The contextual dimension of risk dialogues: the case of water recycling weblogs in South East Queensland, Australia
(2007) The contextual dimension of risk dialogues: the case of water recycling weblogs in South East Queensland, Australia, in Managing Knowledge, Technology and Development in the Era of Information Revolution. Greenleaf Publishing.
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Abstract
In January 2007, the Premier of Queensland, Australia, made the controversial decision to introduce recycled water into South East Queensland’s (SEQ’s) drinking supply, igniting significant community debate. Using a Toowoombabased antirecycling weblog (blog) as a case study, this paper examines the discourse produced in relation to the water recycling proposal as a means to understand how bloggers’ risk dialogues were shaped. Using the Public Acceptability of Controversial Technologies (PACT) framework as a conceptual guide, this paper demonstrates how the political and institutional context played a significant role in influencing people’s position in relation to water recycling technologies. Specifically, through the construction of a David and Goliath-type battle between the ‘ordinary resident’ versus the ‘authorities’ (local council, government and experts), bloggers created a context whereby pro-recycling could be equated with pro-Goliath. Overall, the analysis highlights the salience of context in shaping risk dialogues about controversial technologies.
| Item Type: | Book Chapter |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Place of Publication: | UK |
| Keywords: | blogs, water recycling, public acceptance,risk dialogues, South East Queensland, Australia |
| Subjects: | 370000 Studies in Human Society > 370100 Sociology > 370104 Urban Sociology and Community Studies |
| ID Code: | 12354 |
| Deposited By: | Miller, Evonne |
| Deposited On: | 07 February 2008 |
| Alternative Locations: | http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/default.asp?ContentID=1 |
| Copyright Owner: | Copyright 2007 Greenleaf Publishing |
| Additional Information: | For more information about this book please refer to the publisher's website (see link) or contact the author. |