Johnson, Sauer, and Radiolab

The author of “Romanticizing the Atom” is Robert R. Johnson. He is a professor of rhetoric, composition, and technical communication at Michigan Technological University. He is the author of User-Centered Technology: A Rhetorical Theory for Computers and Other Mundane Artifacts. The hazard/risk Johnson is addressing is nuclear radiation, as well as the atomic mindset, and how it comprises the environment, people’s health, and people’s way of life. This mindset occurred, and continues to occur, throughout planet Earth. The research method that was used to produce the text focuses on people’s opinions from different occupations, such as Einstein. Johnson includes direct quotations, thoughts, and arguments from these people about the subject of nuclear energy in the U.S. to contribute to his overall message and argument. Their point about the atomic mindset is that people do not have all the facts about nuclear energy, and only take in what they want to hear (calculative mindset). People are being brainwashed into thinking that nuclear energy is the only answer, but it is expensive, dangerous, and hard to dispose of. The author uses rhetorical questions and straightforward facts to inform readers about the atomic mindset. An example of this is when he rhetorically asks, “Once the atomic mindset has taken hold and events unfold in which atomic development compromises our environment, health, and way of life, what can be done to confront the mindset and work for change?” (Johnson). This example appeals to emotion (pathos) because it paints a picture of something scary that could happen if people do not realize what atomic power is capable of. The problem is everywhere. 

The author of The Rhetoric of Risk is Beverly Sauer who has more than fifteen years’ experience as a consultant to a wide range of Federal, State, and private organizations. She was formerly Professor of Communication at Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business, and Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business. Sauer specializes in helping individuals develop communication skills to enhance group dynamics cross-cultural communication, and risk assessment in highly technical systems. The hazard/risk that Sauer is risk management and hazards in the workplace, specifically mines. She addresses how poor communication and documentation skills affect the way events and decisions precipitate a disaster. The point Sauer is trying to make is that risk specialists can benefit from an understanding of the rhetorical practices that influence how we document what audiences know. When a crisis occurs, individuals need adequate documentation to help them make decisions, and they also need appropriate strategies to persuade others to act to reduce manage risk. The method of research she uses is formal interviewing. She interviewed miners in the U.S., Great Britain, and South Africa from 1992 to 1997 to discover the full range of rhetorical strategies that individuals employ when they observe, analyze, and assess risk. She also uses quotes from fellow risk analysts, as well as studied workplace documents. The author asks several rhetorical questions which make readers think logically about the subject at hand (logos). For example, she asks rhetorically, “How do we discover the means of persuasion that are not recorded in writing, inscribed in textual practices, and authorized as conventional within the disciplines and institutions we choose to study?”. 

The hosts of the Radiolab podcast are Robert Krulwich and Jad Abumrad. For 22 years Robert Krulwich was a science, economics, general assignment, and foreign correspondent for ABC and CBS news; earned a BA in history from Oberlin College, and a law degree from Columbia University in 1974. Jad Abumrad studied creative writing and music composition at Oberlin College in Ohio and he was honored as a 2011 MacArthur Fellow (also known as the Genius Grant). These hosts had a few different guest speakers who shared stories regarding nuclear weapons in U.S. history. The hazard/risk discussed in the podcast revolved around the idea of checks and balances in nuclear regulation, and whether the President should have the sole authority to give the launch command of destructive nuclear weapons. Their research method is formal interviews with these guest speakers who are providing first-hand accounts of the topic of the launch of nuclear weapons. Harold, a former military member, and airforce pilot was forced to retire after he questioned the President’s authority in making decisions about the launch of nuclear weapons. They hear from a few different people and come to the conclusion that the President probably should be conferring with someone on this manner that has such high stakes, but it should be with the secretary of state and not a military member like Harold. Their point is that there needs to be a system of checks and balances in place for something that could cause mass destruction and thousands upon thousands of deaths. The hosts use guest speakers who have real experience in the topic they are discussing, which makes listeners feel that what is being said is true and credible.