INTERACTIONS THROUGH THE NETWORK - UNDERSTANDING THE MYTHS TO CREATE NEW WAYS OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE

The introduction of open data networks in the former Soviet Union, eve n concerning nuclear matters, collided with Soviet myths of, for examp le, nuclear secrets, information prohibition and dangers of internatio nal communication. Moreover, it was considered very complicated. These myths share many of the features with perception of radiation risk, s uch as dread, fear and misunderstanding. The new opportunities for inf ormation exchange, created by modern telecommunications and computer n etworks, can dispel these myths and perceptions concerning radiation r isk, provided proper consideration of the myths' origins is taken. New ways of information exchange, such as creating extensive, internation al information infrastructures, based on Internet, can create new cond itions for presenting the social conditions related to radiation risk.