African shaman performing levitation

[magi]

Wow! Just finished this thread. Fortunately, my head did not explode.

Does anyone else know the photo? As I recall, it has been debunked - something about inconsistencies in the wallpaper, I believe. Anyone?

Well, I dunno... but here is the one, I think...



From goldendome.org/levitation/index.htm... A very nice, well thought-out, exposition of solid scientific principles and methods.... Oh, I just upchucked a little on that, sorry. It's major woo.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

I think most everyone agreed they can make themselves heavier. The dispute was over how they did it and whether it could me measured on a scale.

You must be referring to the several people inside your own head.

No one else here in the forum agreed to that.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Well, I dunno... but here is the one, I think...

View attachment 8356

From goldendome.org/levitation/index.htm... A very nice, well thought-out, exposition of solid scientific principles and methods.... Oh, I just upchucked a little on that, sorry. It's major woo.

That doesn't look like a photograph at all to me. Looks like a drawing or woodcut.

A brief bit of Googling shows that name with the assertion that there's a photo, but I haven't found any photo other than the thumbnail you posted. The fact that the assertion appears nearly word-for-word in most cases makes me think it's just a matter of people repeating the same rumor.

 

[yairhol]

Is this it?

Regards,
Yair

 

[Locknar]

If the guy in yairhol's pic is really levitating...why are his pants all "hiked up"; its almost as if he was wearing a belt harness.

 

[Baron Samedi]

Oh wise ones, can someone please help me out with this? Let's run with this for a moment:

Theory: Changing ones centre of gravity can lead to amazing levitation

Is it just me, or would a person have to change not their own COG, but the COG of the Earth so that they could "levitate" using this method?

 

[magi]

Oh wise ones, can someone please help me out with this? Let's run with this for a moment:

Theory: Changing ones centre of gravity can lead to amazing levitation

Is it just me, or would a person have to change not their own COG, but the COG of the Earth so that they could "levitate" using this method?

First of oll, IMHO, changing one's COG would not cause levitation. You would simply fall over. In fact, this is exactly what tequila does. It makes your head and arms really really light at first, so you can fly up on tables and sing. Then it moves your COG to near your buttocks, and the walls come a-tumblin' down.

Changing the COG does not remove the effects of gravity. Should the Earth's COG be moved to, say, the Bikini Atolls, there would follow a rather exciting time, as all the mass on/in/around the planet would shift and move and re-arrange, into a new spheroid. Heluva way to rotate your crops...

 

[magi]

Is this it?
[qimg]http://goldendome.org/levitation/AmedeeZuccarini-NotSure.jpg[/qimg]

Regards,
Yair

Say, isn't that Saddam Hussein?

 

[Baron Samedi]

First of oll, IMHO, changing one's COG would not cause levitation. You would simply fall over. In fact, this is exactly what tequila does. It makes your head and arms really really light at first, so you can fly up on tables and sing. Then it moves your COG to near your buttocks, and the walls come a-tumblin' down.

Changing the COG does not remove the effects of gravity. Should the Earth's COG be moved to, say, the Bikini Atolls, there would follow a rather exciting time, as all the mass on/in/around the planet would shift and move and re-arrange, into a new spheroid. Heluva way to rotate your crops...

Well, that was my point. Even if I could somehow magically shift my COG to a place 1m above any part of my body, would that allow me to float? Nope. But I like your idea of shifting the Earth's COG to the Bikini Atolls. And I know it could be done, since I read somewhere that Dr. Doom created such a device and was about to detonate it until Reed Richards secretly removed the triggering device. But it's still out there, somewhere... *looks around suspiciously*

 

[magi]

Well, that was my point. Even if I could somehow magically shift my COG to a place 1m above any part of my body, would that allow me to float? Nope. But I like your idea of shifting the Earth's COG to the Bikini Atolls. And I know it could be done, since I read somewhere that Dr. Doom created such a device and was about to detonate it until Reed Richards secretly removed the triggering device. But it's still out there, somewhere... *looks around suspiciously*

I distrust Reed Richards. By a long stretch.

Now, that Susan Storm lady. Clearly, she is the one to look to. I feel like I can stare into her soul, look right through her, Clearly.

 

[Baron Samedi]

Me, I never understood why all the chicks dig her brother Johnny. Could it be his fiery personality, or his hot looks that drive the ladies wild?

 

[magi]

Me, I never understood why all the chicks dig her brother Johnny. Could it be his fiery personality, or his hot looks that drive the ladies wild?

Yeah, and did you hear about the other dude? Started a band. That dude can rock.

 

[Locknar]

Yeah, and did you hear about the other dude? Started a band. That dude can rock.

As Bill the Cat would say - ACK!

 

[insidespace]

Your center of gravity doesn't change by thought alone, action must be taken for it to change. In additon changing your center of gravity doesn't change gravity or your weight.


