From: kadie@herodotus.cs.uiuc.edu (Carl M. Kadie)
Subject: Re: $50,000 Divining Rods!
Followup-To: alt.folklore.science,sci.skeptic
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 16:09:21 GMT


[Repost from alt.folklore.science - Carl]

slagle@lmsc.lockheed.com (Mark Slagle) writes:

>In article <srutt.713672104@beagle>, srutt@boulder.Colorado.EDU (DNA Kaifeng) writes:
>
>> Frank Borger and Mark Slagle boast about their abilities to use
>> divining rods to locate hidden objects (metals). As a scientist
>
>Pay attention this time.  It's no boast, it's just fact.  I can't
>"locate hidden objects (metals)", but I can locate underground
>pipes, at least some of the time which includes every time I have
>tried to date that was verifiable.
>
>> I must keep an open mind toward the possibility that either or
>> both of these gentlemen can perform the feats they describe.
>> But since ALL people claiming such ability have FAILED under 
>> proper scientific testing, such abilities would be called
>> extraordinary. And considering the canon "extraordinary claims
>> require extraordinary evidence" and since such evidence is not
>> available at present, I would bet against Frank and Mark's 
>> dowsing abilities.
>
>Pay attention this time.  I can't perform "dowsing".  That is
>I can't locate water or a good place to drill a well.  I can
>locate underground pipes, not necessarily of ferrous material.
>
>> In case these gentlemen are interested in putting their abilities
>> to the test (which I doubt), extraordinary evidence might be
>> obtained by having these gentlemen attempt their feats in a 
>> controlled testing environment run by a team of skeptical debunkers.
>> The CSICOP and the SKEPTICAL INQUIRER would probably be happy 
>> to supervise.
>
>Any time Kurtz and his pals want to come out for a visit, or pay
>for my time and trip back to my old alma mater, I'm ready to
>give it a go.  If you want to sponsor it, that's OK by me.  If
>not, then grab a couple of coat hangars and go find your water
>lateral in your front yard.  You can do it, and so can anybody
>else.  I have never met anyone who couldn't do it after having
>the technique explained and demonstrated.
>
>> Oh by the way, I think the current prize for performing such
>> feats under conditions controlled by the above groups ranges from 
>> $50,000 to $100,000. Call Paul Kurtz at (716)-636-1425 for more
>> information. And if suddenly both of your powers disappear -
>> I'll understand.
>
>Have Kurtz pay for the call.  I'm not paying for it, because his
>challenge is for dowsing.  Pay attention this time.  I, nor anybody
>else that I know of, can find water or "objects".  I can, and you
>can, find shallow pipes.  If you can get Kurtz to pay for that, I'm
>game.  I have no powers that you don't have, though, so maybe you
>ought to get practicing.  Anybody who says that they have special 
>powers is, at least prima facie, a liar or a fraud.  I make no such 
>claim.
>
>I said most of this on the first time around.  Did you get it
>this time?  I'm not seeking fame and fortune, I'm not pulling
>your leg, and I'm not some credulous boob that thinks Geller
>can bend spoons with his neurons.  Hell, I barely even believe
>in you.
>
>Read, then read carefully, then see if you can understand what
>has been said, scientist, then you can post and imply that I'm 
>a liar.  Jerk.
>--
>----
>Mark E. Slagle                                 PO Box 61059
>slagle@lmsc.lockheed.com                       Sunnyvale, CA   94088
>408-756-0895                                   USA
--
Carl Kadie -- kadie@cs.uiuc.edu -- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign