Map dowsing experiment

[Carl-NC]

First, thank you all to those who participated. I've taken the original image and overlaid everyone's location(s). I will not identify anyone in particular but have numbered all the locations. Two participants flouted the rules a bit. Locations 1a and 1b were by the same person, and so was 6a and 6b (#6: the gold & silver were placed together in a single container; there was only one location to dowse; also, I wanted the submissions sent via PM, not posted to the forum). There was one submission that was presented as a description of "in a clearing, near a tree" but I could not figure out what they meant so that one is not included. #2 and #3 were offered as guesses, I assume the rest were dowsed.

The actual location is marked "Here". The closest is '1b' at about 100 feet. Take what you will from the experiment; being a single trial it doesn't mean a whole lot. As soon as I can get back out I'll move the bars to a new location and see if folks want to take another stab at it.

 

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[coast40]

First, thank you all to those who participated. I've taken the original image and overlaid everyone's location(s). I will not identify anyone in particular but have numbered all the locations. Two participants flouted the rules a bit. Locations 1a and 1b were by the same person, and so was 6a and 6b (#6: the gold & silver were placed together in a single container; there was only one location to dowse; also, I wanted the submissions sent via PM, not posted to the forum). There was one submission that was presented as a description of "in a clearing, near a tree" but I could not figure out what they meant so that one is not included. #2 and #3 were offered as guesses, I assume the rest were dowsed.

The actual location is marked "Here". The closest is '1b' at about 100 feet. Take what you will from the experiment; being a single trial it doesn't mean a whole lot. As soon as I can get back out I'll move the bars to a new location and see if folks want to take another stab at it.

View attachment 2194939

I was 1b and 4, I believe.

 

[diamonddave]

I suspected those who would guess the target location in the experiment might be influenced by subtle visual cues in the image and thus any guessed target locations, might tend to be grouped closer together in comparison to those of dowsed target locations, relying solely upon the dowser’s instruments.

Various anomalies and features in the image can subconsciously or consciously draw the human eye to a spot with gentle persuasion. Some of the more obvious cues could be the worn paths or roads, trees and shadows cast by the trees. It is interesting that 5 of the 8 participant target locations were selected on the right-half of the image where some of these features are more prevalent as opposed to the left half of the image. Accordingly, the actual target placement was chosen within the right-side of the image.

It’s my opinion that this side of the image is more appealing to the eye of persons visually guessing a hiding place and even perhaps a dowser, as it would be a completely natural response to “think” of where something on the surface would best be concealed.

One interesting experiment would have those guessing a target location use a similar aerial image as was provided in this experiment and have those dowsing the target location use the same image but digitally edited to remove all features leaving only a solid white or black hue with no visible features, to ensure the dowser is relying solely upon the instrument and no visual cues to locate the target.

 

[signal_line]

I suspected those who would guess the target location in the experiment might be influenced by subtle visual cues in the image and thus any guessed target locations, might tend to be grouped closer together in comparison to those of dowsed target locations, relying solely upon the dowser’s instruments.

Various anomalies and features in the image can subconsciously or consciously draw the human eye to a spot with gentle persuasion. Some of the more obvious cues could be the worn paths or roads, trees and shadows cast by the trees. It is interesting that 5 of the 8 participant target locations were selected on the right-half of the image where some of these features are more prevalent as opposed to the left half of the image. Accordingly, the actual target placement was chosen within the right-side of the image.

It’s my opinion that this side of the image is more appealing to the eye of persons visually guessing a hiding place and even perhaps a dowser, as it would be a completely natural response to “think” of where something on the surface would best be concealed.

One interesting experiment would have those guessing a target location use a similar aerial image as was provided in this experiment and have those dowsing the target location use the same image but digitally edited to remove all features leaving only a solid white or black hue with no visible features, to ensure the dowser is relying solely upon the instrument and no visual cues to locate the target.

My two cents here: if a person is being influenced by visual features they have not been able to separate themselves from their five senses. Dowsing works on the subconscious level.

 

[Carl-NC]

Well I botched the results. I got one person confused for a second person, then managed to omit the second person's result. Below is a corrected aerial. The newly added 7a & 7b are from someone who dowsed 7a but then felt a "mirror" location at 7b.

Dowsed locations: 1, 4a, 5, 7a, 6a, 6b, 7b
Guessed locations: 2, 3, 4b

 

[diamonddave]

Well I botched the results. I got one person confused for a second person, then managed to omit the second person's result. Below is a corrected aerial.

Thanks Carl. Interesting experiment.

 

[signal_line]

Thanks Carl. Interesting experiment.

This was my original spot. I spent about 15 seconds using technique Tim Williams briefly explained. And I made a few mistakes could have been closer.