<p>
I do not see any logic in this observation to come up with the provided conclusion.</p>
<p>I don’t see any logic in a belief in supernatural beings of any kind. So?</p>
<p>This thread is proof that otherwise rational people can believe in irrational things. We all do this. Most examples aren’t as obvious as this one.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Static electricity has healing powers?</p>
<p>Very true, Lergnom! Very true!</p>
<p>
This. :p</p>
<p>Its not really like static electricity, more like a magnetic force.
I believe the field of study is called bioelectromagnetics.
Biofeedback also works, which is pretty cool.</p>
<p>Well, I’ve been to physical therapist who applied electrical stimulation to my ankle to help it heal. The idea that static electricity could have some effect on one is not as wildly far-fetched as supernatural explanations.</p>
<p>Yes, I know quite a bit about the use of electricity in relation to easing body ailments. It’s just the way you put it that made me chuckle.</p>
<p>Placebos work about 35% of the time - so why not believe? [The</a> Placebo Effect: How It Works | Psychology Today](<a href=“http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-sense/201201/the-placebo-effect-how-it-works]The”>http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-sense/201201/the-placebo-effect-how-it-works)</p>
<p>Unfortunately I’m an unbeliever as far as demons are concerned, though I’d be willing to get political with Hunt. ;)</p>
<p>I think there is a bit of an ethical dilemma when it comes to debunking a placebo that somebody else believes in.</p>
<p>Did you ever see the SpongeBob episode when he and Patrick have run away and are sitting around a campfire? Patrick says, “If we’re under water, how can we have a campfire?” The fire immediately fizzles out.</p>
<p>Fearless (1993) exemplifies the power of the mind over the body.</p>
<p>Ethical dilemma? Please, expand.</p>
<p>My guess what you feel when you rub your hands together quickly and then hold them apart isn’t due to some sort of static electricity (since I don’t think the rest of your body is a good enough insulator for your palms to work as plates in a capacitor). When you rub your hands together quickly, you warm them up, and likely start to perspire a little. When you then hold your hands apart, your palms become a lot more sensitive to the fact your surrounding environment is cooler than your skin. This is due to them both being warmer than your “average” skin temperature and from friction and a better conductor of heat due to sweat.</p>
<p>Edit: I don’t know if there’s always an ethical problem in debunking a placebo, especially when it’s being performed by a con man. See Peter Popoff or other faith healers for examples.</p>
<p>
Can you reword this, please?</p>
<p>Are you saying because you rubbed them together, your palms are warmer and because of friction and sweat, they’re a better conductor for heat?</p>
<p>Whoops, that is a little jumbled. Had a few ideas running at the same time and forgot to reread that part. :)</p>
<p>When you rub your hands together, you generate heat via friction. This will make your skin temperature higher on the inside of your palms, where they’re rubbing together, higher than, say, the back of your hands. I know when I just tried it my hands began to also sweat a little. So, I’d have a bit of moisture on my hands. Water is better conductor of heat than dry skin is, so it would be better at moving the heat from your palms into the air adjacent to them.</p>
<p>The ethical dilemma is that if you debunk a placebo that somebody believes in, you may vitiate the real placebo effect that may be benefiting them. This is a problem if you don’t have anything better to offer.</p>