Found Filed Under "Weird"

Dave Gross, filed this story, about dowsing, specifically about Florence Young and the Big Sky Dowsers Association, under “Weird.”

Dowsing is a bit weird, and, though I’ve never dowsed for water, I have dowsed, on many an occasion, for underground pipes in individuals yards, when they wanted to do some digging and such.  I haven’t steered them wrong, yet.  I have no explanation for it.

Posted by on 08/22 at 01:37 PM

  1. So Mr. Venlet, do you believe (are you convinced) that there is objective evidence that Dowsing produces objective (beneficial) results?

    John Venlet: I have no explanation for it.

    This statement would lead me to conclude your answer will be no?

    Posted by  on  08/23  at  11:08 AM

  2. I have no explanation for it.

    Posted by  on  08/23  at  02:09 PM

  3. statement #1: I haven’t steered them wrong, yet. 

    statement #2: I have no explanation for it.

    I’d say that statements #1 and #2 are in conflict with each other.

    If it actually works, then you should be able to articulate why/how it works.

    In other words, if you cannot explain it, then how do you really know that it works?

    Posted by  on  08/23  at  02:40 PM

  4. Serpent,

    I would not say his statements are in conflict.

    His objective: Find water via dowsing.  Beneficial result: Dowsing worked, water found. 

    Why it worked or how is irrelevant.  After all, the proof is in the end result.

    As to being able to articulate the why/how, it appears with all the forms used to dowse that each individual has a different perception of the why/how thus there is no proper “frame of reference” to articulate the why/how.

    Its a faith thing, either you believe it works or you don’t.

    Posted by The Wizard  on  08/23  at  05:31 PM

  5. I have no explanation.

    Posted by  on  08/23  at  05:47 PM

  6. The Wizard: I would not say his statements are in conflict.

    His objective: Find water via dowsing.  Beneficial result: Dowsing worked, water found.

    Yes, but isn’t that like claiming that you have “successfully” added 2 plus 2 without the slightest comprehension of numbers or mathematics?

    The Wizard: Why it worked or how is irrelevant.  After all, the proof is in the end result.

    2 + 2 = 3 … right? At least when there is no underlying logical (objective/consistent/parsimonious) foundation.

    How does he know that the result (the “effect") and why it worked (i.e. dowsing … the “cause”) are related? I’d say that without the logical chain (without the connection) there is no connection.

    The Wizard: As to being able to articulate the why/how, it appears with all the forms used to dowse that each individual has a different perception of the why/how thus there is no proper “frame of reference” to articulate the why/how.

    You mean just like when two people add 2 + 2? As to being able to articulate the why/how individuals add 2 + 2 successfully, it appears with all the forms used to add that each individual has a different perception of the why/how thus there is no proper “frame of reference” to articulate the why/how … right?

    That’s why 2 + 2 sometimes equals 3, or 5 … correct?

    The Wizard: Its a faith thing, either you believe it works or you don’t.

    Do you believe that 2 + 2 = 4 because of Faith???

    ** + ** = ****

    John Venlet: I have no explanation.

    I believe that you have faith in Anarchy, just like you have faith in dowsing. It’s just unusual for you to expose such an obvious chink in your armor.

    I’d say that the same evidence exists for dowsing as exists for little green men from Mars. Do you also believe in little green men from mars Mr. Venlet?

    … Because I can assure you they really exist it’s just that I have no explanation for them.  wink

    Posted by  on  08/24  at  08:55 AM

  7. Anyone who can demonstrate that “dowsing"* works will win the “Randi Paranormal Challege# prize of $1 million dollars.

    * http://skepdic.com/dowsing.html
    # http://skepdic.com/randi.html

    Meanwhile, back on The Stupidity Channel....

    Posted by  on  08/24  at  09:09 AM

  8. Technically speaking, I don’t think finding underground pipes, with two pieces of metal in my hands, is “dowsing.” Randi can keep his money.

    Posted by  on  08/24  at  06:17 PM

  9. It’s ‘dowsing’ alright. *No* questions about it; and it’s strictly for the chromosomally challenged (on the believing end) and lying hucksters (on the promotional end).

    Are you in full-blown reality-denial-mode now, or what?

    Good grief…

    Posted by  on  08/24  at  08:53 PM

  10. John Venlet: Randi can keep his money.

    And here I thought you were a Capitalist. Come to find out you are actually an “Altruist” in reality.

    Posted by  on  08/26  at  07:54 AM

  11. Not, that’s not it.

    Rather, he’s playing with the Witch Doctor’s juju beads, and thinks they’re just really keen.

    Posted by  on  08/26  at  11:00 AM

  12. Mike Schneider: Rather, he’s playing with the Witch Doctor’s juju beads, and thinks they’re just really keen.

    Yeah … they must be really keen (super keen) to be worth trading for a million dollars!

    Now perhaps I can convince Mr. Venlet to trade me his cow for these “magic” beans?

    I also have this wonderful suit of clothing, which is the most beautiful suit of clothing in the universe. It’s also invisible unless you happen to be really smart (just like me). wink

    Posted by  on  08/27  at  08:06 AM

  13. Some people have too much time on their hands!

    Posted by  on  08/27  at  02:11 PM

  14. Judas Priest, people, I’m only finding underground pipes, big frickin deal.

    Posted by  on  08/28  at  06:08 AM

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