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Dowsing by a Skeptic

SaskMick

Banned
S
Joined
Jun 10, 2014
Messages
148
Until recently I considered dowsing to be complete and utter BS.


Please let me explain. I am getting a new house built on an acreage where the previous house burnt down. I have had to get quotes from various contractors one of whom was a plumber. He asked me to show him the well, and we walked down the hill to where it was, He then proceeded to walk about with his dowsing rods which seemed to act as I had seen demonstrated before on TV.

I asked him if I could have a go. I walked towards the area and the rods crossed and remained crossed for five or six paces before swinging wide open. I asked him which direction the water came from, and as I asked him the rods swung to my right ! I was gobsmacked, and I think he was too. He quickly took the rods back again. I asked him what they were made of and he said that they were made of a special metal......

More to come:)
 
The rods move because of small variations in the angle at which you hold them. Nothing more. There is no magical force pulling on them.

Steve S
 
It's easy to talk yourself into thinking the rods are reacting to something besides your hands. If they were they should work when no one was touching them.

They don't.
 
steve s said:
The rods move because of small variations in the angle at which you hold them. Nothing more. There is no magical force pulling on them.

Steve S
Click to expand...

That's what I thought too Steve.

Just the other day I found a well for a couple of skeptics who were fed up with their piped in water. I found the well by asking the rods if there was water on the property, the rods indicated a yes. I said ok then show me where it is, and the rods pointed to my left. I walked in a straight line until they crossed with a very strong movement. I could see that they were doubtful and I did not blame them one bit.
I told them that the rods could find anything and asked if they had a mains gas supply, they did, I said ok I will show you where the pipe line runs, I found it easy. I asked about the mains water, but before I could stop him he had pointed to where the pipe ran. I asked the rods to show me the water pipe expecting them to point me to where he had pointed but they pointed in the opposite direction. I showed him exactly where it was. It was of course a test to see if I was full of it:D

And yes you are quite right my hands do indeed move, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

It get's much weirder yet.
 
Einstein on dowsing

"The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery.
There comes a leap in consciousness, call it intuition or
what you will, the solution comes to you and you don't
know how or why."

"The truly valuable thing is the intuition."

-Albert Einstein-
 
Skeptic Ginger said:
It's easy to talk yourself into thinking the rods are reacting to something besides your hands. If they were they should work when no one was touching them.

They don't.
Click to expand...

I entirely agree with your logical thinking process. Your reply could have been written by me until a few weeks ago .

I was a diehard skeptic until very recently.
 
Continuation of post1

I went home and made my own dowsing rods from an old coat hanger, and tried them out in the living room. I got three positive responses for water at different places, which turned out to be, the septic pump, the water pressure tank, and the hot water tank.

I told my wife to have a go but nothing happened which I thought strange. Why should it work for me and not for her ?

To be continued

( I need 15 posts before I can post a video link )
 
SaskMick said:
I was a diehard skeptic until very recently.
Click to expand...

Then you know all about the ideomotor effect, and how your subconscious mind can direct it. Have you done double-blinded tests to discount it?

Glad you made your way to this subforum, btw.
 
steve s said:
:rolleyes: We hear that a lot here.


ETA: I know where you can win a million dollars with your new-found powers.

Steve S
Click to expand...


I know about the 1 million. And I could use it'

I have found there are times when it does not work at all. First thing in the morning, and when I am stressed. Convenient right ?:)

Come to my house as my guest and I will give you all the proof you will ever need. I will dowse with your body :D
 
Go win Randi's million and make us all look like fools. Until then, please keep it to yourself. No one believes you.

Steve S
 
Where was that article I saw recently about how using the "I used to be a skeptic but..." argument was a rhetorical device?
 
AdMan said:
Then you know all about the ideomotor effect, and how your subconscious mind can direct it. Have you done double-blinded tests to discount it?

Glad you made your way to this subforum, btw.
Click to expand...

Hi Adman !

Yes I know about the ideomotor effect, and yes I have done countless tests.

I will be the first to say that my hands do move. THEY MOVE !

I will post a video clearly showing that soon
 
SaskMick said:
I entirely agree with your logical thinking process. Your reply could have been written by me until a few weeks ago .

I was a diehard skeptic until very recently.
Click to expand...

Your claims are:
1. you used to be a "skeptic".
what were you skeptical of? Just dowsing or any alleged paranormal activities? Are you still skeptical of other alleged paranormal activities? Why?

2. Your dowsing rod can detect many substances.
How many and which ones? What is the success rate? Why aren't you getting the rods studied? Why aren't you rich and famous? Why don't you have any proof other than anecdotes?

3. Your dowsing rod can comprehend tasks and questions asked of it.
Questions same as number 2 eta do they work with languages other than english? Why?

Yeah I'm skeptical of those claims.

If your rods worked they would be worth millions and scientists such as geologists and physicists would be lining up to study them. Private resource exploration corporations would be buying your rods and services and you would be winning every skeptic challenge and the prize money ever. You would be a billionaire and revolutionise physics as we know it and your magical comprehending sticks would open up hundreds of new technologies that would advance humankind into a new era.

None of that will happen though because your sticks don't work how you say they do.
 
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Slowvehicle said:
I used to believe that, but...
Click to expand...

People seem to like the word believe a lot here. I hate the word. I believe in nothing. Belief only possible in the absence of Knowledge, in other words when you don't know, and if you don't know then what's the point ?
 
SaskMick said:
Hi Adman !

Yes I know about the ideomotor effect, and yes I have done countless tests.

I will be the first to say that my hands do move. THEY MOVE !

I will post a video clearly showing that soon
Click to expand...

Videos won't be enough to prove anything (though they may be interesting to see). Of course your hands move. You'll need double-blind testing with a proper protocol to convince anyone here that you have supernatural powers, let alone let you get anywhere near the $1 million.
 
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