in my view. Do bears poop in the woods ? Yes. Do they have to ? Yes.
"
You couldn’t apply it to “most product marketing campaigns”. As I said above, advertising at consumers almost universally focuses on positive benefits and outcomes. The intention is to make you feel good about the desire for and purchase of the product. The approach the Govt has taken to comms around Covid has been almost exclusively focused on the negative and the threat of a negative outcome for you but increasingly for others |
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"
Are psychologists ethically empowered to attempt to steer public behaviours at the behest of elected governments? "
I don't know if they are already ethically empowered to do so. Should they be ? Yes, absolutely. Should there be an oversight committee to ensure they exercise this responsibility ethically ? yes of course.
"
Is such a behest a valid government activity?
"
Yes. It's part of governance.
"
Does society want this to be the case?
Are we, as your edit suggests, children that should be parented by our politicians? "
Yes. We elect others to make decisions for us. By refraining from the choice to become politicians ourselves, we give manifest and tacit control to others.
Those that don't like it, can either vote the present mob out at the very least, or join a political party and get involved in core politics if they are that passionate.
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"
Is such a behest a valid government activity?
Yes. It's part of governance.
Does society want this to be the case?
Are we, as your edit suggests, children that should be parented by our politicians?
Yes. We elect others to make decisions for us. By refraining from the choice to become politicians ourselves, we give manifest and tacit control to others.
Those that don't like it, can either vote the present mob out at the very least, or join a political party and get involved in core politics if they are that passionate.
"
Jesus Christ 
It's a wind up isn't it |
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"
Jesus Christ
It's a wind up isn't it "
In what way ?
Let's look at the real basics, and this applies to whether we're talking about a group of neanderthals or citizens in the common era, and pretty much everything in between.
1. Someone has to be a leader
2. Leader has to provide direction/meaning/safety/whatever
3. Followers need to comply toward goal
4. Hopefully their needs are satisfied.
Number 3, getting the followers to comply is the tricky bit, because not everyone is motivated by the same things. Some are motivated by money. Some by duty. Some by appealing to their sense of fairness and or justice. Some are motivated by fear. Others by FOMO.
Heck, when you get down the individual motivations, the amount of effort needed to motivate each individual in a way tailored to them is impossible to implement.
So you have to use broad strokes. That's nothing unusual. And I think most people would understand this. There are always going to be "extreme outliers" who will resent any form of "governance", but there are the exception to the norm.
What then, is precisely the "wind up" ? That we choose/allow/permit/elect/endure people to govern us, like we have done since time immemorial ?
Thank you for the thought-provoking thread. Very interesting.
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Utter dribble. The gov machine didnt create these outcomes- about 10% of the public who benefitted from vaccine role out wothout getting janbed themselves wanted a guilt free pass. They dont get one. They, along with a larger minority (yes - minority) who voted for Brexit, are simply unethical hypocrotes and wrong on every level. |
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"
You couldn’t apply it to “most product marketing campaigns”. As I said above, advertising at consumers almost universally focuses on positive benefits and outcomes. The intention is to make you feel good about the desire for and purchase of the product. The approach the Govt has taken to comms around Covid has been almost exclusively focused on the negative and the threat of a negative outcome for you but increasingly for others"
I'm not so sure a lot of the new breed of marketing professionals would agree. The 20-30 something's I tend to speak to in the marketing arena are very tech-savvy and there is a massive focus on big data, lifestyle habits, economic status, social integration, education, career, etc etc etc. Algorithms, predictive behaviour.
And once they have that data, their core goal is how to "nudge" you in to making the decision they want you to make. That they are paid to achieve.
Going back to the main point, "Nudging" boils down to 3 techniques.
1. Fear
2. Uncertainty
3. Doubt
Here's is the new Widget. It's lovely. All your friends have it. It's aspirational. All very +'ve and fluffy. Cue nice music. Everybody wants one.
You don't want to be left behind do you ? You don't want your older model to suffer obsolescence do you ? Will your Widget even work in 2 years ? The new model is much shinier and faster. Treat yourself. You deserve it. Go on, be a devil
FUD is at the heart of every decision we as humans make. It's how things get done and the wheels turn. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Virus is gone
GET OVER IT
Easier said than done, if people are infected with it  "
For the majority of people, having to isolate is more of an inconvenience than having Covid. Everyone I know who has had it this year said they were up and about, and it was no worse than a bad cold.
