I heard a nuclear physicist compare the construction of a proposed plant on the US east coast as playing Russian Roulette. He spoke of all the dangers and then went on to explain that he was lobbying against its construction as “a bad investment due to the risk”.
He was apologetic for his financial argument for what he clearly felt was a major safety and moral issue. But I didn’t have a problem with it at all. Effective communication means speaking in terms people relate to. This man is lobbying based on his own sense of social responsibility. I respect that. I also respect the fact that he knows what motivates the decision-makers he seeks to influence. We deal with the world as it is – not as we think it should be. In doing that, we are better equipped to effect positive change.