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Most people don’t realize that it’s virtually impossible to prove something completely safe. Instead, science tests for the lack of evidence of risk. A subtle but important distinction, this means that nothing, not even water, is completely safe at all doses and modes of exposure. . . . In essence, companies create a market for their products based on fear, not evidence. Here’s how:
Step 1: Plant the seeds of fear
An ancient and adaptive emotion ingrained in humanity through evolution, fear is one of the most powerful motivators of behavior. . . In the developed world, we have far less to fear than our ancestors did, so our instincts latch on to not-so-hazardous “threats.” . . .
Step 2: Obscure the science
. . . These companies’ marketing campaigns have little to do with science and everything to do with inducing maximum fear. Bemoaning the evils of the chemicals other companies use, they provide little evidence about the safety of their own ingredients, often because that data does not exist. The goal is to keep their customers afraid of the competition while posing as the safe and caring alternative.
Related on the SLP
Co-opting the language of science without adopting principles of science is a clever bait and switch.
Step 3: Profit
Once consumers are afraid and the science has been obscured, companies slap on a premium for their products based on vague claims about safety or even hazier concepts like “honesty” or “conscience.” Primed with fear, potential customers are ready to pay much more than they would for a mainstream brand. These fear-based marketing campaigns are not about educating consumers but creating an illusion of consumer empowerment.
Read full, original post: How Marketers Use Fear Of Chemicals For Profit: 3 Easy Steps