Flu season is coming to an end. People are looking forward to spring. |
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The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed. |
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"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed."
It sure is, a member of my staff came down with it over the weekend and is quite poorly.
Hope your partner shakes it off quickly. |
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By *otMe66Man
over a year ago
Terra Firma |
"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed."
I know a couple of people who have recently been very ill with covid. I wouldn't be surprised if they had Delta, it seems to have been forgotten about but it is still around.
I hope you partner, makes a speedy recovery |
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"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed.
I know a couple of people who have recently been very ill with covid. I wouldn't be surprised if they had Delta, it seems to have been forgotten about but it is still around.
I hope you partner, makes a speedy recovery "
Virtually zero cases of delta, a few but not many, still getting a few alpha cases. It's pretty safe to say anyone catching covid now has omicron. It could be the BA.2 sub variant which is starting to increase. |
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By *irldn OP Couple
over a year ago
Brighton |
"
You couldn’t apply it to “most product marketing campaigns”. As I said above, advertising at consumers almost universally focuses on positive benefits and outcomes. The intention is to make you feel good about the desire for and purchase of the product. The approach the Govt has taken to comms around Covid has been almost exclusively focused on the negative and the threat of a negative outcome for you but increasingly for others
I'm not so sure a lot of the new breed of marketing professionals would agree. The 20-30 something's I tend to speak to in the marketing arena are very tech-savvy and there is a massive focus on big data, lifestyle habits, economic status, social integration, education, career, etc etc etc. Algorithms, predictive behaviour.
And once they have that data, their core goal is how to "nudge" you in to making the decision they want you to make. That they are paid to achieve.
Going back to the main point, "Nudging" boils down to 3 techniques.
1. Fear
2. Uncertainty
3. Doubt
Here's is the new Widget. It's lovely. All your friends have it. It's aspirational. All very +'ve and fluffy. Cue nice music. Everybody wants one.
You don't want to be left behind do you ? You don't want your older model to suffer obsolescence do you ? Will your Widget even work in 2 years ? The new model is much shinier and faster. Treat yourself. You deserve it. Go on, be a devil
FUD is at the heart of every decision we as humans make. It's how things get done and the wheels turn."
I have worked in/with programmatic advertising (and predictive analytics) for some time. Everything you say is correct but I do not think it quite applies here.
Even the “nudge” approaches you describe tend to universally be more on the positive side or FOMO. It still focuses on the benefit to you as an individual rather than the collective/society. FOMO is not the same as fear of harm to others or implied (actually even explicit) assigned guilt.
The FOMO you describe is still rooted in a positive (ie get the same latest gadget as your mates so you too can unlock the benefits and enjoyment) rather than, if you don’t have it then you are responsible for people dying.
I think it is quite different! |
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By *AW SEXCouple
over a year ago
bangor |
"Interesting topic in The Spectator about how ethical or not the behavioural science and nudge techniques used in Govt Comms around Covid have been. In particular the following caught my eye (as it is relevant to behaviour seen in these forums)...
“Meanwhile, the shaming and scapegoating of those deemed to be non-compliers has inevitably created minority outgroups (the unvaccinated, for example) that others feel empowered to vilify and verbally abuse.“
Also...
“...three particular interventions during the pandemic raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation, equating compliance with virtue and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform. The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice.“
And what about the unvaccinated berating the vaccinated for doing so ?
It works both ways
There are those unvaccinated who choose to berate the vaccinated for doing so…. But experience tells me, and a quick look round the forums confirms, the majority of non vaccinated appear quite happy for others to vaccinate or not. I’m unvaccinated and care not what you do. The voice from the vaccinated appears louder in most cases with the same messages the OPs article describes.
