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CONNIE SONNE, Dowser

chran

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chran
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Denmark, yo
Woo, I think this is the first applicant The Challenge has had from Denmark!

This seems like a pretty standard claim for a dowser, so I'm pretty sure all the bases regarding protecting the pieces of cardboard from manipulation.

And yes, Connie Sonne does have writings in news papers about her abillities, but they're mostly regarding her "predictions" about Madeleine McCann. She appeared on national TV in May of 2008 with a tape recording purportedly made outside a house in Portugal where Madeleine were being held at the time! :jaw-dropp

This is a translation of an article about Connie Sonne talking about a tape recording with Madeleine McCann's voice on it.
 
Another dowsing claim. Edge, are you reading this?



I know this might sound overly pushy: Does the JREF follow up on those academic supports?

More precisely: Does the JREF ask for information on the test set-up, results and/or controls used?

And: After applicants have failed to demonstrate their ability in a controlled test for the MDC, does the JREF follow up on that by asking the academic for a statement?
 
No, the JREF does not follow up on the academic supports.

No, though a description of the demonstration is usually given in the affidavit. The demonstration given to the academic is not supposed to be a test-run for the Challenge test. It is simply a quick demonstration to see if an individual with a background in critical thinking, science, or skepticism will also believe that the applicant has paranormal abilities.

No, we do not follow up with the academic by asking for a statement.
 
RemieV said:
No, the JREF does not follow up on the academic supports.

No, though a description of the demonstration is usually given in the affidavit. The demonstration given to the academic is not supposed to be a test-run for the Challenge test. It is simply a quick demonstration to see if an individual with a background in critical thinking, science, or skepticism will also believe that the applicant has paranormal abilities.

No, we do not follow up with the academic by asking for a statement.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick response, RemieV.
 
Some more information regarding Connie Sonne's claims about Madeleine McCann's abduction:

  • She believes that the government (presumably the British), top police officials, the prosecutor, the police in Leicestershire, and other top people are "in on it".
  • Madeleine's parents are forced to play along, but it has nothing to do with pedophilia.
  • We're being manipulated by the mass media.
  • A police officer in Portugal agreed with her about all her claims. Not named, of course.
  • Madeleine McCann is in South America and Connie Sonne has proof of this, along with proof of everything else.
  • Connie Sonne visited Madeleine McCann's god parents in Dumbarton in Scotland; Patricia and Sandy Cameron. Patricia is Madeleine's dad's sister. While there, Connie photographed some evidence proving that the whole family is involved in the abduction. Also, Sandy accidentally told something to Connie, which has been given to the police.
All this is taken from the page that Claus gave the link to, and it's all written by Connie herself. I've taken the liberty of printing out the whole thing on PDF in case she goes ba-leeting. The post I've taken the above from, is posted on 28.10.08 (28th of October 2008).
 

Attachments

The dowsing claim is somewhat off from her other claimed abilities. I wonder what - or who - made her apply. After all, she must be pretty sure of her abilities, ... which is rather sad!
 
She actually doesn't much want to perform the dowsing claim, and says she has much more to show. However, this is by far the easiest most streamlined way to test her claims.
 
RemieV said:
She actually doesn't much want to perform the dowsing claim, and says she has much more to show. However, this is by far the easiest most streamlined way to test her claims.
Click to expand...

Could you please ask her to join the JREF forum?

If you have much more to show, well, show it, Ms. Sonne.
 
Connie Sonne has been presented with a preliminary protocol. Check out her thread in the Challenge Applicants subforum for more information.
 
From the proposed protocol:
RemieV said:
If there is a setup or technological problem, or if for any reason the test must be halted due to extenuating circumstances rather than trickery, the test may fourth set of suit cards may be used to replace one of the original three. If there are further setup problems, the test may be rescheduled once. These re-test guidelines do not apply in cases of simple failure.
Click to expand...
(bolding mine)

It looks like the two bolded words are a result of copying and pasting from other protocols, and they should not be there.

Also, I'm assuming Ms. Sonne will be allowed to check the contents of all the unopened envelopes after the test is finished, so she can be sure the envelopes actually contain what they're supposed to. If that's the case, I'd mention it explicitly in the protocol. If it's not, I'd ask why.

