Would the Amega energy wand qualify for the MDC?

[Ladewig]

Background

The Amega Wand looks like a stainless steel pen. However, through a highly guarded secret process, it is made up of a mixture of granulated minerals and created by a technology called AMized® Fusion. This proprietary technology resonates at what is called zero point energy and induces the body into a state of homeostasis or balance thus promoting the body’s natural self-healing mechanism.

It is the result of over 15 years of research by scientists, doctors and physicists applying the principles of Quantum Physics and Quantum Mechanics to develop a resonance technology to restore the body’s equilibrium to its ‘natural’ state.

Different websites claim it can cure insomnia, reduce joint pain, increase range of motion,
"Helps to remove aches, pains and discomforts from accidents, arthritus, bruises, nasal passage blockage, tinnitus, tendinitis and virtually any other pain you may be experiencing," and cure migraines in 15 seconds. Less measurable claims include increasing energy, balancing bio-magnetic fields, creating internal harmony, and more.

Does this device qualify for the MDC?

Would a test as simple as having applicants describe if they are being wanded by a stick or a Amega Wand be accepted?

 

[jojonete]

Would a test as simple as having applicants describe if they are being wanded by a stick or a Amega Wand be accepted?

Probably yes. However, more information is needed.

• what is the correct wanding technique? does the wand work if it is just near the patient, or does it require to be "wanded"? does the wand need to touch the patient?
• does the wand work if it's inside an opaque box? does it work through clothes?
• can a blindfolded person wand correctly?
• will a blindfolded person feel the effects of the wand? will a person who is listening to music through headphones feel the effects?
• how long does one need to be wanding in order for the patient to feel the effects?

And, well, an almost compulsory question: do you know of anyone who is considering to apply with this claim?

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Sorry but I'm stuck at the "technology resonates at what is called zero point energy" bit. Doesn't correspond with any Physics I know.

 

[Live&Learn]

what is the correct wanding technique?

<snip>

Please don't shoot laugh at me. I'm just the messenger.

Here's the technique I found on one website promoting the Amega Wand.

How to Use:

* Point the AMWand and rotate clockwise 3,9,18 times
* For more effectiveness, point as close as possible,
* You can also stir liquids with AMwand (with proper hygiene)
* Use the AMWand on face to rejuvenate the skin
* Use the Amwand to Energize your food and water
* Press and rotate at least 3 times on all finger and toe tips to unblock energy blockages

 

[Live&Learn]

And, well, an almost compulsory question: do you know of anyone who is considering to apply with this claim?

Not yet. However, I will try to find someone.

 

[Live&Learn]

what is the correct wanding technique?

<snip>

From another website promoting the Amega Wand.

"The use of the AMwand is very simple. Just point it close to whatever you are wanting to see a change in, and wave it anti-clock-wise on the left side of the body and clock-wise on the right side of the body, for several minutes or longer depending on the changes and that’s it."

 

[Ladewig]

From another website promoting the Amega Wand.

"The use of the AMwand is very simple. Just point it close to whatever you are wanting to see a change in, and wave it anti-clock-wise on the left side of the body and clock-wise on the right side of the body, for several minutes or longer depending on the changes and that’s it."

Sometimes, I think I could throw away all my scruples and go to the dark side. Then I realize that I couldn't keep a straight face when describing how to use things like magic wands and I know I would not be a successful scam artist. C'est la vie I guess I'll just keep on being a skeptic.

 

[Foolmewunz]

Okay, I think you have two separate categories for possible claimants.

A) The manufacturers themselves. If someone can untangle their complicated supply chain and find the people behind this - I heard that the actual manufacturing takes place in Singapore but that could be web-spin, what with Singapore sounding all hi-tech and Asian. But if they'd like to prove the value of Teh Stick^TM, I'm sure they could set up a test and the JREF would likely go for it.

B) Then you have the woo merchants, pseudo therapists, and GDBWCMD (guy down the block who cured my doggie). These are the kind of nuts who show up at parties with Tarot decks. While it might be possible for one of them to devise a test/protocol, I think it'd be difficult. Are they claiming that Teh Stick^TM is doing the curing/healing, or are they claiming that it's their own mystical powers.

Teh Stick^TM is still relatively new and their marketing is still directed to Everyman. I'm sure that as they get more and more people who claim they can't grok this Zero Point Energy, claims of skilled practitioners and secret training grottos in the Himalayas will arise.

Teh Stick^TM is at the moment sort of like dowsing but claiming that ALL THE SKILL IS THE DOWING ROD, not the dowser. I'm sure it'll morph to "skilled practitioners".... but no idea when.



ETA: The two previous paragraphs are sort of a multiple choice. I couldn't decide which one made the point I was trying to make, then I decided that neither did, so I opted to include them both. You may mentally delete either one if you find them a bit redundant.

