Re: A new approach to communication on the Web about radiation

I notice that the mission of the "Room Editors" will be to filter out personal or pointless commentaries. What will prevent the editors from filtering out arguments that might not agree with the editor's viewpoints. How would you monitor an editor who is strongly infavor of hormesis from blocking out those who believe in the LNTH, and vice verse?

Dear Colleagues,

This message describes a scientific communication scheme which will be an important part of the Virtual Radiation Museum (VRM). The VRM is under development at the University of Wisconsin Department of Medical Physics under my direction. Most of the VRM will be basic educational material about many aspects of radiation and radioactivity. The VRM can be much more useful than a physical museum. We plan to have a series of Radiation Discussion Rooms (RDR). I give my reasons for initiating such an activity below and describe its initial characteristics. I solicit your comments and your advice.

Tentative List of Radiation Discussion Rooms 2/21/03

RDR 1. Health effects of low dose rate radiation

RDR 2.Radiation Protection Quantities

RDR 3. Scientific basis of As Low As Reasonably Achievable

RDR 4. Dose levels to workers and the public.

RDR 5. How to reduce radiation phobia.

RDR 6. Critique of NCRP Report No. 136-The Linear No Threshold model of radiation risk.

RDR 7. Health effects of Radon

RDR 8. Is Nuclear Power Safe?

RDR 9. Are CT scans Safe?

. . .

My greatest need for this type of scientific discussion to work is to have a number of volunteers who will work as "Room Editors" to help filter out commentaries which are personal or pointless. Appended is my list of subjects which I would like to see discussed and samples of some of their initial contents.

. . .