Bioelectromagnetics

[Cleopatra]

Errr Has T'ai Chi took Pragmatist's parody seriously?

No Mr. Coghill clearly realized that it's a parody that's why he said that he prefers his poems and limericks to Pragmantist's parodies.( edited to add: Sorry Don has already mentioned that)

Ok this was funny T'ai Chi.

 

[The Don]

All this biffing of CogresLab for his hopeless:

- Understanding of basic scientific principles
- Reading comprehension skills
- Experimental design and execution
- Critical thinking skills
- Debating skills

is all good fun but I'm concerned that his repeated attendance at forums, conferences and enquiries will eventually lead him to be regarded as an expert in the field by certain people who are in a position to make a difference. He posted (or actually meant to post but typically got it a bit wrong) a link which indicated that many politicians are scientifically under-informed.adn knowing what a hot issue power lines and mobile phone masts among the populace (certainly here in the UK) there's a very real danger that some of our elected representatives may be swayed by his "theories".

I'll keep an eye out for any local (SW England) dabbling by CogresLab and his ilk. May I suggest that others here do likewise to ensure we are not submerged in a pile of woo.

 

[MRC_Hans]

Well, I may be naïve, but I think that people like Coghill will reach a certain level, and might influence the odd popularity hunting politician, but if they get above a certain level, people with real knowledge will swoop and shred them, like it has happened here.

You can fool all of the people some of the time, etc.

Hans

 

[Cleopatra]

I have just recieved The Atlantis Effect CD by Coghill Labs.

I will have a look at it and I will report.

Unfortunately the wine coaster hasn't arrived yet and my dad( who lurks in this thread BTW) is dying to have this thing.Sorry dad.

 

[EHocking]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by cogreslab
"magnetic fields are ALWAYS closed loops WITHOUT POLES. So how can you "polarize" something that doesn't have any poles?"

Tell that to the marines. They use magnetic compasses for navigation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




OMG! That's one for the list!

You are outdoing yourself.

Hans

I wonder if he has any idea why a Sthn Hemisphere compass will not work well in the N.Hemisphere, and vice versa?

It'd be interesting to see his explanation.

 

[EHocking]

Here it is:

Induction of Fear and Panic in Human Populations by Means of a Kettle Lead

Dr* RW Coghill MA (Cantab.) C Biol. MI Biol. MA (Environ Mgt)
Coghill Research Laboratories
Pontypool

Abstract

This study shows conclusively that a common kettle lead can be used to induce panic states in human (non mammalian) subjects. A test individual was exposed to a kettle lead in a controlled environment at 20 C which had no ELF fields due to water baths and which was heated solely by an electric heater. When shown the kettle lead and presented with the information that kettle leads kill babies, the subject displayed signs of increased adrenaline flow, including changes in breathing pattern, widening of eyes etc. It is hypothesized that this response is entirely due to electric fields of 20V/m induced in the subject by the kettle lead. Although the kettle lead was not actually plugged in, the authors have proven conclusively that an electric field was present in the lead due to quantum vortex transduction through Far Infra Red radiation mediated by implosion devices in the near field, and modulated by nearby moth spectrophotometers. Although only one subject was used, and only one test performed, he was counted 10,000 times and therefore represents a sample size of 10,000 leading to statistical confidence in the results. Analysis of the data strongly indicated a 100% response and as such the results may be comfortably extrapolated to the entire human population. Who are not animals, or mammals, but bacteria are. We need to state this because we do not do animal experiments. The results prove conclusively that the dangers of electric fields in kettle leads have been deliberately concealed by the NRPB and other agencies as part of a larger conspiracy.

* Disclaimer: any attribution of titles such as "Dr" are not the responsibility of the author, but are due to tampering and retyping of the manuscript by third parties who are probably involved in the conspiracy.

Your continued grasp of the total picture discussed in this thread is truly as omniscient as your humour is omnifarious.

 

[Pragmatist]

I have just recieved The Atlantis Effect CD by Coghill Labs.

I will have a look at it and I will report.

Please accept my condolences.

I mean, it's bad enough reading a limited amount of Rogspeak on here. But a whole CD load of it??? That would probably qualify as a weapon of mass destruction! You are truly a brave person Cleopatra!

 

[Mercutio]

I have just recieved The Atlantis Effect CD by Coghill Labs.

I will have a look at it and I will report.

Unfortunately the wine coaster hasn't arrived yet and my dad( who lurks in this thread BTW) is dying to have this thing.Sorry dad.

