Angel Light Sees Through Walls

image Troy Hurtubise claims that he's invented a machine, dubbed the Angel Light, that can see through walls. It doesn't really matter what the wall is made of: wood, ceramic, steel, tin, titanium, even lead. The Angel Light can see right through it, just as if a window had opened up in the wall. Of course, he built this thing in his garage (where else?). The idea for the invention came to him in a dream, and he built it without the aid of any blueprints, drawings or schematics. Although Troy may hope to one day be known throughout the world as the inventor of the Angel Light, he's already well known as the inventor of the URSUS MARK VII, a suit that can help a man withstand the attack of a Grizzly Bear (see that suit in the right corner of the thumbnail? That's the Grizzly suit). So from Grizzly Bear suits to Machines That Can See Through Walls. No one can accuse him of not having an interesting resume.

Technology

Posted on Tue Jan 18, 2005



Comments

This guy reminds me of a neighbor I had. caught up with a little bit of publicity and he thinks he is a n inventor that can change the laws of physics.

But wait a moment here, let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater. lets look at a couple of things carefully.

Firepaste, does it do what it is supposed to do?. Yes and no. I don't think for a moment that given this guys money problems that any respected fire retardant/proofing comapany thowing a wad of money his way would have been turned down. The problem is , I belive they have allready looked at it and decided they probly have somthing better allready availble with less cost to manufacture. Plus there is the fact we don't know about the bromine in the stuff, does it break down? If you sprayed this stuff on the side of a house and washed it off, Oh yess, you saved the house but now the water table is poisoned with bromine.

Not good.

The blastproof bags .. Yes they work , and NO they wont be used in Iraq or anywhere else. WHY? well at 300.00 a pop they will never be used. this is old technology. and yes I could build the exact same thing (mabey better) for about the same sort of money. But if the millitary was so interested in saving lives they would have been willing to spend the few dollars per humvee for plain ol steel plates and doors. And outfit every soldier with class three body armor with ceramic rifle plates .. But no , they don't I just had to go out and buy EXACTLY that for a friend who was shipped of in Dec to Iraq. They just dont have the body armor they should , and you expect the millitary to shell out wads of cash for bags that dont cover the whole door or window? give me a break.

Support our troops, Hell yes, fug the little fuggin ribbons and magnetic flags and shat. buy BODYARMOR , the dirty little secret is that even now , when the millitary was supposed have body armor for every soldier in the theater by nov 04 is a LIE , talk to soldiers , talk to the national guard and reservists and you will have a REAL fuggin story of lives lost for a war on the cheap.

This is bullshat
Posted by david  on  Fri Jan 28, 2005  at  04:25 PM
is it just me or did that just suddenly get all political?

Lucky, I agree that we kill off things without giving them the proper consideration and that is wrong, but I know from experience that everyone who hears for the first time about a death ray or an anti gravity machine or whatever goes 'cool!' and then when it turns out to be an industrial laser that can cook and egg in twelve minutes but can be deflected by a mirror, or super conductors that have magical properties for fractions of a second or whatever it upsets people - it upsets me, I want it to be true and it turns out to be some backwater publicity stunt.

you give me one example of an amateur scientist discovering something new in physics or chemistry in the last twenty years? - I bet you'll be hard pressed. The reason why, I think is that all these private companies, governments and the military spend alot of money on R&D?

So yes, this guy is a publicity hunter and I think that is why people get cross.

As to the physics behind the claims, you are looking at some pretty hefty violations of energy laws at quantum levels - cutting edge stuff from the bear suit/ fire paste / diet coke guy.

I believe that in order to get new directions in science you need to overthrow old laws - look at Newton and gravity - good guess, but wrong and it took 250 years to find that out.
Posted by matzusdog  on  Fri Jan 28, 2005  at  04:56 PM
Fair point about gravity, but we still don't know much about gravitrons. Not sure we can prove they exist.

David, I was discussing the armour sitation with some other people, and they felt everyone had interceptors. Could you point me to a link I could show them? As for armouring the HMMWVs, a Marine mentioned that the officers who never leave the base cruise walking distances in the up-armoured vehicles, while the patrols get what's left.
Posted by Lucky  on  Fri Jan 28, 2005  at  05:40 PM
Lucky said:

"Cranky - How many people witnessed the flight? I'm 500 miles away and I 'hear' or 'read' that they flew and I'm supposed to believe it? Well obviously the fucking ugly barbarian lunk heads with blood trickling from their hollow skulls where they smash their heads against walls are lieing, and I won't believe it until they come to my house and knock on my door and prove they flew, and I know a magician who can do the same thing because it's a trick."

Duh, what was I thinking? Yes, I totally forgot that there is NO evidence that planes can fly! In the year 2005, do you honestly believe that there is no way to demonstrate that airplanes can FLY??? By the way, please show me a magician, ANY magician, who can convincingly simulate a plane flying at 25,000 feet. What, exactly, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??


