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Michael GAOUETTE, 3D Projector

ddobson

Student
D
Joined
Jul 29, 2005
Messages
37
Regarding this claim (excerpted)...

I would like to demonstrate to you, my ability to project 3D Holographic images (of Human faces and bodies, and other types of human or demonic face and body images...) I do this by staring at pieces of foil and plastic. I suggest that my test be done in a semi-dark room, (a motel room is what I would like). A candle and a small source of light is sufficient. ... The foil will move bend and crumple a bit, as the plastic will also. This moving and bending and crumpling is the PK effect that the hologram uses to perfect the bizarre and {perfect} 3D images that are sometimes too realistic as to scare the "Begeezas" out of anyone who doesn't understand what us going on...
Click to expand...

My guess is that the foil and plastic are being deformed by heat generated by the candle, and that Mr. Gaouette is simply assuming that the "bizarre" shapes assumed by the material under these circumstances are "perfect" realistic 3-D images of some unknowable supernatural shape generated by psychokinetic energy. As opposed to simply semi-random shapes generated by natural deformation of a thin, malleable, heat-sensitive material.

Of course, I'm assuming that the candle's flame or heat are in a position to influence the material; his statement indicates that an assistant places the material "in a prearranged manner," which would seem specific enough to support this possibility. Any other ideas?
 
Aside from being deluded, it's possible he's using so-called memory plastic. (I believe there are some alloys that can behave that way as well, but I'm not sure.)
 
jmercer,

A distinct possibility - I know there are metal alloys that can restore themselves to a predetermined shape when an electrical charge is applied, and I used to have a vintage Mattel toy that used memory plastic to expand plastic squares into aliens and monsters.

I was assuming this claimant isn't faking and sincerely believes it to be his own psychic influence at work. You propose a strong alternative hypothesis.
 
Well, that's just from my mean 'ol cynical streak surfacing again. A million bucks is a strong incentive to cheat. ;)
 
I like this bit:

I have overcome
a lot of greif and pain to come to terms with this ability
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Yeah, I imagine it must be a really annoying ability to have. Imagine it, the poor chap's walking along and he happens upon a piece of tin foil, sheet of plastic and a candle which have been "placed in a pre-arranged manner". Before he knows it those faces start appearing and his free time is no longer his own.

I feel sorry for him.
 
Well, another claim seems to wither away.

A lot of recent applicants seem to lose confidence in their "abilities" when asked for three affidavits. :)

Perhaps they didn't think it through...or realize cheating remains no longer an option...ahh, so much to speculate, so little use for it.
 
1,2,3,d

I am curious, this 3-affadavit thing for the 3D effect doesn't seem to be a major stumbling-block to the negotiations beginning. Mike could probably get signatures in 5 minutes if he is serious. (He says exactly that, in his recent letters to KRAMER).

In fact, he already has stated:
"I believe I have two already, one is a lawyer and the other a teacher."

Moving it to the 'next level' seems to be the most minor issue imaginable, as he can just get any 3 random individuals (his own barber, for instance, in addition to the above two people) to sign-off on whatever simple document he prepares --- and then starts the protocol phase with KRAMER.

Yeah, I would be glad to sign an official affadavit myself for the guy, just to get a chance at seeing the resulting merriment and fun that will be forthcoming in the ensuing exchanges and negotiations. I know, I know, it's not fair to KRAMER to have another woo on the menu, but since Michael Anda went the way of all, we should have another Michael in the Challenge Applications thread to keep us suitably entertained in the meantime.
 
webfusion said:
I am curious, this 3-affadavit thing for the 3D effect doesn't seem to be a major stumbling-block to the negotiations beginning. Mike could probably get signatures in 5 minutes if he is serious. (He says exactly that, in his recent letters to KRAMER).

In fact, he already has stated:
"I believe I have two already, one is a lawyer and the other a teacher."
Click to expand...

He "could" get three affidavits or he "believes" he has them already.

Do you see a pattern here?

webfusion said:
Moving it to the 'next level' seems to be the most minor issue imaginable, as he can just get any 3 random individuals (his own barber, for instance, in addition to the above two people) to sign-off on whatever simple document he prepares --- and then starts the protocol phase with KRAMER.

Yeah, I would be glad to sign an official affadavit myself for the guy, just to get a chance at seeing the resulting merriment and fun that will be forthcoming in the ensuing exchanges and negotiations. I know, I know, it's not fair to KRAMER to have another woo on the menu, but since Michael Anda went the way of all, we should have another Michael in the Challenge Applications thread to keep us suitably entertained in the meantime.
Click to expand...

Webfusion, could please explain further how you derive "fun" from this applicant's claim?

How does Mr. Gaouette's behaviour strikes you as "funny", in the meaning of "ha-ha-funny"?

Remember, I basically take your side - with the skepticism and all.

Do you really see Mr. Gaouette presenting his claim as a form of "suitable entertainment"?
 
