On June 10, 2015, a distinguished group of five very special speakers got together to help inform Massachusetts legislators and the general public on a subject most people don't want to hear nowadays: the hazards of wireless technology. Yes, it's a drag. The problem is that there really are hazards, and because wireless tech has been sold very effectively to nearly every American, it's important to review the information with great care.
Wireless technology currently includes cellphones, smartphones, iphones, cordless phones, tablets, laptops, "smart" utility meters, etc. It goes on to include baby monitors, GPS, garage door openers, toys, and a growing list.
Each speaker dealt with a different facet of the problem. Like smokers, users who are not in denial seem to be resigned to getting cancer after a while, and this doesn't bother them, even as they provide cellphones to their children! They might be surprised to learn about the addiction aspect, explained by our first speaker. The fact that cellphones foster addiction, just like computer games and other screen-based gadgets, should be obvious. What is less obvious is that cellphones are being given to very young children, and what this is doing to the development (or non-development) of their human sensitivities, including empathy and morality.
The entire event, and the respective speakers, are each preceded by an introduction of some sort. We have provided separate audio files, two for overall introductions and one for each speaker.
A couple of the speakers wandered away from our mikes. We are indebted to Jim Rizoli of Framingham, MA for access to his video recording using a different mike.
Here are details from the event's original announcement:
Radiation - An Important Discussion for Parents Questioning the Safety of Our Childrenâs exposure to Wireless
Many parents are unaware that wireless devices being sold, marketed and in use in schools today use microwaves, the same as your microwave oven. Your devices such as cordless phones, Wi-Fi, smart meters and the cell tower outside your window are effectively functioning as low-level, constantly-emitting, microwave transmitters. Learn more about what possible health risks children face when they are constantly exposed to continued wireless radiation throughout the day, including public places.
Issues to be discussed: - Studies that reveal the health risks involved with constant exposures - Health risk associated with devices including brain and reproductive organs - Impact on memory and social skills - Dangers of "Digital Dementia" and the rise of âZombiesâ
Implications of Current Science for Policy: Lawmakers across our globe are developing safety rules. Similar to the global trend in laws around seat belts, lawn-pesticides, second hand smoke and tanning beds, these laws are designed to protect the public from emerging technologies that eventually reveal emerging evidence of potential harm. Learn more about what is being done around the world, including Canada and France, and what other municipalities are doing, including historic unanimous passage of "Cell Phone Right to Know Ordinance" by the Berkeley City Council.
Meet the panel [not in order of presentation]:
Dr. Devra Davis, PhD - Founder of the Environmental Health Trust and Award-Winning scientist and author of Disconnect -- the Truth About Cell Phone Radiation
Catherine Steiner-Adair - Ed. D, Clinical Psychologist, Consultant, Speaker, and Author of The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age
Dr. R.S. Sharma, Senior Deputy Director General & Scientist - G, Indian Council of Medical Research. A leader of the Indian federal government research on the public health and environmental impacts of mobile phones and other wireless devices
Frank Clegg, CEO of Canadians for Safe Technology (C4ST) and former longtime president of Microsoft Canada
[ADD: Janet Newton, President of the EMR Policy Institute]
Massachusetts State House Briefing Room 437 Wednesday, June 10th , 2015, 2-3 PM EST
Excerpts from reporting of Steiner-Adair's presentation:
" . . .children today are gazing into a screen 7 to 11 hours a day, more than any other activity in their life, and one out of seven sets of parents allow their infants and toddlers to have screen time for up to four hours a day." .......[Steiner-Adair] called it the "Magic of the iPad," but said those devices are neurological stimulants and society needs to stop denying the ramifications.
"Adults may joke they are 'so addicted' to their smartphones, yet they give children the same devices and are really psychologically dependent."
"They function in our lives like little blankies do for children."
"In children, the devices are causing deficits in language development [and social and moral development] and their capacity for frustration and self-soothing."
Truth and Justice Radio airs Sunday mornings 6-10am on WZBC 90.3FM, serving Greater Boston, also available live and archived online. The program describes itself as âFour hours of spirited examination of warmaking, empire, corrupt justice, engineered poverty, lying politicians, jingoism, corporate criminality, and media disinformation.â Go to its website, truthandjusticeradio.org, for further information, including detailed weekly playlists and access to audio archives.
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