# Can some people extinguish streetlamps by means of their bodily emanations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [August 17, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982 "2007-08-17T19:30:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/21 "2007-08-21T08:03:29Z")
[QUOTE=Contrapuntal] Oh, sure. I want him to do it. I didn’t mean to sound as if I were contradicting you. [/QUOTE] Understood, cheers. If I had the ability to turn off street lights by standing near them and getting angry, there’s no way I’d shrug it off as ‘just one of those things’ and go back to work. A talent like that - if genuine - is worth a fortune. The $1M from the Randi Challenge is probably just the tip of the iceberg. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/22 "2007-08-21T08:11:21Z")
[QUOTE=awk.pine] Er. Here’s my $0.02. Sodium vapor lamps are highly efficient … during operation. However, starting the lamp takes a fair amount of power. It takes far more current to cause the arc in the first place than to maintain it. Therefore, street lights turn on consecutively rather than concurrently in order to avoid causing massive dips in the power grid at dusk. Furthermore, street lamps next to each other are installed at the same time, are used the same amount, and so age at the same rate. Conclusion: when all the lamps on a street are old enough to overheat, they will overheat in a pattern. Just as lamp A turns on, then lamp B, then lamp C, lamp A will overheat and turn off, then B, then C. The timing may coincide roughly with how long it takes to walk from one lamp to another. Of course, this is an armchair hypothesis. I know less about sodium vapor lamps than wikipedia. But it explains the phenomena to my satisfaction. [/QUOTE] Not a bad hypothesis, but I’m not sure whether such switching schemes are actually widely implemented, if at all. One thing that is true though, is that when sodium vapour lamps start to fail, they often start turning on and off repeatedly - the heat causes them to fail, but when they cool down, they’re sufficiently operational to start up again, then they heat up and fail again. There are a number of lamps like this on the high street of the village where I live - the odd thing is that when I first noticed one, my initial thought was “I’ve seen that lamp turn off before - must be something wrong with it”. It seems rather hubristic to be thinking “That lamp turned off, and I’m here, so I must be magic!”. My question for the folks who claim they have this ability is: _What do you notice the lamps doing when you’re not there?_ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/23 "2007-08-21T11:22:36Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] My question for the folks who claim they have this ability is: _What do you notice the lamps doing when you’re not there?_ [/QUOTE] Good point. Before you claim that, because lights go off when you are near them, they are going off _because_ you are near them, set up a camera and record how often the lights go out when you are not there. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/24 "2007-08-21T11:43:54Z")
Also, take note of how many lamps _exhibit no change at all_ on your approach. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2007, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/25 "2007-08-26T14:17:54Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Obligatory _Randi Challenge_ post Seriously, why not apply for the Randi Challenge? - I think your claim would qualify. [/QUOTE] Obligitory “because Randi is a liar” post. If you actually demonstrated such an ability, Randi would just say “it’s not paranormal” and refuse to pay. We all know that he has done so in the past. We’ve seen him issue a challenge, then refuse to honour it. Seriously, has using the “Randi defense” ever worked? Have you ever changed anyone’s mind by citing Randi’s challenge? Even once? As far as I can see, the argument never works, and just makes \*you \*look lazy. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2007, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/26 "2007-08-26T14:24:59Z")
[QUOTE=Peter Morris] Obligitory “because Randi is a liar” post. [/QUOTE] Followed by the obligatory “give it a rest” post. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2007, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/27 "2007-08-26T14:44:10Z")
Just fighting ignorance. What’s your objection to that? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2007, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/28 "2007-08-26T15:05:17Z")
Please the two of you take any further Randi argument(s) to another forum. This is for “Comments on Cecil’s Columns.” This can be verified by scrolling up to the top of the page. Failure to do so will result in me, not a Moderator, getting sort of pissed off. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/29 "2007-08-29T12:49:23Z")
For some time now I have noticed that Birds suddenly appear Every time I am near I believe it is due to bodily emanations, and expect to collect the $1 million shortly. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/30 "2007-08-29T13:39:53Z")
[QUOTE=Jackmannii] For some time now I have noticed that Birds suddenly appear Every time I am near I believe it is due to bodily emanations, and expect to collect the $1 million shortly. [/QUOTE] There’s nothing paranormal about that-they just want to be close to you. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/31 "2007-08-29T18:39:25Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] There’s nothing paranormal about that-they just want to be close to you. [/QUOTE] Well, if you have bodily emanations that smell like suet, just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2007, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/32 "2007-08-29T23:25:10Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] My question for the folks who claim they have this ability is: _What do you notice the lamps doing when you’re not there?_ [/QUOTE] For the answer to that question you would have to ask Hugh Means: _“Yesterday upon the stair I met a man who wasn’t there. He wasn’t there again today I wish that man would go away.”_ ---
**Author:** ![Andrew\_Warnes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Andrew\_Warnes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_Warnes)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/33 "2007-08-31T12:35:59Z")
Cecil: Notwithstanding the technical explanation from my esteemed colleague (I’m a GE product manager), I’m not totally convinced current data can disprove the suspicion that some people do have an effect upon light sources. My own presence seems to impact both street lights as well as indoor flourescent lighting. It happens frequently enough to be a running joke amongst family and friends. The new GE compact flourescents are an exception. At a big product demo earlier this year my product line was unfortunately placed next to the lighting booth. I had to keep to the far end of the area during displays. There’s no specific condition like mood, time of day, weather or any others that seem to have an impact. It does seem to be more prevalent in the winter months, though that might be chalked up to shorter daylight and more time spent under artificial light sources. It’s all anecdotal of course, but it’s fun to learn that others see it too. As for the race to find the “cure” - my local works department might be interested. They come out and replace the streetlight in front of the house 3 or 4 times a year. Andy, Illinois ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/34 "2007-08-31T13:15:15Z")
[QUOTE=Andrew Warnes] It’s all anecdotal of course, but it’s fun to learn that others see it too. As for the race to find the “cure” - my local works department might be interested. They come out and replace the streetlight in front of the house 3 or 4 times a year. [/QUOTE] Do others see this effect even if they’ve never met you and nobody’s mentioned your mystical power to them? You believe you’re observing something unknown to modern science. For God’s sake, start documenting it, so you can bring us some precise data to compare with a control (e.g., similar lights with other people around, or with no human presence). I think you’re deluding yourself, but what if you’re not? Screw the Randi prize; if you’re right, you could take physics in a new direction. Christ, it always baffles me when somebody honestly believes he has some sort of paranormal power, and he’s not interested in gaining scientific understanding of it. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/35 "2007-08-31T14:27:16Z")
Or go for the Randi thing after all - I don’t think there’s any evidence that he will redefine ‘supernatural’ to exclude something like this - if you read the details of the applications on the JREF forum, that’s not at all how they typically end. ---
**Author:** ![DaveC426913](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@DaveC426913](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveC426913)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/36 "2007-08-31T15:52:30Z")
For decades I thought I was the God of streetlights - that they would bow as I passed. Thank you for enlightening me. I now know that I am one among many Streetlight Gods. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/37 "2007-08-31T16:21:25Z")
[QUOTE=DaveC426913] I now know that I am one among many Streetlight Gods. [/QUOTE] Only in your mind. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/38 "2007-08-31T16:56:42Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] … Randi … . [/QUOTE] :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/39 "2007-08-31T18:51:35Z")
[QUOTE=Peter Morris] :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?f=7](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?f=7) ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982/40 "2007-08-31T19:52:36Z")
[QUOTE=Peter Morris] :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Do you have an actual point to make? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-some-people-extinguish-streetlamps-by-means-of-their-bodily-emanations/415982.md?page=3)