Whatever Happened to Masaru Emoto?

Porterboy

Critical Thinker
Porterboy
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Feb 27, 2006
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I was wondering how Masaru Emoto responded to James Randi's invitation to take the $million challenge.

Masaru Emoto is the man who has published a study of how different things effect ice crystal formation. Here's his website:

http://www.hado.net/index2.html

He claims that water crystals form in different ways when influenced by many strange things, including homeopathic material dilutions and words written on the water containers.

I can see some obstacles in testing his theories. If the ice crystals are really effected by such factors as thought and mental intent then the thoughts of those conducting the experiment could influce its outcome. In this case Emoto's ideas might lie in the realms of the "unproven and unprovable".

If he's taken Randi up on his offer I'd be interested to see the outcome.
 
Porterboy said:
I can see some obstacles in testing his theories. If the ice crystals are really effected by such factors as thought and mental intent then the thoughts of those conducting the experiment could influce its outcome. In this case Emoto's ideas might lie in the realms of the "unproven and unprovable".
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Well, the one consistent feature of nearly all paranormal claims is that the presence of a skeptic seems to cancel out all the power of the believers. If Randi has any say on how Emoto's experiments are run, the ice crystals would, as if by magic, start to behave exactly in accordance with the know laws of physics. It seems that a single skeptic can override the fragile psychokinetic willpower of a million believers. Aren't we powerful :D ?
 
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Maybe he saw this, and was motivated not to persist:

MsgWater4-poster.jpg
 
He went the way other woo claimants have gone: Oblivion.

Who hears of Schwartz today?

Their claims are stale, without developing in the face of new discoveries or criticisms. So, they fade away, with only their followers to continue believing.

Pseudoscientists vs Paranormalists
 
Call me stupid or old-fashioned, but what exactly is a 'water crystal'? I've never heard of them before.
 
I believe he's riding the "What the bleep do You know?" train now. But it seems there's been a train-wreck because I haven't heard anything lately.

I saw a DVD at Costco a couple of weeks ago, about the water memory BS, don't remember its name.

Emoto did some lectures at Mexican UNIVERSITIES about a year ago, but since dissapeared.

I remember Randi setting up a challenge to Emoto, and a probable protocol in one of his commentaries.
 
Puggy said:
I'll call You simonmaal, and I found the Randi commentary on this BS: http://www.randi.org/jr/052303.html. It's the second section.
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I still don't get it: these tests are being carried out on water, not ice, yet Emoto is claiming that water crystals exist in water whilst in its liquid state. Despite reading this synposis, I still have absolutely no idea what this is all about. Perhaps the confusion is not my problem; it resides in the 'theory'.

Of particular note is this 'Doctorate' from theOpen International University of Alternative Medicine; the following link takes us there:

http://www.altmeduniversity.com/

Looks pretty much like a diploma mill to me.

The doctorate involves "five papers and the student will be asked to answer the same at his (sic) place of residence. The answer scripts should be sent to the Institute for evaluation."

Or you can go for a Doctor of Philosophy, which is obtained thus: "The candidate has to submit an original & authentic research work (thesis) of at least 300 pages (on full scape paper) in any branch of alternative medicine under the guidance of a competent person or institution after obtaining the prior approval of this institute."

I think these two excerpts tell us all we need to know.
 
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This subject reminds me about the debate over homeopathy. According to James Randi, homeopathic remedies are so thouroughly diluted that they probalby don't contain one single molecule of the original active ingredient. If the original active ingredient works the same way as Emoto's words and thoughts do then it somehow changes the water and this is what the cure is.

I know that homeopathy has been debunked, but I did try it twice on my excema and it worked fairly well, at least as well as the urea cream I got from my doctor. The condition has gone away (and it's a relief, I can tell you!), but if it ever came back I would consider using homeopathy again.

Is it possible that the debunkers have missed something?
 
The problem with excema is that it tends to go away on its own, even without treatment.

The creams that the doctor give you for it are not very good. They are no cure. If not used properly they can even make the condition worse.
 
rjh01 said:
The problem with excema is that it tends to go away on its own, even without treatment.

The creams that the doctor give you for it are not very good. They are no cure. If not used properly they can even make the condition worse.
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Depends on what cream you're given and what type of excema it is.

I'm a walking skin problem, but my skin actually doesn't look too bad. This is mostly because of the different creams and such I use (for months I looked disgusting - the excema came on quickly, and just got worse and worse).

For example, on my elbows, I generally moisturize and use a mild steroid cream (or strong if it really flares up). On my face I moisturize and use Elidel in some places, and Nizoral in others.

I really am a walking disaster sometimes...but it's under control now.
 
Mobyseven said:
...I'm a walking skin problem, but my skin actually doesn't look too bad. This is mostly because of the different creams and such I use (for months I looked disgusting - the excema came on quickly, and just got worse and worse).....
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I used to be that way too... Until I was finally diagnosed as being allergic to nickel (a very common allergy). So I have removed my wedding rings (someday we will have redone with gold hardened without nickel), make sure my watch is either plastic or a stainless steel back and have had to buy special sewing pins and needles. Now I very seldom use creams.
 
Porterboy said:
. . .
I know that homeopathy has been debunked, but I did try it twice on my excema and it worked fairly well, . . .
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Many so-called homeopathic remedies prove upon analysis to contain actual ingredients in non-homeopathic quantities. This is often one explanation that it "works".
 
I hardly can stand to report this, but in
October 2006, parapsychologist Dean Radin from the Institute of Noetic Sciences published the results of a "pilot test" of a double blind experiment on Emoto's claims, using four water samples. The study reports that photographed crystals were rated as more beautiful when they came from samples that had been sent a long-distance "prayer of gratitude" by a group led by Emoto. This has encouraged Radin to initiate a more more extensive test.
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Mobyseven said:
Depends on what cream you're given and what type of excema it is.

I'm a walking skin problem, but my skin actually doesn't look too bad. This is mostly because of the different creams and such I use (for months I looked disgusting - the excema came on quickly, and just got worse and worse).

For example, on my elbows, I generally moisturize and use a mild steroid cream (or strong if it really flares up). On my face I moisturize and use Elidel in some places, and Nizoral in others.

I really am a walking disaster sometimes...but it's under control now.
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I'm glad for you. It's a really nasty condition that can completely destroy your life, at its most extreme.

Yes, moisturization is vital. I still use it regularly every time I wash my hands or shave.
 
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