"...Ooooorrrrrrr we could CONSIDER the possibility that they did what they clam, and possibly discuss the physics which might apply, maybe specuiate and have fun with it, and possibly learn a thing or two while we are at it."

Well, that's KIND of what we ARE doing here. What bothers me is people (and there have been several here, despite your previous claim that there weren't) who totally and uncritically accept Hurtubise's claim of having changed the laws of physics without the slightest shred of evidence. Speculate all you want, but until and unless Mr. Bear-proof Suit produces actual EVIDENCE that his machine can see through walls, all the speculation amounts to mental masturbation.

"People debate Star Trek for Christ's sake, they know it's fake but they debate it! People write essays and critiques on all sorts of fiction, why can people not discuss this article which claims to be real? Why???"

The salient point in that last paragraph is, "they know it's fake." People KNOW Star Trek is a work of fiction and discuss it in that light. Show me someone who thinks that "transporters" really exist and I'll show you a moron. Until evidence is produced, "Angel Light" is also from the World O' Fiction. The difference is that Hurtubise claims that it's REAL while Gene Roddenberry never made such a claim for the Enterprise, Vulcans or dilithium. See the difference?

"Unfortunately there is no point looking here for information or entertainment anymore, what scientist would waste their time."

I find it hard to follow your point here. Since the burden of proving the reality of the machine is completely on Hurtubise's shoulders, what COULD a scientist get from this discussion other than learning that a guy in Canada is making a wild claim? No one here can possibly prove that this thing works.

CONTINUED
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Fri Jan 28, 2005  at  08:05 PM
CONTINUED...

"Any person who posts even speculation of how the machine MAY operate meets multiple replies that it cannot exist and cannot operate."

Anyone posting speculation about how the machine MIGHT work is engaging in fantasy. Yes, that's entertaining, but it proves precisely nothing. Why don't we talk about how porcine aviation MIGHT work?

"This KILLS open discussion, it is unjust cencorship to serve the pusposes of your dogma. Furthermore I suspect it strokes your ego."

Where is the "censorship?" How is discussing this subject "killing" anything? What bothers you, I suspect, is that I am not willing to engage in the mental masturbation of fantasizing about how the machine MIGHT work. The bottom line, as I have pointed out before, is simple: HURTUBISE NEEDS TO PROVE THAT IT WORKS! Period. Any discussion of how the thing "might" work is a waste of time. Either it does or it doesn't.

"Thanks for that. Maybe you should go to a bible-study website where they are debating the meaning of a passage, and shout them down, because they can't prove the passage ever happened."

I debate religious people all the time. I don't "shout them down" and I've learned that true believers aren't ever going to be swayed by something as Earth-bound as FACTS, but it's fun anyway.

Something you might consider: it's the person who makes an assertion (like the notion that Hurtubise's machine might actually work) who has the burden of proof. One cannot prove a negative.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Fri Jan 28, 2005  at  08:05 PM
One cannot prove a negative. - CMG

Just to throw you a curveball - you do realize that this is a false statement. It is, in fact, very possible to prove a negative. I can prove, for example, that I am not currently sitting in a bar in San Diego having a drink with Alex.

With regards to the rest, I gather that what Lucky wants to discuss are new theories of science that can be used to explain this invention. I don't believe that this is quite the place for it.

This invention is extremely likely to be a hoax. Modern physics supports this. Others may disagree. Fine. But this isn't the place to have involved theoretical discussions involving new physical laws or "mystical" energy sources to try and rationalize a way for this device to be real. There are far too many websites devoted to this sort of bad science already. If you can come up with a way for this to work without changing the laws of physics, great. Otherwise, try and remember that this is not, in fact, a website for the greatest theoretical physicists of our time to hash out new ideas. Most of us aren't string theorists and can't argue intelligently about the fundamentals involved here. However, it doesn't take a genius so recognize something as likely being a hoax. Just a healthy level of skepticism and lots of experience. We come here because these sorts of things interest us and we like discussing them and even making fun of the more outlandish ones such as this. We're not terribly highbrow around here.

If you want someone to blow your mind with far more information that you can possibly understand or digest then I suggest you try posting to the straightdope forum. I'll warn you, though. They won't be anywhere near as polite.
Posted by Charybdis  on  Fri Jan 28, 2005  at  10:37 PM
Charybdis said:

"Just to throw you a curveball - you do realize that this is a false statement. It is, in fact, very possible to prove a negative. I can prove, for example, that I am not currently sitting in a bar in San Diego having a drink with Alex."

Well, you probably couldn't prove that to an absolute certainty, but that's beyond hair-splitting (besides, I'm kidding).

