• Wait, What? European Politicians Look To Ban WiFi In School... For The Children
    85 replies, posted
[url=http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20110519/00442614333/european-politicians-look-to-ban-wifi-school-children.shtml]Source[/url] [release][B]from the [I]not-this-again[/I] dept[/B] Every so often we hear from some random city where a bunch of folks who don't understand technology or radiation claim that WiFi is making people sick and it should be stopped. However, would all of Europe go that way? Apparently there's a proposal in the EU to [url=http://unplugged.rcrwireless.com/index.php/20110516/eco-tech/8984/europe-plans-to-ban-school-wi-fi/?elq=e13a9da5e2334aa18de8e798d8cb808c&elqCampaignId=16]ban all WiFi and cellular technology in schools[/url] to "protect" the children, of course. Notably, the proposal fails to provide any actual evidence, but uses the cop-out of "well, it could be harmful." The report says that since there is still research going on, we should wait until that research is done -- as if that kind of research is [I]ever[/I] done. Even more ridiculous are things like: [I]pay particular attention to "electrosensitive" persons suffering from a syndrome of intolerance to electromagnetic fields and introduce special measures to protect them, including the creation of wave-free areas not covered by the wireless network;[/I] How many times does this claim of "electrosensitive" persons need to be debunked? There is a [url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/jun/02/badscience.comment]ton of evidence[/url] that no such thing as electrosensitivity exists. There [I]are[/I] studies that suggest the symptoms are real -- but they are [I]not[/I] caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields (they may be caused by the person's own brain, or they may be some third factor). But there has been no serious study that has shown, in a controlled setting, that anyone can successfully and repeatedly "sense" when there's an electromagnetic field around. And we're talking [I]dozens[/I] of studies on this, with pretty much all turning up the same result. So why should anyone create "wave free areas" since the [I]evidence[/I] shows it won't actually do anything. The proposal also suggests [I]limits[/I] on wireless technology use [I]even in your own home[/I], saying that "preventative thresholds" should be established. The proposal fails to cite any significant evidence to support most of its claims, instead choosing to use circumstantial claims -- such as noting that since there's an "ongoing public debate" about this, we should block it until that's all been worked out.[/release] [tab]*sigh*[/tab] [img]http://i.somethingawful.com/forumsystem/emoticons/emot-ughh.gif[/img]
Stupid as shit. Fine if they actually had studies that proved this shit but they don't. Also my avatar
You'd have to have a radio receiver in your god damn brain to do damage in the slightest.
So, what, in all schools? My school has a big IT department, including Networking sections. Giving children devices to access the Internet, is for the parents to decide. No need for this idiotic law. Oh, even worse. It's not even to help them study. No, it's actually to 'save them from radiation'.
This is something I'd expect from america, really. Dammit Europe :arghfist::saddowns:
There is far more damaging radiation coming from the ground beneath us: why not build your foundations out of lead to prevent that affecting the children?
And when i thought they were a bit smart.
I'm just wondering what their real reason is for doing it
I cant see this coming into effect unless a bunch of Americans come to Europe and suddenly get the right to vote.
We should ban neutrinos because about 10^15 neutrinos are passing through an individual person every second. It might interfere with our cells!
Makes sense.
Ban Pencils, because they have lead in them :downs:
[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;29992001]Ban Pencils, because they have lead in them :downs:[/QUOTE] Everyone knows pencils use graphite
[QUOTE=KFrohman;29991780]This is something I'd expect from america, really. Dammit Europe :arghfist::saddowns:[/QUOTE] Don't worry, this will never happen since we have people with brains over here.
ban cellphones aswell then
It's rather infuriating that they're blatantly ignoring the myriad studies that put this tired myth down. Why are they doing this? Are they truly just incompetent, or is there some other motivation? If they were doing it to help children study, they'd surely have just stated that as the reason rather than digging up this mouldy tripe.
[QUOTE=Polaco202;29992050]Everyone knows pencils use graphite[/QUOTE] You'd be surprised how wrong your statement is. I don't mean that pencils use lead, I mean that a lot of people still think pencils actually have lead.
[quote]pay particular attention to "electrosensitive" persons suffering from a syndrome of intolerance to electromagnetic fields and introduce special measures to protect them, including the creation of wave-free areas not covered by the wireless network;[/quote] Damnit, this is just as bad as banning all peanut products in school because some kid who's allergic to it might come in contact with it. Heck, it's even worse because it's incredibly unlikely that such a condition even [i]exists[/i].
This is just a proposal, there's hundreds of equally dumb proposals in front of the EU. I recall a story like this appearing every year for the past 10 years, surely by now [B]everyone[/B] knows this is bullshit.
[QUOTE=Trunk Monkay;29992001]Ban Pencils, because they have lead in them :downs:[/QUOTE] Ban cisels, because we can stab people with these.
Jesus. Come on coalition ,get us out of the EU now. We'll have to pay a Unicorn tax next.
[QUOTE=Memobot;29992298]Jesus. Come on coalition ,get us out of the EU now. We'll have to pay a Unicorn tax next.[/QUOTE] Quick lets leave an organization that for the large part is very good for all involved because of one dumb proposal. [editline]22nd May 2011[/editline] Also has anyone actually read the proposal?
My brother is like that, switching off the router while im still playing tf2. "People are just trying to make money off this while it's harmfull for your night rest." "Didn't this shit come from the people who told you that warming water with a watercooker gives water negative energy?"
Oh the proposal is coming from Luxembourg. Perhaps that explains everything.
ban pens ink is poisonous
My old school doesn't even have WiFi, same reason as this.
Ban this thing called the Television. It sounds so god damn dangerous only the Russians would use it!
Why are politicians so damn stupid?
[QUOTE=Dr. Evilcop;29992553]Why are politicians so damn stupid?[/QUOTE] Rapporteur: Mr Jean HUSS, Luxembourg, Socialist Group I'll let you make your own conclusions.
Hahahaha, Luxembourg
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