Bioelectromagnetics

[geni]

So the Devon Dowsers seem to think that Randi is only testing the paranormal, and they are not paranormal so they won't be eligible. I think they are, and they should go for it.

http://www.randi.org/library/dowsing/index.html

 

[steenkh]

You could ask Randi to send an invitation to the Devon Dowsers.

 

[Asolepius]

http://www.randi.org/library/dowsing/index.html

Yes, I read this way back. I am just asking whether there are any reliable published papers in scientific journals which describe rigorous tests of the claimed effect.

 

[geni]

Yes, I read this way back. I am just asking whether there are any reliable published papers in scientific journals which describe rigorous tests of the claimed effect.

A few. There is the one realting to homeopathy:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11934908

 

[Pragmatist]

I just got a letter from a dowsing group in Devonshire, which claims that Coghill has validated their practices. They claim an electromagnetic field basis for the idiomotor effect. Leaving Coghill aside, does anyone know of any other relevant and rigorous studies published in reputable scientific journals?

The Devon Dowsers seem intrigued by the Randi Challenge. They don't claim a paranormal effect, just the electromagnetic one. I am struggling to see the distinction. If dowsing can detect something otherwise undetectable, then surely that's paranormal? If there is any electromagnetic field (and in fact there would be either or both of 2 fields of course, one electric and one magnetic), then there are instruments sensitive enough to detect it. For example, various fish navigate using electric fields, and the fields they detect can also be detected by instruments.

So the Devon Dowsers seem to think that Randi is only testing the paranormal, and they are not paranormal so they won't be eligible. I think they are, and they should go for it.

I'd be particularly interested to know how they think Coghill "validated" them. Are they aware for example of Roger's abysmal incompetence in electromagnetics - not to mention his own confession on here that he doesn't know anything about the subject?

Roger Coghill hasn't got a clue about electromagnetics, he has no idea what a field is let alone be able to measure it properly, he wouldn't be in a position to validate anything. It may be worth informing them of that - not to "get at" dowsing, but rather to inform them that they are probably being led astray by a known liar.

 

[Asolepius]

Roger Coghill hasn't got a clue about electromagnetics, he has no idea what a field is let alone be able to measure it properly, he wouldn't be in a position to validate anything. It may be worth informing them of that - not to "get at" dowsing, but rather to inform them that they are probably being led astray by a known liar.

Just about exactly what I was planning to say to them. I must say the letter (in response to a complaint I had made about public funding of courses in dowsing) was very friendly and full of detail on their supposed mechanism of action.