Talk:Pyrokinesis

Bias Tag
Bias Tag: heavy sceptical bias Wakebrew (talk) 06:58, 10 December 2016 (UTC)


 * No bias, the critical tone of the article is supported by mainstream academic sources. Perhaps you should read up on Wikipedia policy of fringe ideas. 82.132.186.190 (talk) 22:28, 17 January 2017 (UTC)

Lead
The article sourced to Gordon Stein and Joe Nickell reads "There is no conclusive evidence that pyrokinesis is a real phenomenon. Alleged cases are hoaxes, the result of trickery", this is accurate according to both sources. The lead had been previously changed indicating cases were "unexplained". Neither Stein or Nickell talk about "unexplained" cases in their books. 80.189.126.234 (talk) 09:34, 1 September 2018 (UTC)

Etymology
I don't know the exact etymology, but this section is completely incorrect. I strongly believe (but do not have the book and movie to verify) that it was the MOVIE "Firestarter" (1984) that used the term Pyrokinesis; not the 1980 book, which used some other term (such as "pyrogenesis"?).

In either case, the term was in use previously: "Pyrokinesis" (and "Cryokinesis") were used in TSR's Gamma World (1978)... I am looking at that source right now! They were very likely used in the predecessor, Metamorphosis Alpha (1976), though I don't have it to hand. I do not believe the terms originated with TSR.

Backing this up: It's used at least in 1973 in the book "Reference Guide to Fantastic Films Vol. 2," which seems to use it as if it were a term the reader should know. See https://archive.org/details/referenceguideto0002leew/ at 193, end of first entry in second column. No doubt King popularized the term, but it was not the first time it was used. I suggest altering or removing the etymology section to reflect this. NearNRiver (talk) 20:51, 12 February 2021 (UTC)

I have updated this section to say that King "popularized" the term, rather than the previous claim that he invented it an there was no prescient, as sources, including the ones originally cited, go against this claim. NearNRiver (talk) 22:38, 19 April 2021 (UTC)

Philippines anecdote
I'm not sure if that really belongs in the history section. The sources are a sensationalist local media website and a talk show that likes paranormal stories. It's a good example of such beliefs and anecdotes but appears to lack treatment by better sources. Moreover, all are from 2011, even the additional ones I could find. This suggests that some temporary superstitious noise occurred locally (for either an incident blamed on the girl or a show to attract attention) and it was over. — Paleo Neonate  – 03:41, 25 November 2021 (UTC)

In case
Similarly to with other fantasies like levitation, flying, teleportation and shapeshifting, putting objects on fire is possible during lucid dream experiences (including commonly called "out of body" or "astral" experiences). In case someone knows of a decent source that does the link, it would deserve mention... — Paleo Neonate  – 01:30, 4 December 2021 (UTC)