Mobile technologies have shaped the way we live, but are they also quietly killing us? The new documentary WI-FRIED? This makes you think of the secret dangers that may lurk in our global networked society.
Everywhere you go, people are immersed in their mobile devices and tablets. As these technologies become more prominent in school systems, children are an integral part of this phenomenon. As a result, users of all ages around the world are exposed to tiny amounts of microwave radiation that they never encountered in the years before these devices were developed. While officials have dismissed the notion that the exposure would cause long-term health effects, many scientists and other insiders disagree.
Dr. Devra Davis, a well-respected cancer epidemiologist, is among those critical of the widespread and frequent use of these devices. Your argument is based on common medical knowledge. The heart and brain live on electrical impulses. When these internal mechanisms absorb the influx of electromagnetic signals over countless hours, it stands to reason that biohazard is likely to occur as a result.
Are these technologies evolving too quickly to fully assess and investigate their potential threats, or does it represent a sinister cover for businesses? Perhaps there is some truth to both of these points. The movie highlights factors that are largely unknown to the public. Safety protocols using cellular technology have been promoted among users with pacemakers, but should this warning be extended to all users? Radiofrequency radiation — the same energy that powers our phones and tablets — has been classified as a possible carcinogen. Given this inconclusive finding, should additional safety precautions be taken as a precaution until further research yields more conclusive results?
WI-fried? is a powerful example of dignified investigative journalism because it enables viewers to consider the impact of technology that most of us rely on every day.
