African shaman performing levitation

[Mashuna]

Well, I don't know what to say, really, accept that "there are many things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." (Ref: Shakespere).

Damn, I was with you all the way until you got the quote wrong. I was happy with levitating Shaman, heavy dogs, Roswell and voodoo. But by misquoting Hamlet, you've lost me.

By the way, what happens if the levitating Shaman gets a heavy dog? Do they just average out to normal, or does the dog go for walkies with the Shaman floating along behind, like a balloon?

 

[fuelair]

insidespace, I'll put the opinion and attitude of most of the forum members here as succinctly as possible: You believe this "Shaman" is actually levitating and that it is not a trick, prove it then.

That is essentially what happens when someone makes a claim here. They say I believe X and we ask for proof while offering alternate solutions.

If you believe the "Shaman" is real, let's see him perform in a situation where there can be no doubt whatsoever to his ability. If they laughed at Edison and Einstein as you claim, remember, both of those gentlemen came back with experiments, tests, and replicated observations. Both men were able to have their claims replicated by others.

I would like to see your "shaman" come to TAM 5.5 and levitate.

Actually, if they laughed at Edison his private agents would have dissappeared them. And nobody with much in the way of skills laughed at Einstein. Just a casual note.

 

[Dutchman]

By the way, what happens if the levitating Shaman gets a heavy dog? Do they just average out to normal, or does the dog go for walkies with the Shaman floating along behind, like a balloon?

They should watch out for three-feet-high dognapping cavemen hiding in the bushes though

 

[magi]

Innerspace:

You said the shaman has to be holy to float. Does that mean dogs are evil, because they can un-float?

What if the dog knows voodoo? No doodoo, I mean voodoo.

Why would you jump out of a Chinese house?

If you were driving your canoe down a four-lane highway, and all the wheels fell off, how many pancakes would it take to fix your sister's doghouse?

What's the difference between a duck?

What would you rather do, ride the bus, or carry your lunch?

Only you can answer these.... questions....

 

[yairhol]

Yes, if David Copperfiled was a real "Shaman" and not just an actor playing in Hollywood, sure, I might believe it.

So Copperfield is telling you out loud that he is a magician and we know that magicians use tricks to fool us. Why do you suppose that the shaman or whoever he is in the video, is not a magician who uses tricks0? Just because he is dressed differently and the title of the video says he is an african shaman?

And really, I'm bringing this up again: if this man can do what he claims with the powers of his mind, why is his video found on the internet only but the guy is not in every magazine known to man? You think humanity would pass the opportunity to discover this earth shattering breakthrough?

Regards,
Yair

 

[insidespace]

You have brought up an excellent point about the dogs. How much heavier would weigh (get it, a pun!!!) in favor of Evolution? Well, I would say, just a little because every little advantage given by Mother Nature would stand the physical organism a little better chance to survive, and would thereby make it more likely to reproduce. Q.E.D?

OK, so, you want me to question if the Shaman in Africa is "really" a Shaman in Africa. OK, so where do you want to start? Is George Bush on TV "really" George Bush? How do you know? He could be a fake. (Never mind the quips about how much of a liar he is, or how stupid...I agree with all that and have been a proud member of the Democratic Party for years, and I never believed there were Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, because I, unlike many other "sheep" asked for *EVIDENCE* and, finding none, did not believe.) BUt getting back to reality, I would use the phrase "WYSIWUG", or, absent some big conspiracy, "what you see is what you get." A shark is not a minnow with a shark suit on. The antartic is not a desert with a cotton floor. The moon is *NOT* made of green cheeze, though it looks a little like that sometimes. The men landed on the moon, it was not faked. You are "really" sitting at your computer waiting to respond. Yes, its reality, not fairy-tale Hollywood movies. So, as long as its not Hollywood, I would belive it.

And I might ask, if it is faked, where exactly is the wire? How thick? How long? Made where? How strong? Who is holding it up, a bird? Who is involved? Another Shaman? Where did they get that robe? Nobody has a robe like that laying around, except maybe a Hollywood actor. So, tell me it was made in Hollywood and I will retract everything I said. If not, I tend to think WYSIUG.

 

[dudalb]

Everytime I hear the word "African Shaman" Memories of Miss Cleo come into my mind,Mon.

 

[magi]

You have brought up an excellent point about the dogs. How much heavier would weigh (get it, a pun!!!) in favor of Evolution? Well, I would say, just a little because every little advantage given by Mother Nature would stand the physical organism a little better chance to survive, and would thereby make it more likely to reproduce. Q.E.D?

Latin, innerspace? You're using Latin, now? What does Q.E.D mean, to you?

And you *really truly* believe that dogs can make themselves heavier... because it was an evolutionary advantage? Why not horses?

OK, so, you want me to question if the Shaman in Africa is "really" a Shaman in Africa. OK, so where do you want to start?

Dude, forget the shaman. Forget Africa. Forget voodoo. Just one thing, and one thing only... levitation. Can a man, any man, levitate, without electro/mechanical/magnetic means? If so, say exactly HOW.

