"Chi Spinners"? What's going on here?

[rachelschmink]

I just stumbled across this on YouTube:





Theories, anyone?

[rachelschmink]

Ok, nevermind. Dur.

[NucleicAcid]

It's a psiwheel. But when you hold your hands like that, it's just going to be spun by convection off the heat of your hands.

It's bad form to hold your hands that close to the wheel. I personally put my hands flat on the table or even better, on my lap. But there are reasons why the "hands out" position is psychologically stronger (all depends on personal style though), so you'll see it a lot. If you have at least a couple of inches of space, and don't move your hands around at all, it's much less of an issue. Or just put it under glass (but some people have more difficult with this than others). I've seen it done under a glass tube with no one in the room at all, via webcam.

[ciscop]

[ProfWag]

I've also seen it done in a tube with no one in the room, but after some investigating, it was determined that the house sat close to railroad tracks and the moving train caused a vibration in the table which cause the wheel to turn...
Just sayin'...

[NucleicAcid]

Sure. This is why I say videos are never 100% proof of anything, and encourage people to make sure there aren't any physical means at work.

[Nostradamus]

That's like the old toy that has a spinner which turns when you run a stick up and down the notched shaft.

[Craig Browning]

I remember those and similar pieces from my Jr. High Science Lab, we always played with those and the Light Bulb type spinner. Oddly, I just saw a new Spinner idea for sale in the Stevens Magic Emporium Catalog... I think it was $95.00

[ciscop]

and i am pretty sure
you are also aware of matt sconce spun´s idea..