16 Sep 11
http://news.yahoo.com/serb-cousins-share-same-strange-attraction-100711830.html
Very strange. Hoax? Thoughts? Is this really magnetism, or some other effect?
I found it interesting that the boy isn't wearing a shirt - which perhaps would hint that this isn't really magnetism but more of a "sticky skin" effect?
Can't help but be skeptical, but.. for the scientists to debate 🙂 Hoax or not?
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22 Sep 11
Originally posted by sonhouseIf they were genuinely magnetic you could tell rather trivially with a gauss meter.
Besides, we don't even know if the stuff they claim to stick is even magnetic. It could be aluminum and if so, back to the hoax idea. I am being generous.
I say Hoax, till proven otherwise.
23 Sep 11
Originally posted by googlefudgeYes, a gauss meter would settle the question in a hurry. I use hall effect magnetometers to sense the strength of magnetic fields used to steer ion beams in ion implanters and they are pretty sensitive. I think it would take a magnetic field strength of several hundred gauss to hold a magnetic fork to one's body.
If they were genuinely magnetic you could tell rather trivially with a gauss meter.
I say Hoax, till proven otherwise.
He could have swallowed a magnet.......
23 Sep 11
Originally posted by sonhouseNo, a magnet in his stomach would not result in forks sticking to his collar bone.
He could have swallowed a magnet.......
If on the other hand he had magnetic blood, one would expect him to be demonstrating lifting coins with his fingers.
Instead, the photo is indistinguishable from someone who has sticky skin.
23 Sep 11
Originally posted by twhiteheadAgreed. I don't know how this scam even got started, why people would believe such patent nonsense.
No, a magnet in his stomach would not result in forks sticking to his collar bone.
If on the other hand he had magnetic blood, one would expect him to be demonstrating lifting coins with his fingers.
Instead, the photo is indistinguishable from someone who has sticky skin.
23 Sep 11
Originally posted by sonhouseActually things like this spread like wildfire even when nobody believes it. All it takes is lots of people willing to remain agnostic (or at least say they are agnostic to others).
Agreed. I don't know how this scam even got started, why people would believe such patent nonsense.
This happens in religion too where any survey reveals that at least half the 'believers' are in fact agnostic about most of the key doctrines of the religion, and quite a few are in fact leaning towards not believing, but hang on 'just in case' or for social reasons.
24 Sep 11
Originally posted by twhiteheadSo the gist of that is to shout loudly if you disbelieve!
Actually things like this spread like wildfire even when nobody believes it. All it takes is lots of people willing to remain agnostic (or at least say they are agnostic to others).
This happens in religion too where any survey reveals that at least half the 'believers' are in fact agnostic about most of the key doctrines of the religion, and quite a few ...[text shortened]... are in fact leaning towards not believing, but hang on 'just in case' or for social reasons.