How Long Until We Hear Reports That Lightning Is Attracted To iPods Too?
from the coming-soon... dept
We've seen a series of questionable stories lately claiming that lightning is attracted to mobile phones, when those who know anything about the topic say it's basically impossible. Well, it's probably only a matter of time until we hear similar stories about iPods. Nick Burns writes in to let us know about a story in the Denver Post about a kid struck by lightning while listening to his iPod. It seems pretty clear that the lightning ran through the iPod (the wounds follow the line where his headphones were down to where he had the iPod on his hip, the headphones were destroyed and the iPod has a hole). However, the Denver Post article at least quotes an expert noting that there's no way the iPod did anything to attract the lightning. It just allowed the current to travel through the wires. Still, we're willing to bet that there will be "iPods attract lightning" stories making the rounds before too long.
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WooHoo
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BS
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Why not?
The point I am trying to make here is, if trees attract lightining, then surely a device powered by electricity would be more attractive to lightning?
Yes, an Ipod is not as big as a tree...but why should consumers take chances.
Perhaps the best thing to do is to take an Ipod to car testing center (seen one on TV a while ago, where cars are tested again lightning) and scientifically examin the validy of this claim (Whether Ipods attract lightning or not).
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Re: Why not?
The point was clearly made that the iPod did nothing to attract the lightning, and in fact an expert in the article states the very same thing.
Maybe TechDirt on tape would be a better option for you guys.
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Re: Why not?
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Lucky?
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Parents beware! Pedophile uses iPod to get sex from underaged teens! News at 11!
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Doh!
One of the techs has an iPod. It's all so obvious now, it was the iPod that attracted the lightning to the building!!
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please read up on some basic science before postin
The reason why trees improve your chance of getting struck by lightning is because they provide a "better" path to ground (earth). This is simply because the tree is has high water content and is firmly attached to the ground.
The issue with cellphones, ipods, or any other electronic device is that they are usually metallic and provide an easier "path" for the lightening into the body.
Now this part im not 100 percent sure, but I believe normally, when folks are struck by lightening the charge usually flows on the outside (surface) of the body to ground.. when this occurs, the damage to the body is usually minimal.. however if there are metallic devices nearby or touching the surface (cellphones?) this could increase the likelyhood of current flowing in/out of the body at that point.. the current flowing inside/across/through the vital organs (especially the heart muscle) is what can cause the real damage....
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Re: please read up on some basic science before po
I can't believe how Techdirt is the first one to claim that the 'other people' use fear--mongering headlines. To minimalists this, is stupid. I don't understand how people just don't read on.
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It's not IPOD or IPod or I-Pod
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Re: please read up on some basic science before "p
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SUE SUE SUE!
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QFT
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People are stupid
The lightning is more likely to hit you than your iPod (Hay I spelled it right) since you’re mostly water and salt, and that is a excellent conductor of electricity. Plus you’re one really big wire and all the electricity will be able to run threw you much easier than the little tiny wires on the iPod.
Watch Mythbusters some day. They proved this on two separate myths
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Re: People are stupid
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ITHAPPEND TODAY
http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/07/ipod-equipped-teen-struck-by-lightning/
enjoy the bs
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RE: Lightning
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Am I the only one wondering...
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