[net.misc] Defying Explanation

cbostrum (02/24/83)

Someone posted an article that seemed to defend "dowsing" by asking
"how many other things do you know that defied rational explanation
for some time?" This seems to presuppose that there is some actual
phenomenom realted to dowsing that currently lacks a rational explantion.
I would contest that? Has dowsing *ever* been demonstrated under any sort
of rigourous controlled conditions, or is it in the same camp with all
the other crystal ball stuff? I think the latter, actually.

jcz (02/27/83)

References: watmath.4631



     The 'how many things have you seen that defied rational
	explanation for some time' question was not an attempt
	to defend dousing.  I would not defend or support
	something I have not witnessed have only hearsay
	evidence of.   I would like to repeat my question
	(in hopes of eliciting interesting dialouge),
	" What strange experience(s) have YOU had that you
	could not explain, i.e. ufos, ghosts, magic, and
	how did you finally explain it?

     Example:
	My Great-grandfather was a detective in the Asheville
	Police Department during prohibition.   He told me
	a story of a bootlegger who turned himself in one
	night.  The man was looking for protection from a ghost.
	A large white apparition had been haunting his still
	for about a week, and the man was terrified.  It later
	(tune in later for the rest . . .)