By James Zheng
For Editor Hannah’s Conspiracy Week Theme, James speaks on common misconceptions.
There is plenty of common knowledge–whether taught by our parents or heard from media–that we generally choose to believe because it is widespread. But, sometimes, due to our lack of cognitive and discriminating capabilities, and the misleading information around us, we cannot identify if the information taught is factual.
Electronic devices are everywhere. The thing that most people are concerned about is the harm electronic devices bring them. Here comes the question of whether or not electronic devices, such as cell phones, computers, and even routers, have radiant effects on us. While I was thinking about this, an article written by Chinese blogger Dao Dao gave me a simple answer.
Dao Dao paraphrases common misconceptions regarding our smart phones:
“Mobile phones have radiation, so do not put [them] near you when you are sleeping! The router has radiation, which should be unplugged when you are sleeping! After using the computer for a while, wash your face carefully!”
But, he counters with . . .
1. Radiation is only a form of energy, just like light is also a kind of radiation. All radiation does not have the same property as nuclear radiation.
2. What is harmful to the human body is radiation with higher energy than light, which is called ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet rays, etc. Nuclear radiation belongs to ionizing radiation. This is the radiation that may harm the human body.
3. The usual electromagnetic radiation emitted by electrical appliances is generally called electromagnetic waves. . . . Its energy is lower than the light. As long as the power is not big enough to burn something, you don’t have to worry about its harm. This has already been confirmed by WHO (World Health Organization).
4. Sunlight itself is a type of intense radiation. In terms of its power alone, it radiates much more than any electrical apparatus around you, plus ultraviolet radiation within the sunlight, which can directly harm the human body, but you should not be afraid of sunlight.
In conclusion, if you are still afraid of the so-called radiation of those electrical appliances, you might as well find a cellar to seal yourself up and not touch the sun.
Adding on to what this blogger has said so far, I found some other facts showing that cell phones do not harm humans.
From a Danish study:
How the study was done: “This cohort study, conducted in Denmark, linked billing information from more than 358,000 cell phone subscribers with brain tumor incidence data from the Danish Cancer Registry.”
What the study showed: “No association was observed between cell phone use and the incidence of glioma, meningioma, or acoustic neuroma, even among people who had been cell phone subscribers for 13 or more years.”
From a Million Women Study:
How the study was done: “This prospective cohort study conducted in the United Kingdom used data obtained from questionnaires that were completed by study participants.”
What the study showed: “Self-reported cell phone use was not associated with an increased risk of glioma, meningioma, or non-central nervous system tumors. Although the original published findings reported an association with an increased risk of acoustic neuroma, this association disappeared after additional years of follow-up of the cohort.”
Although I have seen the experiments and articles proving the popular misunderstanding on the radiation that electronic devices brought, I do not totally think electronic devices are harmless. All the evidence might just be saying the risk is low. The research essentially eliminates the concern within public thoughts and debunks the rumors on the internet. However, I say, the risk could possibly be accumulative, and we should avoid careless exposure . . . over time.
Conspiracy Editor: Hannah Hall
I’m comforted to know Scientists are aware of the possible dangers of technology to our physical well-being. But i worry.
Is there is enough awareness of the dangers of technology devices to our social, spiritual and emotional well-being? Could they “contaminate ” human interaction? Do they contaminate compassion for others? Could they promulgate insensitivity, disrespect and hate. What are their effects on critical thinking, creativity, responsibility.?