Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
- Physics Guy
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Re: Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
How is there no mechanical way for the hands to make the rods cross?
The dowsing method I know uses L-shaped rods; you hold the short arm of the L in your fists, vertically, and let the long end stick out parallel to the ground. You're supposed to keep your fists very loose, so that the rods can swing freely, but you have to apply some force to keep the long ends of the rods from tipping down.
That makes the direction of the long ends of the rods about as unstable as a broomstick balanced vertically. Tiny forces from your hands, that you won't even notice, can easily make the rods swing. Trying not to exert any force at all is like a subconscious game of "don't think of a pink elephant". It's almost impossible, especially if you're walking while doing this, since each step jostles the rods a bit.
If you're trying dowsing with any kind of open mind, furthermore, then you have an idea that perhaps the rods might be about to just move on their own, and that if they somehow do, then you're supposed to just let them swing and not try to stop them. When the rods are so unstable that tiny forces start them swinging, it's very hard to distinguish trying not to stop them from starting them. You feel that you might have inadvertently nudged them, or jostled them slightly while walking, so you just correct for that ...
Dowsing is real, all right, but it's a real psychological effect, not a physical one in which hidden objects make the rods move.
The dowsing method I know uses L-shaped rods; you hold the short arm of the L in your fists, vertically, and let the long end stick out parallel to the ground. You're supposed to keep your fists very loose, so that the rods can swing freely, but you have to apply some force to keep the long ends of the rods from tipping down.
That makes the direction of the long ends of the rods about as unstable as a broomstick balanced vertically. Tiny forces from your hands, that you won't even notice, can easily make the rods swing. Trying not to exert any force at all is like a subconscious game of "don't think of a pink elephant". It's almost impossible, especially if you're walking while doing this, since each step jostles the rods a bit.
If you're trying dowsing with any kind of open mind, furthermore, then you have an idea that perhaps the rods might be about to just move on their own, and that if they somehow do, then you're supposed to just let them swing and not try to stop them. When the rods are so unstable that tiny forces start them swinging, it's very hard to distinguish trying not to stop them from starting them. You feel that you might have inadvertently nudged them, or jostled them slightly while walking, so you just correct for that ...
Dowsing is real, all right, but it's a real psychological effect, not a physical one in which hidden objects make the rods move.
I was a teenager before it was cool.
Re: Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
I did this demonstration in my physics class many years ago. When I was practicing it I was amazed at how accurate it was when I knew which cup had water in it. I decided to stop when a few students mentioned that early Mormonism used this often. I decided that showing them there is no physics that supported (other than ideomoter effect) it was not worth the pitch forks and sticks parents would bring to my office. Even my fellow Mormon teacher said it has no known mechanism, that is what makes it a miracle.Physics Guy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:46 amHow is there no mechanical way for the hands to make the rods cross?
The dowsing method I know uses L-shaped rods; you hold the short arm of the L in your fists, vertically, and let the long end stick out parallel to the ground. You're supposed to keep your fists very loose, so that the rods can swing freely, but you have to apply some force to keep the long ends of the rods from tipping down.
That makes the direction of the long ends of the rods about as unstable as a broomstick balanced vertically. Tiny forces from your hands, that you won't even notice, can easily make the rods swing. Trying not to exert any force at all is like a subconscious game of "don't think of a pink elephant". It's almost impossible, especially if you're walking while doing this, since each step jostles the rods a bit.
If you're trying dowsing with any kind of open mind, furthermore, then you have an idea that perhaps the rods might be about to just move on their own, and that if they somehow do, then you're supposed to just let them swing and not try to stop them. When the rods are so unstable that tiny forces start them swinging, it's very hard to distinguish trying not to stop them from starting them. You feel that you might have inadvertently nudged them, or jostled them slightly while walking, so you just correct for that ...
Dowsing is real, all right, but it's a real psychological effect, not a physical one in which hidden objects make the rods move.
Re: Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
I really don't want to make another thread about DP.DP wrote:gemli: "Do you actually know anything about brain physiology, neurology, the effects of hypoxia, the neurochemistry of near-death experiences or the fact that the drug ketamine can evoke the same experiences?"
I do, and they don't.
"Daniel Peterson, Neuroscientist"...
