WIRED TO THE WORLD
Fear not, your TV guide is here
WHAT is potentially scarier than terrorism? Wi-Fi. That’s according to Carte Blanche, which devoted 15 minutes of its most recent episode to the terror attacks in Brussels, and around 45 to the possibility of everyone getting brain cancer from cellphones and modems. “While the threat of terror attacks might be on our minds, there may be a more subtle danger that is with us virtually 24 hours a day,” host Derek Watts informed the camera.
Let’s pause for a moment, before we’ve even started. I am no oncologist. I have no trouble believing that cellphones can cause brain tumours, because they are mystifying little boxes that magically connect you to other people and get very hot in your hand. Also, practically everything seems to cause cancer these days, from burnt sausages to repressed feelings of resentment after divorce.
But the fact is that there is no convincing evidence to substantiate the idea that cellphones cause brain cancer. Carte Blanche admitted as much in the opening voiceover to the report. “Studies say that when it comes to wireless devices, there’s no evidence of harm,” it said. “But is that the same as saying they’re safe?”
Well, no: in the same way that scientific consensus agrees that climate change is happening, but some people say it isn’t.
Carte Blanche bought the insert, originally titled “Wi-Fried?” from Australian channel ABC. Its original broadcast attracted strong criticism Down Under, with the Sydney Morning Herald branding it “a controversial scare programme”. The journalist behind the report previously produced a similar show questioning the role of cholesterol in heart disease, which had to be withdrawn after an outcry from health experts.
Sure, some of the show’s advice seemed reasonable. No doubt it’s a good idea to limit your kids’ access to cellphones — but more because it’ll delay their transformation into revolting little narcissists than because their brains will be alchemised into radioactive goo.
Watts kept urging us to vote on the question, “Are you concerned about Wi-Fi exposure?” We were supposed to cast our votes using Facebook, Twitter or WeChat. I thought it a bit reckless of him to be pushing us into cancerous exposure in this manner. The show certainly seemed to do its bit in stoking the concerns of its audience. By the time the ominous exit music played, fully 67% of the polled audience agreed that Wi-Fi posed a grave threat to their wellbeing. How many recognised that they were watching what is at best considered fringe science?
Carte Blanche’s slogan claims: “You have the right to see it all.” Sometimes, what they mean is: “You have the right to fear it all.”