27 replies to this topic

[Ruf]

OK, I'll try and start a thread that doesn't just look like carping.

I'm not too bothered if this thread stays wildly on topic providing any tangents are natural, vaguely related and aren't just general chit chat.

Prompted by the 'Cold fusion' thread I did a little digging around on the subject. When I say a little, I really do mean a little so I stand to be corrected by any experts out there. Now the more I looked the more it seemed that what evidence there was was almost too scarce to even rate this as a phenomena, let alone one with an explanation outside of our current scientific understanding.

I read on one site (this was a site interested in the phenomenon and not a sceptical one) that there have been 200 reported cases in 300 years. Given the size of the sample against the population of the earth and the time period involved surely this is almost too small to even extrapolate a phenomenon from?* Plus you can probably dismiss a fair number of those as unreliable before you even started.

So, I ask you this, is there even such a thing as spontaneous human combustion?

* 1 case reported 2 years out of 3 from 6 billion people.

[MoonChild]

Well, that is a tough question to answer, because personally I wouldn't want to experience and know.

But reading the reports, I guess SHC do exist. But as for evidence, I guess as of now we will need to rely on the books and other reported cases.
Perhaps this discussion may help you get more information --> Spontaneous Human Combustion - Previous Discussion

[Ruf]

Well, that is a tough question to answer, because personally I wouldn't want to experience and know.

But reading the reports, I guess SHC do exist. But as for evidence, I guess as of now we will need to rely on the books and other reported cases.

What I'm driving at is; can something be so statistically unlikely that in all probability it doesn't exist?

Surely if a set of circumstances exist that when combined create a phenomenon you would expect more of an annual probability of that combination occurring than 1 person in 6 billion?

[Vampchick21]

This is a quick one off, since I'm about to close up the office for the day

But I do think *something* is happening, based on what reports I have read and what pictures I have seen. As to exactly what it is, I've no idea, nor do I have the biology background to even begin to guess.

Later tonight I'll dig into my library and try to find the (older) bits I have on this phenomina

[kats_god]

That is a really good question Ruf...I do remember having and old thread on that subject but it pretty much died out. I have always wondered about that subjest...the thought of bursting into flames for no reason creepies me out.

[MoonChild]

I am afraid the statistical evidence may not be possible in this case. And the figures that you mentioned is far from the reach of statistics. 200 reported cases in 300 years!

[celestial_kel]

could this be where the phrase "I'm on fire for you" came from? (sorry...just a little "sick" humor!)

[Vampchick21]

http://anomalyinfo.c...s/ga00003.shtml

Interesting article on the subject.

[Markway]

There is a new book out entitled " Spontaneous Human Combustion" , by Jenny Randles.

It looks to me as if there are more than one cause. The famous 'Phosphonic Fart" is responsible for most, but there is evidence for a couple of other causes including electrical phenomena and the supernatural.

Edited by MoonChild, 02 June 2005 - 01:38 AM.

[Camille]

So it's not just about people with high body fat content who smoked while they fell asleep (among other things)?

I guess I have a lot of reading to catch up on!

[MoonChild]

Are all the reported SHC incidents involving fat people?

[Ruf]

Are all the reported SHC incidents involving fat people?

No.

[Simmy]

...the thought of bursting into flames for no reason creepies me out.

Oh yeah!!! Totally freightening!

[Markway]

Some of my posts seem to have been erased. I had decided to start a SHC posting of my own. I was going to suggest that it be a book club sort of post, with everyone participating agreeing to read Jenny Randless' book Spontaneous Human Combustion.

The paranormal problem is this: People catch on fire, often with an obvious combustion point, sometimes not. They burn at temperatures so hot that glass, which usually takes temperatures of 1,000 degrees f. to melt, is melted underneath the bodies. The death room is swathed in vaporized human flesh, but there is very little, to almost no damage to the room.

Lately, a british commentary under the aegis Q.E.D., recently did a documentary on SHC, on the skeptical side. Most of the consultants were disgusted and walked off.

My day has been taken up with trying to build bridges. I'll be back tomorrow.

[MoonChild]

Check this discussion --> http://www.ghostvill...uman combustion