DOWSING - ILLUSION AND DELUSION

Here at the Fake Explosives Detectors Campaign, one of the things that really pisses us off is when people say "Well, these fake detectors are a fraud, but dowsing really does work because I have seen it for myself."

Comments like this are usually accompanied by some anecdotal story about how the person concerned witnessed a dowser finding water, lost jewellery etc.

As we have tried to point out before, dowsing has been tested under controlled conditions again and again and again. Guess what? It never works as claimed! NEVER! Bit like homeopathy or those other cons, the self proclaimed psychics. It has been thoroughly explained as the Ideomotor effect (feel free to google that if you do not know what it is).

Recently another one of these dowsing defenders turned up on the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). There have been a lot of responses pointing out why and how dowsing does not and can not work, including some who have pointed out how a belief in dowsing nonsense played a part in fooling some of the buyers of the fake detectors such as the ADE651 and XK-9. I have to say I admire the patience of some of those responding to the dowsing defender. My inclination is to call them a fool, because they clearly did not do their research before spouting off.

One of the responses struck us as particularly well put so we have taken the liberty of reproducing it here. The poster goes by the forum name of Ladewig, and was one of the JREF forum members who regularly followed and commented on the ADE651 thread at JREF.

For those of you who know dowsing is bunkum, hopefully you will agree that Ladewig puts it very well. For any of you still burdened by the delusion that dowsing works, please read carefully!1

So, here is the comment. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by G6000

If dowsing were real, it would be an established science with easily reproducible results. It would not be folklore. . 

 

LADEWIG RESPONDS:

 

I never really thought about that aspect. Dowsing has been around for what, hundreds of years? thousands of years? In the past two hundred or so years electricity went from being a strange novelty that made dead frogs twitch to being a phenomenon so well understood that we can implant small electronic devices inside people to help regulate their heart rates.

Think for a moment about every single natural phenomena that already had a long history by 1863. Steam, friction, electricity, burning, gravity, motion, buoyancy, air pressure, etc. etc. In every single case humans have been able to quantify it and measure it to unheard of degrees. In almost every case, we have been able to and harness it or refine it or otherwise use it in some way to make life easier. Even folk remedies known 150 years ago have been turned into useful, measured doses that produce consistent results.

Yet dowsing always lies just beyond the reach of scientists. Science can put a man on the moon (and bring him back), yet science just can't quite catch anyone dowsing under controlled conditions. We are talking about a power that could change the very course of human events, but this power is very shy and never appears when scientists are watching. Don't get me wrong, as I said in a previous post, science does not know everything. But if you look at the things that were known but not understood 150 years ago, science has pretty much observed them very well and explained them almost as well. Except dowsing.

If you are interested in the full thread you can click HERE

Or the original thread relating to the fake detectors HERE

ALWAYS REMEMBER, THE PLURAL OF ANECDOTE IS NOT RELIABLE DATA!

TRIAL DATES UPDATE

We can confirm that the trial on charges of fraud of Simon Sherrard, Sam and Joan Tree, in connection with the Alpha 6 'detector' is due to commence on 28 May.

We now also have confirmation that the trial on charges of fraud of Gary Bolton, in connection with the GT200 'detector' is due to start on 1 July.

We will keep you updated on progress or any changes.

THERE'S NOTHING TO IT!

As always I take great delight in passing on the thoughts of my friend and yours, Mr Techowiz, for your amusement and delight:

http://explosivedetectorfrauds.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/cheer-up-jim-i-was-going-to-say-it-may.html

BARS - BEFORE AND AFTER

BEFORE - The High Life

AFTER - The Low Life

TRIALS NEWS

Samuel Tree, Joan Tree, and Simon Sherrard face trial on one count contrary to Section 7 of the Fraud Act 2006, involving an ‘Alpha 6’ substance detection device.

Simon Sherrard faces an additional count contrary to Section 6 of the Fraud Act 2006 for possession of an Alpha 6 substance detection device for use in a fraud.

Our latest information suggests that the trial will commence on 28th May.

We will of course update you as and when we can.

