Psi wheel
Encyclopedia
A Psi wheel is pyramid
-shaped top
-like device consisting of a small piece of paper
or foil balanced on the tip of a pointed object (such as a toothpick or needle). It is commonly used in attempts to prove the validity of telekinesis, by rotating the wheel using the power of an observer mind.
The Gonzo Wheel is an adaptation of the Psi wheel used in psionics
.
or foil lengthwise, height wise, and diagonally both ways, then bending the square slightly along the creases to reach the desired shape.
Another common type of psi wheel is in the shape of a cross made out of a thin sheet of metal such as aluminum or brass. The arms of the cross are anywhere from 1.25 to 2 inches in length,
with a small dimple in the middle so that it can be balanced on something sharp.
This wheel then balances on a small, pointed object such as a thumbtack
, needle, or pen
cover firmly planted on a flat surface. An object such as a thumbtack or pen cover can stand on its base by itself, however an object such as a needle will need to be rooted in another stable object such as an eraser
, sponge, box
, or bottle cap
in order to provide it with enough stability to hold the spinning wheel on its tip; one design even uses a bottle cap filled with J-B Weld
, a two-part epoxy, to hold a needle in place. Sometimes such psi wheels are placed within small glass or plastic containers to prevent random bursts of air from causing spurious movement of the wheel.
Pyramid
A pyramid is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge at a single point. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilateral, or any polygon shape, meaning that a pyramid has at least three triangular surfaces...
-shaped top
Top
A top is a toy that can be spun on an axis, balancing on a point. This motion is produced in the most simple forms of top by twirling the stem using the fingers. More sophisticated tops are spun by by holding the axis firmly while pulling a string or twisting a stick or pushing an auger as shown...
-like device consisting of a small piece of paper
Paper
Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
or foil balanced on the tip of a pointed object (such as a toothpick or needle). It is commonly used in attempts to prove the validity of telekinesis, by rotating the wheel using the power of an observer mind.
The Gonzo Wheel is an adaptation of the Psi wheel used in psionics
Psionics
Psionics refers to the practice, study, or psychic ability of using the mind to induce paranormal phenomena. Examples of this include telepathy, telekinesis, and other workings of the outside world through the psyche.-History and terminology:...
.
Construction
There are several designs for the shape of the psi wheel, but the most common is an inverted funnel-shaped pyramid. This psi wheel shape may be constructed by creasing a small (around 2 inch by 2 inch) square of paperPaper
Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
or foil lengthwise, height wise, and diagonally both ways, then bending the square slightly along the creases to reach the desired shape.
Another common type of psi wheel is in the shape of a cross made out of a thin sheet of metal such as aluminum or brass. The arms of the cross are anywhere from 1.25 to 2 inches in length,
with a small dimple in the middle so that it can be balanced on something sharp.
This wheel then balances on a small, pointed object such as a thumbtack
Thumbtack
A drawing pin , thumbtack , or push pin is a short nail or pin with a circular, sometimes domed, head, used to fasten items such as documents to a wall or board for display. Various designs and names are used. They are inserted and removed by hand, hence the terms "thumbtack" and "push pin"...
, needle, or pen
Pen
A pen is a device used to apply ink to a surface, usually paper, for writing or drawing. Historically, reed pens, quill pens, and dip pens were used, with a nib of some sort to be dipped in the ink. Ruling pens allow precise adjustment of line width, and still find a few specialized uses, but...
cover firmly planted on a flat surface. An object such as a thumbtack or pen cover can stand on its base by itself, however an object such as a needle will need to be rooted in another stable object such as an eraser
Eraser
An eraser or rubber is an article of stationery that is used for rubbing out pencil markings. Erasers have a rubbery consistency and are often white or pink, although modern materials allow them to be made in any color. Many pencils are equipped with an eraser on one end...
, sponge, box
Box
Box describes a variety of containers and receptacles for permanent use as storage, or for temporary use often for transporting contents. The word derives from the Greek πύξος , "box, boxwood"....
, or bottle cap
Bottle cap
Bottle caps are a type of closure used to seal the openings of bottles of many types. They can be small circular pieces of metal, usually steel, with plastic backings, and for plastic bottles a plastic cap is used instead. A bottle cap is typically colorfully decorated with the logo of the brand...
in order to provide it with enough stability to hold the spinning wheel on its tip; one design even uses a bottle cap filled with J-B Weld
J-B Weld
The J-B Weld Company is an international company that produces epoxy products. The home office is based in Sulphur Springs, Texas . Also, J-B WELD is the name of their flagship product: a specialized, high-temperature epoxy adhesive for use in bonding materials together...
, a two-part epoxy, to hold a needle in place. Sometimes such psi wheels are placed within small glass or plastic containers to prevent random bursts of air from causing spurious movement of the wheel.
External links
- The Psi Breakthrough, at Last? A 1994 James Randi email hotline article on using psi wheels for testing PK, reprinted in his Swift newsletter in 2004.