Application to challenge for the prize has been submitted

CurtC said:
I know, but reading his web site, with "Alien Rock" in every sentence just made me think of the Happy Fun Ball gag.

Seriously, after reading the OP, I expected better. The web site makes it clear that this is either a hoax, or the product of a person with reduced mental capacity. And I suspect the latter, because a hoaxer wouldn't file FOIA lawsuits. Assuming they were real.

Anyone on the board live in the Detroit area, who could check this out in person? I'd like a clear picture.
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Do not taunt Happy Fun DALTON.
 
Dalton -

Don't let the nay-sayers get you down.

Good luck with the Challenge.
 
But he also says "Photographs will only be taken by appointment." So can any Detroiters on the forum get an appointment?

Hey Dalton, do you get much traffic on your Thursday and Friday public viewing days? Have you gotten the word out in the area?
 
DALTON,

I see that you have tested the "alien" rock's bug killing properties. Did you remember to try it with a normal rock? It would be an embarrassment at the test if it turns out that bugs always die under the test conditions, right?
 
DALTON said:
If I have upset any one by typing in all caps I do apologize. My eye sight is not so great and I can see caps a lot easier. Again I apologize.
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Scribble beat me to my main suggestion. :) I'd also suggest trying ClearType (you can find it here for Windows: http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearType/tuner/1.htm)

And info on it here: http://grc.com/cleartype.htm) It works on moniters other than a laptop and has tremendously helped me to see text more clearly on screen. It may help you out as well.

Just an additional aside, if you have problems viewing the screen that cannot be corrected with glasses try here: http://www.brailleinstitute.org/

They have numerous aids that can help you view computer screens, and can evaluate what will work best for you (if you have exhausted options with an opthamologist and your vision cannot be corrected with glasses).

Just thought I'd toss that out there because many people are unaware of the free programs the Braille Institute provides, as well as new technology for magnification, and it can make a TREMENDOUS difference.

Hijack over, I look forward to seeing the test results.
 
From the exhibition website given above:


No cameras, including cell phone cameras will be
allowed. Taking pictures may cause damage to your
equipment. Photographs will only be taken by
appointment. Anyone found taking pictures during
public viewing hours will be asked to leave immediately.
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Now,
how come scheduled photographs do not damage cameras? Does the rock need a rest every day some time outside of 10am-2pm, at which point its powers are so weak a camera can be use without any danger????

And, if I so choose to be an idiot and use my camera to take a picture, 'knowing' that my camera will be damaged - why should I additionally be put out of the building??? Wouldn't you be satisfied enough to stand and smirk, and say 'that was an expensive lesson, eh?' ???? (I used to be a bouncer, and when cameras were used, we would confiscate them until the end of the show, when the owner could recover them, sometimes at a cost - for charity - but the films would often be removed). No need to thrown the bloke out, unless they cause some other kind of trouble.
 
. . . because photographs of the rock are even more dangerous than the fingerpaints . . .

. . . silly!

--J.D.
 
CurtC said:
But he also says "Photographs will only be taken by appointment." So can any Detroiters on the forum get an appointment?

Hey Dalton, do you get much traffic on your Thursday and Friday public viewing days? Have you gotten the word out in the area?
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I am tempted to check it out. He is within 10 miles of both work and home. Somehow I just cannot see shelling out 7 bucks to take a picture of a rock.

If I did do it, I could just imagaine P.T. Barnum laughing at me.

I did locate a phone number for Dalton. Not sure if it is current or not.
 
Fascinating web site. Especially the parts about testing. Let me see if I can summarize them correctly.

Wayne State University:
Rock was at WSU for two weeks. Owner says dust sample was taken without his permission, even though he saw the dust sample get taken. Scientist says no dust sample was taken. Owner says no test results were given by scientist, even though test results are given on the page (for the magnet test and Geiger test).

Conclusion: Hard to say. A reasonable person might conclude that the only actual tests that were performed was the magnet and Geiger tests, and that it sat in the scientist's lab for two weeks without further testing. Unclear about whether a dust sample was actually taken or not. Even if it was, it sounds like no tests were run on it.


University of Michigan:
Core sample of was at U of M for four months. Scientist says that no tests were conducted.

Conclusion: No tests were conducted.


Army:
Rock was at Army facilities for three weeks. Army charged $3400 for non-ionizing radiation tests. FDA actually did the tests. They report that no radiation was found. Owner received rock back.

Conclusion: No radiation was found.



