Hermione was wrong about muggle artifacts

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 67818

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jonm234" <jonm234 at y...> wrote:
> For quite a while now, I've held the theory that the whole 'muggle 
> artifacts go haywire around Hogwarts b/c of all the magic in the 
> air' belief is nothing more than superstition.  Most of my argument 
> comes from logic rather than the books:
> 
> 1) Obviously the problem cannot be caused by magic interfering with 
> mechanical actions because otherwise no one would be able to move, 
> ...

bboy_mn:

You're right, it DOESN'T refer to simple mechanical devices. Hermione
never said muggle 'artifacts'; I'm pretty sure she implied on the
several occassions when she mentioned it, muggle electronic and
complex electrical devices. Nothing to my knowledge has ever been
mentioned about magic interferring with the basic mechanical universe.

> 
> 2) It can't be a problem of electricity being interrupted, again b/c 
> of the fact that the human brain, even the non-magical squib brain, 
> has no trouble relaying messages in the nervous system via 
> electrical impulses.  ...edited...


bboy_mn:
Next, it's not the whole wizard world that is involved; it is
specifically Hogwarts with it's concentration of (debatably) 1,000
untrained magical student running wild, and uncountable protection
wards and charms around the castle itself. There is nothing to
indicate your cell phone wouldn't work in Diagon Alley. I doubt that
it would work very well, but I say it would work.

I think the electrical problem relates specifically to electronic and
complex electrical devices; computers, radios, television, digital
watches. There are many times when I am having problems with TV
reception or my computer overheating, when in the same environment, my
brain works just fine. Common electronic devices are FAR FAR FAR more
susceptible to outside interference that the human brain.

 
> 
> 3) It most obviously can't be a problem concerning waves ... because 
> ...people would not be able to see ...light waves ...

bboy_mn:
You're right it's NOT a problem concerning waves. You're
hyper-rationalizing the possibilities far beyond what they are meant
to be. The magic in the air simple overwhelms common electronic
devices, the same way a burst of lightening overwhelms you TV signal.

> 
> Now, ..., there is the simple matter of Harry's watch.  ...edited...
> 
> -Jon

bboy_mn:

We've had some long discussions about that but none that I can recall
real recently. If you read the book in perspective, then simple
mechanincal devices and I say, very simple electical devices DO work
inside Hogwarts. It is possible that Harry's watch, as well as
everyone elses, is an all mechanical watch; nothing but springs and
gears. So there is no logical reason why highly concentrated magic
would interfer with it. A digital or digital display watch, on the
other hand, has more electronics in it, and would therefore be
overwhelmed by the magic in the air.

It's even possible for it to be a quartz mechaincal watch. A quarts
watch used a small metal battery and an extremely primitive motor-like
mechanism to drive the watch hands. This is a very simple electical
device and is well sheilded, so while I admittedly can't prove it, I
personally feel that this type of watch would work. Without a doubt, I
say all mechanical watches do work in that environment.

I believe an older automobile which also has a very primitive
electical system would work around Hogwarts; again, it's nothing but a
battery, coil of wire, and some mechanincally driven contacts. But
that is about the most complex electro-mechanical device that could
work inside Hogwart's ground. Modern automobiles relie heavily on
electronics, and that would prevent them from functioning.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn