Comments on: Spontaneous human combustion and “the wick effect” http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/ Skepticism. Critical thinking. Podcast. Community. Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:04:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: blank http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-4902 blank Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:03:01 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-4902 While I have not yet made up my mind about SHC, it must be taken into account that this article only focuses on one case of SHC.  The wick effect is the strongest theory I have seen so far, but it can not explain some of the cases out there.  I am not saying that these people necessarily burst into flames randomly with no cause, but rather that SHC is caused by multiple things that can lead to the death or injury of different people.  It takes through research to come to a conclusion, something that you can't get from a single article. While I have not yet made up my mind about SHC, it must be taken into account that this article only focuses on one case of SHC.  The wick effect is the strongest theory I have seen so far, but it can not explain some of the cases out there.  I am not saying that these people necessarily burst into flames randomly with no cause, but rather that SHC is caused by multiple things that can lead to the death or injury of different people.  It takes through research to come to a conclusion, something that you can’t get from a single article.

]]> By: RV http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-4820 RV Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:48:05 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-4820 Some 20 years ago, when I was "open-minded" to all the various woo-woo out there, I recall reading about this case among others. I even saw some of the pictures associated with them and remember thinking what an interesting phenomena SHC was and how cool it was that science could not explain it(at least according to the book of nonsense I was perusing at the time.) Now, as a skeptic, I have to say it's even more interesting to finally hear an explanation that actually makes sense. Until reading your article I hadn't realized that the subject was as yet unresolved in the back of my mind somewhere. Thanks for clearing that one out for me. Some 20 years ago, when I was “open-minded” to all the various woo-woo out there, I recall reading about this case among others. I even saw some of the pictures associated with them and remember thinking what an interesting phenomena SHC was and how cool it was that science could not explain it(at least according to the book of nonsense I was perusing at the time.)
Now, as a skeptic, I have to say it’s even more interesting to finally hear an explanation that actually makes sense. Until reading your article I hadn’t realized that the subject was as yet unresolved in the back of my mind somewhere. Thanks for clearing that one out for me.

]]> By: chad herendez http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-3201 chad herendez Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:42:16 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-3201 okay peoples, let start with this, #1 this case was reviewed by leading polic officials,doctors and specialists in their feilds with the same conclusion which was the determination that there (with present information) no explination for the occurance with the facts avialable. BTW you must keep a open mind when dealing with the unexplained, if you review cases of SHC you will find that the reamains of the dead are include bone that has been reduced to ashes if that is the case how can low tempreture "smoldering" reduce bone to ash without burning all combustibles in the area? okay peoples, let start with this, #1 this case was reviewed by leading polic officials,doctors and specialists in their feilds with the same conclusion which was the determination that there (with present information) no explination for the occurance with the facts avialable.
BTW you must keep a open mind when dealing with the unexplained, if you review cases of SHC you will find that the reamains of the dead are include bone that has been reduced to ashes if that is the case how can low tempreture “smoldering” reduce bone to ash without burning all combustibles in the area?

]]> By: Brad http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-3129 Brad Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:55:37 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-3129 So, this slow smoldering, low intensity fire generates so little heat as to not ignite nearby clothing and household furnishings. And this slow smoldering, low intensity fire is able to vaporize the 10 to 12 gallons of water in the average human body. And this slow smoldering, low intensity fire is able to completely consume large human bones. While over 30 years as a fire/arson investigator does not necessarily make me an expert on SHC, I will say that bull feces has a much better chance of combusting spontaneously. Simplified, SHC is BS. So, this slow smoldering, low intensity fire generates so little heat as to not ignite nearby clothing and household furnishings. And this slow smoldering, low intensity fire is able to vaporize the 10 to 12 gallons of water in the average human body. And this slow smoldering, low intensity fire is able to completely consume large human bones.

While over 30 years as a fire/arson investigator does not necessarily make me an expert on SHC, I will say that bull feces has a much better chance of combusting spontaneously. Simplified, SHC is BS.

]]> By: Andy Kaiser http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-3122 Andy Kaiser Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:11:23 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-3122 Hi youknow, Thanks for the clarification about the wick effect. Though I'm confused - why do we need to get a life, when you took the time out of your day to comment here and add new information to the article? You're just as "bad" as we are! Andy Hi youknow,

Thanks for the clarification about the wick effect. Though I’m confused – why do we need to get a life, when you took the time out of your day to comment here and add new information to the article? You’re just as “bad” as we are!

