Looking for Skeptics

[Pup]

I don't think flaccon is dangerous. It probably is worth Alderbank taking someone else with him though, if only because the more people listening and comparing whatever they hear with what flaccon hears the better.

Another thing that occurs to me is that flaccon may, deliberately or genuinely, misread Alderbank's reaction. The usual story seems to be that those who don't believe in the spirits are afraid of them, or afraid of having their world-view altered. I could easily see Alderbank or someone listening, saying, "Didn't hear anything but random noise, sorry, nothing exciting here," and leaving, and that being reported as "He heard the voices, but he was too afraid to admit it and he left in a hurry." Don't know how one could guard against that.

 

[iknownothing]

I accepted it, and the spirits would have explained why they don't really play games (their words)

Remember that there is no game involved, even if you are using playing cards. The cards are just a way of helping communicate. Think of them as a communication device that the advanced spirits can use to get through to us less advanced beings. I would think they would jump at the chance to do that, since they are so eager to get their message out.

If I have a concept I need to communicate to my dog, I try to simplify it and use whatever communication helps him understand my point. It doesn't take anything away from my dignity, and I don't get huffy about how I have to play games; I just do what's needed to help his brain understand. That is what the cards can do for your spirits -- help them communicate with us in terms we are capable of understanding.

If they insist on letting their egos block potential communication, then their message isn't going to get out. They should probably think about that before they dismiss things as "card tricks" or "games."

 

[zooterkin]

I keep explaining what they can do. They can communicate via electric cables, not via being recorded. This means that they can clearly reply within older recordings.

And if you have a tape recorder (or whatever) recording while they are replying via the medium of old recordings, will that record the spirits speaking clearly in complete sentences?

 

[Hokulele]

I keep explaining what they can do. They can communicate via electric cables, not via being recorded. This means that they can clearly reply within older recordings.

Aha! This claim might lead to something testable, but it would require the input of an electrical engineer, or possibly one of our audio specialists. If they are using the cables connecting your laptop to your speakers, these can be monitored by other devices as well. If there is some way to electronically record what is being sent to the speakers, that record can be analyzed to see if:

1) New content is being added to the "recordings".
2) That new content is consistent with speech patterns.
3) Different content is added upon each replay.

The simplest method of doing this, as has already been noted, is to bring some sort of dictation device and record what is coming out of the speakers. However, there may be more sophisticated methods to capture the data at the speaker itself, which could lead records that can be more easily analyzed for meaningful information.

My prediction is that 1 and 3 may very well be true, but 2 will either be incorrect or inconclusive.

My next step will be to hire a private room. Those who are willing to come along to a meet, have nothing to lose. The word will spread, if slowly.

That will prove nothing. If their messages are so compelling, why aren't you willing or able to provide a transcript, as Mojo has requested multiple times in this thread?

 

[Jack by the hedge]

OK.

flaccon, can you hear me? Can I visit this evening? No card tricks, just me

This question has not been answered yet, and it deserves a prompt reply.

 

[Foolmewunz]

Aha! This claim might lead to something testable, but it would require the input of an electrical engineer, or possibly one of our audio specialists. If they are using the cables connecting your laptop to your speakers, these can be monitored by other devices as well. If there is some way to electronically record what is being sent to the speakers, that record can be analyzed to see if:

1) New content is being added to the "recordings".
2) That new content is consistent with speech patterns.
3) Different content is added upon each replay.

The simplest method of doing this, as has already been noted, is to bring some sort of dictation device and record what is coming out of the speakers. However, there may be more sophisticated methods to capture the data at the speaker itself, which could lead records that can be more easily analyzed for meaningful information.

My prediction is that 1 and 3 may very well be true, but 2 will either be incorrect or inconclusive.




That will prove nothing. If their messages are so compelling, why aren't you willing or able to provide a transcript, as Mojo has requested multiple times in this thread?

But I'm not sure if she's saying that the responses are actually ON the old recordings or if when she plays them back (those old recordings) the spirits now add new comments, sort of Open Mic Nite at Flaccon's. She's never actually made it clear, if they can't be recorded how she has recordings of them. Or did I miss that?

I'm afraid Alderbank's going to hear, flissle shkrassle glurp pop hiss an flaccon's going to go, "Ah ha! They said it's Wednesday and they like bubble and squeak on Wednesday's so won't answer you!" And when Alderbank reports and his recording of the room confirms that he heard "fissle shkrassle glurp pop hiss", she's going to write us up as Chapter 3 and continue to try to peddle this and build some Chester version of a Spirit Cargo Cult.

Oh, and for today? I'm predicting some sort of last minute complication or the equivalent of "Teh Spirits Ate My Homework".

