Saturday, March 30, 2013

We get publicity!


At MadArtLab

Conquering Infectious Disease Through Memes, by Smashley on March 29, 2013

For a person on the fence about a scientific issue, especially a personal one like GMOs, fluoridated drinking water, or vaccines, a seed of doubt is often all it takes to push them over the fence on the side opposite the scientific consensus. That’s why internet memes touting the dangers of these issues can be so effective — those against them only have to make you wonder “what if?”, whereas those in favor have to lay out each of the reasons why you shouldn’t worry.

Which is why what Facebook groups like The Vaccine Meme Machine and Refutations to Anti-Vaccine Memes are doing is so impressive and important. More and more people get their scientific facts from social media these days, and instead of wringing their hands and *headdesk*ing, these groups are using that fact to their advantage. Sometimes the memes they spread are specifically designed to counteract one that anti-vaccine proponents have created, sometimes they’re more general in order to address common fears, and sometimes, as with any Facebook page, they’re simply sharing the cool things they’ve seen elsewhere.