# Finding water with coat hangers **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 21, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954 "2008-10-21T21:55:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 12
**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:** [November 8, 2008, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954/221 "2008-11-08T15:06:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You admit that you don’t know how to do it, but you just _know_ that the way the JREF does it is wrong. The cheating that Randi does is obvious. > [@](#): > > You do, though, every single time you attempt to point out “mistakes” in the testing procedures that both the JREF and the testee have readily agreed to. I’ve said this a hundred times already. I really don’t know how you fail to understand it. MOST PEOPLE DO NOT AGREE TO RANDI’S TESTS, BECAUSE IT’S OBVIOUSLY DONE WRONG. > [@](#): > > More speculation from someone who has already admitting he isn’t qualified in this area. Well, I know more than Randi does, but that’s not saying much. > [@](#): > > Already done multiple times _to the satisfaction of those being tested_ over at the JREF. Done very rarely, because most people DO NOT agree to Randi’s tests. The cheating by Randi is way too obvious. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954/222 "2008-11-08T15:31:48Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > The cheating that Randi does is obvious. > > I’ve said this a hundred times already. I really don’t know how you fail to understand it. > > MOST PEOPLE DO NOT AGREE TO RANDI’S TESTS, BECAUSE IT’S OBVIOUSLY DONE WRONG. > > Well, I know more than Randi does, but that’s not saying much. > > Done very rarely, because most people DO NOT agree to Randi’s tests. The cheating by Randi is way too obvious. Who is talking about James Randi? Besides the person who has admitted that he isn’t qualified to do any judging, of course. ---
**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:** [November 8, 2008, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954/223 "2008-11-08T15:40:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Who is talking about James Randi? You are, of course. Your post #220 directly cites JREF. Did you forget? ---
**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:** [November 8, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954/224 "2008-11-08T15:47:54Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > You are, of course. Your post #220 directly cites JREF. Did you forget? The JREF is _not_ James Randi. Please stop obsessing and get back [on topic](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10343191&postcount=1). Do you have anything to say about the OP that doesn’t involve the “R” word? ---
**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:** [November 8, 2008, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954/225 "2008-11-08T16:22:41Z")
I keep trying, but Randi-loving jerks like you keep on derailing the topic with your obsession with a proven liar. I just bet you cannot go the rest of this thread without worshipping your god. You’ll be back to obsessing over him within a few posts. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954/226 "2008-11-08T17:07:39Z")
Peter Morris, you may not call your fellow posters jerks outside the BBQ Pit forum. Further, you should not call your fellow posters liars without proof to back it up. Of course, you can correct someone if they’re mistaken, but being mistaken is not the same as lying. You know all this. Don’t let it happen again. You may consider this a warning. bibliophage moderator CCC ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954/227 "2008-11-08T18:38:52Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > So go ahead, design your test. Show me how you would test the claim made by the OP. Give a detailed protocol. Don’t come back until you can do so. Put up or shut up. Mind if I jump in on your challenge? Designing such a test is TRIVIAL. Here it is: 1. Find a field that’s going to be dug up & plowed. A quarter-section would be about right (that’s 1/2 mile by 1/2 mile). 2. Dig a trench across the field at some point and lay two pipes at the bottom. At one end, connect the pipes together. At the other end, put in a feed line and a circulating pump. Keep track of where the pipe is using a map or GPS coordinates or landmarks. 3. Bury the pipes and plow the field. Ideally, wait until a season’s worth of crops have been grown and replow the field, just to make sure you can’t see signs of the trench. 4. Fill the pipes and start the circulating pump. There is now water of any desired flow rate moving underground. 5. Tell the prospective dowser to wander the half of the field farthest from the feed line with five flags and plant them over the pipe. If all five flags are planted within five feet of the pipe, then we have demonstrated that dowsing works. If you’re concerned about the dowser being able to hear the water flowing in the pipes, then put them 8 feet down and either do the test on a windy day or make the dowser wear headphones pumping out white noise. > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Bullshit. Randi cheats on his tests. That is obvious. I am entitled to condemn him for that. You continue to make that claim, but you’ve failed to back it up. It’s not obvious and it’s not proven. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954/228 "2008-11-08T19:14:33Z")
\ Take it to Great Debates, guys. The OP hasn’t been back. Probably won’t. I’m closing this. \ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-water-with-coat-hangers/468954.md?page=11)