From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!mwc
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: Re: dowsing and magnetism
Article-I.D.: mhuxt.1147
Posted: Thu Feb 24 12:03:26 1983
Received: Fri Feb 25 05:50:26 1983
References: vortex.27

It is true that certain unicellular organisms (usually containing some iron
rich structures) have the ability (or are forced to) to align themselves
perpendicular to lines of magnetic flux.  However, for complex organisms such
as plummers to have some natural detector for singularities in the earths
magnetic field is on the edge between reality and magic
in itself.  To further say that they can tap this detector at will.....
Consider, for a moment, that dowsing is a form of passive metal detection.
O.K. could be true, but the principals are (or should be!) far more complex
than walking around with two sticks (or what have you).

There are two possibilities, form what has been said on the net.

	1) dowsing is a function of the sticks, coat-hangers, metal rods,
		what have you (how about plastic).

	2) dowsing is a function of the person holding the sticks.

(O.K. let me sneak in a third..)
	3) dowsing is a function of the person/stick interaction.

Now if 1 is true than a machine with two sticks shold be able to find pipes
in the ground.  Doesn't sound too good, does it?

If 2 is true than why use the sticks; you should be able to find pipes
just by walking around the room.

Three is a possibility (when something is obscure make it so complicated
to isolate that no one will ever figure it out) but what would the
interaction be.  It could be measured, right?  Can one go dowsing
with gloves on?  Eyes closed? ...... So on.

Lastly, what is the hit/miss ratio involved in dowsing (comming from some
controled experiment). Anyone know for sure?  Or is dowsing just another
thing that belongs in net.believe.it.or.not?


				With no coat-hangers left
					Ziggy