I find the whole challenge process fun, but not always in the "ha ha" way. Designing a protocol, dotting the i's and crossing the t's, trying to think of possible methods of cheating and how they might be countered; this is an entertaining mind-exercise. Even witnessing such a process is fun.

Sure, some of the applicants allow us a moment of schadenfreude as they metaphorically self-immolate, but I enjoy the ones who have an honest claim just as much.
 
"Do you really see Mr. Gaouette presenting his claim as a form of "suitable entertainment"?"

In the same way the America's Funniest Home Videos provide a laugh when people are caught in the act of being silly (embarrasingly so) -- even when they appear to injure themselves, crashing into a tree or falling face-first into their wedding cake, the Challenge, for me, is a glimpse into people being exceedingly silly as well.

I take none of the applicants seriously. None of them. That is KRAMER's job, not mine. The more absurd and ridiculous the claim, the more I get a kick out of watching the twisting and squirming. Sure, these people may be unstable mentally, but I have no way of knowing that to be true or not. I just see the whole thing as entertainment -- you are free to evaluate the Challenge as a way to discover something about the paranormal -- I'll stick to smiling at these applicants and keep on laughing , ha-ha laughing!
 
webfusion said:
"Do you really see Mr. Gaouette presenting his claim as a form of "suitable entertainment"?"

In the same way the America's Funniest Home Videos provide a laugh when people are caught in the act of being silly (embarrasingly so) -- even when they appear to injure themselves, crashing into a tree or falling face-first into their wedding cake, the Challenge, for me, is a glimpse into people being exceedingly silly as well.

I take none of the applicants seriously. None of them. That is KRAMER's job, not mine. The more absurd and ridiculous the claim, the more I get a kick out of watching the twisting and squirming. Sure, these people may be unstable mentally, but I have no way of knowing that to be true or not. I just see the whole thing as entertainment -- you are free to evaluate the Challenge as a way to discover something about the paranormal -- I'll stick to smiling at these applicants and keep on laughing , ha-ha laughing!
Click to expand...

I take none of their CLAIMS seriously.



Would you continue "smiling at these applicants and keep on laughing , ha-ha laughing!" when you met them in person?
 
Of course we wouldn't laugh in their faces. Most of us seem to have the appropriate social skills to deal with outragous claims. But I assume that most people here find the claims to be amusing in some sense, or we wouldn't spend so much time hanging out on the board.

I think the challenge can be seen as a fascinating psycological experiment. It's a bit like reading case studies. And of course, I'd love to see someone actually provide some proof of the paranormal - but I'm not holding my breath.
 
The main thing I got out of that challenge application is that he wants to get himself in a hotel room with some stranges...in candlelight.
 
Well, let's keep following the challenge applications thread.

This claim seems to move forward. Or does it?
 
OK, based on the last correspondence, this guy still seems pretty confused about the process. And maybe a bit paranoid. I can't figure out if he's worried about black helicopters or a mental asylum.
 
From Mr. Gaouette's last e-mail to the JREF:


"Let's face it, if what I claim is valid, I might not just want to try and prove this to just anyone. The people who I would supposedly approach with this,(professionals, etc.), would be the ones, (if I didn't know them, perhaps) might not want to wait for me to prove my claim. I would suspect that I go claiming this and that.. they would say.."sure, we would love to see that, why don't you come on down to the station with us.. we have some nice people you can talk too!"
You might not ever hear from me again, get the idea?"


Do you hear the sound of the black helicopters?


Also from this e-mail:


"Of course, if I really had to, I am sure I would be able to get the required signoffs for my claim to proceed... I just like the idea of it all done at once and with a a reputable group such as the CFI."


Of course, Mr. Gaouette, of course.

You had about two months to come up with SOMETHING.
Instead, you started circling around the usual questions which applicants often ask when faced with this task.
Then you wanted to "dazzle/shock/bewilder!" people.
We did not see any results so far.
Nothing.
Nichts.
El Zilcho.

But OF COURSE, if you REALLY HAD TO, you would come up with the "affidatis".

A million bucks provides, OF COURSE, not really an incentive. Lousy peanuts. Randi, you old miser.

Well, Mr. Gaouette, I look forward to the report of the CFI-West and, OF COURSE, to your statement after the test. Have a better one.
 
I think he's under the impression that the CFI test will provide the 3 affidavits, and doesn't realize that he needs the affidavits before he can be tested.
 
eri said:
I think he's under the impression that the CFI test will provide the 3 affidavits, and doesn't realize that he needs the affidavits before he can be tested.
Click to expand...
I think he knows that - Kramer explained to him that the CFI-test was not the Randi Challenge and he seemed to understand it.

Besides, the CFI-test WILL provide the affidavits, IF he's able to produce those 3d-image-thingamajigs.
 
His communication is rational and his demeanor pleasant. I expect such persons are rarely forcibly committed, no matter what they may claim.

His approach should advance things nicely. Should he succeed, he will have a head start over most applicants in that he'll have a good basis for a protocol and some reliable accounts. Should he not succeed, he will have a better understanding of tests in general so that he will be able to better understand exactly what is going on.
 
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