Why do you think people still believe in this fraud?

Question

See the videos of Nina Kulagina below. Notice how she is unable to move any object unless (1) she moves it only in one direction and (2) it only moves towards her. It's pretty obvious this is done with a string, easy enough to hide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa1_EEShWWU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWeEXkTk0DY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGy_wgWvge0

In this video you can hear magicians laughing about her hack tricks since they've been doing the same thing with invisible string and magnets for years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR_k7gzCbrg

Answer 1

Hmm, yes. Just another example of fools paying homage to bigger fools. Or is that the other way around?

- one of my favorite sayings, which applies so aptly to this category is:

"Who is the bigger fool?

The fool or fool who follows him?" (or her as in this case!!)

Answer 2

Probably because despite all the objections not a single magician or skeptic has ever shown any evidence of their claim that she was cheating or how it would have been possible under the given conditions.

Not one magician has ever replicated her results in front of trained observers in a controlled experiment.

I guess having to bear the burden of evidence for claims does not include skeptics though.

Why do people continue to believe she is a fraud despite the complete lack of evidence, because facts simply do not change beliefs. And if an assertion supports your belief you throw away the standards of science and do not ask for evidence before reaching a conclusion.

Psi

Answer 3

The answer is because it is not a fruad. Sciencei s the real fruad. Backed up by scientific people and people in power to make people believe.

Answer 4

Lack of education. Deenie is the perfect example.

Answer 5

Obviously, one should doubt any type of "evidence" that came out of the Soviet Union or the KGB during the cold war era.  Misinformation and lies were provided daily to frighten and confuse the Western world.  So, it is natural to look at this film with skepticism whether it is about TK, some new weapon that has been developed, or the life of a typical Soviet citizen.

So, why would people overlook that and still believe that it is true?  

Humans make judgements based on beliefs and their own experiences.  I would hasten to say that I doubt that anybody on this forum has experienced PK to this level of competency, but some people have had experiences that they interpret as PK activity.  Those people are going to look for any evidence they can to help justify their beliefs and verify their experiences.  The fools zealously embrace any reports, unverified or otherwise, that support their beliefs.  The wise will check their facts, try to determine the source of the evidence, and look for other explanations.

Many people have experienced magicians duplicating these feats using tricks, and a lot will say that these videos are fakes and that they were doctored to trick people.  Again, the fools will dismiss this woman, out of hand, without examining the evidence, and the wise will try to find out more about the circumstances so that their opinion is informed.  Again, this is a case of a human trying to justify their beliefs and their experiences.

One final note:  Magicians can do the things shown in this video using strings and magnets.  That does not prove that these same things cannot be done without strings and magnets.  

Along the same lines, in the 1960's, Hollywood was able to create a set and produce a film that gave the appearance that a person had walked on the moon.  That is not proof that the moon landing never happened.  

The burden of proof is on the group making the claim, but that does not mean that the claims can intelligently be dismissed by stating that "this could be accomplished through other means."

I am skeptical of this video and this woman's skills, but the evidence is sparse and unattainable at this point.  Any opinion that I have is just that - an opinion.  The facts are just not available in this case to come to a sound conclusion as to whether she is a fraud or not.

Answer 6

Um, cognitive dissonance?

Answer 7

Thats funny, from the comments on those videos there are people who beleive passionatly that she was real. However, its so obviously fake it baffles me that anyone in this modern day could view these films and say "Wow, she really did have the gift"

Its right up there with people claiming to be God and having huge following of people who really do believe they are God.

Answer 8

Belief is a powerful tool for manipulation T.R.

*I don't believe in you, therefore you do not exist.

Answer 9

I get fooled all the time. I wish you'd explain further how she is doing this by trickery..even making her blood pressure go up. I don't understand why anyone would want to exhaust themselves doing something like this...for hours..unless they're making a fortune of money doing it. To me..it looks real. So please tell how she's doing it . Can you prove she's using a string..or a magnet in her underwear? The only thing I can think of is something under the table. I think she should have used a glass table. It's easy to say it's just a trick. It's harder to prove it's a trick.

Answer 10

I'm at a loss myself.I can't understand how anyone can take this seriously.I went to the Parapsychological  Association website (an AAAS affiliate)for information.Not a word,a search came up empty.One would think an organization like the PA would be the place to clear up this mystery.The answer is,I'm not sure.

Answer 11

I don't know if Nina Kulagina is a fraud or not, but I admit a woman that hot can get away with anything! I didn't see any evidence of fraudulent behavior, but that was probably because I couldn't take my eyes off the incredibly s**y Nina. Can't you just imagine her in a see-through negligee (maybe black lace)? A woman like that could teach you a lot about yourself!