 

[Cuddles]

Yes, of course it is. You'd have to decide specifically which claim to test and find someone to apply, but most of the claims made about it are clearly paranormal and eligible for the challenge.

Okay, I think you have two separate categories for possible claimants.

You forgot the third - anyone who happens to have one (or even just have access to one) who feels like applying. There is no requirement to actually believe the claims, or to have any interest in proving them correct. The challenge has been taken by at least one skeptic who decided to take part in testing the GSIC audio chip when the people actually making the claims backed out.

Of course, that would certainly result in the usual nonsense about skeptic energy making it fail, or just claims that you deliberately did it wrong. But as long as you document that you used it exactly as instructed, I don't see why such a test could not be useful for demonstrating the lack of any effect to those who aren't already firm believers.

 

[GrandMasterFox]

Okay, I think you have two separate categories for possible claimants.

A) The manufacturers themselves.
B) the woo merchants

(snipped of course)

Going by past records of the MDC, you would be mistaken. A third possibility exists.

There was the issue with that "magic" chip that treated CDs. A person off the street wanted to try the MDC on them. He in a certain way would qualify under option B.

The person became so abusive, evasive and agressive that the chalenge was rejected and the case was closed.
However, a short while later, a woman stepped up, saying that she has no faith in the chip what so ever but she could use a $1,000,000.

In other words, she was willing to apply and even though she didn't believe in the device, she did not want to fail the challenge.

They allowed her to take the test. The test was a failure of course.

Full story here:
http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38788&highlight=carrot

In other words, if one of you steps up for the test it could be made.
However, it would be rather pointless, we all know you'll fail and the belivers of the wand will assume you either did something wrong or you did it on purpose.

As for the protocol, it should be a snap.
Take a large number of subjects. Give half of them wand treatments.
Give the other half fake wand treatments.
If X% of the subjects can identify whether they had the real\fake treatment the test is a success.

 

[jojonete]

Please don't shoot laugh at me. I'm just the messenger.

Bang! Hahahaha

Here's the technique I found on one website promoting the Amega Wand.

How to Use:

* Point the AMWand and rotate clockwise 3,9,18 times
* For more effectiveness, point as close as possible,
* You can also stir liquids with AMwand (with proper hygiene)
* Use the AMWand on face to rejuvenate the skin
* Use the Amwand to Energize your food and water * Press and rotate at least 3 times on all finger and toe tips to unblock energy blockages

From another website promoting the Amega Wand.

"The use of the AMwand is very simple. Just point it close to whatever you are wanting to see a change in, and wave it anti-clock-wise on the left side of the body and clock-wise on the right side of the body, for several minutes or longer depending on the changes and that’s it."

(I have highlighted the parts I'm going to comment on)

These posts mean there's no single clear, correct wanding technique. Any customer who sees no effect is using the wrong technique, the blame can never be on the wand. As for the MDC, the food energizing seems the most usable option, especially if it can be done with the food covered in transparent plastic film. A second option would be a person indicating in which direction he/she has been wanded (i.e. clockwise or counterclockwise).

Now: "for several minutes or longer depending on the changes". This means "if you don't see any change, that means you haven't used it long enough", doesn't it? English is not my first language and I'm not sure I'm interpreting this one right, however I can't think of any other reasonably possible interpretation.

In any case, let me be the first to say that no test is going to take place, ever. As of now, post #6 contradicts post #4. I predict much more contradictory untestable pseudo-claims evolving into sarcasm and finally name-calling.

 

[Ladewig]

. As for the MDC, the food energizing seems the most usable option, especially if it can be done with the food covered in transparent plastic film. A second option would be a person indicating in which direction he/she has been wanded (i.e. clockwise or counterclockwise).

Surprisingly (or perhaps not) virtually all the sources say that if a lemon is cut in half and one half is wanded, then that half will be noticeably sweeter. These claims say that everyone, even skeptics, will notice the difference in sweetness.

These posts mean there's no single clear, correct wanding technique. Any customer who sees no effect is using the wrong technique, the blame can never be on the wand.

Yes, but because the vast majority of health claims appearing in the testimonials are subjective measurements (how far can I move my arm without pain, how well can I fall asleep, how much pain do I have in my sore back) there will be many practitioners who will succumb to the placebo effect and will insist that the wand works. Unlike the makers (who most probably know that they are selling bunkum), these end users who claim success may be willing to step forward and take the test. For these people the different published instructions are irrelevant because they have already figured out their particular approach. So a husband claiming that that 100% of the time, his wife can identify a noticeable change in five minutes could (if they met eligibility requirements) participate in a protocol as simple as the one described in the OP. Likewise a person who believes that he or she can successfully wand him or herself could easily follow that simple protocol.


ETA: I agree that a bunch of skeptics purchasing a wand and then waving it at each other would not be useful in convincing the believers (or fence sitters) that the wand is malarky. But the people in the testimonials (if such people exist) could make a convincing attempt at the MDC.

