CRAIG WILLIAMS - Extra EEG

[steenkh]

Even if this guy actually has paranormal abilities, I wonder how a proper, unjudged test can ever be made of the claim. It is only a judgment that can tell if the EEG's are normal or not.

If mr. Williams could perhaps specify a certain amplitude or whatever, that definitely cannot be produced by normal means, we might have a testable claim.

[Spindrift]

I have a couple questions for someone familiar with how an EEG operates:

Can one alter their EEG simply by thinking about different things?

Would getting excited change an EEG?

[Anti_Hypeman]

You could give his EEG to some doctors along with a number of normal ones and see if the docs can pick out the paranormal one.

[MandosV]

This sure sounds like old biofeedback experiments where subjects modify their bodily functions in response to some kind of monitoring device. I just don't remember whether and EEG was one of the types of biofeedback involved.

[Cyphermage]

This sure sounds like old biofeedback experiments where subjects modify their bodily functions in response to some kind of monitoring device. I just don't remember whether and EEG was one of the types of biofeedback involved.

How does his "paranormal" EEG differ from that of someone having a grand mal seizure?

You can mess up an EEG by something as simple as clenching your jaw.

I'd be very careful with this one.

[Ririon]

How does his "paranormal" EEG differ from that of someone having a grand mal seizure?

You can mess up an EEG by something as simple as clenching your jaw.

I'd be very careful with this one.
Well, it would have to be something "non-human". Say the electrical fields generated by his brain were 10 times stronger than any human on record. Then we would have something. "Look, the curves go all over the place when i do like this... HNNNNNNG!!" is hardly paranormal.

Affidavit from an MD? Good move. That will probably be the end of it.

[Gr8wight]

I wonder if this guy has ever even been hooked up to an EEG?

[Silly Green Monkey]

I want to be able to play with an EEG like that...

[SteveGrenard]

There is some published research on one aspect (event related potentials) of this general claim. Obviously we do not know what the applicants specific eeg anomaly or event is that he is claiming proves he has some psychic or paranormal abilities.

http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=5001397537 (http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=5001397537)

http://www.scientificexploration.org/jse/articles/pdf/16.2_mcdonough_don_warren.pdf (http://www.scientificexploration.org/jse/articles/pdf/16.2_mcdonough_don_warren.pdf)

http://www.parapsych.org/PDF/1998_PA_proc_pt1.pdf (http://www.parapsych.org/PDF/1998_PA_proc_pt1.pdf)

http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/islis/sjis/journalJ/sampleJ0304.pdf (http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/islis/sjis/journalJ/sampleJ0304.pdf)

There is also a body of research literature on eeg states during meditation, mostly sponsored by the maharishi whatever; this doesn't prove psychic abilities, only a brain state change evoked by meditating. Light, sound and some drugs also cause eeg & eog anomalies, including drugs taken in the past but no longer being taken so this would be tough to control for.

[SteveGrenard]

I read Jeff's transcription of the applicant's letter. It sounds like the applicant is saying he can increase his eeg output through some mental means. He certainly can, this is normal and is well documented. I don't think it fits the criteria for a paranormal ability nor does it prove psychic abilities. He is probably talking about increased high amplitude theta activity or theta hypersynchrony for those who want to chase this further.

Here is a bibliography of research on this subject provided by the Maharishi's organization. Scroll down to section B.

http://www.tm.org/research/bibliographies/volumn_1.html

[Overman]

Can people really spotanously combust?

[Hellbound]

Can people really spotanously combust?

Depends on how much gasoline you soak them in :)

To my knowledge, though, there's been very, very few instances of witnessed spontaneous combustion, and in those cases there were generally other explanations available. A few cases are suggestive, but not conclusive that non-mundane causes occurred.

The majority of cases are only discovered after the fact. ANd from tests using pig carcasses and such, these remains are most liekly due to a "wick effect" between body fat and clothing, from a long, slow burn. The pieces left tend to be areas of the body low in fat (ankles and feet, primarily).

[steenkh]

The majority of cases are only discovered after the fact. ANd from tests using pig carcasses and such, these remains are most liekly due to a "wick effect" between body fat and clothing, from a long, slow burn. The pieces left tend to be areas of the body low in fat (ankles and feet, primarily).
It is also important to note that some sort of external heat source must be available to ignite the body. It is NOT spontaneous.

[Hellbound]

It is also important to note that some sort of external heat source must be available to ignite the body. It is NOT spontaneous.

Yes, thank you. I meant to say that, but apparantly got lost in my own explanation :)

A candle, match, cigarette, and similar small flames are common sources of ignition.

[steenkh]

It also seems that those people who "spontaneously" combusted were dead of natural causes before it happened, which is why they did not react when it got hot!

[Hellbound]

It also seems that those people who "spontaneously" combusted were dead of natural causes before it happened, which is why they did not react when it got hot!

Alcohol and/or drugs have also been a known or suspected factor in many...also, the elderly are more common victims (more likely to have mobility problems or other issues that might prevent them getting help).

[psy kick]

Where is this guy from? I know someone with that name.