While the article is just that… how would you feel if you realised one day you’d been manipulated, your thoughts weren’t your own you were just subjected to a series of messages which were designed to make you ‘believe’? "
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"
You couldn’t apply it to “most product marketing campaigns”. As I said above, advertising at consumers almost universally focuses on positive benefits and outcomes. The intention is to make you feel good about the desire for and purchase of the product. The approach the Govt has taken to comms around Covid has been almost exclusively focused on the negative and the threat of a negative outcome for you but increasingly for others
I'm not so sure a lot of the new breed of marketing professionals would agree. The 20-30 something's I tend to speak to in the marketing arena are very tech-savvy and there is a massive focus on big data, lifestyle habits, economic status, social integration, education, career, etc etc etc. Algorithms, predictive behaviour.
And once they have that data, their core goal is how to "nudge" you in to making the decision they want you to make. That they are paid to achieve.
Going back to the main point, "Nudging" boils down to 3 techniques.
1. Fear
2. Uncertainty
3. Doubt
Here's is the new Widget. It's lovely. All your friends have it. It's aspirational. All very +'ve and fluffy. Cue nice music. Everybody wants one.
You don't want to be left behind do you ? You don't want your older model to suffer obsolescence do you ? Will your Widget even work in 2 years ? The new model is much shinier and faster. Treat yourself. You deserve it. Go on, be a devil
FUD is at the heart of every decision we as humans make. It's how things get done and the wheels turn.
I have worked in/with programmatic advertising (and predictive analytics) for some time. Everything you say is correct but I do not think it quite applies here.
Even the “nudge” approaches you describe tend to universally be more on the positive side or FOMO. It still focuses on the benefit to you as an individual rather than the collective/society. FOMO is not the same as fear of harm to others or implied (actually even explicit) assigned guilt.
The FOMO you describe is still rooted in a positive (ie get the same latest gadget as your mates so you too can unlock the benefits and enjoyment) rather than, if you don’t have it then you are responsible for people dying.
I think it is quite different!"
The radio advert urging parents to get their teenage kids jabbed "so they don't miss out" was a beauty. No pretence of any clinical reasons. Just..."you don't want to be the parent that let's your kids miss out on stuff do you?"...no other substance was apparently needed by any advertising standards.
Having said all the above. We aren't the brightest bunch of populations to manipulate. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed."
Is he vaccinated? |
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"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed.
Is he vaccinated?"
Of course...I would hate to think what he would be like if he wasn't. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed.
Is he vaccinated?
Of course...I would hate to think what he would be like if he wasn't."
How do you know it would be worse if he was unvaccinated? |
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By *otMe66Man
over a year ago
Terra Firma |
"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed.
Is he vaccinated?
Of course...I would hate to think what he would be like if he wasn't.
How do you know it would be worse if he was unvaccinated?"
sorry to but in, it is likelihood.... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed.
Is he vaccinated?
Of course...I would hate to think what he would be like if he wasn't.
How do you know it would be worse if he was unvaccinated?
sorry to but in, it is likelihood.... "
?? |
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"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed.
Is he vaccinated?
Of course...I would hate to think what he would be like if he wasn't.
How do you know it would be worse if he was unvaccinated?"
Because I have a brain |
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I remember reading an in depth article of the nudge technique used by the then labour government in the late nineties, to steer people. First the problem appears in media, then momentum gathers and the problem seems very real, and before your very eyes, the solution appears. It is then made easy to adapt using tax breaks and such, while to continue as you were becomes more costly therefore you make your own decision to change.
It was successfully used to steer people towards buying small diesel cars about 20 years ago and is being used now to steer towards ev’s. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Interesting topic in The Spectator about how ethical or not the behavioural science and nudge techniques used in Govt Comms around Covid have been. In particular the following caught my eye (as it is relevant to behaviour seen in these forums)...
“Meanwhile, the shaming and scapegoating of those deemed to be non-compliers has inevitably created minority outgroups (the unvaccinated, for example) that others feel empowered to vilify and verbally abuse.“
Also...
“...three particular interventions during the pandemic raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation, equating compliance with virtue and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform. The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice.“
"
Spi-b psychological operations to brainwash and promote fake virtue. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Interesting topic in The Spectator about how ethical or not the behavioural science and nudge techniques used in Govt Comms around Covid have been. In particular the following caught my eye (as it is relevant to behaviour seen in these forums)...
“Meanwhile, the shaming and scapegoating of those deemed to be non-compliers has inevitably created minority outgroups (the unvaccinated, for example) that others feel empowered to vilify and verbally abuse.“
Also...