What I probably SHOULD have said is that it's impossible to absolutely prove that something doesn't exist. If you claimed that there were flying monkeys on the dark side of the moon and I went to investigate and reported back that I couldn't find any, you could always say that they were hiding and I just didn't find the hiding spot. You get my point, I'm sure.

Hurtubise is working a variation of this scam.

"So, where's that see-through-walls thingie, Mr. Hurtubise?"

"Oh, the French won't let me show it to anyone yet."

OR:

"It isn't working at the moment, but I'll have it fixed REAL soon."

OR:

"It doesn't work if there's a skeptic in the room." (an excuse used by many a "psychic")

And so on and so on.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Sat Jan 29, 2005  at  01:21 AM
Who told you about the Flying Monkeys? Was it The Council? Was it... "Raoul"? Speak up, Surface-Dweller!
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Sat Jan 29, 2005  at  01:41 AM
well, here's some current info for everyone: Troy was interviewed on the CTV news last night. that's a t.v. station out of Sudbury, Ontario that covers N.E. Ontario, including Troy's (and my) hometown of North Bay.

He has re-assembled the Angel Light! but still hasn't worked out the "Hyde" effect. His latest grandoise claim is that the machine will destroy pollution. i wish i had taped the news clip and could give an exact quote but the example he gave had something to do with destroying methane with the contraption. The interesing aspect of the interview from my point of view was his reference to "His guidance" or something of that sort. The inference was that Troy is creating under some divine guidance, that thru his dreams a Higher_Power is guiding his hands. He also claimed that his machine could save "millions of lives". I suppose thru the anti-pollution application. Now lets recall that his oil-sand separation process would end the world oil crisis by unlocking the oil in the Alberta oil sands and U.S. oil shale at rock bottom prices. And that the fire-retardant he invented would have saved the world trade centres during 9-11.

I know nothing of theoretical physics so i don't comment on that. But i believe the progressivly messianic quality to Troy's claims reflect an alarming detachment from reality. The man who grizzly-proofed north america was an obsesive EXCENTRIC. The man who built the Angel Light is a CRACKED POT. And cracked pots do not hold water.
Posted by geebs  on  Sat Jan 29, 2005  at  10:18 AM
Oh *man* can anyone point me to a transcript of the CTV interview?

Here's an interesting article about different flavors of "documentaries" and how they vary in factual content, including a reference to a scene in our man's bear-suit "documentary":

http://www.ryerson.ca/rrj/archives/1999/anspr.html

Here's some great pot-calling-the-kettle-black commentary from BayToday:
http://www.baytoday.ca/content/editorials/recent.asp?w=3
Posted by intjudo  on  Sat Jan 29, 2005  at  02:27 PM
Ok, I'm going to do some problem solving here.

Petty disputes aside, I apologize to any who I offended.

What do you all say we make a collective effort to find out how to reach this Troy guy, and ask him to record on video his Angel Light working? Does this sound reasonable to everyone? If we all put our signatures on a petition then 50 people asking for a demo may be reasonable.

And just to show that I can be skeptical, we could consider that he may be schizophrenic. He thought the wall was invisible, the mind could be playing tricks. It happens all the time to people.
Posted by Lucky  on  Sat Jan 29, 2005  at  06:41 PM
To Cranky media guy,

"It doesn't work if there's a skeptic in the room."

Thanks for the laugh. Haven't heard that one before. Pure genius. I have never laughed out loud while reading, rarely when I watch a comedy, but this time I actually did LOL! Nice one. Thanks for that
Posted by Proof  on  Sat Jan 29, 2005  at  06:58 PM
Theres nothing to talk about really, either he demonstrates it properly or theres no proof that it works, in which case i dont believe it.

Theres no difference in believing that this thing works (without proof) than believing in UFO's. Its a thing you choose to believe because you WANT to.
Posted by plupp  on  Mon Jan 31, 2005  at  12:30 AM
I often wondered why it is that you can see through some materials like glass, water, air, some plastics, etc., yet other's you can't. Is it possible that the quality that lets light pass through these materials might be forced into the materials that this "angel light" device is directed at? Though one would have to assume a limited affected distance given that the car was not rendered invisible as well. Or perhaps a limit to the amount of mass that can be affected, or both. Yet, as mentioned before, why would the man's hand only be rendered transparent no farther than the first layers of tissue such as the skin (unless it was placed farther from the machine also).

Then again, why (when Mr. Hurtubise "nearly broke his knuckles on 3 to 4 occasions" while nearing the wall that was rendered invisible), had he not been rendered transparent himself, or cast a "shadow" of "visible wall" in front of his body or at least near his hand?
Posted by Bob or som'n  on  Mon Jan 31, 2005  at  09:47 AM
Isn't that the Ursus MK VI in the background of that photo? I thought that was auctioned off on ebay to pay off his enormous debt a while ago.
Posted by Shazbot!  on  Mon Jan 31, 2005  at  11:34 AM
Proof said:

"To Cranky media guy,

"It doesn't work if there's a skeptic in the room."

