The Ouija Board

[Jim of Seattle]

Did anyone here actually ever get a Ouija Board to work? What did you ask it? What did it say? If it's not a total hoax, how does it really work?

We never got it to work growing up. The Ouija event would always end up with something like "Hey, you're pushing it!" "No I wasn't!" "Yes you were, I saw!" and an argument would ensue.

But apparently some people have actually gotten it to work. Me, I don't buy it. Neither do any of my four sisters or my brother.

[Adam!]

If it's not a total hoax, how does it really work?

Ideomotor Effect

Also, Ouija boards with randomized letter distributions don't "work" when the users are blindfolded (obviously).

[mico saudad]

Also, Ouija boards with randomized letter distributions don't "work" when the users are blindfolded (obviously).

Well yeah obviously because the eyes are the window to the soul and the outside spirits can't communicate (duh!)

[anti-m]

My mouse pad is a Ouija board! (Or rather, sports the likeness of a Ouija board)

My own experiences with real Ouija boards were very unscientific -- generally they involved a gaggle of 4th grade girls in PJs shrieking "You're PUSHING it!" at each other. Lit candles inevitably tipped over, and "angry spirits" were blamed for "almost burning the house down."

Laurie Anderson has a good Ouija board story.

[Henrietta]

It must be that ideomotor thing. I had girlfriend whose "spirit" reveal some things about her past that I'm positive she wouldn't have wanted to share with the rest of the group... (So, head's up people! If you're a double agent or you're on the run from the law, stay away from Oiuja Boards)

[Reist]

I think they're a load of crap ... and if they're real, then they're messed up and people should leave them alone. Not a good thing to get into, in my opinion.