Is George Bush on TV "really" George Bush? How do you know? He could be a fake. (Never mind the quips about how much of a liar he is, or how stupid...I agree with all that and have been a proud member of the Democratic Party for years, and I never believed there were Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq,

I'm not going there. Too easy, and unfair. Just tell me you are not a registered voter, OK?

BUt getting back to reality,

Don't be a tease...

I would use the phrase "WYSIWUG", or, absent some big conspiracy, "what you see is what you get." A shark is not a minnow with a shark suit on. The antartic is not a desert with a cotton floor. The moon is *NOT* made of green cheeze, though it looks a little like that sometimes. The men landed on the moon, it was not faked. You are "really" sitting at your computer waiting to respond. Yes, its reality, not fairy-tale Hollywood movies. So, as long as its not Hollywood, I would belive it.

I thought not. Do you visit reality, ever?

Dude. Can a man levitate, paranormally? Can you do it? How? Please don't go off to Alpha Centari again, stay here, get a hit of Ritalin or Adderol, and stay focused, 'k?

The hard part of this thread isn't getting a sig line... it's picking one out from the crowd.

 

[ksbluesfan]

And I might ask, if it is faked, where exactly is the wire? How thick? How long? Made where? How strong? Who is holding it up, a bird? Who is involved? Another Shaman? Where did they get that robe? Nobody has a robe like that laying around, except maybe a Hollywood actor. So, tell me it was made in Hollywood and I will retract everything I said. If not, I tend to think WYSIUG.

No wires required. He's sitting on the end of a seesaw (or teeter-totter). The other end is on the other side of the palm trees out of view. There are probably two men on the other side lifting the shaman into the air. I don't know this for certain, but it is far more believable than the notion that he's violating the laws of gravity.

I could run down to the fabric store and make a robe like that in a few hours. I'm not a very good tailor, so it might be glued together rather than be sown. If he's a fraud, it is to his advantage to look like somebody that you would believe could make magic.

 

[666]

Always fun to watch, and now that kittens are felis non grata, I give you the dog which lacks the evolved ability to increase its weight.

 

[Spektator]

(snip)And I might ask, if it is faked, where exactly is the wire? How thick? How long? Made where? How strong? Who is holding it up, a bird? Who is involved? Another Shaman? Where did they get that robe? Nobody has a robe like that laying around, except maybe a Hollywood actor. So, tell me it was made in Hollywood and I will retract everything I said. If not, I tend to think WYSIUG.

And we might tell you it doesn't have to be a wire at all. Or a rope. Or any other wire-like or rope-like means of suspension. In fact, I don't think it is, from looking at the video.

By the way, here's a question for you: In the head-on shots, the "shaman's" face and the front of his garment are very brightly lit.

Why do the side shots NOT show this lighting? Why are they so dim?

WHAT IS BEING HIDDEN BY THE LOW LIGHT LEVELS ON THE SIDE SHOTS?

And if the man actually is a shaman, why is he represented by the William Morris Actors' Agency?

Hmmm?

 

[magi]

Always fun to watch, and now that kittens are felis non grata, I give you the dog which lacks the evolved ability to increase its weight.

Perfect... just perfect. Thank you.

 

[yairhol]

Oh my god! My wife went on a vacation to Senegal (that's in africa) with her friends from work about a year ago and saw hundreds of such robes for sale EVERYWHERE. They are sold by the hundreds each day.
Oh my god!!!! so all that was needed to convince you that the video was true was the robe? Oh my god!!!!
So if Copperfield buys such a robe in Africa and does a levitation trick in AFRICA and tells everyone there he is a holy man from another part of AFRICA then by your standards, that is enough to make him a god in the eyes of whoever watches his show.
Oh my god!!!

Can I ask how old are you and again I'm asking how do you manage in life with so many outragous believes?

and what do you want from Hollywood all the time. Open up youtube and type "magic". You will see people from ALL OVER THE WORLD performing tricks which we cannot explain. Stop saying Hollywood all the time.

If anyone reading this who can perform good magic and can put that on youtube please name your video something like A Shaman in Africa making cards disappear or whatever is done in the trick. Oh and don't forget to wear some kind of bathing robe.

Sheesh....
You rather believe the most outrageous explanations than the obvious ones.

Regards,
Yair

P.S. - I'm nearing my 300th post!

 

[insidespace]

Yeah well, true to form it seems like everybody has a different "explanation" for the Shaman. One says wires attached to his thorax. Another says a see-saw with unseen people. He is lit and he is not. His robe can be bought in Africa (like I said , only in Africa said the poster). So, I did *NOT* say the robe was made by aliens or by G-D. I said it is from Africa. I have *never* seen a robe like that, though I have been in all 50 states, except Nebraska. (I was actually going to go to Nebraska just to say I have been in all 50 states -- and that DOES include Hawaii and Alaska in case you were doubting me -- but I never really thought it was worth it because in this day and age of fast travel, going to all 50 states is not that big a deal). So, it is an African Robe, as we all agree. Now, we know this is not some Hollywood production with fake dinosaurs and car crashes. This is not Star Wars come to Earth or whatever fakery is involved. This is not the Harry Potter flying magician. This is a barefoot Shaman, a holy priest probably, who has a book or something that he can read in a now-dead language, that probably teaches him which sacred plants (growing only in Africa, by the way) will allow him to reach the transcendental stages of levitation (abbreviated TSL).