Thanks for the laugh. Haven't heard that one before. Pure genius. I have never laughed out loud while reading, rarely when I watch a comedy, but this time I actually did LOL! Nice one. Thanks for that"

Well, I'm certainly glad to have provided you with a laugh, but I really can't take credit for that line. Believe it or not, it has been used many times in the past (and will be again, I'm sure) by "psychics" being tested under scientific conditions. It makes me laugh, too, but with derision.

If you'd like examples of people actually using that silly excuse, check out randi.org. Use the search engine; I'm sure you'll find enough variations on that old ruse to amuse you for hours.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Tue Feb 01, 2005  at  12:06 AM
Plupp said:

"Theres nothing to talk about really, either he demonstrates it properly or theres no proof that it works, in which case i dont believe it.

"Theres no difference in believing that this thing works (without proof) than believing in UFO's. Its a thing you choose to believe because you WANT to."

Extremely well said (and using far fewer words than I would have employed to say the same thing. OK, I'm verbose.) Good job!
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Tue Feb 01, 2005  at  12:15 AM
I am not a scientist but I believe I could offer some possible explanations to what the inventor described.

I believe it might be possible to excite matter to a resonant frequency, similar to the way a guitar string vibrates, this resonant frequency could result in allowing light to scatter in a non-uniform manner that might create the optical illusion of translucency.

http://electron9.phys.utk.edu/optics507/modules/m10/laser_cooling.htm

As for the fish that died when the device was aimed at them. I think Mr. Hurtubise may have simply microwaved them to death, water is an efficient sink for microwave radiation.

http://web.mit.edu/mwpstr/www/foto/node6.html

The electronic interference is most likely from intense microwave radiation as well.

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/eng99/eng99331.htm

Finally as for the RAM ( stealth material ) the microwaves emitted by the angel light may have attenuated the material so that it no longer absorbed the engery wavelengths of the radar gun, thus allowing the radar waves to bounce back to the radar gun.

(sorry no link for this one )

I would be very intersted to see this device work. If this device could be tweaked to reliably resonate matter to the point where molecular bonds break down. It would be the greatest boon to mankind since fire. Hydrogen could be easily produced from water, bringing about the so called hydrogen economy. It would also make a formidable weapon, just imagine if the device were tuned to shatter the molecular bonds in any type of matter.
Posted by Prometheus  on  Tue Feb 01, 2005  at  06:02 PM
Prometheus said:

"I believe it might be possible to excite matter to a resonant frequency, similar to the way a guitar string vibrates, this resonant frequency could result in allowing light to scatter in a non-uniform manner that might create the optical illusion of translucency."


No offense, Pro, my man, but it doesn't really matter what you think *might* be possible. I mean it's fun to speculate and all, but either the thing works or it doesn't. It's really just that simple. I'm voting for "doesn't."
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Wed Feb 02, 2005  at  03:44 AM
Prometheus, judging by your grasp of physics, you won't be bringing fire down from Olympus any time soon. Sorry.

"I believe it might be possible to excite matter to a resonant frequency, similar to the way a guitar string vibrates, this resonant frequency could result in allowing light to scatter in a non-uniform manner that might create the optical illusion of translucency."

Yes it is possible to excite matter to a resonant frequency, but it doesn't make it transperent or translucent. The link you provided doesn't support that theory in the slightest, either.

"As for the fish that died when the device was aimed at them. I think Mr. Hurtubise may have simply microwaved them to death, water is an efficient sink for microwave radiation."

Well, I may give you that one. If the thing DID produce microwaves at the right frequency it would cook the fish by heating the water. I don't need a link to MIT to figure that out.

"Finally as for the RAM ( stealth material ) the microwaves emitted by the angel light may have attenuated the material so that it no longer absorbed the engery wavelengths of the radar gun, thus allowing the radar waves to bounce back to the radar gun."

What the hell does "attenuate the material" mean? It shrunk? Maybe you mean it 'saturated' the material, in which case it would have become hotter and maybe melted or combusted. No mention of that in the article.

I'm with Cranky, There is no need to rationalize how this thing "might" work when it clearly doesn't. A working device is a demonstratable device, by definition. A device that can't be demonstrated is one that doesn't work, and that's what we have here
Posted by JoeSixpack  on  Wed Feb 02, 2005  at  07:02 AM
Joesixpack,

I'm impressed that you know your greek mythology.

Not really.

As for schooling you in the English vernacular. I am using the term attentuation in the context that the materials absorptive properties were weakend or attenuated.

