2016 Volume 12 Pages 168-178
In response to the severe accident in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants, some STS researchers prioritize criticizing the discourse and attitudes of radioactivity experts. This phenomenon could be due to the academic and social approach of STS to criticize paternalistic authoritarianism and scholar biases in science and technology to invite non-experts to govern S&T. Even though this approach is necessary in ordinary times, it leaves a negative impact in crisis situations. Particularly, in case of the Fukushima accident, heavy criticization towards radioactivity experts would degrade the reliability of proper scientific knowledge and lead to confusion about the evaluation of radiation health risks. Tackling this issue, I propose a Double Interpreter Model between local people and experts, and a Two-front War against Anti-intellectualism and Expert Paternalism. Together, these frameworks (suggesting that in complex modern society, the enemy of our enemy is not always our friends) could inspire further communication between reliable experts and local people.
