As Irene approaches, so does challenge of heeding warnings about rare threats
Source(s):
New York Times, the
David Ropeik, a consultant in risk communication and author of “How Risky Is It, Really?,” has offered a “Your Dot” contribution to the New York Times' Dot Earth blog exploring what makes people discount or respond to information on an impending disaster.
Ropeik explains the risk-versus-benefit choices made, such as "Anyone who stays to protect property is making a risk-versus-benefit choice that says the risk of a hurricane – which in a mandatory evacuation area includes the risk of dying – doesn’t feel as big as the benefit of protecting your replaceable physical belongings. OOOPS!"