What Shiva Can Teach Us About Science Communication
We can learn a lot about people from not just what they say, but how they choose to say it. Communication scholars claim that something like 75% of meaning comes from non-verbal cues. Non-verbal cues are not just gestures, they come from our rate, volume, proximity and our willingness to absorb feedback. Many suggest that the non-verbals communicate true intention, and that these signals may not always match the words. When we critically evaluate the non-verbal performance of Dr.Vandana Shiva on China’s CCTV , (beginning at 23:00 min) we learn a lot about the person. This video is a MUST WATCH . Portrayed by her supporters as a kind-hearted and gentle defender of the downtrodden and the environment, we see her true colors. It is not just her words, but the way she chooses to say them. We can analyze her communication style and rhetoric and draw some important conclusions. If you want to learn how NOT to discuss biotech, watch Shiva closely. Nobody learns anythin