In the Age of Outrage, the Best Story Wins

In the Age of Outrage, the Best Story Wins We live in an era where outrage travels faster than understanding—and nowhere is that more visible than in the global food debate. From alt proteins to gene editing to the war on ultra-processed foods, every innovation risks becoming a flashpoint. But the problem isn’t just the science. It’s the story. In this provocative and energizing keynote, Jack Bobo explores how the future of food will be shaped—not only by what we invent—but by how we talk about it. Drawing on behavioral science, strategic foresight, and two decades at the front lines of food policy, he shows why facts aren’t enough, why polarization is predictable, and why story-driven communication may be our most underused tool for progress. Because in the age of outrage, it’s not the loudest voice that wins. It’s the one that brings people together. To move forward, we have to move beyond outrage. That means rethinking how we frame the future of food—not just what we say, but how we say it. It means lowering the temperature, choosing words that connect instead of divide, and telling stories that invite people in. Because if we get the story right, agriculture won’t just feed the world—it might just save it.