We want to work with you.
If you’re against increased use of nuclear technology, presumably for some reason or reasons, we want to discuss those reasons, constructively (i.e., in an attempt to find common ground) if possible, and we want to make it possible for you to discuss those reasons with those who support increased use of nuclear technology. We ask that you not hide the reasons for your opposition, accuse us of being criminals or industry agents, or moralize. In our experience, we agree on ethical issues with most anti-nuclear activists–where we disagree is on the facts leading up to the conclusion whose moral implications are being discussed. For example, if nuclear reactors were the massive polluters that they’re often portrayed as being, or had the safety problems they’re often portrayed as having, that would certainly be a very bad thing and deserving of reform at least–but they aren’t and don’t, and we can prove it.
That being said, if you’re anti-nuclear and leave a comment that makes you look bad, we’re not going to get in your way.
If you are undecided about nuclear technology, we want to provide information about it and a forum to discuss that information and its meaning. We understand that “undecided” does not necessarily mean “uninformed,” and we respect your intelligence. You are representative of the people that we need to convince in order to succeed. We ask that you recognize the fact that we have no financial stake in the nuclear industry, any current, pending, or projected nuclear technology project, any nuclear industry entity, or anything else we’re writing about, and level with us about your concerns.
If you support expanded use of nuclear technology, we want to work with you to bring others onboard. To do that, we–you and NIOF, together–must be, in communications terms, liberal in what we accept and conservative in what we ask others to accept. Basically, we can’t ask the audience to come to us, and when we do get an audience, we have to communicate on their terms. When you create content intended for people to read who aren’t pro-nuclear (yet), target a specific audience and write from their perspective (i.e., understand who you’re writing for and how they would say what you want to say, if they knew what you know). Don’t eat the newcomers and don’t be an asshole–it makes you and us look bad.
And to everyone: we want to provide you with the tools you need in order to interact with other users. We can’t solve nuclear technology’s PR problems–we can only do our best to make it possible for the truth to come out through unfiltered discussion and debate.
This page was written by Stewart Peterson on May 19, 2009
