alt Hacker NewsOne very successful social intervention in the UK was the push to reduce drink-driving. Starting around the 80s I think, maybe earlier. There was a big media campaign with TV ads as well as implementing and enforcing stricter laws. What I find interesting is that many in the older generation still found it more acceptable to have a few drinks and drive, whereas those growing up during this period largely find it very socially unacceptable.
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Generally, criminal enforcement is a very effective way to curb behavior. Not saying it’s a panacea or will reduce a behavior to 0. But look at prohibition and the rate of drinking in the US. It permanently decreased, even after the amendment was repealed.
One feature of this intervention was that it directly coerced the behavior that was their desired outcome, with the threat of stricter enforcement.
Whereas many of the interventions mentioned in the article were seemingly logical but indirect: If we do A, it will cause people to behave B, resulting in C.
I see there is bunch of failure of understanding in the comments.
Lots of social programs are not working to improve lives of adults that are already messed up.
Aiming at kids is the way to go.
That’s how the YouTube influencers got big, they basically groomed generations of followers.