เข็มทิศของการสื่อสาร | ดร. แก่นพงศ์ บุญถาวร | TEDxMahidolU | แก่นพงศ์ บุญถาวร | TEDxMahidolU

Quick Overview

Dr. Kanpong Boonthaworn, a shrimp virus researcher, transitioned from preferring quantitative data to embracing qualitative, narrative-driven communication, exemplified by using illustrated comics and animation to explain complex scientific topics like Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) to children and the public, demonstrating that effective communication often requires stepping outside purely numerical analysis.

Key Points: The speaker, Dr. Kanpong Boonthaworn, is a Shrimp Virus Researcher who previously favored quantitative data over qualitative storytelling. He found that his initial research-focused communication style, relying on data like the fitted line plot (03:43), did not resonate well with the public, especially when explaining bioethics or scientific topics. He initiated a project called "Young Cartoonist Against AMR" (08:15) for 2023-2024, collecting nearly 400 illustrations (08:28) to communicate about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The speaker realized that storytelling, particularly through comics (09:34), helped convey complex issues like AMR and the dangers of antibiotic overuse in livestock (10:08, 10:33) more effectively than pure data. He contrasts two worldviews: Anthropocentrism (11:57), where nature exists for human benefit, versus a view where non-human entities (like farm animals) are valued intrinsically. The concept of the 'Post-Antibiotic Era' (07:35) illustrates the severe consequences if bacteria become resistant to all available antibiotics, making common infections life-threatening. The key takeaway is that effective science communication requires empathy and narrative engagement, moving beyond just presenting facts or numbers to connect with diverse audiences.

Context: The presentation is a TEDx talk delivered by Dr. Kanpong Boonthaworn, identified as a Shrimp Virus Researcher (01:25), at TEDx MahidolU. The talk centers on the challenge of communicating scientific concepts, specifically bioethics and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), to broader audiences, contrasting his initial reliance on quantitative methods with his later adoption of narrative and visual storytelling, such as comics, to foster understanding and engagement.