You mean "thoughts" have no mass? Are "thoughts" a part of the "mind" which is not part of the "body"? I think that is called "dualism" isn't it? Why do you say that thoughts cannot change your center of gravity if actions do. Aren't thoughts just the brain's actions, involving changes in potentials as a result of nervous activity? Isn't that activity basically chemical in nature? Doesn't that involve atoms? Don't the atoms have mass? Wouldn't that mean that if the atoms move some change in cg (as you put it) occurs? Why not?

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Your center of gravity doesn't change by thought alone, action must be taken for it to change. In additon changing your center of gravity doesn't change gravity or your weight.

You mean "thoughts" have no mass? Are "thoughts" a part of the "mind" which is not part of the "body"? I think that is called "dualism" isn't it? Why do you say that thoughts cannot change your center of gravity if actions do. Aren't thoughts just the brain's actions, involving changes in potentials as a result of nervous activity? Isn't that activity basically chemical in nature? Doesn't that involve atoms? Don't the atoms have mass? Wouldn't that mean that if the atoms move some change in cg (as you put it) occurs? Why not?

The terms "thought" and "mind" are constructs--very much like the term "intelligence". To assume things like thoughts or intentions or ideas have mass is absurd.

But then again, so is believing in levitation of this sort.

 

[magi]

You mean "thoughts" have no mass? Are "thoughts" a part of the "mind" which is not part of the "body"? I think that is called "dualism" isn't it? Why do you say that thoughts cannot change your center of gravity if actions do. Aren't thoughts just the brain's actions, involving changes in potentials as a result of nervous activity? Isn't that activity basically chemical in nature? Doesn't that involve atoms? Don't the atoms have mass? Wouldn't that mean that if the atoms move some change in cg (as you put it) occurs? Why not?

Insidespace, do you realize you have yet to answer a question with other than another question which attempts to change the subject?

Try an experment, insidespace. Think really really hard about your left side. Concentrate, get all your thoughts to all run over to one side. According to your unsuitable substitute for logic, the opposite side should float up.

Besides, thoughts don't have atoms. That's why Stupid isn't on the periodic table.

 

[Deetee]

You mean "thoughts" have no mass? Are "thoughts" a part of the "mind" which is not part of the "body"? I think that is called "dualism" isn't it? Why do you say that thoughts cannot change your center of gravity if actions do. Aren't thoughts just the brain's actions, involving changes in potentials as a result of nervous activity? Isn't that activity basically chemical in nature? Doesn't that involve atoms? Don't the atoms have mass? Wouldn't that mean that if the atoms move some change in cg (as you put it) occurs? Why not?

Put a cup of tea on a table.
Marvel at the amazing effects induced by the random movements of water molecules within the liquid.
Gasp with disbelief as the cup spontaneously levitates to a height of 1 foot, spins clockwise for 3 revolutions and then upends itself so the tea pours in your lap.

 

[cloudshipsrule]

Aren't thoughts just the brain's actions, involving changes in potentials as a result of nervous activity? Isn't that activity basically chemical in nature? Doesn't that involve atoms? Don't the atoms have mass? Wouldn't that mean that if the atoms move some change in cg (as you put it) occurs? Why not?

I'll tell you why the above is not a good theory:


To every action force there is an equal, but opposite, reaction force.

Did you read that? EQUAL.

No change in atoms due to thought is going to cause an adult male to levitate. That is not an EQUAL reaction.

It really is that simple.

Fake video. Period.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

You mean "thoughts" have no mass? Are "thoughts" a part of the "mind" which is not part of the "body"? I think that is called "dualism" isn't it? Why do you say that thoughts cannot change your center of gravity if actions do. Aren't thoughts just the brain's actions, involving changes in potentials as a result of nervous activity? Isn't that activity basically chemical in nature? Doesn't that involve atoms? Don't the atoms have mass? Wouldn't that mean that if the atoms move some change in cg (as you put it) occurs? Why not?

How about "beauty"? Does it have mass? It's obviously a characteristic of physical things (oil paintings, human bodies, etc.).

So is a thing with more beauty heavier than a thing (otherwise of the same mass) with less beauty?

BTW: I still don't believe you're for real. I'm waiting for the "Aha! I tricked you!"

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Your center of gravity doesn't change by thought alone, action must be taken for it to change. In additon changing your center of gravity doesn't change gravity or your weight.


You mean "thoughts" have no mass? Are "thoughts" a part of the "mind" which is not part of the "body"? I think that is called "dualism" isn't it? Why do you say that thoughts cannot change your center of gravity if actions do. Aren't thoughts just the brain's actions, involving changes in potentials as a result of nervous activity? Isn't that activity basically chemical in nature? Doesn't that involve atoms? Don't the atoms have mass? Wouldn't that mean that if the atoms move some change in cg (as you put it) occurs? Why not?

Watch out for the Third Billy Goat Gruff, Mr. Troll. He can butt your centre of gravity over the edge of the bridge into the water and your COG is as firmly attached to your body as your "mind" is to your brain. :snicker: