Whats is your secret talent?

[Solver]

LotC, you know that there's a million dollar offer for anyone who can demonstrate a supernatural/paranormal ability, right? I don't know if this qualifies, but if you can really do it, it may indeed qualify for the challenge.

[Kuciwalker]

If it's reproducible and scientificaly explainable, it's not supernatural, obviously.

[LotC]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
I could imagine some real scientists being interested also.

JM

Oh, how many times have I thought that...

In reality, there seems to be no way to pursue this though. What do I do, walk into the Institute for People With Freakish Talents and say "Hi, I'd like to sign up for an info session?" No, life goes on just like it does for anyone else. My only real hope is to win James Randi's $1000000 prize. How sweet that would be!

Edit: Solver beat me to it and Kuci burst my bubble

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
If it's reproducible and scientificaly explainable, it's not supernatural, obviously.

This, but I would be interested in knowing the scientific explanation. I really wish it was possible to be an expert in all areas of science, and not just one.

JM

[b etor]

Originally posted by LotC


That is in the works. Unfortunately, with the camera equipment I have it is fiendishly difficult to record due to the extremely low contrast of the electrical discharge. It's thinner than a human hair most of the time and quite faint. Once I get proper test equipment, like a multimeter, and can borrow a decent dSLR there will be a Youtube video.

IRL

[Spec]

Re: Re: Whats is your secret talent?

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


Not true.

You think?

I'm sure you're really good at something useless. No? Like wipping your butt clean in less than 20 seconds after a massive diaria episode.

Spec.

[LotC]

I'd be interested in knowing the explanation for it too. I'm quite certain it is a stimulation of the pressure sensitive nerve endings. What it feels like is pressure all the way through my hands, not just on the surface like when you touch something. Putting my hands close to a moderately strong magnetic field is like sticking them in a bowl of Jello and having the Jello flow all the way through my hands. South poles produce an attraction and north poles produce repulsion. Consequently, I am usually most comfortable when facing magnetic north (which is actually the earth's magnetic south pole).

So what could induce these sensations? My first hypothesis was the iron in my blood reacting to magnetic fields, but from what I've read hemoglobin isn't capable of being magnetized. What about the electrical discharges? The voltage involved is easily over 1000V. Is the human body capable of producing these voltages, and if so how? The two are definitely related, so answering one will probably help explain the other.

But there is more, much more. I'd love to go into all of the details but you'll have to wait for the paper :P. The first hint at this phenomenon was seeing bright squiggly lines in the air around me and objects in the room. Normally they have a yellow component and a bluish/violet component. A strong hypothesis is that this is ionized gas resulting from unbalanced charges present in the vicinity (usually me). Why it is that I can see it I don't know. Increased sensitivity to light? I remember once I was out in a thunderstorm and looked at a nearby tree to see a 10 foot bright squiggly line crawling its way to the heavens. A few seconds later there was a bright purple flash of lightning overhead. I can safely assume that I was seeing the positive leader extending from the tree. It sure was an awesome sight! In some cases, the visual aspect extends to magnetic fields. These tend to not exhibit colour.

Since everything tends to manifest at once, I'm thinking there is a single mechanism that is responsible for everything. The question on my mind almost every day is "What?".

[Fake Boris]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
If it's reproducible and scientificaly explainable, it's not supernatural, obviously.

Excellent point. This challenge is a contradiction in itself.

[SlowwHand]

I can fart to the tune of "O Canada".

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
Excellent point. This challenge is a contradiction in itself.

IMO, the word supernatural is a contradiction in itself.

[Lancer]

Do that alot Sloww?

[LotC]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
I can fart to the tune of "O Canada".

I can play The Star Spangled Banner with my hand in my armpit, except I have trouble hitting those high notes.

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


IMO, the word supernatural is a contradiction in itself.

What are your definitions? Assuming a fairly common definition of the natural world being that which can be probed, modeled, and exists in this universe leaves a lot in the realm of possibility that could exist outside of the natural world.

JM

[LotC]

Originally posted by Jon Miller


What are your definitions? Assuming a fairly common definition of the natural world being that which can be probed, modeled, and exists in this universe leaves a lot in the realm of possibility that could exist outside of the natural world.

JM

I'm of the opinion that if it exists, it can be probed and modeled. Science has so far proved unfailing in probing the natural world once it can devise a means of detection and measurement for a particular phenomenon. If it hasn't devised a means of detection or measurement, it is just a matter of technological innovation. Therefore, I would have to agree that supernatural is a contradiction. Paranormal, on the other hand, is defined as something that is not to be normally expected or is anomalous. Paranormal phenomena have the opportunity to become accepted into the realm of science once a means of study has been devised. Until then, they are paranormal, in the sense that they are currently outside the expected results of scientific investigation.

[Theben]

Originally posted by LotC
The amount of current is quite low, although when it's at its strongest and my arm are spread 3 feet or so (once current is established it can travel a few feet)

Tom Cruise did it 1st.