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Vegeta
Skeptic Friend
United Kingdom
238 Posts |
 Posted - 05/21/2007 : 16:45:05
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http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/04/23/Pressure_for_investigation_into_wifi_health_risks/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6676129.stm
Seems to be the same fears associated with mobile phones. From what I understand, the type of radiation used for the mobile phone network and wireless internet passes through the human body without any interaction, (better be anyway, I've been running a wireless router in my house non-stop for a year). Although it seems quite hard to find any detailed scientific analysis of this amongst all the news stories and general paranoia websites.
| Some scientists fear that Wi-Fi can cause cancer and premature senility |
I'd be interested to hear what empirical evidence these fears are based on. There seems to be so much anecdotal and testamonial evidence, e.g. a friend of mine says his head tingles whenever his wi-fi is on, he and his daughter swear by this.
Most TV news broadcasts simply report the same thing basically "scientists say its safe", with no actual scientific background. Its this kind of dumbing down IMO that causes people to mistrust 'science'. If they made an effort to explain the term 'radiation', including how various waves of different wavelengths/frequencies affect the human body and how some forms are harmful and why some are not then maybe more people would understand the situation. It certainly can't be a bad thing to raise awareness.
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What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before?
"I was asked if I would do a similar sketch but focusing on the shortcomings of Islam rather than Christianity. I said, 'No, no I wouldn't. I may be an atheist but I'm not stupid.'" - Steward Lee |
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Ricky
SFN Die Hard
USA
4907 Posts |
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Vegeta
Skeptic Friend
United Kingdom
238 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2007 : 17:14:15 [Permalink]
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| Perhaps it's a good thing that people don't look to get their education from the news. Given how bad they are at the news itself, it's probably best they don't attempt something outside their field, i.e. education |
I didn't say give a BAD explanation, but I can understand your lack of confidence.
I think the majority of people would not bother to try to educate themselves, and with many people, "My friends said..." carries more weight than "Scientists say...". A lot of people distrust anything like that. If they had a better understanding, then they could see the same picture the scientists do rather than feeling like they are the victims of spin. So instead of having to put their trust in some nameless scientist, they could rely on their own judgements.
Perhaps it could be argued that its up the individual to overcome their own ignorance, but I don't think that is practical, I'd rather at least give them a nudge in the right direction.
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What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before?
"I was asked if I would do a similar sketch but focusing on the shortcomings of Islam rather than Christianity. I said, 'No, no I wouldn't. I may be an atheist but I'm not stupid.'" - Steward Lee |
| Edited by - Vegeta on 05/21/2007 17:14:37 |
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Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2007 : 17:36:07 [Permalink]
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| Maybe instead of cancer, Wi-Fi will give me super powers... |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2007 : 18:36:13 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Vegeta
There seems to be so much anecdotal and testamonial evidence, e.g. a friend of mine says his head tingles whenever his wi-fi is on, he and his daughter swear by this. |
You should empirically test that for them. Go to his house, have him sit facing away from the device, while you flip a coin to determine whether to turn the thing on or off, and have him tell you whether it is or not. Best if he puts on heavy hearing protection, so he won't hear you flipping the switch (or you could just try to fake it).
My bet is that he gets about 50% right.
A dirtier trick would be to unplug the thing while he's not looking, so you can flip the switch with wild abandon, but never turn it on, and if his head ever tingles, then you and he will know that the effect is at least partially psychological. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Ricky
SFN Die Hard
USA
4907 Posts |
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Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2007 : 20:27:10 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Cuneiformist
Maybe instead of cancer, Wi-Fi will give me super powers...
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Knowing your luck, you'll turn orange and rocky. |
Cthulhu/Asmodeus when you're tired of voting for the lesser of two evils
Brother Cutlass of Reasoned Discussion |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 03:46:17 [Permalink]
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Heh. When I was getting a long series of X-rays for my Hodgkins Disease back in the mid-80's, it was on a dry, sunny day. The radiologist would retreat to a glassed-in booth to zap me. I could not see him or his actions from where I was set up for the X-rays. We communicated via an intercom. After he took a couple of shots of me, I mentioned that I could "feel" it each time. He didn't believe me, but asked that I raise a finger each time I was zapped. I did so for a good many more shots, and he was astounded that I'd raised my index finger at exactly the moments he'd operated the machine.
What I think I actually felt was a slight static-electricty effect from the equipment, as though all the tiny hairs on my body were raising at once, for a blink of a second during each X-ray. It was a very clear sensation. I've had many X-rays before and since, and have never, ever felt them, except that once. Maybe the atmospheric conditions were perfect that day.
It would indeed be interesting to try Dave's experiment! I'd make no bets at all.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 05/22/2007 03:46:48 |
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leoofno
Skeptic Friend
USA
346 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 07:06:14 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by HalfMooner
Heh. When I was getting a long series of X-rays for my Hodgkins Disease back in the mid-80's, it was on a dry, sunny day. The radiologist would retreat to a glassed-in booth to zap me. I could not see him or his actions from where I was set up for the X-rays. We communicated via an intercom. After he took a couple of shots of me, I mentioned that I could "feel" it each time. He didn't believe me, but asked that I raise a finger each time I was zapped. I did so for a good many more shots, and he was astounded that I'd raised my index finger at exactly the moments he'd operated the machine.
What I think I actually felt was a slight static-electricty effect from the equipment, as though all the tiny hairs on my body were raising at once, for a blink of a second during each X-ray. It was a very clear sensation. I've had many X-rays before and since, and have never, ever felt them, except that once. Maybe the atmospheric conditions were perfect that day.
It would indeed be interesting to try Dave's experiment! I'd make no bets at all.
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Which is why proper experiments need to be set up so carefully. Still, It would be a good first pass to see if there was any reason at all to go to the trouble. |
"If you're not terrified, you're not paying attention." Eric Alterman
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perrodetokio
Skeptic Friend
275 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 08:58:42 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by Vegeta
| Perhaps it's a good thing that people don't look to get their education from the news. Given how bad they are at the news itself, it's probably best they don't attempt something outside their field, i.e. education |
I didn't say give a BAD explanation, but I can understand your lack of confidence.
I think the majority of people would not bother to try to educate themselves, and with many people, "My friends said..." carries more weight than "Scientists say...". A lot of people distrust anything like that. If they had a better understanding, then they could see the same picture the scientists do rather than feeling like they are the victims of spin. So instead of having to put their trust in some nameless scientist, they could rely on their own judgements.
Perhaps it could be argued that its up the individual to overcome their own ignorance, but I don't think that is practical, I'd rather at least give them a nudge in the right direction.
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Youīre right. It wouldnīt be practical because most people (including scientists) donīt have enough time to become experts in every field. Thatīs why the majority have to rely on few experts. I think if (in general) someone tried to be an expert in everyfield, they would know a little of everything but could not be considered an expert in all of it. Thatīs what organisations are for. If I get ill and try to become an expert in my illness in order to treat myself, i would probably die before reaching the level of expertise requiered to succesfully treat my disease. |
"Yes I have a belief in a creator/God but do not know that he exists." Bill Scott
"They are still mosquitoes! They did not turn into whales or lizards or anything else. They are still mosquitoes!..." Bill Scott
"We should have millions of missing links or transition fossils showing a fish turning into a philosopher..." Bill Scott |
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pleco
SFN Addict
USA
2998 Posts |
Posted - 05/22/2007 : 09:35:08 [Permalink]
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Perhaps if you wore these on your head you won't get a tumor or become senile.
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by Filthy
The neo-con methane machine will soon be running at full fart. |
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Wi-Fi health risk
