{"id":31815,"date":"2021-07-21T08:18:39","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T15:18:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heuermontage.com\/?p=31815"},"modified":"2021-07-21T08:18:42","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T15:18:42","slug":"more-musings-from-under-the-butterfly-bush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heuermontage.com\/?p=31815","title":{"rendered":"More Musings from under the Butterfly Bush"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Might as well continue where we left off Monday – free associating under the butterfly bush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today’s photographic subject are the butterflies feeding on the blossoms. My mind, though, is preoccupied with water. Or, more precisely, with the fact that I try to water as sparingly as I can because of the drought, leaving whole swaths of the yard completely un-watered, but feel guilty even then. Which led to thoughts about sources of water and, I knew I’d get there eventually, dowsing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dowsing, the assumed discovery of hidden water sources by specially abled people holding a forked stick, defies, of course, the laws of physics. It is a myth that has never held up to scientific scrutiny. Note, I am willing to get into (not so hidden) hot water, in contrast to Adam Savage from Myth Busters<\/a> who always declined to test the subject for fear of having to shame millions of people who believe in the myth. Why do I want to go there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recent up-tick in reports on and discussions of dowsing, like this NYT article<\/a>, for example, can be explained by our preoccupation with the horrendous effects of droughts. The reporting is, however, completely irresponsible when it describes perspectives from both sides, believers and critics, as if there was not one valid, scientific truth. “Both sides” being given equal voice, unchallenged, is a huge problem. Below is the summary of the actual data in a nicely detailed historical write-up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Witching for water<\/a><\/blockquote>