 

[Ladewig]

a statistics question
If such a protocol were approved - a binary test to use a wand or substitute in a detection test - would 20 successes out of 20 tries be sufficient for the final test (assuming that the claimant claimed a 100% success rate)?

 

[GrandMasterFox]

a statistics question
If such a protocol were approved - a binary test to use a wand or substitute in a detection test - would 20 successes out of 20 tries be sufficient for the final test (assuming that the claimant claimed a 100% success rate)?

Well, assuming a random guess is 50% (real or not real),

guessing 20 out of 20 correctly would be 2^20
which is lower than 1 in 1000, which if I understand correctly, is the criteria for the prelimnary challenge. Not sure about the final one.
So it should be fine.

Then again, it's not my money...

 

[Ladewig]

Well, assuming a random guess is 50% (real or not real),

guessing 20 out of 20 correctly would be 2^20
which is lower than 1 in 1000, which if I understand correctly, is the criteria for the prelimnary challenge. Not sure about the final one.
So it should be fine.

Then again, it's not my money...

My understanding of the final challenge is performance above 1 in 1,000,000.

I agree that the preliminary requires better than 1 in 1000 for success so that would be 10 for 10 in a binary test.

 

[wardenclyffe]

Of course this would qualify and I think the lemon test would be very easy to do. Of course applicants will still run into the problem of media presence and academic affidavits. This might not be a problem since enough has been written about the Amega Wand. But if it is a problem, there are all the other cash challenges out there. Passing any one of those would not only be lucrative, but it would definitely qualify someone to go for the big prize of a million bucks. Once again, here's a list of all those other challenges:

There's the Australian Skeptics' AU$100,000 Prize
http://www.skeptics.com.au/features/prize/

There's the IIG's US$50,000 Challenge in California, USA
http://www.iigwest.org/challenge.html

There's the North Texas Skeptic's US$12,000 Challenge in the USA
http://www.ntskeptics.org/challenge/challenge.htm

There's Prabir Ghosh's 2,000,000 Rupee Challenge in India
http://rationalistprabir.bravehost.com/

There's the Swedish 100,000SeK prize offered by Humanisterna
http://www.humanisterna.se/index.php...d=27&Itemid=49

The Tampa Bay Skeptics offers a US$1000 prize in Florida, USA
http://www.tampabayskeptics.org/challenges.html

In Canada there's the CAN$10,000 from the Quebec Skeptics
http://www.sceptiques.qc.ca/activites/defi

In the UK, the ASKE organization offers £14,000
http://www.aske-skeptics.org.uk/challenge_rules.htm

Tony Youens in the UK offers £5,000
http://www.tonyyouens.com/challenge.htm

In Finland, Skepsis offers 10,000 Euros
http://www.skepsis.fi/haaste/

The Fayetteville Freethinkers in Arkansas, USA offer a US$1000 prize
http://fayfreethinkers.com/

There's a 1,000,000 Yuan prize in China offered by Sima Nan
I've found a lot written about it, but no official web address for it. If anyone's got one, let me know.

The Belgian SKEPP organization offers a 10,500 Euro prize
I can't seem to make their link work. If anyone else can or knows of an update, let me know.
http://www.skepp.be/prijzen/de-sisyphus-prijs/

Ward

 

[paiute]

* Press and rotate at least 3 times on all finger and toe tips to unblock energy blockages

In case of constipation, insert-

No, I'd better not.

 

[Mike!]

I think the lemon test would do the trick. Why waste a bunch of humans time?
Follow along.
Using a single lemon sliced in half (Does the direction of the slice matter?) and squeeze a drop or two of juice from each slice for control. Wand one of the slices for however long. Heck, build a wand-o-matic of some kind (An old steam locomotive wheel comes to mind, wouldn't be to hard.) and wand the lemon slice for for a few minutes up to an hour or two (This might require doing the test in a refrigerated room or our lemons are sure to sour.), squeeze a few more drops from each and test them too. IF one slice has somehow become 'sweeter', there should also be a chemical change as well, that should be testable. You could do multiple tests with each one running longer than the last. That should take the 'not long enough' out of the rebuttals.
Let's face it, if it can't make the lemon sweeter,
it ain't gonna fix poor Grannies Lumbago nether.

 

[IXP]

* Use the Amwand to Energize your food and water

Let's see, food energy is measured in calories, so waving the wand around your food will add calories to it? I think they could sell more of a wand the de-energizes your food (without changing the taste or texture of course.)

IXP

 

[xinit]

From another website promoting the Amega Wand.

"The use of the AMwand is very simple. Just point it close to whatever you are wanting to see a change in, and wave it anti-clock-wise on the left side of the body and clock-wise on the right side of the body, for several minutes or longer depending on the changes and that’s it."

I propose that we get one of these and point it at their web site until all the lies go away...