But seriously, Cranky Media Guy your point is well taken. I agree the probability of Mr. Hurtubise stumbling across a device like this is astronomical, though not impossible just highly improbable.

Finally, it is possible to induce transparency in certain mediums (ie. rubies can be rendered tranparent using microwaves). The document that I linked to prevously on laser cooling is the same phenomena that would allow for transparency. However since you are obviously not a physics expert I am wasting my time talking with you, this conversation is finished.

Anyone, else interested in the phenomena of electromagnetically induced tranparency would find the following aticle interesting. It is an overview of current research taking place in EIT. (warning it contains highly technical language and is not an easy read).

http://www.lsr.ph.ic.ac.uk/EIT/publications/papers/JMOrev/JMOrev.pdf
Posted by Prometheus  on  Wed Feb 02, 2005  at  12:18 PM
Prometheus, I'm not a physicist, but I have spent the last quarter of a century in the microwave industry (and not the ovens, either). Most of that time was as a spacecraft technician assisting men and women whose first name was "Doctor". I know a bit about physics and I know a bit about fertelizer. Laser cooling has to do with holding an atom still, not vibrating it like a "guitar string".

"However since you are obviously not a physics expert I am wasting my time talking with you, this conversation is finished."

You are? I think I smell fertelizer.
Posted by JoeSixpack  on  Wed Feb 02, 2005  at  12:42 PM
Oh, and for the record, "attenuation" in the microwave field means to reduce the power of an electromagnetic wave without distortion.
Posted by JoeSixpack  on  Wed Feb 02, 2005  at  12:44 PM
I have a poisonous gas that emits from my bottom side. Its unusual properties are always attracted to the noses of others who are within 5 ft after it is emitted. Unlike the Fire Paste and Angel Light, I will perform a FREE test for anyone who wants to verify for themselves. Warning: The Smell could cause a fatality.
Posted by GasMaster  on  Wed Feb 02, 2005  at  02:22 PM
Prometheus, Your matches are all wet. Your link (which doesn't seem to work now) on EIT does nothing to prove your assertion. I guess you figured no one here would bother muddeling through the "highly technical language", as you obviously didn't bother to do.

The "optical transparency" refered to in the report has to do with the laser mediums ability to lase, not a person's ability to see through it. I can see through a tube of sodium gas, but it's not able to emit laser light untill the number of atoms in the excited state is greater than those in the ground state. When they are equal, the medium is said to be "optically transparent". I don't think that is anything remotely similar to making a sheet of dry-wall as clear as glass as Mr. "Angel Light" seems to say.

You're right in that I'm no physics expert, but I know how to spot crap when I hear it
Posted by JoeSixpack  on  Thu Feb 03, 2005  at  04:00 PM
Here is a great interview with Troy explaining Angel Light.
http://www.intalek.com/AV/Troy-Hurtubise.wma

Based on this interview I'm willing to say he seems like a straight up, no BS guy - if he has an agenda, it's not apparent. I'm saying straight out I believe him - decide for yourself.

Also, as I talked about in an earlier post, he discusses how someone like him is more apt to discover something like this simply because he did something in the development process a "true" scientist/engineer would never attempt, already assuming it's impossible.

If nothing else I hope it opens people's minds to the fact that an education actually applies a limiting factor to knowledge and discovery - BUT, the downside of that is you remove a vital safety factor. Suffice it to say there were also guys like Troy who are now in that great "labratory in the sky."

For those who already have their mind made up that this is a hoax and don't want to listen to the interview - the premise of the invention is that it "fuses light" as in the different spectrums. Different apertures can be applied to widen or concentrate the beam as well as applied power variance to control depth.
Posted by JTF  on  Thu Feb 03, 2005  at  09:01 PM
Proof, you admonish Mox not to judge people by their posts, but I find them very telling. This site is a very sad one, attracting do-nothing nay-sayers with a clear need to belittle others in order to feel intelligent.

Yes, there's a place for skepticism, and yes, Mr Hurtubise is most likely a hoaxer, but these rabid rants -- except for the occasional measured comment by such people as Neutral -- tell the rest of the world far more about yourselves than they do about Mr Hurtubise's science.

Time and again you attack character and not logic. I'm sure this post will attract the same response, but really guys, if you sit down, just for a moment, and look at yourselves good and hard, what do you see?
Posted by adam  on  Fri Feb 04, 2005  at  12:32 PM
i expect to see some of ya'll at this year's player hater's ball.
Posted by onlookerdelay  on  Sat Feb 05, 2005  at  01:13 PM
>>Here is a great interview with Troy explaining Angel Light.
http://www.intalek.com/AV/Troy-Hurtubise.wma<<;

He offers no "explanation" whatsoever. All he provides is the same thing he provides in all his marketing: un-verified (many un-verifiable) claims, and unintelligible ramblings about the "explanations" his interminable list of undisclosed "scientists" have supposedly given him concerning the workings of is "inventions." This interview is completely void of verifiable facts.

