Speaker
Mr
Marcel Hulspas
(De Pers)
Description
As a science journalist for major Dutch newspapers Marcel Hulspas has written about nanotechnology and related subjects. He has also chaired meetings between the general public and nano-scientists as part of the ‘Nanocaravan’, the national public debate initiated by the Dutch government. His experiences made him aware that there are several types of ‘nano audiences’: The ‘hard core’ nay-sayers, who are suspicious about nanotechnology as a hazardous industrial ploy. Then there are the scientists, who try to reduce public concerns by giving more and more information, often with the opposite effect of stressing the inevitable uncertainties. The third type are science fans who only wanted to hear and preach the blessings which nanotechnology will bring us. He asks the question what could happen when the three groups mix and what can we learn of it about effective communication.
