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Saturday, June 24, 2006
8:27:00 AM EDT
Evidence that God doesn't like cell phones:
According to a letter published in this week's issue of the British Medical Journal, people who talk on, or even just carry, mobile phones outdoors during storms are more likely to sustain fatal internal injuries if struck by lightning.
Human skin is resistant to transmitting electricity into the body, so when lightning strikes a person, it tends to travel along the skin. Scientists call this phenomenon "flashover." According to the doctors, conductive materials such as liquids or metallic objects can interrupt flashover and direct lightning into the body, causing internal damage.
"This can result in injuries like cardiac arrest, which is often fatal," said Swinda Espirit, a doctor at Northwick Park Hospital in England who co-authored the letter.
This discussion appears to be based on anecdotal evidence, not a genuine study (because, honestly, who are you going to find to volunteer to get hit by lightning), but it's enough to make one twitchy during a thunderstorm. Personally, of course, there are some folks using cell phones who I wish would be hit by lightning, thunderstorm or no. I think we all know a couple people like that.
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8:27:00 AM EDT
Zap
Evidence that God doesn't like cell phones:
According to a letter published in this week's issue of the British Medical Journal, people who talk on, or even just carry, mobile phones outdoors during storms are more likely to sustain fatal internal injuries if struck by lightning.
Human skin is resistant to transmitting electricity into the body, so when lightning strikes a person, it tends to travel along the skin. Scientists call this phenomenon "flashover." According to the doctors, conductive materials such as liquids or metallic objects can interrupt flashover and direct lightning into the body, causing internal damage.
"This can result in injuries like cardiac arrest, which is often fatal," said Swinda Espirit, a doctor at Northwick Park Hospital in England who co-authored the letter.
This discussion appears to be based on anecdotal evidence, not a genuine study (because, honestly, who are you going to find to volunteer to get hit by lightning), but it's enough to make one twitchy during a thunderstorm. Personally, of course, there are some folks using cell phones who I wish would be hit by lightning, thunderstorm or no. I think we all know a couple people like that.
Written by johnmscalzi Blog about this entry |
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This entry has 8 comments: (Add your own)
-
"ah!:) Smurfette! "I'm whispering, "tht's why all of those cute aliens go and visit Mavarin!:):)lol "It's those keys! "
nat -
I'll never forget getting a shock from the keys in my hand when lightning struck nearby. This was in a hospital parking lot, so at least I could have gotten medical attention quickly, had any been needed. What the keys have in common with the cell phone, aside from being metallic, is that they were held in my hand, out from the rest of my body, probably making a good target for electricity. If you aren't actually holding your zipper in your hand, out away from your body, you're probably safe. - K.
-
You know it, Hew. And then there's the whole zipper. My GOD!!! Just when you think that malicious little invention couldn't get any worse, now we're all running around with lightning rods on our crotches.
That's it. I'm spending the rest of my life wearing pajamas.
-Dan -
Better cut off the rivets and the clasp stud on your Levi's -- perfect conducter straight through the navel.
Talk about "navel warfare" ...
wil
6/24/06 9:20 PM