Psychic prediction: You will soon be using the Atlantis Effect CD as a coaster, to much the same effect as the magnetic ones.


oh, and hi, Cleo's Dad. Give mum a big hug for me....

 

[Pragmatist]

All this biffing of CogresLab for his hopeless:

- Understanding of basic scientific principles
- Reading comprehension skills
- Experimental design and execution
- Critical thinking skills
- Debating skills

is all good fun but I'm concerned that his repeated attendance at forums, conferences and enquiries will eventually lead him to be regarded as an expert in the field by certain people who are in a position to make a difference. He posted (or actually meant to post but typically got it a bit wrong) a link which indicated that many politicians are scientifically under-informed.adn knowing what a hot issue power lines and mobile phone masts among the populace (certainly here in the UK) there's a very real danger that some of our elected representatives may be swayed by his "theories".

I'll keep an eye out for any local (SW England) dabbling by CogresLab and his ilk. May I suggest that others here do likewise to ensure we are not submerged in a pile of woo.

It's already happened, which is what worries me!

I posted an independent report a while back that says he has been accepted as an expert adviser to a parliamentary commission. And various news agencies, including the BBC, refer to his "expert opinion" every time some story related to mobile phones, power lines etc., comes up. He's on the board of the Institute of Biology for South Wales!

Worse still he is getting PAID by the British taxpayers to sell his crap! He gets public grants to maintain his internet connection and advertising and also to manufacture and produce this stuff called "Asphalia" that he is hawking! And I would imagine that parliamentary commission members get paid consultancy fees or expenses as well from public funds.

Worst of all, many innocent laypeople think he really is an expert. I took a look around various forums dedicated to anti-mobile phone mast campaigns etc. Many of them have a standard form letter on them for people to send to government officials, and that letter cites him (and his friend Alasdair Philips) as being "experts" who have "proven" that masts etc., are dangerous. Every time a mast is proposed anywhere, people send out this junk to MP's, congressmen etc.

Since he apparently goes around telling people that sudden infant deaths are all due to power lines etc., can you imagine the impact on some mother who has just lost a baby? And then Coghill and his cronies turn up with their spiel about how it could all have been avoided by buying a bent piece of wire, (which they are only too happy to sell) and encouraging the bereaved parents to attack the power companies, mobile phone vendors etc!

This is why I think he needs MORE publicity, as soon as possible - but not the kind of publicity he wants!

 

[MRC_Hans]

I wonder if he has any idea why a Sthn Hemisphere compass will not work well in the N.Hemisphere, and vice versa?

It'd be interesting to see his explanation.

Mmmm, joking you are, not?

Hans

 

[EHocking]

Mmmm, joking you are, not?

Hans

Correct.

Also correct for some PC monitors for the same reason.

 

[Pragmatist]

A student of mine gave me, today, a Stealth Radar Shield (sorry, it won't let me link directly to the ad--the product is featured on this page, but you must go to the products page to get the real info) , which is...well... It looks to be a bit of tinfoil about the size of a dime (1.5 cm), with a hole punched in the middle and an adhesive-backed, um, back.

Interestingly, the brochure states (in a footnote) Not nearly so impressive a product as the one discussed in this thread...I guess that is why Coghill labs does not endorse this one....

edited to add...if you do go to the site, please be sure to check out the book "Cell Phones - Medical Menaces of a Modern Day Convenience - Book (by Klatz/Goldman)"

I'd be willing to bet that's EXACTLY what it is! (A piece of tinfoil on a sticky pad with holes punched in it!)

I think the great majority of these things are just cons. What most people don't realise is that almost any piece of metal attached to a cell phone is likely to significantly distort the output fields. I guess one could distort them in such a way as to deflect them somewhat away from the head, but unless you had a detailed radiotopological map of any given phone it's unlikely that it would make any real difference. You could probably just stick a dime on a phone with a piece of scotch tape and it would do the same thing - if anything that is.

I like these ones that claim to "absorb" the radiation. Think about it. If they absorb the radiation, then how is the phone supposed to work at all? Because if the radiation is absorbed, then what is actually being sent to the cell transponder? Also, anything that absorbs radiation has to DO something with the energy. Which would tend to imply that it should get hotter the more radiation it absorbs. So it will save you from POSSIBLE cancer, but will simply burn your ear off when you use the phone!

 

[Mercutio]

I'd be willing to bet that's EXACTLY what it is! (A piece of tinfoil on a sticky pad with holes punched in it!)

