ABSTRACT
Anyone who behaves riskily may do so as a first-order observer. But as soon as he considers whether to take a risk, he observes himself from the position of a second-order observer; only then can people really speak of risk awareness or risk communication; for only then do the distinctions typical for risk constitute the point of departure for the operation, taking the other side into account and not only reporting objects. The entire system operates at the level of second-order observation, and only secondarily only for purposes of explanation, of description, of preparing for action is observation of the first order with direct reference to the object activated once again. Observation of the second order occurs only when people observe observers as observers. It is more important to come to grips with the communication problems to be dealt with when second-order observation has been established and can be expected.