 

[Mojo]

I keep explaining what they can do. They can communicate via electric cables, not via being recorded. This means that they can clearly reply within older recordings.

If this is the case, then asking people to listen to playbacks of recordings for previously heard messages will be a waste of time.

Do the spirits actually need a recording, or would any source of random sound be a potential medium for their communication?

 

[Stray Cat]

... Do the spirits actually need a recording, or would any source of random sound be a potential medium for their communication?

I would have thought that random silence would be a better medium and I suspect why that simply wouldn't do in this case.

 

[DuvalHMFIC]

It's probably already been mentioned by someone else in the thread, but I've read through most of it, made a few contributions, and I'm now convinced this is quite the impressive troll job (no offense). Contrasting this thread with Robin's is what has me believing that. Robin definitely seems like a true believer to me. Flaccon seems to be enjoying the back-and-forth a little too much.

Playing inaudible clips, claiming they are clear, claiming audio ignorance, and then finally pulling a clip from October 2012 out of thin air and claiming it said "we don't play card games" or whatever, these are all giant clues to me that flaccon is having a little fun.

 

[Stray Cat]

I accepted it, and the spirits would have explained why they don't really play games (their words) Their message on the subject is clear enough.

It's just a shame that the spirits have exactly the same misperceptions about what such "games" will achieve as flaccon does. A shame, but not a surprise.

 

[Foolmewunz]

So? It's 4:30 in England, isn't it?

And nothing firm for tonight, again?

 

[Maurice Ledifficile]

And if you have a tape recorder (or whatever) recording while they are replying via the medium of old recordings, will that record the spirits speaking clearly in complete sentences?

So? It's 4:30 in England, isn't it?

And nothing firm for tonight, again?

Well, it's very hard to decide whether someone should bring a note pad or a recording device... Or what one's claims really are.

 

[anduin]

Stray Cat's tracks are cool. I enjoyed them. The spirits' voices, not so much. I played them over and over but try as I might I couldn't pick out any of those words even though I knew what they 'said'.

Does that make me a 'good' witness then or a 'bad' one? I guess it depends on whether flaccon is a serious researcher or a bunny boiler

I didn't hear anything, if I had to guess any words from that recording, I would have said "Equinox".

 

[Alderbank]

For anyone who is interested I have just phoned floccan and she has kindly invited me to visit tonight at 7pm BST.

Thanks for all your concerns about my personal safety both via the Forum and PM but you have no need to worry.

Wardenclyffe and SezMe have both offered to link via Skype which I will do if there is wifi access.

I will post whenever I have anything of interest to report. I hope that will be quite often

 

[Maurice Ledifficile]

For anyone who is interested I have just phoned floccan and she has kindly invited me to visit tonight at 7pm BST.

Thanks for all your concerns about my personal safety both via the Forum and PM but you have no need to worry.

Wardenclyffe and SezMe have both offered to link via Skype which I will do if there is wifi access.

I will post whenever I have anything of interest to report. I hope that will be quite often

Excellent. I'm a bit jealous. Your effort is certainly appreciated. I wish you and Flaccon good luck. Have fun.

 

[Pixel42]

Good news. Finally a chance to make some progress. I shall follow developments with great interest.

 

[DuvalHMFIC]

I hope like heck that I'm wrong, but I have a sneaky feeling the spirits are going to get her a message at the eleventh hour saying NOT to do this.

 

[Maurice Ledifficile]

I hope like heck that I'm wrong, but I have a sneaky feeling the spirits are going to get her a message at the eleventh hour saying NOT to do this.

I see a meeting similar to the one where Derren Brown visits Lou Gentile.

- But I just heard the ghost say your name... (paraphrased)


Or Joe Smith and Joe Knight.

- No, you can't look inside the hat...(paraphrased)

 

[abaddon]

I keep explaining what they can do. They can communicate via electric cables, not via being recorded. This means that they can clearly reply within older recordings. My next step will be to hire a private room. Those who are willing to come along to a meet, have nothing to lose. The word will spread, if slowly.

Oh, for pete's sake. Now I know it's all rubbish. You are simply following a well trodden track of making claims you hope nobody understands. Well no, simply no. Your electric cables malarkey will not stand when there are experts in such matters present. You think that you can wheel out that claim because no-one is equipped to prove you wrong. And you would be incorrect in that assumption.

 

[Ladewig]

I initially also suspected a troll job,

For some time I maintained that if people are sincere in their beliefs, then they cannot be labelled trolls. Then I adopted the viewpoint of another poster: it doesn't matter if a person is saying silly things to get a reaction out of others or a person is saying silly things because he or she sincerely believes them - silly things should simply be identified as silly things and treated as silly things.

This thread is filled with silly assertions, claims, and stories. These vociferous spirits are silly things as well.