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Science in need
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-04 07:47
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To make people believe that 2012 is just a science fiction movie and prevent them from panicking, the authorities should release information timely and popularize science, says an article in Hua Shang. Excerpts:
One of the most powerful earthquakes hit Chile less than two months after the Haiti quake, spreading widespread public concern. Experts believe the level of recent seismic activities is similar to that in the first half of the 20th century.
But people may panic and associate such successive natural disasters with the popular film, 2012, which depicts the end of the world. This irrational fear may result in desperate actions.
Recently millions of people in Shanxi province ran out of their homes and gathered on streets after rumors of an earthquake spread like wildfire.
To ease people's anxiety over natural disasters and maintain social stability, the government should pay more attention to public opinion, issue authoritative information in time and popularize the study of science.