BREAKING NEWS

Just in, Anthony Williamson, the man behind the XK-9 variant of the 'detector' fraud, has been found guilty.

UPDATE:

Seems Williamson was rushed to hospital prior to the guilty verdict. The Judge has suggested a possible suspended sentence due to his health.

Williamson was clearly small fry compared to McCormick and others involved in the trade in 'fake' detectors, but this conviction should set another example for those tempted to sell bogus products. Homeopathy anyone?

Here is a brief report:

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/gosport-man-convicted-in-fake-bomb-detectors-fraud-1-5053312

As you can see, he is even prettier than McCormick!

JOY! JUSTICE DONE! McCORMICK SENTENCED.

Today Mr James McCormick has been sentenced to the maximum possible of 10 years in prison for committing fraud, having sold many millions of dollars worth of his worthless ADE range of 'detectors'. This is no more than he deserves, and probably a lot less given the deaths, injuries and suffering he has caused by the use of his fake bomb detectors, and the obscene amount of money he made.

The Judge stated that without a doubt lives had been lost as a result of his criminality.

All who believe in reason can rejoice at this news. Some others may be quaking in their boots right now.

When some of us started a campaign back in 2008 to end the trade in fake detectors, and see the perpetrators prosecuted, we hoped for this day and this news.

We wanted to see the scum like McCormick brought to their knees as some way to make up for the fact that so many have suffered at their hands, and we are delighted that this has come to pass.

Equally important was to send out a clear message that no one should be allowed to sell products that do not work, and have the potential to cause harm.

It was James Randi who first exposed the ADE651 to the World when he issued the Million Dollar Challenge to the makers of the ADE651 back in October 2008. As so often, Randi was instrumental in highlighting a scam. Following that challenge, some of us were disgusted that the trade was being largely driven from the U.K., so we set out on what has been a long and sometimes difficult road.

The news of the conviction and sentencing of McCormick is a great victory for skepticism, and we hope will set a useful precedent in the war against woo, that Randi and others have fought so long and hard.

The saga of the fake detectors continues. There is much more news to follow regarding other variants, and other players in this nasty, despicable fraud, and we will continue to report what we can, when we can, subject to legal restrictions.

“How good life is when one does something good and just!”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov 

I dedicate this quote to my friend Techowiz, without whom this day may never have come.  

'DETECTION CARDS'

Those of you who have been following the story of the fake detectors will know that James McCormick claimed that the ADE651 was 'programmed' to 'detect' all sorts of substances with the use of 'detection' cards inserted into a 'card reader'. Of course, we all know that this was bullshit, but we could not resist having a little laugh at his expense.

So here is a list of the 'detection cards' that he should have 'invented', and those that did work (feel free to send us suggestions for any we may have missed):

CARDS McCORMICK SHOULD HAVE DEVELOPED:

The "Oh Shit" Card
The All Hell Breaking Loose Card a.k.a. The WTF Card
The Coppers (Police) Detection Card
The Search Warrant Detection Card
The Fraud Conviction Detection Card
The Taking The Piss Detection Card

CARDS THAT DID WORK:

The Corrupt Bastard Detection Card a.k.a. The Jabiri/Georgiou Card
The Gullible Fool Detection Card
The Dodgy Romanians Detection Card a.k.a. The Mira Telecom Detection Card
The Do They Never Learn Detection Card

LUXURY PROPERTY SALE

Following the conviction of Mr James McCormick, and before he is sentenced on Thursday, Techowiz is trying to help him liquidate his assets in order to comply with the Proceeds of Crime Act.

If you want a good laugh at the expense of McCormick follow this link:

FOR SALE!!!!!!

THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL

To our great surprise it turns out that Jim McCormick did produce a product that worked, unlike the ADE651 he is better known for, and we can exclusively bring you a picture of it.

We thought it only write that we should give credit where it is due, with Jim due to serve a penal sentence now that his luck has run out, just like the ink in this pen in fact.

If you want another laugh at his expense, head over to the blog of Techowiz, where he has amusingly highlighted an aspect of prison life that may be causing Jim to clench his anal sphincter.

"It's shower time Jim."

Ho Ho Ho Ho!