Oh, ye of little faith! They use advanced military radar-absorbing...well, you know, tinfoil.

(quotes from the product info page, which will not allow me to link directly to it.)

By utilizing special materials, the Stealth Radar Shield™ protects the user from electromagnetic radiation emitted by the earpiece areas of wireless phones.

Benefits of the Stealth Radar Shield:
# Reduces up to 98% of RF and microwave radiation emitted from the earpiece.
# Utilizes U.S. Department of Defense and advanced military radar-absorbing and stealth technology
# Easy to apply and does not require any power source
# Does not interfere with phone use or performance
# Available in two convenient sizes to fit any phone
# Will last longer than your mobile or cordless phone
# Resistant to adverse environmental conditions

I think the great majority of these things are just cons. What most people don't realise is that almost any piece of metal attached to a cell phone is likely to significantly distort the output fields. I guess one could distort them in such a way as to deflect them somewhat away from the head, but unless you had a detailed radiotopological map of any given phone it's unlikely that it would make any real difference. You could probably just stick a dime on a phone with a piece of scotch tape and it would do the same thing - if anything that is.

I like these ones that claim to "absorb" the radiation. Think about it. If they absorb the radiation, then how is the phone supposed to work at all? Because if the radiation is absorbed, then what is actually being sent to the cell transponder? Also, anything that absorbs radiation has to DO something with the energy. Which would tend to imply that it should get hotter the more radiation it absorbs. So it will save you from POSSIBLE cancer, but will simply burn your ear off when you use the phone!

One more bit from their website. I get the feeling they are much more cautious about their claims than Cog's lab is.

The Wireless Controversy

As with any new technology, wireless phones did not arrive without controversy. Numerous studies have been conducted by private industry, academia, and the government, some of which reflect a concern that over-exposure to electromagnetic waves from cellular and cordless phones can result in real health risks. Some of those concerns include memory loss, headaches, and in some cases, even brain or inner ear cancers.Much can be said on both sides of this controversy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that while research has produced conflicting results, no studies to date have demonstrated a significant adverse health effect from exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation. However, as with any new technology, studies have yet to demonstrate the effects of long-term use and exposure. In May of 2001, FDA officials reported "We are 100% certain that we do not know the long-term effects of RF radiation on the human organism."*

[snip]

When you acknowledge the fact that limits have been set by the Federal Government on phone-emitted radio frequencies (RF), it is prudent to assume that some risk may indeed exist in the use of wireless phones. Consumers should be given the opportunity to know what potential health consequences they may experience as a result of using cellular and cordless phones. Until all the facts are in, the best offense consumers have is a good defense.

 

[jj]

"The Endochronic Properties of Resublimated Thiotimoline"

You are all directed to a "paper" written by Isaac Asimov, titled "The Endochronic Properties of Resublimated Thiotimoline".

That's about as good as Bioelectromagnetics in my book.

 

[Pragmatist]

Oh, ye of little faith! They use advanced military radar-absorbing...well, you know, tinfoil.

(quotes from the product info page, which will not allow me to link directly to it.)
"# Utilizes U.S. Department of Defense and advanced military radar-absorbing and stealth technology"

Oh...yes...

So the DoD spent billions of $ developing this highly advanced top secret stuff which is the cornerstone of the latest US defence strategy.....and then gave it away to someone to stick on their cellphone!

That was nice of them. If I was some tinpot dictator intent on attacking the US I guess I wouldn't need to invest in stealth technology development. I'd just buy a few thousand cell phone sticky things, stick them all over my bomber and I'd have an instant stealth plane. Cool!

One more bit from their website. I get the feeling they are much more cautious about their claims than Cog's lab is.

Yes, they are. Although I still think there's more than a little hype there.

 

[Mercutio]

Yes, they are. Although I still think there's more than a little hype there.

From the device's packaging (but not on their website materials):

[....]If the Stealth Radar Shield device is too large to fit over the earpiece without obscuring the LCD screen on your phone, it may be cut to any size needed. However, the amount that the Stealth Radar Shield device is trimmed should be minimized in order to maintain maximum effectiveness of the unit. If installed correctly, your Stealth Radar Shield will not interfere with normal function or performance of your phone. The Stealth Radar Shield is a passive circuit analog device and requires no external energy source to work. It has a life expectancy greater than your phone and will likely never need to be replaced.

Now....I am not a garbage collector, myself, so I don't understand all the language here. "Passive circuit analog device"? Translation, please?