“...three particular interventions during the pandemic raise major ethical concerns: fear inflation, equating compliance with virtue and the encouragement of peer pressure to conform. The use of these covert psychological strategies infringe the basic ethical principles of psychological practice.“
And what about the unvaccinated berating the vaccinated for doing so ?
It works both ways "
On fringe forums. Like to see that going on in someone's places of work. The invaded will be keeping their mouths shut while their colleagues are slagging off anti-vaxers left right and centre as they are the majority and virtuous. |
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This technique is not new and has been used time and time again the white feathers someone has already mentioned a more recent example is bexit and the villifing of anyone who is not British born to 2 British parents, but it has become more potent over the years with the popularity of social media platforms and the polarisation these encourage
Before the language police start I'm dyslexic so please forgive any spelling or punctuation mistakes  |
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Nothing new really about Governments doing this sort of thing though just that's it is far easier to day now with the 24 hour news cycle and of course social media and the very willing help of certain newspapers anyone or any group can be blamed for just about anything and just look at the whole "Brexit" affair ?? as for us if you don't want the jab carry on but we do rather like breathing in oxygen but not via a machine/mask  |
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Interesting comments made about the polarisation of opinion in nearly all facets of public discourse.
I am sure there used to be a time when such polarisation was rare and the extreme beliefs at either end of a subject under discussion were minimal and marginal.
It seems more than ever nowadays that there is little room for middle ground anymore, and scarce time is devoted to appreciating more than one side of an issue.
You've gotta choose quick and you've gotta to choose right, and vilify the opposition.
It's quite disheartening really.
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"Interesting comments made about the polarisation of opinion in nearly all facets of public discourse.
I am sure there used to be a time when such polarisation was rare and the extreme beliefs at either end of a subject under discussion were minimal and marginal.
It seems more than ever nowadays that there is little room for middle ground anymore, and scarce time is devoted to appreciating more than one side of an issue.
You've gotta choose quick and you've gotta to choose right, and vilify the opposition.
It's quite disheartening really.
"
Just casting ones mind back to historical examples:
Abolition of sl@very
Votes for women
Anything to do with possible Communism
The Black Shirts & Oswald Moseley
Equal pay for women and men
The miner's strikes
The Poll tax
Margaret Thatcher
Student tuition fees
The Iraq War
Brexit
I think polarisation has been a fixture of our political system for centuries. The greater participation in the democratic process by all adults over 18 and a greater ability to read news 24/7 has possibly amplified things, but at the heart of it, I don't think polarisation is a new thing. |
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"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed.
Is he vaccinated?
Of course...I would hate to think what he would be like if he wasn't.
How do you know it would be worse if he was unvaccinated?
Because I have a brain"
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The virus hasn't gone and with that kind of thought process who knows what comes next. My partner is currently down with covid and its certainly not a cold and I'm just hoping that a trip to the hospital won't be needed.
Is he vaccinated?
Of course...I would hate to think what he would be like if he wasn't.
How do you know it would be worse if he was unvaccinated?
Because I have a brain"
I have to word this response carefully in case it gets taken out of context.
Are you sure (he would be worse if he was unvaccinated?)? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The antivax lot are not our elected government. There's a world of difference. "
Thank god we still have some people left in our world who dare think differently from our government |
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Some interesting comments, so flagging this for myself.
Can't read everything, so perhaps this has been said. But to use nudge techniques effectively one probably needs to have enough resources or the idea always needs critical mass - the Government can start with small nudges and work their way up. But I doubt anti-vaxxers are in a position to do that.
But the OP'a post - was it aimed generally at views that gain support in these forums, rather than just the vaccination question? |
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By *irldn OP Couple
over a year ago
Brighton |
"Interesting comments made about the polarisation of opinion in nearly all facets of public discourse.
I am sure there used to be a time when such polarisation was rare and the extreme beliefs at either end of a subject under discussion were minimal and marginal.
It seems more than ever nowadays that there is little room for middle ground anymore, and scarce time is devoted to appreciating more than one side of an issue.
You've gotta choose quick and you've gotta to choose right, and vilify the opposition.
It's quite disheartening really.
"
If you have Netflix watch the documentary The Social Dilemma |
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