Hugh will be speaking about the media scares we have survived and the ones that still await us at the University of Dundee. (Sorry, that should be '... await us, at the Unviersity of Dundee') From bird flu to melting icecaps, the media assails us with stories of our imminent destruction. Why do they do it to us, why do we lap it up, what harm - or good - does this do to society, and how can we learn to deal more rationally with the world of risk? More details at www.dundee.ac.uk/externalrelations/events/sels/2009/sels2009.html
PANICOLOGY ALERT: 21 July 2008 – The meaning of 'inevitable'
The Lords Intergovernmental Organisations Committee has reported that a global flu pandemic is 'inevitable', provoking panic headlines.
Let's just stop and consider what 'inevitable' means. It means not avoidable. So, I think we'd agree it is inevitable that tomorrow is Tuesday. It is inevitable that the sun will rise on that day, or nearly so – unless the planet was wiped out overnight by an asteroid.
But is it 'inevitable', as the Lords Committee believes, that there will be a pandemic? read more
PANICOLOGY ALERT: 10 June 2008 – Is everything running out?
Just now, it seems as if everything we need or want is running out. Is it really back to the turnip and life in caves? The Panicologist thinks not.
To see what’s really happening to oil, grain, fish, metals, water and more, read on. It’s not as bad as the papers are telling you. read more
PANICOLOGY ALERT: 4 June 2008 - BSE for all, with a side order of rickets
It’s a worrying time for mothers-to-be, if two Daily Telegraph headlines so far this week are to be believed.
Story 1: Infants are at risk of rickets if their mothers are deficient in vitamin D, according to one reported study from the Boston Children’s Hospital. One reason they are deficient in vitamin D is because they are not getting enough sun, which in some cases is because they are making excessive (or obsessive) use of sunscreens, because of a fear of skin cancer.
Story 2: Chlorine in swimming pools absorbed by pregnant women is said to be (yet another) cause of birth defects. The chlorine is there of course to kill bacteria that would otherwise be spreading trivial things like typhoid and dysentery.
Spot the similarity? In both cases, the fresh anxiety arises from a countermeasure against a previous, rather greater worry. This is increasingly typical read more
PANICOLOGY ALERT: 31 March 2008 -- Nomo-phobia, a lifelong sufferer speaks out
The egregiously named pollster YouGov has announced the results of a survey of UK mobile phone users. One in five apparent think that being out of mobile contact is as stressful as moving house or breaking up with a partner.
Now, who might have commissioned such a time wasting poll? Could it perhaps be a publicity-seeking digital service provider of some kind? Step forward, the Post Office. 'Being phoneless and panicked is a symptom of our 24/7 culture', said its head of telephony.
The Post Office has thoughtfully produced a guide to help victims of this life-threatening condition. In brief, it advises: 1. don't go out without your mobile so you can keep paying us; 2. if you lose your mobile, replace it quick so you can keep paying us; 3. make a back-up of numbers so you can start calling again straightaway and keep paying us; 4. give your friends alternative numbers for you so they can keep paying us.
There again, I've learnt I've been nomo-phobic all my life. I don't use a mobile. Actually, I feel fine, thanks.
