Persuading Non-Technical Audiences to Support Investment in Earth Observations: Or, How to Think Like an Ancient Roman

How do we get more people to support the development and sustainment of earth observing systems and science? That’s the million dollar question for many of us in a time of shrinking budgets. In this presentation, I advocate adopting the powerful strategies available to us from the classical rhetorical toolbox. Classical rhetoric, time tested and still applicable today, offers us a structure for understanding how people are motivated and persuaded to accept an idea or take action.

Every moment of interaction, from a formal meeting to a fleeting tweet, is an opportunity to build your case. I’ll present a few key concepts from the classical toolbox that you can use to increase your likelihood of being “heard” and frame your value in ways that audiences will find familiar. Instances of classical rhetorical strategies are all around us, and I’ll present some of the best examples from social media, science websites, and other sources.