Recently I saw a great video talking about how the heat from your hands can cause a “psi wheel” to spin.
Now for those (few) out there who know me, you’ll know I’ve tried making one of these things work, but with much failure.
About a year ago, I acquired a “telekinetic enhancer” version of a psi wheel in the hopes of being able to figure out either how to fake it or how to make it work as advertized. As a neuteral skeptic (though biased in that I *wanted* to make it spin using mind power) I would consider either result a success.
I placed my pinwheel under a clear plastic cover – in fact, the clear plastic cover from a package of blank CDs.
Try as I might… no success. So I tested faking it. First, I tried a subtle, but definite pushing of the table. It bounced a bit, but no luck getting a spin to happen. Next, I took a rather strong neodymium magnet and attempted to influence it that way. As the only part of the setup that is made of ferrous metal is the center pin, I figured I might be able to wobble it and use that movement to induce a spin. No luck there either.
Now, in the last couple weeks, I moved my office and decided to try the convection idea. I removed the cover for this to help enhance the air flow and LO! a spin began!
Convection for the win! Right? The wheel spun as if pushed by a force eminating from my finger tips – clockwise if I held my left hand near and counter clockwise if I used my right hand.
But in an effort to put off my success in proving Derren Brown’s explanation, I decided to “will” the wheel to reverse direction. If it was convection, it should make no difference.
But it did.
The wheel slowed… stopped, and hesitantly began in the other direction.
One thing I distinctly noticed was that I had to really concentrate to get this to happen right. A little thought of “go the other way” would stop it but if I really concentrated, I could make it go in reverse. It was a VERY strong correlation, though with my limited experimentation, not statistically significant. Three tries. Correlation of a solid 1.0!
I realize that this *could* be my willing my hands to get cooler, but even if this is so, it is still significant in that this would be much more direct control over my body’s autonomic nervous system than I thought I had.
More experimentation is definitely called for. Anyone else have any similar results out there? Please leave a comment.
There are people all over the Northeastern US who have been involved in the occult community who have been reporting that their dreams are more frequently “strange” and “prophetic” feeling. Is there something coming? Is it the stress of the economic downturn? Sun spot activity?
I’ve recently re-purposed a couple video cameras and a wireless router to add to my investigation gear. At this point, I’ve probably got more stuff than most investigators not signed to a television deal, and I know how to use it all. Coupled with 25 years of experience investigating a wide array of paranormal phenomena, and I think I’m in a good position now to go gather data!
So with that and the severe inactivity of the group I usually work with, I figured I’d mention that I am available to work as a guest investigator for any group in the southern NH area. If you’d be interested in having me along, I can offer a “true skeptic” viewpoint as well as several methods of gathering data and analyzing it. I’ve got two wireless security cameras (one remotely adjustable and another IR illuminated) which can capture video and detect motion. I’m not famous and adding my name to your roster won’t get you screaming fans, but it will get you someone with serious experience and a level head.
If you might be interested, please email me at brian at arcanorum dot org and let me know what you’re looking for, when, and where.
Researchers in Japan have discovered that the human body does indeed give off light within the visible spectrum. The downside is that it is of such a low intensity, as to be invisible to the naked eye. Using extremely sensitive cameras, the scientists noted that the light seems to be related to the daily sleep cycles we all experience.
While not really giving any proof that the auras some people claim to see are such light, it does show some interesting pieces of the puzzle. Note that the intensity of the light is over a thousand times below the normal human threshold of vision.
I’d still like to see how this light fades at death if at all, as well as the effects of various meditations and other mental states.
The research is published in the online journal, “PLoS ONE” here. A good summary news article about the findings is here and the Slashdot comments can be found here.
Spring has definitely sprung here in southern New Hampshire! That means it’s time for me to go out in search of the wierd, paranormal, and just plain fun!
The problem is, as usual, that I’m an independent researcher with a strong leaning towards the scientific side of paranormal investigation. Here, in New England, you can’t swing a cat without hitting a psychic. It seems to be something about the region. I’m no exception. I’ve had my share of experiences, too. And I don’t know about the rest of you out there, but I’m sick of being dumped into the category of loony, crystal-waving fluff-bunnies out there. So to counteract that possibility, I keep my paranormal investigations and the reports that come from them very clear. I make a solid distinction between the subjective “psychic” impressions and solid, scientific fact. That’s not easy in this business. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not a so-called “skeptic” who thinks it’s all bunk. I’ve seen things. But in order to be taken seriously by the world at large, we need to be able to present solid facts. If we can figure out how these anomalies work, in a logical and scientific manner, we can better be able to help people understand what is going on around them and if they wish, to be rid of these happenings.
Well, that’s my basic philosophy in a nut shell.
The thing is, as an independent investigator, I don’t seek publicity. I’d much rather get to the bottom of something than get my name and face plastered all over the newspapers. I don’t do this for entertainment except in so far as it is entertaining to figure things out… kind of like Mr. Wizard made basic science entertaining. I’m not out to get scared or to scare people. I’ll leave that to the most excellent horror writers out there.
There is one major drawback to being an independent investigator who doesn’t seek publicity: I don’t get many cases to investigate. If I’m lucky, I usually get 2 or 3 a year. And that’s where I hope you will come in.
I’d love to work with other people of similar minds. Proper investigation cannot be done solo. As the ancient Romans would put it, “Testus unus, testus nullus.” The team I’ve been working with is on hold due to real life issues of a number of team members, so I’m back to looking. I am basically fearless toward the supernatural, use a no-BS approach, and write good reports. I won’t steal your group’s thunder, and you’ll get the credit. I know the field, the tech, and the lo-tech. I have over 20 years experience and am well versed in paranormal phenomena and occult philosophy and practices, both ancient and modern. If you are part of a paranormal investigations team in the area around southern New Hampshire and would like me to work with you, please let me know.