It's perfectly possible to *sound* sincere while being completely delusional.

But thanks for the link anyway, it's quite enjoyable! :lol: BTW, here are some other "great" links from the same site:

http://www.intalek.com/AV/Coanda-UFO-Overview.wmv
http://www.intalek.com/AV/DrWho.wav

...or maybe the most telling of all:

http://www.intalek.com
Posted by intjudo  on  Sat Feb 05, 2005  at  09:02 PM
JTF said:

"For those who already have their mind made up that this is a hoax and don't want to listen to the interview - the premise of the invention is that it "fuses light" as in the different spectrums. Different apertures can be applied to widen or concentrate the beam as well as applied power variance to control depth."

Um, why do you accept the word of a man who apparently lacks the ability to simply DEMONSTRATE his "invention?" Of course he says it works. Would you expect anything else from him?

The simple fact is that NO ONE has EVER demonstrated the ability to "fuse light." Period. All he has to do to convert skeptics like myself is DEMONSTRATE that the thing works. Words don't cut it. Sorry.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Sun Feb 06, 2005  at  05:17 AM
Cranky Media Guy! Where the hell have you been? We're being over run by the credulous here, and you take a holiday.
Posted by JoeSixpack  on  Sun Feb 06, 2005  at  03:35 PM
JoeSixpack said:

"Cranky Media Guy! Where the hell have you been? We're being over run by the credulous here, and you take a holiday."

Sor-ry! I was in Vegas with Alan Abel and a few other like-minded individuals for the first ever meeting of the International Association of Professional Pranksters (yes, really). Also, I wasn't entirely sure that my meager efforts at injecting sanity into the easily-convinced were appreciated. What did I miss?
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Mon Feb 07, 2005  at  04:25 AM
Could this possibly be an effect related to entanglement of photons? The same effect that has been used in the successful teleportaion experiments?

If the device (hypothetically Im saying here, I don't know if this is a credible experiment, but it raises interesting questions) could entangle photons across wavelengths so that they traded properties and exchanged information at a distance, could the penetrating wavelengths relay information to the visible spectrum photons which reflect back to the viewer?
Posted by Bob  on  Mon Feb 07, 2005  at  05:21 PM
Ok. Troy Hurtubise appears to be a crackpot. He works outside of established science, he has extravagant experimental methods, he makes outrageous claims about his inventions,he claims htat angel-light came to him in a recurring dream, he makes outrageous claims about people watching/following/stealing from/bugging him and to top it all off he has a bizarre haircut.

What would I say to convince you that his invention works? Nothing.. I don't know if it does. I have not seen it yet. But what can I say about Troy?

Fire-Paste works just as he claims.

LIMBC (armor cushions) stand up to 4 sticks of dynamite/rifle fire/shotgun blasts

His Ursus Mk VII Is possibly the greatest contribution science has had to physical comedy ever.and it looks cool.

His planned G-Man suit could save countless lives of battlefield soldiers if properly developed.

He is a freakin' weirdo.

All I am saying is that this man has made outlandish claims in the past and has been proven right.

Now he has made the most outlandish claim of his career.

I can't believe this thing works exactly the way he says it does. But I will wait untill the demonstration on the 17th of this month to give him the oppourtunity to prove his claims.
Posted by Jeff  on  Mon Feb 07, 2005  at  06:05 PM
Bob, Do you have ANY clue what you're talking about? How, exactly, DO photons get entangled across wavelengths?
Posted by JoeSixpack  on  Mon Feb 07, 2005  at  09:12 PM
Actually I don't know the mechanism for 'entanglement' I don't know if it can be accomplished with photons of differing wavelengths or for tht matter how it is done with similar photons. It just occurred to me that two photons of differing wavelengths might share a transfer of information and properties similarly to the entangled photons in the teleportation experiments.

Do you know the entanglement mechanism? Can you enlighten us?
Posted by Bob  on  Mon Feb 07, 2005  at  09:30 PM
Isn't this how science works?

Formulate a hypothesis, and the try to disprove it through experimentaion?
Posted by Bob  on  Mon Feb 07, 2005  at  09:41 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entanglement

The two photons have to start out as one, and then decay into two lower energy photons through interaction with an atom.

Mr Angel light isn't doing anything of the sort. He's made a big prop and is making claims about it that he can't back up. You're formulating a hypothesis to explain the principles behind a non-working item. You may as well try to figure out how a perpetual motion machine works. In two words, it doesn't.
Posted by JoeSixpack  on  Mon Feb 07, 2005  at  10:33 PM
Bob said:

"Isn't this how science works?

"Formulate a hypothesis, and the try to disprove it through experimentaion?"

