Video of a Taoist physician starting a fire with his mind

[DV_Boyz]

Has anyone investigated "Dynamo Jack" yet?

Video here:
mysticfire.com/ntsc/76063/eastmovbg.html?cart=1006068602473717

Details here:
neilslade.com/Papers/firebrainman.html

And more here:
mysticfire.com/frmst_single.html?sku=76063&cart=1006068602473717

[alfaniner]

You forgot to say "Here's an interesting link."

[DV_Boyz]

videosift.com/video/Dynamo-Jack-healer-generates-electricity-from-body

[MRC_Hans]

Well, since we don't see the scientists they claim are investigating him (a digital voltmeter does not a scientist make) all we have is a video of what could easily be simple conjuring tricks, or even video trickery.

But, he could always apply for the Randi million and be tested properly. I will gladly assist in designing a protocol.

Hans

[Kilgore Trout]

James Randi mentions Dynamo Jack and Master Jo in this Swift (http://www.randi.org/jr/2007-04/042007todd.html#i1).

[MRC_Hans]

Well, Randi explains the fire trick nicely. I might add that the giving people shocks trick can be done with a small high voltage generator (which can be made from hobby parts or, more likely, be taken from an "electronic" cigarete lighter). The only provision for performing the trick except for very simple slight of hand is that you are willing to experience the same shock yourself (and can resist vincing from it). He gives people shocks from his belly skin. This would seem a sensitive place to do it, but is really not. The belly skin is not nearly as sensitive as that of the hands, and the thinner (and likely more moist) skin has lower resistance, thus making the shock less felt. Anyway, the jolt you get from such beneigh electrical shocks is mainly due to surprise. The true discomfort is not great.

The leds can be worked by hidden conductors and a battery. It might also be possible (if slightly painful) to actually conduct enough DC through your fingers to make an LED light up.

Digital voltmeters are extremely sensitive, and chemicals on the hands may easily produce enough electricity to give a reading.

Hans

[MRC_Hans]

Looked at the vido again. Before he sets light to that newpaper page, he carefully folds it around something, then gives it a hard press. Then he waits about 15 seconds doing a bit of hand-waving, then pretends to apply some energy to it, at which time it bursts into flame. Quite consistent with Randi's explanations, and guite inconsistent with the notion of applying some form of energy heating up paper till it ignites.

Try to place a crumbled peace of newpaper on an electric stove and heat it till it catches fire (taking all proper precautions against setting your house on fire, of course). What will you see? You will see that for a long time before it bursts into flames, it will produce copious amounts of smoke. The paper in the video hardly smokes at all.

Hans

[JonWhite]

Well, Randi explains the fire trick nicely. I might add that the giving people shocks trick can be done with a small high voltage generator (which can be made from hobby parts or, more likely, be taken from an "electronic" cigarete lighter). The only provision for performing the trick except for very simple slight of hand is that you are willing to experience the same shock yourself (and can resist vincing from it). He gives people shocks from his belly skin. This would seem a sensitive place to do it, but is really not. The belly skin is not nearly as sensitive as that of the hands, and the thinner (and likely more moist) skin has lower resistance, thus making the shock less felt. Anyway, the jolt you get from such beneigh electrical shocks is mainly due to surprise. The true discomfort is not great.

Purely for information purposes (I wouldn't recommend anyone try this) such a device's construction is shown here:

http://phrets.com/electrifried/

[Ladewig]

Has anyone investigated "Dynamo Jack" yet?

Video here:
mysticfire.com/ntsc/76063/eastmovbg.html?cart=1006068602473717

Details here:
neilslade.com/Papers/firebrainman.html

And more here:
mysticfire.com/frmst_single.html?sku=76063&cart=1006068602473717

I wasn't impressed with the fire-starting video, but I was very impressed with the volume of books and videos for sale on both Neil Slade's site and the Mystic Fire site.