FAQ - Evidence for the existence of PSI
 
© Dan Kettler 1998
 
 

UPDATE of this page December 27, 1998
 
 

Q Where can I find evidence for the existence of PSI?

         a.    a book by Dean Radin PhD, The Conscious Universe
 
                                obtainable through...

       1.            http://www.psicounsel.com/pear01.html#tcu
                 2.            obtainable in bookstores
 

         b.      through references from the following URL
 

            http://www.psicounsel.com/scistudy.html
 

Q What kind of a book (T.C.U.) is it?  What about the author?
     How would I know if I want the book?
 

  a. http://www.io.com/~hambone/web/radin.html

  b. http://mail.cruzio.com/~quanta/review.html

     criticism of above item "b" at:

  c. http://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~bdj10/psi/doubtsregood.html

   d.                  Reviews and Commentary
                          From The Publisher Harper San Francisco:

                           This myth-shattering book explains the evidence for the veracity of psychic phenomena, uniting the
                           teachings of mystics, the theories of quantum physics, and the latest in high-tech experiments. With
                           painstaking research and deft, engaging prose, Radin dispels the misinformation and superstition that
                           have clouded the understanding of scientists and laypeople alike concerning a host of fascinating
                           oddities. Psychokinesis, remote viewing, prayer, jinxes, and more - all are real, all have been scientifically
                           proven, and the proof is in these pages. Though the link defies the laws of classical physics, it may heel
                           closely to the basic precepts of quantum mechanics. Finally, Radin takes a bold look ahead, to the
                           inevitable social, economic, academic, and spiritual consequences of the mass realization that mind and
                           matter can influence each other without having physical contact.

                           Recently profiled in the New York Times Magazine. Dean Radin is perhaps the most respected
                           parapsychology authority in the country. An articulate, engaging communicator, Radin wields
                           impeccable credentials, a healthy skepticism and a meticulous scientific method to put "psi" phenomona
                           like telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition and mind-over-matter abilities to the hard test of science. His
                           unprecedented manifesto makes a startingly persuasive case for the truth of psychic phenomena -- and
                           places us on the cusp of what may well be the next great paradigm shift.
 

             e.       "In recent years, the two strongest arguments for
                        the reality of ESP and PK have been put forth
                        by Jessica Utts and Dean Radin."
 
                        Quote of Ray Hyman, Ph.D., Prof.
                        of Psychology University of Oregon
                        and Chair Parapsychology Committee,
                        CSICOP
              http://www.csicop.org

              Professor Ray Hyman is widely known as
              a skeptic.

             Above quote is from the written abstract of a talk
             Professor Hyman gave in February 1998 in Silicon
             Valley, which Dean Radin attended.

Dean Radin, Ph.D.
Consciousness Research Laboratory
www.PsiResearch.org

                 Debate about Ray Hyman, and from Ray Hyman
                         may be found in links from
                         http://www.psicounsel.com/scistudy.html
                         See the link to Professor Utts' site,
                         and another link to "PSI Laboratory Tests."

Q  What benefit, skeptic or believer, would likely be gained by 
      debating the evidence from the data of Professor
      Jessica Utts, or Dean Radin?

     a.  The following:

            1. Entertainment

            2. Stimulation

            3. Practice and improvement with debate techniques

      b.  Why no insight?  Why no new information?  Why no solving of problems?

            The data has been debated in sci.skeptic.  It was debated
            elsewhere, and the issues of those debates have been placed on the
            World Wide Web.  References to other URLs listed above, show that.

            Since those debating are much closer to the work of developing this
            data, both on the skeptic side and the advocates side, there is little
            that the average person posting to a newsgroup can likely improve upon.
 

Q For the paranormalist who wishes to debate this issue,
     what newsgroup are you advised to do so in?

    a.     sci.skeptic or other appropriate newsgroups, other
            than alt.paranormal, since alt.paranormal
            is not moderated.

            Item 9 of the alt.paranormal FAQ contains the
            following from the sci.skeptic FAQ:

            http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/skeptic-faq.html
 

              0.1: What is sci.skeptic for?
              -----------------------------

              Sci.skeptic is for those who are
              skeptical about claims of the
              paranormal to meet with those
              who believe in the paranormal.

 
    b.    Why?

        1.       http://www.psicounsel.com/altparfaq.html

                  Item 6

                  When a debate is in progress with a
                  polite skeptic, it often becomes an
                  open invitation for disrupters to
                  participate in.

                  [history shows] most of the so-called
                  "skeptics" who argue against the
                  existence of the paranormal, in
                  alt.paranormal, are obnoxious

         2.       Here are examples of the testimony of
                   people who have been discouraged
                   from participating in alt.paranormal
                   due to hostility from so-called
                  "skeptics"...

                  http://www.psicounsel.com/page9328-a.htm#reg

         3.      http://www.psicounsel.com/freedom.html#prove

 
    How will people who regularly use alt.paranormal, and
         not sci.skeptic, participate in a debate that I initiate?

         It is advised in the alt.paranormal FAQ that a person,
         skeptic or proponent, post announcement of debates
         in alt.paranormal listing the subject title that is in
         sci.skeptic, with the debate continuing in sci.skeptic
         and not alt.paranormal.

Q    Is it advisable to debate these issues in a
        moderted newsgroup?

                  Certainly.  At times alt.paranormal.moderated is open to
                  skeptic debate.  Such debate is often not destructive, since
                  a moderator monitors it and decides which posts will, or
                  will not, appear.

Q    What do you mean by "advisable" and "advised"?

         Simply, it is not a rule.  Some FAQs for "alt" groups
         can be enforced by communicating with certain ISPs
         who honor the FAQs, such as rules regarding "spam"
         and denigration of character.  One cannot, feasibly,
         ask ISPs to forbid peaceful debate in an "alt" group.

         Item 5 of the FAQ, contained in that document since
         early 1998:

                  The attempts of "skeptics" to debate are
                  not something we can do anything about.

         There is something the proponent can do, however,
         and that is to not participate in such debate in
         alt.paranormal.

         Additionally, it's advised that skeptics are not harrassed,
         such as repeating demands for anyone to stop
         debating.  Only one gentle reminder of the advice,
         and the reasons for it, with quotes from the a.p.
         FAQ is advised, but no continued arguments about it.