There's a very interesting article on the connection between the level of on-line discourse about a technical subject and how participants perceive the risk associated with it available at
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcc4.12009/abstract
I heard about it on a podcast entitled Online Comments - a "wicked" problem
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/futuretense/online-comments---ep/5795478
I think it could apply to off-line discussion as well and provides an interesting perspective on risk communication strategies in the 21st Century...
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Secretary
Division of Chemical Health and Safety
American Chemical Society