OK, so what's Hurtubise's hypothesis? Near as I can tell, he doesn't have one. Doesn't he claim that he doesn't know how the device works and that it came to him through recurring dreams? Uh, exactly how does one test THAT?

Besides, all this theorizing about how the thing *might* work amounts to nothing but mental masturbation unless and until he actually DEMONSTRATES that the thing is something other than a big fake prop.
Posted by crankymediaguy  on  Tue Feb 08, 2005  at  01:26 AM
From the late Carl Sagan:

"But the fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown."

Amen, Brother Sagan.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Tue Feb 08, 2005  at  05:06 AM
"The two photons have to start out as one, and then decay into two lower energy photons through interaction with an atom."


Thankyou. That clears that up
Posted by Bob  on  Tue Feb 08, 2005  at  06:34 AM
just reading part of that article, could ,theoretically again, one of the entangled photons, by repetition of the process be further split and decayed into a lower state? what would then happen to the othe entangled photon?
Posted by Bob  on  Tue Feb 08, 2005  at  06:44 AM
Bob said:

"just reading part of that article, could ,theoretically again, one of the entangled photons, by repetition of the process be further split and decayed into a lower state? what would then happen to the othe entangled photon?"

Hey, *I* have a theory, too. My theory is that, somewhere up in Canada, there is a guy desperate for attention. I further theorize that this guy takes a bunch of old "scientific" crap and combines it into a fake "machine" that he then says can see through walls.

Next, a bunch of extremely credulous people completely accept what he says, even though he provides precisely NO evidence that the thing works. These same people come up with elaborate fantasies about how this "machine" works, again even though it hasn't been shown to work at all.

Nah, that can't be it! Something as wacky as that just CAN'T be true, can it? Clearly the thing actually works and Mr. Hurtubise has NO obligation to actually demonstrate it to the world. His word is good enough. If I want to believe that a machine can see through walls, then it can. Period. No evidence supplied, none required. And somewhere many angels dance on the head of a pin.
Posted by crankymediaguy  on  Tue Feb 08, 2005  at  02:48 PM
"Nah, that can't be it! Something as wacky as that just CAN'T be true, can it? Clearly the thing actually works and Mr. Hurtubise has NO obligation to actually demonstrate it to the world. His word is good enough. If I want to believe that a machine can see through walls, then it can. Period. No evidence supplied, none required. And somewhere many angels dance on the head of a pin."

THE DEMONSTRATION IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 17 2005.

from my post above....

" Now he has made the most outlandish claim of his career."

"I can't believe this thing works exactly the way he says it does. But I will wait untill the demonstration on the 17th of this month to give him the oppourtunity to prove his claims."
Posted by Jeff  on  Tue Feb 08, 2005  at  02:58 PM
Jeff said:

"THE DEMONSTRATION IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 17 2005.:

The key word in that sentence is "supposed." Would you care to bet me that one of two things will happen:

1. The "demonstration" never occurs.
2. The "demonstration" happens, but the machine doesn't work and Hurtubise makes some ridiculous claim as to why--something like "vibrations" were wrong, etc.

Putting that aside for the moment, my point was and still is that many people here (and presumably other places, too) have defended this absurd claim of being able to see through solid objects despite there being NO evidence shown so far. The rational position is that the claims for the machine are extraordinary so therefore belief in its supposed "abilities" will be withheld unless and until it is demonstrated to do what it is allegedly capable of doing.

I've said it before but I'll repeat it. IF this thing worked, that would be wonderful; it would greatly advance science. I would be as happy as anyone to see that happen. Occam's Razor suggests, however, that the likelihood of that happening is approximately zero. In other words, I ain't buying.
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Wed Feb 09, 2005  at  02:41 AM
1. The "demonstration" never occurs.
2. The "demonstration" happens, but the machine doesn't work and Hurtubise makes some ridiculous claim as to why--something like "vibrations" were wrong, etc.

You forgot number three;

3. Feb 17 passes and when people ask him how the demonstration went a few days later (there will be no real journalists present) he says "It went great! There were some observers from the US and French military and they told me it was really promising and that we would have to rewrite the physics books because this invention is so amazing"

Of course, we'll have to take his word for it, and maybe Phil Novak's, too.
Posted by JoeSixpack  on  Wed Feb 09, 2005  at  06:45 AM
If it works I'll poop myself with glee.

But then I'll have to move to France, because they'll posess the most powerful weapon ever wrought by man and you just KNOW they'll use it.

They'll turn the US and Canada into "Robo-France 9000."

There Berets will be mandatory, and unshaven women with cheese-smelling breath will be the norm. All TV's will play Jerry Lewis comedies 24/7 only stopping briefly to inform the conquered populace of the new Ursus MK XI's victories over the former ex-Soviet republics.

