Based on Atmosphere Field Theory, the Evolution of Online Public Opinion of Accident Disasters: A Case Study of the "March 13 Major Gas Deflagration Accident"

Abstract

Revealing the emotional evolution mechanism of online public opinion of accident disasters is the key to improving the precision of emergency management and public opinion governance. In response to the limitation of traditional research that often separates "emotion" from "logic", this paper introduces the "Atmosphere Field Theory" and takes the "March 13" major gas deflagration accident in Yanjiao, Hebei as a case study to deeply analyze the emotional dynamic chain of public opinion evolution. The research finds that the public opinion of the accident fully presents the progressive logic of "structure problem → moral shock → generalized belief → secondary stimulus → situational mobilization → ultimate stimulus" and contains two main evolutionary threads: first, the "Safety-Accountability Chain", which is triggered by structural risks of urban gas safety, propelled by improper emergency response behaviors, and ultimately points to deep institutional accountability; second, the "Rights-Trust Chain", which originates from the tension between information control and the public's right to know, is ignited and escalated after the intervention of authoritative professional institutions, and profoundly impacts government credibility. In response, this paper proposes a four-in-one governance strategy of "forward-looking, collaborative, procedural, and empathetic" qualities, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for the precise governance of public opinion that equally emphasizes emotion and logic.