Your Weekly Dose of Whoa

Front of shirt: “Your conspiracy theory is boring.”

Back of shirt: “Science. When you’re ready to blow your mind.”

 

I prefer to wear shirts without words on them, but if I had to sport a shirt with a political message, this would be my choice.

 

I hate conspiracy theories. They’ve led to xenophobia and genocide. Even seemingly harmless conspiracy theories like “the moon landing was faked” can lead individuals into a distrustful way of seeing the world, and make it harder for a society to move forward on important shared realities…like climate change. Thanks to social media platforms, conspiracy theories now have seemingly unlimited reach, and efforts to combat misinformation and false narratives may or may not be successful in the long game. 

 

Is there another solution to this growing problem beyond policing social media? And what does science storytelling have to do with all of this?

 

Every conspiracy theory has “an interesting story to tell,” more interesting than reality, perhaps. I think most people have a natural desire to see our world in a deeper, more fascinating way than we experience with our own five senses. Religious stories have historically provided an outlet for this. Conspiracy theories provide an outlet as well. But here’s my belief:

 

The stories of science and the natural world are far more fascinating than anything humans have ever written, or ever could write. We just need to tell these stories. 

 

Let’s consider “lookback time.” 

 

This is a personal favorite mind-blowing concept of mine, and when I created my 19-part science series, “Your Weekly Dose of Whoa!” for the FOX/NBC local news audience in Lafayette, LA in 2017, I wondered if this concept would go over everyone’s head. But I decided to go for it, knowing that this would probably be the one chance in the life of these viewers to interact with the wonder of this concept. 

 

These were some of the choices I made to tell the story of “lookback time”:

 

• Just like I did in the first two episodes, I introduced myself as a friendly tour guide for the journey, letting viewers know they’re not about to be lectured by an expert, but by a curious “friend” who will be walking with them every step of the way. 

 

• I leveled with the viewer right off the bat that “this concept is a hard one to understand.” I think this approach takes the pressure off the viewer, so they don’t jump ship with disgruntlement if they feel they’re not following all the information. Even if the viewer walks away understanding one cool concept, and it leaves them with something to meditate on, mission accomplished.

 

• How to connect science with Louisianians over something they already love? LSU football.

 

• Once again, ending with my look to the camera and the “Whoa!” remark. Contemplating images that happened before our Earth formed can be downright scary to some. I think it’s important to never forget this. You might lose an audience, not only from the moment, but from an interest in science for good if they’re left without knowing how to feel in the face of a daunting thought. Sometimes when children encounter a frightening moment, they look to an adult to know how to feel. I prefer offering a reaction of “whoa” as an appropriate response to a mind-blowing wonder. “Whoa” can make you laugh. “Whoa” can help you harness a spiritual high. “Whoa” can take a concept that our minds can’t make sense of, and provide a reaction that simply reminds us of the thrill of being alive.

 

And maybe offering a “whoa” or something like it may be the best way to introduce a society hungry for stories into a fascination with science and the natural world. For individuals on the internet desperately curious to “uncover” the deep truths of the world, let’s give them the deep truths of the world. Let’s make it uplifting. Let’s tell the stories that connect us all, about the moon, about the sun, about light.

 

I’m worried about the future of conspiracy theories and the power social media has provided. However, I think the last thing a conspiracy theorist wants to be told isn’t, “You’re wrong,” it’s “Well, perhaps. But it’s just not that interesting of a story.”

 

In a time when people are increasingly curious to see the world through new, more interesting lens, let’s give them the ultimate show. 

JORDAN SANDLER

Jordan Sandler is an Emmy Award-winning storyteller, meteorologist and former news broadcaster, who’s worked as a chief meteorologist, breaking news reporter, sports anchor and entertainment show host with national appearances on CBS, CNN and MSNBC. Using television to be an advocate for science and marginalized groups is Jordan’s greatest passion. Jordan broke the South Carolina media silence on the LGBTQ community in 2009, hosted an award-winning documentary in 2013 in which he taught autistic kids how to tango dance, and launched an unprecedented science series in Louisiana on local FOX and NBC stations in 2017. Jordan now works remotely from Santa Monica, CA as a media trainer and public speaking coach, training scientists and others in the art of captivating communication.