306 – S2E45 – The Truth About Dowsing

This week we’re seeking the truth about the strange but pervasive idea that people can use sticks or rods to mysteriously locate things.  Water is often the target, but certainly isn’t the only one.  It might be considered aqueous yet innocuous when the quest is just for a new well, but what if the seeker is being paid to find treasure? Or oil? Or cancer?  Knowing how this stuff works (and doesn’t) is a fascinating gateway into understanding the human brain and the tools we can use to test this are a great entrance to the methodologies of Scientific Skepticism.

Our guest for this episode is Jonathan Jarry with the McGill University’s Office for Science and Society.

Jarry’s article about Dowsing

Uri Gellar’s side-hustle as an oil & mineral dowser 

Gilligan’s Island dowsing episode

In reSearch of… Water Seekers

Skeptoid’s coverage of Dowsing

Dowsing for explosives (VERY BAD IDEA)