We all like to think of ourselves as rational decision-makers. We take a calm, cool look at the facts, and arrive at a decision consistent with them. But social scientists are studying the human decision-making apparatus, and they’re saying it ain’t so. We are, all of us, driven by our values, emotions, intuition, and cultural affiliation, yet our public discussion about just about any controversial issue you can name — including agricultural technology like GMOs — consists mostly of two opposing camps lobbing their version of “the facts” back and forth.
Having a more constructive public conversation starts with understanding why that conversation went off the rails in the first place, and that’s an analysis that starts at home. A better understanding what’s going on in our own heads is the beginning of a kinder, gentler — and more productive — public debate.
Washington Post journalist Tamar Haspel will speak about this topic tomorrow as part of the session Next-Generation Genetic and Breeding Solutions, Part II: Opportunities and Challenges at 10:45 a.m. in Grand Ballroom A/B at the American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo.
Haspel is a journalist who’s been on the food and science beat for the best part of two decades. Her James Beard award-winning Washington Post column, Unearthed, covers food supply issues across the spectrum: biotech, pesticides, food additives, antibiotics, organics, nutrition, and food policy.
