The Good, The Bad, The Spin

A basic principle of social psychology is that people used to a certain something will react strongly if that something is suddenly taken away. National Public Radio reports on the gas rationing that began yesterday in Iran and the public’s violent responses. The county would have seen less negative reactions had the rationing been instituted incrementally, if possible.

To conserve water in my area, utilities raise the rates after resource economists are consulted on the question: How much can we raise prices to encourage decreased consumption without having consumer revolt?

Fortunately, some public relations folks see value in raising the bar—and telling it like it is. Courtesy of Murphy’s law, here’s a telling example of why public relations will likely continue to suffer its ongoing identity crisis.

I’m not sure which is sadder: the profile on NPR of Larry Peterson, who was in prison for more than 17 years before DNA testing exonerated him, or the recent lawsuit filed against the federal government by the parents of about 5,000 autistic children.

The tragedy in Peterson’s case is two-fold. His time in prison and the details surrounding his incarceration point too much toward being the victim of circumstance, which continues through today as he tries to rebuild his life. To top it off, Peterson’s accusers still vehemently believe he is guilty in spite of scientific evidence to the contrary. This is a shadow that will likely never leave the former inmate. (more…)