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RYAN WHISLER, Yo-Yo Dowser

steenkh

Philosopher
steenkh
Joined
Aug 22, 2002
Messages
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would it be possible to elminate the ideomotor movements by fixing mr. Whisler's hand somehow? If it is important for him to be in physical contact with the yo-yo, it might possible to strap his arm and hand so that no movement is possbible in the finger that is holding the yo-yo, and if mr. Whisler can accept this control, the test could proceed?
 
I don't think you can eliminate ideomotor with a brace. You can move the yo-yo simply by contracting and releasing the muscles. It would take some practice, but you should be able to learn to contract your muscles without actually moving your bones. I think you could do it with some sort of rigid glove-like device, but that seems pretty impractical.
 
You could have the yo-yo string tied off halfway down the string, then tie the top half of the string off again on another solid object, with the string limp, and finally, to his hand, where the string must stay limp yet again.

??


Hanging Yo-Yo -> Tied Solid Object -> Limp String -> Tied to a different solid object -> Limp String -> Hand


But really, probably not that hot of an idea to let him touch anything, when you're looking for movement.....
 
This thread reminds me of a famous Rodney Dangerfield quote:

"I tell ya when I was a kid, all I knew was rejection. My yo-yo, it never came back."
 
If he insists on having the yoyo attached ...
It is still feasible to clamp/bind the index finger to a rigid fixture.

Visualize index finger with yoyo string tied between 1st and 2nd joint.
Then bind the finger to the fixture at the 1st and 2nd joint points.

The finger will not be able to affect much.
'specially after gangrene sets in!
 
The alternative would be to let him hold it, but ask questions he can't know the answer to, such as "what is written on the card in this sealed envelope?". It's not clear (to me) whether he's just claiming that he can make a pendulum move without (he believes) doing anything, or that it can provide new information by answering questions.
 
Thing said:
The alternative would be to let him hold it, but ask questions he can't know the answer to, such as "what is written on the card in this sealed envelope?". It's not clear (to me) whether he's just claiming that he can make a pendulum move without (he believes) doing anything, or that it can provide new information by answering questions.
Click to expand...

I think this is beyond what he claims he can do, and would add an unnecessary level of paranormality(?) to the test.
 
Probably doesn't matter much.

What would probably happen is he may try it himself, such as tieing it off on a fixed object and having a limp string on his finger and then he sees it doesn't move and then concludes it doesn't work that way, perhaps because of the vibrations of the thing the yo-yo is tied off on.
 
yes he said it was 'quantum' in the challenge conversation with kramer.
Hails to the patience of Kramer. This guy is another nut.
 
I am reminded of a lady I saw on a street corner in chinatown selling quantum nano wash clothes. As she was spruiking in chinese I couldn't work out if it was a really cool brand name or woo.
 
hellaeon said:
yes he said it was 'quantum' in the challenge conversation with kramer.
Hails to the patience of Kramer. This guy is another nut.
Click to expand...
Giving it a little push takes the danger out of quantum mechanics...

That's not even wrong(tm).
 
It's "dangerous" to move a yo-yo without pushing it first? What sort of danger are we talking about?

Total protonic reversal?

I wonder if Randi is willing to take that risk. :)
 
Back up a step, folks. If the protocol for dowsing for this guy is anything like what has preceded it, it won't matter if he dangles the yoyo from his dick nose. Any ideomotor effect RELIES on pre-knowledge of the "target". Remove that pre-knowledge...bingo.
 
yo-yo-send.jpg


No NO! You have it all wrong. This test must be designed as this diagram shows.
There is not any other way.
 
Zep said:
Back up a step, folks. If the protocol for dowsing for this guy is anything like what has preceded it, it won't matter if he dangles the yoyo from his dick nose. Any ideomotor effect RELIES on pre-knowledge of the "target". Remove that pre-knowledge...bingo.
Click to expand...

Yes, but the claimant hasn't been exactly clear whether he wants to test his paranormal ability to move a yo yo, his paranormal ability to order the yo yo to do his bidding, or his paranormal ability to get information from the yo yo.

If he wants to test his ability to move the yo yo with his mind, starting the motion with his fingers first makes this a decidedly underwhelming feat.
 
ChristineR said:
Did anyone understand that last post?
Click to expand...

It was a reference to the behaviour of people who don't even try to come up with a convincing explaination. Saying "It's Quantum" is a coded way of saying "I'm going to try and blind you with pseudo-scientific buzz words and cow cakes. In reality I have no idea what I'm talking about". Without any other references it's just a nonsense phrase.
I first saw this long before I knew of the existence of sites like this - check out 'Pyramids' by Terry Pratchett for more humorous examples ;)
 
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I think there are times when it should be called idiotmotor reflexes, there are just some challange applications that leave me between crying and laughing.
 
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