Otherwise, it looks like a very nice, clear and simple protocol for a very nice, clear and simple claimed ability.
 
The open test is made with unenveloped card, whereas the closed test is made with double-enveloped cards. Ms. Sonne might afterwards claim that she cannot dowse through the envelopes.

Would it not be better to have a set of extra envelopes ready, and put the open cards into the envelopes without shuffling. Ms. Sonne can decide which cards to dowse for, and can afterwards not claim that the cards influence her magic powers, unless of course she even fails at the open test.
 
steenkh said:
The open test is made with unenveloped card, whereas the closed test is made with double-enveloped cards. Ms. Sonne might afterwards claim that she cannot dowse through the envelopes.

Would it not be better to have a set of extra envelopes ready, and put the open cards into the envelopes without shuffling. Ms. Sonne can decide which cards to dowse for, and can afterwards not claim that the cards influence her magic powers, unless of course she even fails at the open test.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
Show her a card and place it in a double envelope. Ask her to dowse for it. If she is successful then all is fine and the closed test may begin. If not then she may have a problem with the double envelopes although this should be cleared at the protocol negotiation.
 
steenkh said:
Would it not be better to have a set of extra envelopes ready, and put the open cards into the envelopes without shuffling. Ms. Sonne can decide which cards to dowse for, and can afterwards not claim that the cards influence her magic powers, unless of course she even fails at the open test.
Click to expand...
(bolding mine)

You mean envelopes, don't you? :)

However, your point is an important one. I had overlooked it.
 
This will be the only words from me here on this thread. About barking dear Hans....what about stop barking yourself until you see if I`m right?:D! And the question about the envelopes....I can dowse through envelopes or whatever...it dosn`t matter at all. You can even build the cards in a cementwall...I find them anyway.

And finaly about the question about dowsing....what about leaving the question for "how to do it" for JREF and myself? I know what I can do..and surely JREF know what they are doing to. It`s only "a matter " between me and them..noone else...yet!;)

best regards Connie
 
Hi Connie, welcome to the forum :).
I wish you good luck on your test. I must say I'll be pretty excited if science uncovers a new discovery while I'm taking part (as an observer). I'll be able to say I was part of this in real time.
When is the preliminary test happening?

Best Regards...
 
Connie, since you obviously (obvious to others, that is) have the power of self-deception, I recommend that you read about dowsing, and also about the post-hoc fallacy and the ideomotor effect associated with dowsing. In this YouTube clip you can see an actual example of dowsing: James Randi and a dowser

Judging by your command of the English language, I think that your understanding of this field might also benefit from reading a couple of articles in Danish, in particular James Randi’s article Sådan virker ønskekvisten, but the following articles may also help you understand the delusion of dowsing: beviser for ekstraordinære påstande and alternative energier
http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvistgang
Since you don’t seem to mind spending a lot of time and money travelling to other parts of the world, in this case Florida, to prove your alleged powers, I recommend that, at least to begin with, you save some money by restricting yourself to going to Fåborg next Tuesday, January 20, for this lecture by Ole J. Knudsen on moderne overtro og myter.

If you still decide to go ahead with your plans of having your dowsing powers tested, I think that you may receive help with your project from these guys, Dowsing Danmark, but you should be aware that they appear to share your delusion!
 
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Thank you Yairhol, and maybe I see you there, it will be a pleasure to meet you. I don`t know yet when. I have just sent JREF a mail, telling them, that it`s ok with the protocol, and I asked for a time, so I can order my ticket for the flight.

Best regards Connie


Hi Dann, and thank you for your advices. But I don`t need anybody to help me, and I don`t have to read about this. I do know how to do, whom it is and why. But that will come later....after the test.

Best regards Connie
 
connie sonne said:
This will be the only words from me here on this thread. About barking dear Hans....what about stop barking yourself until you see if I`m right?:D!*snip*
best regards Connie
Click to expand...

Yes, of course, Connie, my apologies for being so frank. But yes, let's see if you are right. :cool:

Hans
 
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