Comments on: Episode 3

By: Naddig74

Naddig74 — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:58:31 +0000

I’ve been training for 20 years and never punched a brick in my life. When I asked about it just after I started, my instructor said ”The only ‘skills’ you need to smash a brick with your hands is an ability and willingness to hit it very hard, and not to mind that it’s going to hurt like hell.”

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:15:14 +0000

You can also soak a brick in water then freeze it. It makes the brick brittle and easy to break but looks like a normal brick. You can then tell your friends you broke it with your ‘Chi’.

By: frank

frank — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:22:58 +0000

what about ice-breaking?

By: Alexkazam

Alexkazam — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:09:26 +0000

To me- the first few brick breaks are impressive- even though I understand the science behind them- not so sure about the dodgy attempt to look like Tai Chi, though!

By: Emma :)

Emma :) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:28:15 +0000

Gotta love the faces that dude pulls when it shows the brick being broken in slo mo, and i found it funny how the music got right intense at about !:58 :p

Derren♥

By: max

max — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:11:42 +0000

she says ‘follow through’ twice….hilarious!

By: Kat Akingbade

Kat Akingbade — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:19:34 +0000

Hi @Jonny8, I would agree that many of the effects experienced by participants is due to susceptibility and expectation. For me though, I would like to witness an event like this taking place before commenting. I always work that way. while I accept the scientific argument, I always prefer to hear what those taking part have to say, and see them in action so to speak, before making an observation that means anything to me.
Kat

By: jonny8

jonny8 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:02:56 +0000

Pt 2

The permanganate, a powerful – poisonous – oxidizing chemical in the form of dark purple crystals, can be obtained at any store selling water-purifying supplies. The glycerin – a harmless, thick, clear, syrupy liquid, is found at any pharmacy.
Setting yourself on fire is possible too:
The mixture of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and carbon bisulphide (disulphide) (CS2) – both clear liquids – is about 50% of each. It is not too highly inflammable, but can easily be ignited. The result is a pale blue flame, which can only be seen in subdued light. Neither liquid should be imbibed, and should be washed off the skin quickly.

By: jonny8

jonny8 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:01:45 +0000

And here’s a good explanation from James Randi about spontaneous fire creation:

The potassium permanganate + glycerin trick is accomplished by preparing two pharmacy-style gelatin capsules, one with the KMnO4 crystals, the other with glycerin (glycerol) (C3H8O3). They are taped together, then concealed within the cloth, paper, or other flammable material. When the material is crushed so as to fracture both capsules together, the mixed contents produce a powerful exothermic chemical reaction that ignites the package.

Pt 2 next

By: jonny8

jonny8 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:41:46 +0000

What he does can be replicated by ‘magicians’, like Mr Brown.

There’s an interesting explanation here http://www.skepticforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=8888 about half way down.

As for people feeling what he ‘generates’ that could be down to susceptibility to suggestion or fraud on their parts.

Let’s not forget static electricity too. We’ve all felt shocks (both good and bad!) touching/kissing someone who’s positively charged.

Also, there’s the placebo effect to consider when it comes to explaining ‘cures’ for treatments he administers.

So, what are your thoughts?