A documentary film by James Russell.
I recommend it. Covering scientific research over the last 60 years, up to and including recent studies revealing how finely attuned birds & bees are to our planet's magnetic field, Resonance paints an interesting picture of life on Earth and the wireless technology it wallows in. Free for all to view on YouTube, it even includes some fully legit medical findings and safety suggestions found in the fine print of all mobile phone user guides such as, "Reduce the amount of time spent on calls."
Some may be put off by the film's introduction of a global, naturally-occurring electromagnetic phenomenon (Schumann Resonance) likely integral to all life on Earth; it may strike many as too esoteric or even a bit New Age woo. The math behind planetary frequency resonances and the science of DNA self assembly/replication are each certainly a bit esoteric; the idea that we and every other species are tightly bound to and shaped by the environment—invisible and otherwise—in which we've all developed may be difficult to accept; the suggestion that every individual is actually connected to every other individual through physical forces and fields is maybe too woo-woo! Claiming that a recent explosion of wireless communication technology has not only increased our rate and volume of information exchange while improving the lives of billions but also kills anything that flies while making us all very sick is clearly ridiculous. Accusing the telecom industry of sharing the ethical fortitude of the tobacco industry, or pointing out that the industry appointed and funded regulatory body ICNIRP isn't trying very hard is just mean. Still, if you make it through the first third of the film, I suspect you won't look away until the end.SOME JUICY HIGHLIGHTS
From the iPhone user guide: "...keep iPhone at least 15 mm (5/8 inch) away from the body..."
This very technically precise recommendation may strike my UX professional friends as slightly less user friendly than just saying, "Keep your iPhone more than 1/2 inch from your body at all times."
From the BlackBerry user guide: "Use hands-free operation if it is available and keep the BlackBerry device at least 0.98 in. (25mm) from your body (including the abdomen of pregnant women and the lower abdomen of teenagers) when the BlackBerry device is turned on and connected to the wireless network."
This item is telling you to avoid holding your functioning BlackBerry any closer than 1 inch from your face, your unborn children or born children.
Because doing so is proven to be unsafe.
And this is a good one...
"Given the results of the present epidemiological studies, it can be concluded that electromagnetic fields with frequencies in the mobile telecommunications range do play a role in the development of cancer. This is particularly notable for tumors of the central nervous system, for which there is only the one epidemiological study so far, examining the actual use of mobile phones. The most striking result of this study was an obvious correlation between the side at which the phone was used and the side at which the tumor occurred."
Also, when you put a wireless phone into one of two beehives, bees stay away from exactly one of two beehives (guess which beehive). Because not doing so could be unsafe.
FULL DISCLOSURE
As a recent lotto winner in the Brain Tumor Scratch Off, I may be speaking with a slightly elevated level of concern. Approximately three weeks ago, I had a surprise seizure during my regular afternoon bicycle commute from the office to the pub. I remember riding my bike; I don't remember NOT riding my bike; I DO remember regaining consciousness in a brightly lit ambulance. On my back, propped up on both elbows, I glanced around to notice the medic sitting two feet away and asked, "Am I in an ambulance?" He nodded while answering, "Someone in the neighborhood saw you fall off your bike and have a seizure." I replied, "I had a seizure?"
I had a seizure on a Monday afternoon and fell off my bicycle; MRI on Tuesday identified a quarter-size tumor on my left temporal lobe; brain surgery on Wednesday; observation Thursday; discharged Friday. That's rock & roll, bitches.
To be clear, I don't believe for a moment that man-made electromagnetic radiation (in the ultra high frequency radio range known as UHF) from cell towers, Wi-Fi hotspots and my magical iPhone caused my cancer. It's not that such a thing is impossible—such a thing is obviously possible—it's simply that I happen to know it was caused by the natural electromagnetic radiation (in the ultraviolet range known as UV) from our parent star and my lifelong beach buddy, the Sun. My brain tumor was firmly identified as metastatic melanoma originating from a skin cancer removed about 6 months ago and probably earned between the ages of 6 and 19. At the time, all follow-up tests and scans were negative for further shady activity. Two thumbs up and yay me! Then I fell off my bicycle. Goddamn what a bummer.
Although the new tumor was successfully scooped from my thick skull and all follow-up tests and scans have appeared mostly clear of further shady activity, this aggression will not stand, man. While my preemptive chemotherapy plan will be initiated in a week or two, I've already had one successful clean-up treatment of the tumor site in the form of Stereotactic Radiosurgery using intensely focused and precisely targeted beams of extremely energetic electromagnetic radiation in the x-ray range—ironic, yes?
Back to wireless communication. I don't believe it caused my cancer. I do, however, based on recent research, understand how our highly useful "invisible" ocean of data-filled electromagnetic radiation may have served to suppress my body's natural defense against such illness. On the electromagnetic spectrum below the x-ray range used to correctively zap my brain we find the UV range that scrambled DNA in the cells of my skin leading to cancer. Just below that we find the "visible" portion detected by our eyes and referred to as light. Next there is infrared used in remote controls, then microwaves used to cook just about everything. Finally we reach the UHF range used in telecommunications sitting just above the lower frequency part of the spectrum used for traditional radio and television. It's possible this ocean of UHF radiation interferes with the immune system by confusing our photosensitive pineal glands. Stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light (visible light and apparently radiation down into the range of UHF), our pineal glands produce the powerful anti-oxidant melatonin that not only regulates our sleep-wake cycle but mops up free radicals to fight cancer while we sleep. Handy.
Those who know me know I love technology. Those who ever spend time with me know I love my iPhone (and iPad and Wi-Fi movie streaming at home and bluetooth speakers in the backyard, etc.). This technology has had such a profound positive impact on social connectivity, education, industry and politics that it isn't likely to go away, but it needs to be adjusted by the industry according to current understanding and an outcry from consumers who don't want to be killed by their toys. And surely they understand revenues will drop in tandem with population. Surely.
Regardless of your personal take on all of this, it's a topic that deserves consideration, discussion and possibly action. This technology is everywhere and we should make damn sure it's safe for us and our children. There was a time not long ago we used asbestos everywhere.
I won't throw away my iPhone and no one can take it from me. But I will no longer sleep with it under my pillow.
Watch Resonance – Beings of Frequency (2012)
Like it on Facebook
