The result is likely to be irritation and hostility rather than sympathy and understanding. Our failure is serious because the public holds the key to the future of science but does not see that science holds keys to the future of mankind. Their support is essential for the scientific enterprise. Next year in Switzerland, for example, I understand that there is to be a nation wide referendum on whether production is to be allowed of medicaments initiated by gene technology. A negative result could be revolutionary.
Lets go back to the thought experiment and find the mistakes.
I think there were two. First we were talking without listening. Unfortunately though, Mr Public does look at it that way and will continue to do so. The second mistake was to attempt to counter Mr Public's feelings with a scientist's logic. Surely, I imagine I hear rational scientists saying, what is important is not what people feel but what they think after careful deliberation.