Personal Geiger Counter Sales Boom Since Sept 11

Ananova ^ | 6-28-2002

[blam]

Personal Geiger counter sales boom since Sept 11

Shops in the US selling personal Geiger counters say sales have been booming since September's terrorist attacks.

The New York Times says the radiation detectors are among the country's most popular personal safety gadgets.

Tim Flanegin of Mineralab in Prescott, Arizona says his Geiger counter sales have doubled since September.

The Geiger counters start ticking wildly when exposed to radiation, like that from a 'dirty bomb' or a nuclear meltdown.

But some experts say buying a counter is a waste of time as non-scientists don't know how to interpret their data.

Prices range from about $180 for a basic kit, to $900 for a deluxe unit.

Story filed: 15:11 Friday 28th June 2002

[Dog Gone]

But some experts say buying a counter is a waste of time as non-scientists don't know how to interpret their data.

Some experts are total snots.

[Gorzaloon]

But some experts say buying a counter is a waste of time as non-scientists don't know how to interpret their data.

Some experts are total snots.

Usually it is compensation for their embarrassment at being an "expert" in a relatively easy field. The old Civil Defense ion chamber devices (OK, before most people's time, now, I suppose) came with instructions written for the Great Unwashed and unilluminated.

We had a senior PhD in our R&D group who, upon having to leave some books behind, sniffed that people would "probably enjoy looking at the pictures".

The reason he had to leave some books behind is because he was _fired_, but that's beside the point. Maybe.

[Dog Gone]

LOL, that is so true.

Not everyone has the mental capacity to become a doctor, lawyer, or Indian Chief, but the snottiness of those who are toward those who chose to do something else is always a source of amusement to me. Many people are far more intelligent than someone with a particular degree or license.

In this case, I'm not aware of where the prestigious Geiger Counter University is located where these experts earned their advance degree in snottiness.

[TLI]

The Geiger counters start ticking wildly when exposed to radiation, like that from a 'dirty bomb' or a nuclear meltdown.

But some experts say buying a counter is a waste of time as non-scientists don't know how to interpret their data.

Let's see, no ticking on any setting other than an occasional click, pretty safe.
The thing buzzes like a rattlesnake, back off and take a closer look at the manual and the general circumstances you are in.

Whew, that was tough! < / sarcasm >

Give a moron-at-heart a few days technical training and they want to believe they are Einstein. 

Give a FReeper the instruction manual for one hour and they will be "good to go."