[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Activity and Dose Analogies
The symbolism is interesting and has merit, although this pugilistic analogy seems apropos if it's limited to the specific context of comparing activity, dose, and dose equivalent. But the connotation it can evoke troubles me. A boxer feints and preys on his/her opponent in a very small confined area during the match. Each swing is intent and focused on harming the opponent. Also the other boxer fights back. The connotation can lead the audience to equate "radiation = harm". Sometimes the damage is a little and sometimes a lot, but there's always injury.
I'd prefer that the analogy blind-folded the boxers, muted their sounds,
muffled their hearing, and put them in a gymnasium filled with
obstacles. One boxer isn't allowed to swing. The dose rate could be the
number of swings the boxer takes per unit time. This shows the
randomness of radiation events and that most swings harmlessly miss the target.
Frankly, I've never liked analogies that compare radiation with
scenarios where harm is plainly evident, such as smoking, car crashes, and in this case boxing. It's inappropriate to compare hypothetical, statistical injury to real body counts.
Tom
Jim Blute wrote:
>Mike,
>
>I like this. I have used guns and bullets as an analogy often for the same purpose and have often received comments that this might be too harsh and scary an analogy. I must admit I agree. The boxer is still a bit violent but less associated with death than a gun. Yet still something everyone is familiar with.
>
>I am sure there must be better than that still. Something less violent but still physically comparable.
>
>Thanks for the post Mike.
>
>Any other good analogies out there?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
>[mailto:owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu]On Behalf Of Stabin, Michael
>Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 6:52 AM
>To: radsafe
>Subject: BBC analogies
>
>
>
>This showed up in a technical report I was reading. No reference was
>given. I just thought it was interesting.
>
>The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) has provided an illustrative
>boxing analogy to contrast what is intended by the three international
>radiation measures. It depicts, for the public, the qualitative
>differences between Bq, Gy and Sv as:
>
>Bq: " a measure of how many punches are thrown without regard to whether
>they are roundhouses, hooks, jabs, or even if they connect at all."
>
>Gy: "a unit that measures whether the punch is a strong uppercut or just
>a little jab. However, the gray wouldn't show the cumulative effect of
>something like 100 jabs to the exact same spot on the cheekbone versus
>one hard punch to the solar plexus"
>
>Sv: "useful in determining the likelihood that (the boxer) might suffer
>some long-term damage as a result of this pummeling." "In short, a Sv is
>the most useful but complicated and subjective unit for measuring
>radiation effects on people."
>
>
>Mike
>
>
>Michael G. Stabin, PhD, CHP
>Assistant Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences
>Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences
>Vanderbilt University
>1161 21st Avenue South
>Nashville, TN 37232-2675
>Phone (615) 343-0068
>Fax (615) 322-3764
>Pager (615) 835-5153
>e-mail michael.g.stabin@vanderbilt.edu
>internet www.doseinfo-radar.com
>
>
>************************************************************************
>You are currently subscribed to the Radsafe mailing list. To
>unsubscribe, send an e-mail to Majordomo@list.vanderbilt.edu Put the
>text "unsubscribe radsafe" (no quote marks) in the body of the e-mail,
>with no subject line. You can view the Radsafe archives at
>http://www.vanderbilt.edu/radsafe/
>
>************************************************************************
>You are currently subscribed to the Radsafe mailing list. To
>unsubscribe, send an e-mail to Majordomo@list.vanderbilt.edu Put the
>text "unsubscribe radsafe" (no quote marks) in the body of the e-mail,
>with no subject line. You can view the Radsafe archives at
>http://www.vanderbilt.edu/radsafe/
>
>
>
--
Thomas Mohaupt, M.S., CHP
Radiation Safety Officer
Wright State University
937-775-2169
tom.mohaupt@wright.edu
************************************************************************
You are currently subscribed to the Radsafe mailing list. To
unsubscribe, send an e-mail to Majordomo@list.vanderbilt.edu Put the
text "unsubscribe radsafe" (no quote marks) in the body of the e-mail,
with no subject line. You can view the Radsafe archives at
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/radsafe/