... ok, scratch that first comment. If it works I'll poop myself with terror.
Posted by Shazbot!  on  Wed Feb 09, 2005  at  12:29 PM
Jeff said,

>>Fire-Paste works just as he claims.<<

I was wondering when someone would assert this about the Fire Paste. Took you long enough Jeff! 😊

'Way back when, on the BayToday site and on iidb.org, I posted the following (and I wish I had said it here as well):

"In short, I haven't seen *any* convincing evidence that *any* of Hurtubise's 'inventions' have *any* applicability in the real world..."

...but I was sure someone would call me on the Fire Paste. Nobody did.

Of all of Troy's stuff, the Fire Paste is the only invention that *may* be somewhat legit IMO. His demonstrations of it resisting heat are somewhat compelling IMO but with some reservations, especially in light of his history with the quality of his "demonstrations."

Also, the "documentary" on his Fire Paste includes some seemingly bona-fide scientists discussing its properties and verifying that it does indeed have fire-resistant qualities.

Here are some of my reservations about the Fire Paste:

1. Is it really anything new? We have no actual information about its materials and the manufacturing process. It could be pretty run-of-the-mill stuff.

2. As far as I'm able to determine, *all* of Troy's "demonstrations" are staged, contrived etc. In the Discovery Channel "documentary" we see him throwing a blow torch flame at paste on his skin, on a fake "doll house" etc. But we know nothing about the actual facts of these demonstrations. How hot was the flame? Was the demonstration monitored by a credible neutral third party? What was the actual composition of the "doll houses?" I may not be this skeptical if I saw the same demonstration from a credible source, but I've seen so many false claims from this guy that I don't trust him or any "demonstration" that he has obviously orchestrated. If he's controlling the demonstration I feel forced to take the results with a heavy dose of salt.

3. We have the same problem with the Fire Paste "demonstrations" that we do with the LIMBC "demonstrations:" they appear to work under extremely contrived circumstances but the "demonstrations" do *nothing* to show that these invenstions actually work in real-world applications/situations. Troy says in the radio interview that "some guy in Canada" owns the Fire Paste formula. So, who's using it? And for what? And...if there were any scientific or industry publications about the Fire Paste I think we'd have heard about them by now. If it were that great ("20 years ahead of NASA") then surely information about it would be available from *some* credible source.

Once again, Troy is making extraordinary claims and is not providing any extraordinary proof. I am unconvinced that the Fire Paste has any real value.
Posted by intjudo  on  Wed Feb 09, 2005  at  01:39 PM
So, if anyone's still interested enough, here's a challenge, I'll repeat it:

>>I haven't seen *any* convincing evidence that *any* of Hurtubise's 'inventions' have *any* applicability in the real world.<<

Any takers? *Prove* me wrong if you can!

Oh, and it's perfectly OK to wait until Feb. 17 if you'd like
Posted by intjudo  on  Wed Feb 09, 2005  at  01:39 PM
Intojudo said
"2. As far as I'm able to determine, *all* of Troy's "demonstrations" are staged, contrived etc. In the Discovery Channel "documentary" we see him throwing a blow torch flame at paste on his skin, on a fake "doll house" etc. But we know nothing about the actual facts of these demonstrations. How hot was the flame? Was the demonstration monitored by a credible neutral third party? What was the actual composition of the "doll houses?" I may not be this skeptical if I saw the same demonstration from a credible source, but I've seen so many false claims from this guy that I don't trust him or any "demonstration" that he has obviously orchestrated. If he's controlling the demonstration I feel forced to take the results with a heavy dose of salt."

If you watched and paid attention to the Discovery Channel demonstrations of firepaste, you may have gleaned the following tidbits of important information.

yes the experiments were carried out under Troy's conditions, which included that

1) the Discovery channel bring their own 'Brazing Torch' to carry out the experiments.

2} that Discovery Channel personnel operated said torch.

A quick check online informed me that 'brazing torches operate at temperature ranges in excess of 3200 degrees celsius (6000 Farenheight)

also
The "doll house experiment" was carried out twice with nearly identical subjects. (ie the houses) and under the same conditions, the protected house was undamaged- except for a thick grey goo covering the whole thing.

I do not think that firepaste has all the practical applications that Mr. Hurtubise claims. the substance is too brittle for many applications. I certainly don't think it could stand up to re-entry (maybe the heat- but not the friction)

While I would admit that Mr. Hurtubise is an outlandish individual, and does make extraordinary claims, the guy is a scrap metal dealer from North Bay. Everyone seems to think that he pulls off his demonstrations with some magic trick. Well then it is a pretty impressive trick. and I'd like to see you replicate his results for the Discovery Channel cameras.
Posted by Jeff  on  Wed Feb 09, 2005  at  02:05 PM
Comments: Page 2 of 9 pages  < 1 2 3 4 >  Last ›
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.