How Damaging is Radiation?

What is radiation? Are all types harmful? What are the most common sources of damaging radiation? Most people view radiation as harmful and negative without understanding what makes it potentially damaging and which forms should be avoided. For example, many felt radiation from mobile phones probably caused cancer but few focused on the carcinogenic effects of UV rays.

[TheOnlyToblin]

My biggest dream is that I'd be interviewed by Veritasium. Problem is, the one time I am actually somewhere where he'd ask people, he'll ask about something I don't have a clue about, and I'll look like an idiot too.

[veritasium]

they are all electromagnetic radiation, which we sometimes refer to generally as 'light' but I think most people think visible light when we just say 'light'.

[dramawind]

3:09 hands down the best plane drawing I've ever seen.

[DANversusWTP]

You mean opening the microwave before the three beeps doesn't cause cancer?  

[outsmartbigbrother]

I get what you’re saying, but the 4 quadrants chart at 2:39 contains a flaw: it separates sunlight and UV radiation, classifying sunlight as good and UV as bad. However, solar radiation is not its own type of radiation, but rather a mix of different types of radiation, including UV.

[ComandanteJ]

I'm spanish, i live in Seville, lots of english speaking tourists here. I pay attention to people speaking in english whenever i can (call me what you want), and i have a theory. The most used word from english speaking people below 30 years is "like". That's it, have a good day.

[karikelly]

Contructivist educational theory, drawing out misconceptions and holding people accountable to what they think (by asking them to explain their understanding in an interview, for example) followed by an opportunity to test their misconception, is one of the most effective ways to teach. This series of videos is demonstrating an effective teaching method, not making fun of people. Well done!

[xyzzyx]

I really wish people would be able to understand what microwave radiation is before being allowed to say that phone or microwaves are bad for your health

3:46 I now love bananas too, due to the cutest way this was said ever

[HDitzzDH]

It's very interesting to see how skewed the general publics understanding on radiation is.

[krantinebhwani]

3:47 best part hands down. Great science vid too

[PhysicsManual]

Derek, I just wanna say thanks for all the videos. I'm currently taking my masters in physics, so i know most of the topics already, but your videos help me understand popular misconceptions in physics (and the other sciences) so that i can more easily help others understand the wonder and complexity of the science!

[pungopete]

I wonder how many people were surveyed who actually had some idea about what they were talking about? These types of videos always make me wonder how many people were surveyed in total, and if any of them are ever "redeeming"...

When somebody asks "Is radiation dangerous?" your answer should be, "Which type?"

[drworm]

cheers for asking arts students questions about radiation :P

[mbanana]

I used to be a young adventurer like you, till I got radiation to my knees

[thesimen]

I seriously just fell in love with that girl

[megabear]

"I am not exposed to radiation" lol

[abrahamtio]

it's remarkable how little a random sampling of people knows about the natural world.

[TheWelchProductions]

0:07 Robert DeNiro and Taika Waititi combined

[gh]

I don't know why everyone is calling our generation stupid. It was a few people that didn't know how radiation worked. Why would he show the people that knew what it was?