Do you think it was different because of the lines? Most sensing equipment works like this. You open up a utility pedestal, clip a line to the line you are seeking, walk out about 10’ or so, (so there isn’t any bleeding over to other lines,) use the handheld locating device to find the line, mark it. Never was looking for natural water, only utilities. Do you think that might have made a difference? It was always the last ditch hope for us, but it did work. Plus, remember most utilities are much closer to the surface than water.
This job was 13 years ago, folks, sorry my description of locating technology is so sketchy. Didn’t really discuss the line hoodoo with many people, either.
Gee, since you can read his mind so accurately, maybe you should apply for the million.
Hey, if you’re happy that you’re just showing him up when he turns you down, then all the power to you. I’m just saying that as a disinterested, yet rational passerby–and just one among many–that I personally hope you are able to continue with your world view as it is. Because after that, wowza. That’s a lot of energy spent over the simple determination to not accept that maybe the guy isn’t actually an idiot and probably doesn’t mean something really stupid and illogical.
It’s a simply case of Okham’s Razor. I know the guy is smart, knowledgeable on the topic, and scientifically minded. And I know that he’s talking about how way off base dowsers are, not in-depth technical overviews of all the paths of water under the earth. And I know that his only goal in talking about the water under the earth is to show up hocus-pocus people–when what you are saying has little to do with hocus-pocus and is pretty common sense. Well pretty much it all adds out to… Not a lot of hope for anyone to take your challenge very serious.
Without doing proper tests, there’s really no way to know. Possible reasons why it worked (and that I can come up with off the top of my head) are:
-
You had been doing the job long enough that pretty much you knew where something was going to be buried, subconsciously. For instance, that in general people might want to have enough room to work on a pipe without having the one behind them poking in their ass, so you can fairly well assume there will be enough room for a person to sit without hitting that one pipe there…and so on. I.e. subconscious deduction.
-
You only remember the cases where it succeeded. If anything, the fact that you only used this as a last-ditch method seems rather indicative that it might not have been as spot on as you might remember.
-
Dumb luck coupled with a small test sample.
To be able to say anything statistically meaningfull, we would need to bury pipes in computer chosen, arbitrary locations, and ask you to, blindfolded, find them with the divining rods more often than one could through random digging.
And I know that he’s extremely ill-informed and talks a load of rubbish all the freaking time.
And I know that he has no idea what he’s talking about, and keeps making up stories about how stupid dowsers are. The stories he makes up bear no resemblence to reality.
And I know that his only purpose in making up the stories is to sell them to idiots for a large amount of money. It’s never been about the dowwsers. It’s always about the money.
But hey, if you don’t believe me, that’s fine. If you’re sure Randi is a clever, honest and knowledgeable person and if you think I’m stupid, then email him, tell him you’re sure he’s right and urge him to conduct his test and humiliate me when I fail.
Every time dowsing is tested it fails.
Here’s an example from Randi’s site:
'The results were that when Mike G. knew the location of the concealed target (the “open” tests), he obtained 100% results. When the test procedure was double-blinded, he obtained exactly what chance alone would call for: one out of ten correct. ’
http://www.randi.org/jr/032902.html
There is an English Society of Dowsers. I contacted them and asked if I could learn how to dowse. They assured me I could indeed acquire the power, and quoted a charge for the teaching, including expenses.
I asked if I could test my teacher’s ability. Solemnly he informed me that dowsing doesn’t work if it is tested, or used for gain. It is ‘a spiritual thing’.
He didn’t explain why he could accept money to teach me, and I didn’t give him any money.
I thought your argument was that there was lots of dry land, not that dowsers could find water.
Now if that’s your argument, then what proof do you have to offer?
All the time? Never once does he make sense?
So you don’t believe he tests dowsers then? And publishes the results?
Are you talking about his books?
Even if your wild claims were true, are you saying people can’t sell fiction for money?
I don’t believe you.
Of course.
Anyone can read his website. He’s also a respected author, magician and lecturer. He is an excellent organiser (see his Amazing Weekends, for example).
I think your posts say a lot about you.
They show you are obsessed with Randi, won’t listen to any argument to the contrary and constantly make wild claims.
Why would I want to waste Mr. Randi’s valuable time by asking him to conduct a non-paranormal test against his own rules? 
WHy would anyone need to humiliate you? Your own posts do that.
TWEEET!!
I’m not even going to inflict this on the Pit Mods.
Closed.
[ /Moderating ]