FFS dan please stop saying stupid things. Please.
Re: Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
This is a great segment on Dowsing from an old PBS show hosted by Alan Alda:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq4S6ArE7wc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq4S6ArE7wc
- dantana
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Re: Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
Physics Guy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:46 amHow is there no mechanical way for the hands to make the rods cross?
The dowsing method I know uses L-shaped rods; you hold the short arm of the L in your fists, vertically, and let the long end stick out parallel to the ground. You're supposed to keep your fists very loose, so that the rods can swing freely, but you have to apply some force to keep the long ends of the rods from tipping down.
That makes the direction of the long ends of the rods about as unstable as a broomstick balanced vertically. Tiny forces from your hands, that you won't even notice, can easily make the rods swing. Trying not to exert any force at all is like a subconscious game of "don't think of a pink elephant". It's almost impossible, especially if you're walking while doing this, since each step jostles the rods a bit.
If you're trying dowsing with any kind of open mind, furthermore, then you have an idea that perhaps the rods might be about to just move on their own, and that if they somehow do, then you're supposed to just let them swing and not try to stop them. When the rods are so unstable that tiny forces start them swinging, it's very hard to distinguish trying not to stop them from starting them. You feel that you might have inadvertently nudged them, or jostled them slightly while walking, so you just correct for that ...
Dowsing is real, all right, but it's a real psychological effect, not a physical one in which hidden objects make the rods move.
Since my wife doesn't believe in wire coat hangers, and I don't want to go rummage around out in the shop, I just tried it with a pencil. I cannot get the pencil to rotate even a smidge without obvious finger hand contortions. I'm not with you an this one PG.
Nobody gets to be a cowboy forever. - Lee Marvin/Monte Walsh
Re: Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
Wire coat hangers work perfectly , go buy some.dantana wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 8:45 pmPhysics Guy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:46 amHow is there no mechanical way for the hands to make the rods cross?
The dowsing method I know uses L-shaped rods; you hold the short arm of the L in your fists, vertically, and let the long end stick out parallel to the ground. You're supposed to keep your fists very loose, so that the rods can swing freely, but you have to apply some force to keep the long ends of the rods from tipping down.
That makes the direction of the long ends of the rods about as unstable as a broomstick balanced vertically. Tiny forces from your hands, that you won't even notice, can easily make the rods swing. Trying not to exert any force at all is like a subconscious game of "don't think of a pink elephant". It's almost impossible, especially if you're walking while doing this, since each step jostles the rods a bit.
If you're trying dowsing with any kind of open mind, furthermore, then you have an idea that perhaps the rods might be about to just move on their own, and that if they somehow do, then you're supposed to just let them swing and not try to stop them. When the rods are so unstable that tiny forces start them swinging, it's very hard to distinguish trying not to stop them from starting them. You feel that you might have inadvertently nudged them, or jostled them slightly while walking, so you just correct for that ...
Dowsing is real, all right, but it's a real psychological effect, not a physical one in which hidden objects make the rods move.
Since my wife doesn't believe in wire coat hangers, and I don't want to go rummage around out in the shop, I just tried it with a pencil. I cannot get the pencil to rotate even a smidge without obvious finger hand contortions. I'm not with you an this one PG.
Re: Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
Make sure to get the extra virgin wire hangar, or it won't work.
Re: Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
Years ago in Elder's Quorum, we were reviewing Priesthood Ordinances. We were discussing blessings, and the instructor asked "What kind of olive oil should be used?"
Other class members gave the usual answers, and then I raised my hand and said "Yes, but if the person has a heart condition, you might want to use light olive oil*. And if they're not married, you should use extra virgin olive oil..."
*I know the "light" in light olive oil doesn't refer to its nutritional value. But it worked for the joke.
Re: Daniel Peterson, Water Dowser
Priceless!cinepro wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 9:31 pmYears ago in Elder's Quorum, we were reviewing Priesthood Ordinances. We were discussing blessings, and the instructor asked "What kind of olive oil should be used?"
Other class members gave the usual answers, and then I raised my hand and said "Yes, but if the person has a heart condition, you might want to use light olive oil*. And if they're not married, you should use extra virgin olive oil..."
*I know the "light" in light olive oil doesn't refer to its nutritional value. But it worked for the joke.