Kirlian Photography

[Adrian Ko]

I'm looking for articles specifically on this website that cover Kirlian photography and why it is or isn't a valid way of measuring the "life force" or "chi" of an object. The only article I've found of use is on skeptics.org and that's how I found out about randi.org

However my general web search for materials has mostly turned up why it *isn't* hooey. Any help is mostly appreciated. Thanks!

[arcticpenguin]

This forum has a "search" button, and so does the JREF home page. Try those out.

[tcwolf]

I like the way you worded that post...

It's a shame that you've only found things that support such a long ago bashed thing (whoa, is my diction gone, or what?).

Thought I'd throw in a few links.

http://www.skepdic.com/kirlian.html
http://burtcom.com/mtrsn/sfaq_007.htm (scroll down to 7.5)

[Adrian Ko]

Yes, I've used the search engine and it only shows articlces containing the word "Kirlian" but the article here on the Randi.Org site doesn't cover it exclusively.

Now the article on the Skeptics.Org site -- I already had that, thanks.

The SCI.SKEPTIC faq is a good one. I'll bookmark that, but I feel that I need a source here on this site.

See the ancient scriptures say "A testimony is established by two or three witnesses" and "a three-string chord is not easily broken". I basically need sources on reputable websites to create a very solid arguement. Heck, if there are "educational" sitse out there explaining Kirlian photography is good for medical reasons, blah blah blah, and the number of sources out there denouncing this as pseudoscience is few and far in between (and on top of that the sources don't look like major reputable sites from an aesthetics point of view) then my article will lack the foundational support I need to challenge this hooey.

Maybe I'm just a numbskull with the search engine. Is there someone intimately familiar with this website here who came across a Randi.Org article on the subject matter?

[Adrian Ko]

I'll give you a bit more to go on. There is an individual who has been for many years been marketing his handforged swords as "living" and claims that he has done kirlian photography to his work to show the lifeforce emanating from his work.

I'm on a quest to provide the public with a unbiased scientific discourse on kirlian photograph so that the reader can decide for themselves whether or not there's really life force being picked up on a Kirlian photo plate.

The FAQ was helpful as the contributor said that this "aura" can be created even with lifeless metal."

[Aoidoi]

Here's a the link the new encyclopedia that has a little info: http://jref.sawco.com/FMPro?-db=ency.fm&-format=list.htm&-error=list.htm&definition=kirlian&Where=definition&-find=Search&-script=c

Sorry, I dunno if there's more somewhere else or not.

[tcwolf]

Originally posted by Adrian Ko
Maybe I'm just a numbskull with the search engine. Is there someone intimately familiar with this website here who came across a Randi.Org article on the subject matter?

I think they were pushing you above towards the 'Search' button the forum. There is also one to search through Randi's newsletters.

With general web searches, I've learned that just adding the word 'skeptic' really cuts out a lot of the trash.

[Ladewig]

There is a simple mistake that is frequently made by Kirlian photographers. They photograph the aura of a leaf, tear off part of the leaf, then photograph the remaing part. This second photograph shows the aura of the entire leaf, which they interpret as the leaf's remembering the missing piece. The problem is that if you don't wipe down the glass plate, then the second exposure will show the aura of the entire leaf even if no leaf is present at all.

[RichardR]

As you know, Kirlian photography only shows corona discharge, not a human “aura” or “chi”. They do not appear unless the subject has a high voltage charge applied to it. This produces a corona discharge (an area of gas ionization surrounding the subject), which can be recorded on film. If the photograph is taken in a vacuum, where no ionized gas is present, no corona discharge / Kirlian image appears.

If you follow the links from the SkepDic site you will find some other stuff.

And here are some of the high voltage power supplies you will need to take Kirlian photos. (http://www.cebunet.com/kirlian/hardware.htm)

Hope that helps.

[xouper]

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