OPINION

A Modern Version of the “Swedish Tight Pants Theory”

Terry Calhoun, IT Trends Commentator
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)
University of Michigan

Long ago, as a graduate student in anthropology, I took a class in demographic statistics from the anthropological perspective. One case study that I remember (but for which I cannot find a Web citation) was about a study that found Swedish men to have reduced fertility compared to similar men in geographic areas not too far away. A number of reasons for the Swedish men’s reduced sperm counts were postulated but--as the instructor informed us with delight--it turned out that Swedish men of that time wore very, very tight pants and it was the restriction and subsequent overheating in their crotches that caused the infertility.

What has this got to do with IT? Well, the latest iteration of the Swedish Tight Pants Theory, coming this time not from demographic studies but from laboratory research, finds that men who are now using laptop computers more and more actually in their laps--partly due to expanding wireless networks--may run a similar risk of temporary or long-term infertility.

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IT NEWS

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The deal may be good for shareholders, but many customers are still concerned. (cnnmoney)
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RESOURCES

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DEALS, CONTRACTS, AWARDS

Online Music Giant Napster Lands Campus Deals

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