Appliance Design - December 2008 - (Page 5)

EDItorIal ® www.applianceDESIGN.com ecember brings a number of holidays, some of which include the practice of presenting gifts, cheerfully or grudgingly. In either case, allow me to make a suggestion — give something that would encourage an interest in science. The need is urgent, as there appears to be a woeful upsurge in ignorant thinking. For example, you may have seen or heard of the video on YouTube that purports to show the energy radiating from cell phones popping popcorn. I’m not sure what is more peculiar, people failing to see it as a hoax, or people who believed it true and continued to use their cell phones anyway. The cell-phone popped popcorn, however, is only the tip of the iceberg. If you really want to get a feel for all the wacky things people are emailing around that they believe to be true, check out the Urban Legend References Pages at www.snopes.com. All of which points to a paradoxical insight — being tech-savvy does not necessarily mean science smart. This is further evidenced by those who claim to have “electromagnetic hypersensitivity,” which makes them allergic to the “electromagnetic smog.” Some of them are suing to eliminate Wi-Fi hotspots in public places; others are buying “protective” products such as a mosquito net made of conductive material, a special body powder that is supposed to reflect “airborne radiation,” and a “sympathetic resonance” pendant that confers immunity to electromagnetic fields. (See www.senseaboutscience.org.uk.) These newer variants of myth and superstition pile on top of the familiar standbys — ESP, ghosts, astrology, alien abductions — which continue to thrive unabated. A Nov. 3 Newsweek article, “Why We Believe,” cites polls suggesting that 90 percent of Americans say they have either had some type of paranormal experience or at least believe such things exist. That figure, if correct, is certainly more frightening than any ghost. How has superstition become such a growth industry in an age when both the level of human knowledge and prevalence of formal education are greater than ever before? The Newsweek article suggests psychologi- D Sensible Giving cal factors may be at work. That theme is echoed in the book “Why People Believe Weird Things,” by Michael Shermer, who is also founding publisher of Skeptic magazine. Another theory, posed by journalist Ben Goldacre, is that the consumer press is a guilty accomplice to foolishness by eagerly and uncritically publicizing any sensational story coming down the PR pike. He provides plenty of evidence in his book “Bad Science.” While ghosts, aliens, and resonance pendants may be amusing, other myths are potentially dangerous. An example is the disproven but spreading notion that vaccines cause autism, leading some parents to deny vaccinations for their children. That issue is explored in the book “Autism’s False Prophets,” by Paul Offit. But the larger issue concerns an increasingly complex world beset with technical challenges and difficult choices, a world that needs an abundance of clear-thinking, rational problem-solvers. And everyone plays a role because, in a democracy, everyone becomes a policy-maker in the voting booth. To properly function, an industrialized society requires a critical mass of people who can think critically, separate fact from fiction, and discriminate between reliable and unreliable sources of information. The voices of our best scientists and engineers will count for nothing if they aren’t heard. So for those of you in a giving mood this month, choose a gift that will help arm its recipient against the agents of superstition and disinformation. Give a book or magazine subscription that stimulates an interest in science. Give something that will encourage sensible thinking. A democracy reflects its inhabitants. So if a majority starts to believe in voodoo, then the witch doctors end up in charge. < publishing staff Fern Sheinman Publisher richard J. Babyak Editor larry adams Managing Editor Daryl Delano Economics Editor E’lisa Campbell Production Manager Matt Britcher Art Director (619) 233-4585 sheinmanf@bnpmedia.com (440) 886-1210 babyakr@bnpmedia.com (773) 467-8590 adamsl@bnpmedia.com (508) 746-7986 dhdelano@comcast.net (248) 244-6257 campbelle@bnpmedia.com (248) 486-7800 britcherm@bnpmedia.com circulation Christine a. Baloga (248) 244-8262 Corporate Audience Development Director balogac@bnpmedia.com amy Schuler (920) 231-4932 Group Audience schulera@bnpmedia.com Development Manager alison Illes (248) 244-1730 Corporate Fulfillment Manager Illesa@bnpmedia.com Catherine M. ronan (248) 244-8259 Corporate Audience ronanc@bnpmedia.com Audit Manager robert liska 800-223-2194 List Manager robert.liska@edithroman.com marketing lynn Davidson Marketing Director Paul Dykstra Trade Show Coordinator (248) 244-6417 davidsonl@bnpmedia.com (248) 786-1609 dykstrap@bnpmedia.com editorial advisory board Mark Skaer, Senior Editor, The News Susan Sutton, Editor, Ceramic Industry roy Sakelson, Editor-in-Chief, Circuitree tom Williams, Publisher/Editor, Quality Magazine Darlene Brezinski, Ph.D., Editor, Paint and Coatings Industry Don Hegland, Editor, Assembly BNP Media Helps People Succeed in Business with Superior Information BNP Media 2401 West Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084, (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317; www.bnpmedia.com For subscription information or service, please contact Customer Service at: call (847) 763-9534 • Fax: (847) 763-9538 or email: AD@halldata.com APPLIANCE DESIGN (ISSN 1552-5937) is published 12 times annually, monthly, by BNP Media, 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-3333. Telephone: (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $140.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $175.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $190.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Periodicals Postage Paid at Troy, MI and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: APPLIANCE DESIGN, P.O. Box 2148, Skokie, IL 60076. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2008, by BNP Media. GST account: 131263923. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to APPLIANCE DESIGN, P.O. Box 2148, Skokie, IL 60076. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. Send returns (Canada) to Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. For single copies or back issues, contact Ann Kalb at (248) 2446499 or KalbA@bnpmedia.com. Richard Babyak, Editor E-mail: babyakr@bnpmedia.com | HVAC | Majors | Water Processing | Housewares | Commercial Appliances | | Vending | Medical | Lab | Test & Measurement | Lawn & Garden | Electronics | | Computers | Communications | Business Equipment | 5 applianceDESIGN December 2008 www.applianceDESIGN.com http://www.appliancedesign.com http://www.snopes.com http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk http://www.bnpmedia.com http://www.appliancedesign.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Appliance Design - December 2008

Appliance Design - December 2008 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch New Products Design Marts Meetings Directory of Appliance Industry Associations EID Call for Entries Design, Engineering, and Prototyping Electrical and Electronic Components Fastening and Joining Fluid, Gas, and Refrigeration Materials, Forms, and Fabrication Mechanical Components Software and Computers Testing and Certification Supplier Locator Product and Services Locator Index Association Report: CEA Advertiser’s Index

Appliance Design - December 2008

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