 

[T'ai Chi]

Uhhn, pssst, T'ai: That was a parody post by Pragmatic (obviously an excellent one ).

hehe, doh, well it certainly fooled me.

 

[T'ai Chi]

Ok this was funny T'ai Chi.

Hey I'm a good sport, I agree.

I must've just saw the statistical claims in there and went on those without looking at the post closer.

But hey, my points are still valid.

 

[Pragmatist]

From the device's packaging (but not on their website materials):
Now....I am not a garbage collector, myself, so I don't understand all the language here. "Passive circuit analog device"? Translation, please?

Even bards may aspire to become garbage collectors one day!

Taking it literally:

Passive in electronics terms means a component that may modify electric current without "actively" changing it, i.e. amplification would be active.

An analogy: a hose pipe may modify a flow of water passively but will not change things that require external power, for example the pressure of the water. But a pump on the other hand, which has its own power source, can actively change the pressure.

Analog simply means "not digital". In other words, an analog device can handle continuous, smooth, infinitesimal changes in some property like voltage. A digital device however can only cause or detect a maximum of two discrete states in the change of that property, for example "on" and "off".

For example, a normal light switch is "digital" because it can only switch the light between one of two discrete states, i.e. on or off. A dimmer switch on the other hand is analog because it can smoothly vary the light through a (theoretical) infinite number of states BETWEEN on and off.

Circuit, literally means a closed path around which electric current can flow.

It's the last one where the claim falls down. There is no "circuit". The device is passive because it doesn't need an independent energy source (i.e. it doesn't run on batteries). It's analog, because it's operation is not solely confined to two discrete states (i.e. it doesn't switch radiation on and off). But it ISN'T a circuit. It's a bit of tinfoil with holes punched in it! Circuit implies some combination of electronic components, and a passive absorber (which it claims to be) doesn't constitute a circuit.

Which is all a very long winded way of saying that it's totally meaningless, but it SOUNDS good!

 

[The Mighty Thor]

Cherie Blair believes . . .

It's already happened, which is what worries me!

I posted an independent report a while back that says he has been accepted as an expert adviser to a parliamentary commission. And various news agencies, including the BBC, refer to his "expert opinion" every time some story related to mobile phones, power lines etc., comes up. He's on the board of the Institute of Biology for South Wales!

Worse still he is getting PAID by the British taxpayers to sell his crap! He gets public grants to maintain his internet connection and advertising and also to manufacture and produce this stuff called "Asphalia" that he is hawking! And I would imagine that parliamentary commission members get paid consultancy fees or expenses as well from public funds.

Worst of all, many innocent laypeople think he really is an expert. I took a look around various forums dedicated to anti-mobile phone mast campaigns etc. Many of them have a standard form letter on them for people to send to government officials, and that letter cites him (and his friend Alasdair Philips) as being "experts" who have "proven" that masts etc., are dangerous. Every time a mast is proposed anywhere, people send out this junk to MP's, congressmen etc.

Since he apparently goes around telling people that sudden infant deaths are all due to power lines etc., can you imagine the impact on some mother who has just lost a baby? And then Coghill and his cronies turn up with their spiel about how it could all have been avoided by buying a bent piece of wire, (which they are only too happy to sell) and encouraging the bereaved parents to attack the power companies, mobile phone vendors etc!

This is why I think he needs MORE publicity, as soon as possible - but not the kind of publicity he wants!

So, why has he not been 'outed' as a quack? I'd have thought his 'challenge' would have merited a tabloid piece like:

"Unethical quack proposes baby death experiment"

Trouble is -- would Mr Coghill just bask in the publicity? It seems that that is just what he wants. He is after all 'clever' in a Machiavellian kind of way.

Plus, the influential wife of the PM can be taken in by this stuff:

People are not always so willing to grapple with evidence. In 1998 I was reading the only newspaper available on a holiday flight, when I saw a photograph of Cherie Blair, the Prime Minister’s wife, wearing something called a bio-electric shield. Apparently this attractive pendant hanging round her neck, reduced her stress and protected her from harmful radiation. Hillary Clinton was said to own one too. I was angry. I assumed the pendant had no effect. How could intelligent and high-profile people like this possibly believe in, much less promote, such lies. Then I noticed the price - £119 ($139) for the cheapest, and £749 ($995) for the gold version, and was sufficiently angry to want to do something about it.

from Dr Susan Blackmore --

http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/Chapters/Kurtz.htm