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WikiCurve states that issues move through 6 stages of maturation. During each phase, critical events happen that help to shape our attitudes and opinions. They could be as dramatic as an oil spill, an upcoming global Summit or a political event. Even the release of a popular movie can have an impact on opinion development. Click on the stages below to read more about them.
Catalyst
A few people notice something new or have different ideas about the status quo and start talking/writing about it.
Theory development
Different theories are developed by “fringe” groups of activists, academics or others. Specialists talk about the issue and become engaged in theory development, but it doesn’t have much public profile.
Popular interest
The issue starts to come into public awareness, media coverage about the issue starts to spread and bigger more mainstream groups begin to form to advocate on the issue.
Public debate
The issue is becoming important to people and they are talking about it with their friends and family. There is advocacy and pushback from different groups and opinions are being formed through debate.
Policy and regulation
Policy is developed and contested, industry groups might put voluntary regulation into place and attitudes are becoming more fixed.
Mainstream acceptance
The issue is in the mainstream and has become a “norm” and those who hold alternate views are sanctioned for not adopting the requisite values, behaviours, and practices expected.
New events on the curve
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Paris Climate Change Conference (CoP 15)
Parties agree to limit global warming to within 2 degreees which is determined an acceptable risk. An acceptable risk in this instance is 1.5 degree...
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Amnesty International publishes report condemning...
"Activists claim that by failing to properly clean up the pollution the company is exposing thousands of residents to contaminated water, land, and...
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GM-Organic-Conventional debate rages in Australia
"Organic farmer Steve Marsh loses appeal for compensation from neighbour Michael Baxter whose GM crop blew into his field, contaminating his organic...