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Fukushima on the internet

1/7/2014

8 Comments

 
By Lenka Kollar

I see many of my friends and followers posting and re-posting scary articles about Fukushima on social media. I understand why people are concerned, I would be if I wasn't a nuclear engineer that knew the facts and monitored the situation. The thing is, people love conspiracy theories and catastrophes which is why these exaggerated articles are shared on the internet. However, they often reference false references and misuse "facts." 

How do you know if what you hear about Fukushima on the internet is correct?

  • Listen to only to trusted news sources and not websites you've never heard of.
  • Click on and actually read the references in the article.
  • Check the TEPCO website for accurate and up-to-date information.
  • Ignore scare tactics (e.g. "radiation cloud").
  • If it sounds like a conspiracy theory, it is probably false.
  • Remember that U.S. and international agencies are working with Japan to monitor the site constantly and would alert us immediately if we were in danger. 

This is a follow up to my post last week on Fukushima radiation reaching the West Coast.

Link the most ridiculous articles you've seen on Fukushima in the comments.
8 Comments
Martin Nicholson link
1/7/2014 07:07:17 am

Thanks Lenka, and I agree with all you have said. The problem we have is that many of the posters of scary Fukushima articles genuinely believe the material they present. The scaremongers have managed to discredit TEPCO as an untrustworthy source such that any reference to TEPCO's website will just confirm the beliefs of the posters.

Only time may correct this situation. We both know that, over time, we will be shown to be correct about the true damage done at Fukushima. But look at Chernobyl. There are those that genuinely still believe that a million people died as a result. This is after 27 years!

Keep up the good work.

Reply
Sandra link
1/15/2014 10:01:26 pm

The question of using nuclear energy is not a technical one, its a philosophical: Do u really think you can handle a technology, that produces waste, that could threat human beeings in a million of years?

Reply
Steve Darden link
1/20/2014 11:54:18 am

<p>Kudos for tackling the flood of disinformation. I have been working the same goal. I've assembled 4 posts so far, the most recent being: <a href="http://seekerblog.com/2013/12/28/fukushima-radiation-and-risk-what-is-scary-and-what-is-">Fukushima, radiation and risk: what is scary and what is not.</a></p>

<p>If that one is useful you can easily find the other article with the <a href="http://seekerblog.com/tag/fukushima/">Fukushima tag.</a>.</p>

Reply
Steve Darden link
1/20/2014 12:01:01 pm

Sorry, I expected comments to accept HTML. I'll try again leaving links in markdown:

I've assembled 4 posts so far, the most recent being: [Fukushima, radiation and risk: what is scary and what is not.](http://seekerblog.com/2013/12/28/fukushima-radiation-and-risk-what-is-scary-and-what-is-)

If that one is useful you can easily find the other article with the [Fukushima tag.](http://seekerblog.com/tag/fukushima/).

Reply
Lenka Kollar link
1/21/2014 12:55:41 am

Great posts Steve! I will be sure to follow your blog.

Reply
Steve Darden link
1/21/2014 10:43:42 am

Thanks Lenka - we wish you success and support for your much-needed effort to bring accurate information to this vital area. You have assembled a very impressive panel of experts.

You are welcome to republish any of my Fukushima posts under the "guest post" rubric.

Nit questions:

1. Is HTML allowed in your Comments section?
2. What blogging platform are you using?

Reply
Lenka Kollar link
1/22/2014 01:32:12 am

I don't believe HTML can be used in the comments section. I am using Weebly but I'm not satisfied with it so I will be migrating to another platform soon, either blogger or wordpress.

Reply
Build Android App link
12/21/2016 04:50:26 am

Very educating story, saved your site for hopes to read more!

Reply



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