NASA:
Rock kept at NASA for three days. Main rock kept in sealed container. Core kept in unsealed container. Rock and core sample returned with piece of core sample missing. NASA says no tests were conducted.

Conclusion: No tests were conducted. Unknown what happened to missing piece of core sample.


Department of Environmental Quality:
Tested for ionizing radiaton; didn't find any.

Conclusion: Rock doesn't emit ionizing radiation.


NASA - Johnson Space Center:
Rock kept at JSC for three days. Letter describing why no tests were conducted sent.

Conclusion: No tests were conducted.


So the overall conclusion is that, even though the rock has been submitted for tests numerous times, very few tests have actually been conducted on the thing, and those that have, have shown nothing out of the ordinary.

There is no evidence given that the rock's insect-killing powers, or any of its other unusual reported properties, have ever been tested for.

Also, from the descriptions given, I am unable to determine the difference between "non-ionizing radiation" and plain ol' garden-variety photons.
 
Doubt,

Let me fund the viewing/photograpy fee. I'm so interested in getting some followup that I'd pay another 50 dollar "donation" to partially compensate your time and travel costs.

I'd really like to know whether this is real or whether this person has been hoaxing the forum. In which case all of us respondents would be...what...credulites?
 
Prolix said:
Doubt,

Let me fund the viewing/photograpy fee. I'm so interested in getting some followup that I'd pay another 50 dollar "donation" to partially compensate your time and travel costs.

I'd really like to know whether this is real or whether this person has been hoaxing the forum. In which case all of us respondents would be...what...credulites?
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Thanks for the offer. But I am not sure I want to give this guy anybody’s money, not just my own.

Seeing the rock and just photographing it does not do much for us. I would want to see it distort some glass. I wonder how long it takes for that to happen.

I may try to get in touch with this guy next week. I also may try checking with Wayne State to see if they ever heard of him. WSU does have a huge collection of rock samples. Not sure about the details of the geology department, since that had nothing to do with my degree.
 
Never volunteer for anything, they said

I work at Wayne State University. I emailed Dalton asking for the name of the WSU scientist who examined his rock. We'll see if I get a coherent answer.

But PLEASE don't ask me to make an appointment with him.
 
Too close for comfort!

I think if you lived this close you'd make gingerly efforts to keep that daffy-puller at arm's length, for fear of never getting him off your case.
 
I have sent Dalton a PM with the following questions:

Dalton,

A few questions I have for you:

1.) Have you sent in your application? You were mentioned in Randi’s commentary on 7/16/2004. He stated that you have been sending a great deal of information to the JREF, but a lot of it is your theory about what your rock does. By now they must have told you that they do not really care much about the theory. All they need is one thing that would defy known science and is testable.

2.) How long have you had the rock?

3.) What were the names of the people who examined the rock at U of M and Wayne State?

4.) Did a little searching on the internet. Is this your phone number? ***-***-****

5.) How long does it take for the rock to have an effect on glass?
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I edited out the phone number for privacy reasons.
 
A serious question for Dalton...

If the tests fail to show any paranormal powers (and the million is still up for grabs) do you have a pre-determined set of excuses for the failure? Will you just accept the findings of the test?
 
DALTON said:


My eye sight is not so great and I can see caps a lot easier. Again I apologize.

Dalton
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Well if the radiation kills insects "instantly," and also melts glass like it says on your website, then maybe you shouldn't keep this rock anywhere near your eyes?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was quoted straight from the website:



ANY ONE WHO CAN PROVE THIS ALIEN ROCK GEMSTONE IS A HOAX, LIE OR A JOKE AFTER READING THIS STORY WILL RECEIVE A REFUND FOR THE AMOUNT THEY HAVE SUBMITTED TO READ THIS STORY PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $1,000.00 (US FUNDS). ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE? YOUR PROOF MUST BE IN THE FORM OF VERIFIED SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTAL DATA AS THIS DATA IS COMPARED TO THE SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTAL DATA CONDUCTED ON THE ALIEN ROCK GEMSTONE. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO POST YOUR EXPERIMENT RESULTS ON THIS WEBSITE FOR ALL TO JUDGE. YOU MUST VIEW THE STORY FIRST!!!
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I doubt James Randi would pay the $5.00 to read the story online, but assuming you explain to him the story of the rock's appearance when/if you meet him then you better be prepared to shell out the $1,000 if you don't get the $1,000,000 :D

I won't be surprised if in a month or two I come back to the site and see "Take the JREF challenge for a chance at $1,001,000"
 
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