As you will figure out in a moment by my question (which I'm slightly worried might be completely silly), I am a scientific moron. In fact, I'm so dense that I'm not even sure where to post this question. Since I like physics in my touchy-feely-liberal-arts-person way, I thought I'd try this section. Let me know if I would be better served elsewhere in the pool!

Here's the question:

Please read this page .

Is there any reason whatsoever to believe the claim that placing a razor under a pyramid will sharpen it, or that a pyramid shape speeds up mummification? Has this been tested using the scientific method?

Newnickname, you are my pyramidol. Thanks for the link.

For others who are interested, this link from the site newnick posted above gives this direct and amusing answer:

quote:

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Whenever a pseudo-scientist or a paranormalist is challenged to explain some phenomenon that science decrees to be highly improbable, he responds with euts [energies unknown to science]. While not wishing to suggest that there are no such things as euts, we are not very encouraged to believe in them by the claims made for them. It appears that they can do anything and are not governed by any rules at all. Proponents of pyramid power have claimed that pyramids can, inter alia, mummify flesh, preserve food in a natural state and resharpen razor blades. It would appear, to the casual observer, that these three acts call for three different applications of energy. To mummify flesh presupposes an ability to remove water molecules; to sharpen razor blades requires the ability to add molecules; and to preserve food means preserving the status quo. As the material from which the pyramid is constructed does not appear to effect any of these processes (they are available in cardboard, wood, polystyrene, copper, polycarbonate, steel and many other materials) and as they appear to have no control systems, how is the required process determined? Can the euts itself decide that the object in the pyramid is a razor blade or a dead cat? If that is so, and that appears to be the only logical conclusion that follows from the claims, then we appear to be dealing with some form of sentient energy. This is an extraordinary concept and would require far more persuasive evidence for its existence than is offered by its proponents. Imagine the problems Einstein would have faced with relativity if gravity could think for itself!

Next we ask, "What is inherent in the pyramid shape that allows it to channel this energy when other geometrical solids do not?". We do not hear about Cube Power or Sphere Power (although this article may generate such thoughts in some minds - it has happened before). The answer is that there is nothing about a pyramid that should give us reason to suppose that this shape holds a privileged position in the world of solids. Far more likely that the proponents of this fallacy are seduced by the supposed mysteries of the Egyptian pyramids and that as a result have invested the shape itself with mystical powers.

There is no reason to believe that pyramids exert some sort of influence on energy, be it known or unknown to science. This, of course, would not matter if there were examples of tests that proved the opposite. However, while there are many references in the pro literature to such tests, it is difficult to find reference to any properly conducted tests that give factual results rather than subjective opinions. Those tests that have been conducted using a double blind methodology give no comfort to the proponents of pyramid power.

In a test of French wine, as reported in the Winter 1987-88 edition of The Skeptical Inquirer, wine kept in pyramids was judged to be no different in quality from wine not so stored. Proponents of pyramid power must fall back on the only rule that euts are known to obey. This is the law that states "No paranormal event will occur in any location that contains a sceptic". This law is better known by its common title of "The Psychic’s Cop-Out", which explains a lot of things other than the failure of pyramids to perform.

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