Everybody asks *ME* "how does he do it?" Well, I offered some explanations earlier, like in analogy to dogs who can make themselves heavier, why can't a Shaman, with enough sacred plants, make himself "lighter?" Where do you think the word "high" came from, indicating a state of drug ingestion. Is that a coincidence? Could that be the real explanation? The jury is out on that one!!!!!!

 

[Andrewsarchus]

cute.

 

[VespaGuy]

And I might ask, if it is faked, where exactly is the wire?

It's coming from overhead and attached to a harness around his waist. The trick relies on the darkness for it to work. Otherwise the wire would be visible.

How thick?

Thick enough to hold a human being.

How long?

Long enough to be out of frame.

Made where?

A wire factory.

How strong?

Strong enough to hold a human being

Who is holding it up, a bird?

Is your intelligence that limited, really? Just a guess, but any type of off-frame rigging could be used with a pulley. Even a small crane is more plausible than levitation.

Who is involved?

Everyone, silly.

Another Shaman?

He isn't a Shaman.

Where did they get that robe?

Uh, what's so special about that robe? It's fabric with a pattern on it. Do you recognize it as a robe from a specific tribe? If not, why is it so hard to believe that someone couldn't make it, buy it, find it, etc.

Nobody has a robe like that laying around, except maybe a Hollywood actor.

Yes, they keep them between their gladiator outfits, and their loincloths.

So, tell me it was made in Hollywood and I will retract everything I said. If not, I tend to think WYSIUG.

You believe everything you see on the internet? No matter how much it conflicts with reality?

That's sad...


Anyhow... see the explaination I gave you above? What's so hard to believe about that? There's no evidence that your shaman is real, or that the video is in africa. There is no evidene that people can levitate. Every other instance where someone has 'levitated' they have used normal (boring) methods to do it - no shaman, no magic. So why should you believe that this video ISN'T a trick?

I'm reminded of a quote about zebras...

 

[ksbluesfan]

Here is a link to a company in California that sells robes like that.

http://www.wear2go.com/index.html

 

[Spektator]

How do you account for this? The man appearing in the film as a shaman is registered as an actor who is represented by the William Morris Agency.

 

[JonWhite]

And I might ask, if it is faked, where exactly is the wire? How thick? How long? Made where? How strong? Who is holding it up, a bird? Who is involved? Another Shaman? Where did they get that robe? Nobody has a robe like that laying around, except maybe a Hollywood actor. So, tell me it was made in Hollywood and I will retract everything I said. If not, I tend to think WYSIUG.

Suppose I (or any number of far more talented shaman... oops... magicians) sat right down in front of you - anywhere of course but Hollywood 'cos we know all things there are faked - wearing a fancy robe and mysteriously "levitated" say a ring or banknote before your very eyes. As long as you couldn't see any strings attached would you really believe I had mystical, holy, shamanic powers?

If you say yes, forward your bank details and I'll enrol you in my tribe.

If you say no, there's a slim hope for you yet...

 

[VespaGuy]

Yeah well, true to form it seems like everybody has a different "explanation" for the Shaman. One says wires attached to his thorax. Another says a see-saw with unseen people. He is lit and he is not.

That's because there are a lot of really boring, non-magical ways to pull it off. There's no need to introduce "magic".

His robe can be bought in Africa (like I said , only in Africa said the poster).

I missed this. Who said that the robe could only be bought in Africa?

So, I did *NOT* say the robe was made by aliens or by G-D. I said it is from Africa. I have *never* seen a robe like that, though I have been in all 50 states, except Nebraska. (I was actually going to go to Nebraska just to say I have been in all 50 states -- and that DOES include Hawaii and Alaska in case you were doubting me -- but I never really thought it was worth it because in this day and age of fast travel, going to all 50 states is not that big a deal). So, it is an African Robe, as we all agree.

No. I haven't seen anybody agree that it is an African robe. Please tell me your proof that it is an African robe.

Now, we know this is not some Hollywood production with fake dinosaurs and car crashes. This is not Star Wars come to Earth or whatever fakery is involved. This is not the Harry Potter flying magician.

Correct. No need for special effects. Guy on a cable. Technologically, it's pretty basic.

This is a barefoot Shaman,

proof?

a holy priest probably,

proof?

who has a book or something that he can read in a now-dead language, that probably teaches him which sacred plants (growing only in Africa, by the way) will allow him to reach the transcendental stages of levitation (abbreviated TSL).

Wow. You've go quite the imagination...

Everybody asks *ME* "how does he do it?" Well, I offered some explanations earlier, like in analogy to dogs who can make themselves heavier,

pssst... dogs can't make themselves heavier.

why can't a Shaman, with enough sacred plants, make himself "lighter?"

:::raises hand:::
I know! I know! Because plants can't make you violate the laws of physics.

Where do you think the word "high" came from, indicating a state of drug ingestion. Is that a coincidence? Could that be the real explanation? The jury is out on that one!!!!!!

Just making stuff up now, are you?