Andy

]]> By: youknow http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-3120 youknow Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:32:46 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-3120 It's amazing that in your wonderful, scientifcally deducing investigation you forgot to mention that during the "wick effect", the fat can take hours to completely burn. How long was it until someone found her? An overwieght woman her size could take a full day to burn completely to ASHES. The "wick effect" creates a SLOW, smoldering flame. Ya'll need to get a life. I don't even believe in SHC, but you just can't explain everything. It’s amazing that in your wonderful, scientifcally deducing investigation you forgot to mention that during the “wick effect”, the fat can take hours to completely burn. How long was it until someone found her? An overwieght woman her size could take a full day to burn completely to ASHES. The “wick effect” creates a SLOW, smoldering flame. Ya’ll need to get a life. I don’t even believe in SHC, but you just can’t explain everything.

]]> By: DB Skeptic http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1505 DB Skeptic Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:08:34 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-1505 As I worked on this article, I spent some time visualizing the situation and descriptions. And as a rule, I don't get disturbed very easily. It was only later today, when a friend told me he was kinda grossed out after reading this one, did I realize that the article might be a little off-putting. Then we have Dorathea in the comment above saying: <i>"(Gives a whole new meaning to the “pigs-in-blankets” breakfast menu item.)"</i> ...and that brought it home for me: This was indeed pretty gross. A weird, fun story, no doubt. But it's pretty poor dinner conversation! Andy As I worked on this article, I spent some time visualizing the situation and descriptions. And as a rule, I don’t get disturbed very easily. It was only later today, when a friend told me he was kinda grossed out after reading this one, did I realize that the article might be a little off-putting.

Then we have Dorathea in the comment above saying: “(Gives a whole new meaning to the “pigs-in-blankets” breakfast menu item.)”

…and that brought it home for me: This was indeed pretty gross. A weird, fun story, no doubt. But it’s pretty poor dinner conversation!

Andy

]]> By: Dorathea Harlowe http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1504 Dorathea Harlowe Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:42:42 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-1504 I saw a documentary piece on SHC. The scientists used a pig carcass, a wool blanket and applied a heat source . It was fascinating to see how, over time, the fat wicked off the carcass and kept a slow smoldering fire going. The ceiling above the pig was smokey, but the fire never went beyond the pig and the blanket. (Gives a whole new meaning to the "pigs-in-blankets" breakfast menu item.) I saw a documentary piece on SHC. The scientists used a pig carcass, a wool blanket and applied a heat source . It was fascinating to see how, over time, the fat wicked off the carcass and kept a slow smoldering fire going. The ceiling above the pig was smokey, but the fire never went beyond the pig and the blanket. (Gives a whole new meaning to the “pigs-in-blankets” breakfast menu item.)

]]> By: Tim Williams http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1501 Tim Williams Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:11:57 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-1501 Some 20 years ago, when I was "open-minded" to all the various woo-woo out there, I recall reading about this case among others. I even saw some of the pictures associated with them and remember thinking what an interesting phenomena SHC was and how cool it was that science could not explain it(at least according to the book of nonsense I was perusing at the time.) Now, as a skeptic, I have to say it's even more interesting to finally hear an explanation that actually makes sense. Until reading your article I hadn't realized that the subject was as yet unresolved in the back of my mind somewhere. Thanks for clearing that one out for me. Some 20 years ago, when I was “open-minded” to all the various woo-woo out there, I recall reading about this case among others. I even saw some of the pictures associated with them and remember thinking what an interesting phenomena SHC was and how cool it was that science could not explain it(at least according to the book of nonsense I was perusing at the time.)
Now, as a skeptic, I have to say it’s even more interesting to finally hear an explanation that actually makes sense. Until reading your article I hadn’t realized that the subject was as yet unresolved in the back of my mind somewhere. Thanks for clearing that one out for me.

]]> By: DB Skeptic http://www.dbskeptic.com/2009/02/28/spontaneous-human-combustion-and-the-wick-effect/comment-page-1/#comment-1493 DB Skeptic Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:13:45 +0000 http://www.dbskeptic.com/?p=761#comment-1493 Yup. Mary Reeser and many others are held by some as examples of spontaneous human combustion. A very goofy theory, in my opinion, but it's out there. Yup. Mary Reeser and many others are held by some as examples of spontaneous human combustion. A very goofy theory, in my opinion, but it’s out there.

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