Do Cell Phones Make Us Stupid?

Noodleroni writes "I came across this article on MSNBC that discusses why it seems cell phone users are so stupid sometimes. A very interesting read." Absolutely no scientific basis in this - 'cept for the DoCoMo study, but it still seems true.

Comments

Stupid Cell Phone Users

[majestynine]

Cell phones make us stupid? I'd agree with that, but they certainly have some other nasty effects on us:

Lab rats were found to have their short term memory impaired after being exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EM) at frequencies and amplitudes common in portable phones, markedly affecting their performance in a maze after 1 hour/day periods of EM exposure. In a second experiment designed to measure the time needed to complete a maze task, it was estimated that exposed animals required approximately one third more time than the control rats. {1}

Using an apparatus which tested for object recognition, researchers found that exposed rats suffered observable memory loss after EM radiation exposure. This test was done in 1994 specifically testing the effects of portable phones. {2}

The blood-brain barrier in test animals is made permeable to foriegn substances in the blood which would not normally be allowed to pass through brain cell walls. This, according to one group of researchers, was discovered when dye was injected into the blood stream of test rats and found to be absorbed by brain cells in exposed rats after twenty minutes, but not by those in the unexposed control group.{3}

The general effect of EM on the endochrine system, (the system of glands throughout the body, including the adrenal, thyroid and pancreatic among others,) is also noteworthy. The results from a variety of studies were lengthy and, frankly, difficult to briefly document as it seems different glands react to different frequencies and power levels in a wide variety of ways, sometimes having opposite effects simply by changing the pulse rate of a given wave form. Research only scratches the surface, and it seems that the potential for further study is enormous. Essentially, EM radiation as emitted from Cell Phones, pagers, wireless computer hardware and computer monitors does a wide range of strange things to the human body. One researcher simply summed up the overall effect of EM on the glandular system as resulting in, 'general stress disorder'. {4}

Delta Wave sleep patterns of test subjects were found to be inhibited after regular exposure, (one hour per day), to frequencies and power levels commonly emitted from computer monitors and in other tests, higher frequency portable phones. {5}

--With a drive for faster, cheaper and higher power wireless digital equipment, the general public might be well advised to remain cautious of the possible health hazards associated with the increased use of microwave active devices.

In the few instances where the large telecommunications companies have been challenged regarding the safety of their products, it is interesting to note that their public relations stances have been remarkably similar to those once commonly employed by the cigarette industry concerning tobacco use. It will be interesting to observe the direction and ultimate outcome of these trends.

References:

1. Henry Lai, 1998. Neurological effects of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation Presented to the Workshop on possible biological and health effects of RF electromagnetic fields. Project team: Mobile Phones and Health, Symposium, October 25-28, 1998, University of Vienna, Austria. http:// pages.britishlibrary.net/orange/henrylai.htm

2. James C. Lin, 2000. Effects of microwave and mobile telephone exposure on memory and memory processes. University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA http://www.eecs.uic.edu/eecspeople/lin_ieee42_3.ht m

3. Frey A.H., Feld S, Frey B. Neural function and behavior: defining the relationship. Ann NY Acad Sci 247:433-438

4. Dr. Robert Becker & Dr. Andrew Marino paper, "Electromagnetism & Life" http://www.ortho.lsumc.edu/Faculty/Marino/EL/ELTOC .html

5. Drumanskiy, Yu.D., Sandala, M.G. 1974. The biologic action and hygenic significance of electromagnetic fields of superhigh and ultrahigh frequencies in densely populated areas. In Biologic effects and health hazards of microwave radiation, p. 289. Warsaw: Polish Medical Publishers.

But the most annoying one:
".ahh yeah im on the train now..

Re:Stupid Cell Phone Users

[GigsVT]

None of these studies have produced repeatable results. None are considered credible in the scientific community, without further research.

it's an editorial...

[rob-fu]

not an article. Hard up for news today, ./ guys?

The only thing related to cellphones that may make you stupid (or look stupid, at least) is walking around with the full headset on, without talking, like a complete tool. Many of you know who I'm talking about. :)

Re:Well duh

[gfxguy]

I recall reading about a study that said that hands-free systems did not reduce the number of gaffes people made while driving and talking on the phone.

Studies have shown that the distraction of a driver's attention from the road contributes to accidents involving cellular phones and that handsfree devices do not reduce the incidence of accidents.

Hands-Free, But Dangerous

Cell Phones and Car Crashes

A lot more, but I don't feel like typing, you probably don't feel like reading, and you can just do a google search to find more.

People who use cell-phones always argue that they are 1-percenters, those in the one percent who might actually not be so stupid when using a cell phone. 99% of cellphone users think they are in that 1 percent and, of course, this is one of those 90% of statistics that was just made up by me, but that is sure what it seems like.

Everyone that uses a cellphone that I talk to says they are capable of driving while using a cellphone. Well, sure, everyone is capable of driving while using a cellphone, but how capable are you at avoiding an accident and driving defensively while using a cellphone? If it's any less than without, then don't do it.