Charlie Charlie Challenge Explained: Scientists Say What Is Really Moving The Pencil

The Charlie Charlie Challenge is sweeping the internet, but it turns out the spooky and apparently supernatural game actually has a simple explanation.

The game entails people trying to communicate with an ancient Mexican demon named Charlie. The players write YES and NO on four squares on a piece of paper and then set up a pencil sitting crosswise atop another pencil. They then chant, “Charlie, Charlie, can we play?” and wait to see what happens.

The participants wait to see if the top pencil moves, either toward the YES or the NO.

The pencil inevitably moves, and as the Independent explained in a basic scientific analysis, there is nothing supernatural about it. The report attributes the pencil’s movement to gravity and “the awkward positioning of some pencils.”

“They just wouldn’t sit still even if you wanted them to,” the report claimed.

It went on.

“With the Charlie Charlie game, however, nobody is actually touching the pencils. But they are still likely being pushed — the pencils have to be so finely balanced on top of each other that even the slightest movement from a breath or slightly tilted surface will push it around.

The arrangement of pencils that the game requires means that they’ll always move, because it’s just not a natural position for them to be in.”

Other scientists have backed the explanation, saying that there is really nothing spooky about gravity causing a pencil to move.

While the Charlie Charlie Challenge may have a simple scientific explanation, some are still taking it very seriously. Some religious groups have warned against summoning demons, with one Catholic priest issuing a grave warning to anyone who dares to play the game.

Father Stephen McCarthy, a teacher at Saints John Neumann and Mario Goretti Catholic High School in Philadelphia, wrote a letter warning not to invite demons into their homes.

“There is a dangerous game going around on social media which openly encourages impressionable young people to summon demons.

I want to remind you all there is no such thing as ‘innocently playing’ with demons. Please be sure to NOT participate and and encourage others to avoid participation as well.

The problem with opening yourself up to demonic activity is that it opens a window of possibilities which is not easily closed.”

Anyone who wants to see the Charlie Charlie Challenge explanation in action can simply set up the pencils without calling for the Mexican spirit to come out and play. Wait long enough and the top pencil will inevitably move, with no demons involved.

[Image via Instagram / thecharliecharliechallenge]