Lakeland Skeptics Society

Case Status: IN TESTING

Scientific Method:

Question - Is a ouija board guided by the paranormal or is it just a piece of compressed cardboard and plastic?

Hypothesis -  A ouija board works by subconscious human error and not by paranormal activity.

Experiment - Using our scientific equipment (emf, geiger, digital recorder, digital thermometer) set up around the board, we will see if any of the meters give any readings while using the board.

Analysis -  Our scientific instruments provided no outlying data during the first experiment.  The digital recorder picked up no EVP's.  There was motion witnessed during the experiment of the planchette across the board and semi-accurate answers were received.  During our blindfolded experiment, no distinguishable information could be recorded.

Official Society Conclusion:PLAUSIBLE

From the data we've currently collected on 10/14/08, a vote was taken with 10 members saying plausible and 6 saying busted.  There were zero votes for confirmed.  The reasoning for the plausible was because the planchette did move across the board but there was no scientific data to conclude that paranormal activity was causing the motion.  The busted group proposed that Mark Spivey was doing all of the motion.

Case Status: TESTED

Scientific Method:

Question - Are tarot cards guided by the paranormal or are they just cards like any other?

Hypothesis -  Tarot cards work because the answers they give simply cover a broad spectrum of possibilities that are common to almost everyone and not by paranormal activity.

Experiment - Using our scientific equipment (emf, geiger, digital recorder, digital thermometer) set up around the tarot reader and readee, we will see if any of the meters give any readings while using the cards.

Analysis - During the first reading, a few high geiger counter spikes were recorded when flipping the cards but other than that, no further data to report.  During the second test, again we got the high geiger readings but this time even higher.  At one point reaching a spike of 0.22 mR/hr which is much higher than normal background radiation.  At the same time, the temperature began to drop from 77*F to hover between 72 and 73*F.  A total of 5 degrees lower within a matter of about a minute.  The cold was felt by many and was definitly in a confined spot around the cards.  Next, a quick blip on the k-ii meter reached a level of about 5 mGauss.  At the same time that I, Mr. Daniels, was feeling a cold spot right in front of my face, this photo was taken:

 In the photo, you can clearly see me trying to measure the cold spot in front of me with the ambient temperature probe in my left hand, and my right hand out feeling for the cold spot.  It would appear Mark from Haunted Times captured an orb in the exact spot as I'm trying to measure.

Official Society Conclusion:Confirmed

With a vote of 7 confirmed, 5 plausible, and 0 busted.  Tarot cards are associated with paranormal activity.

Case Status: IN TESTING

Scientific Method:

Question - Is it really possible to send a message to a person with your thoughts?

Hypothesis -  ESP doesn't exist and mind reading is just a lucky guess.

Experiment - Using playing cards, we will hold up a card so that the tested individual can't see it but the tester can.  The tester will then try to send the message (red or black) to the tested individual through their thoughts.  The tested person will then say what the card is (red or black). 

Analysis -  In Testing.

Official Society Conclusion:In Testing