Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!decvax!mcnc!idis!mi-cec!dvk From: dvk@mi-cec.UUCP (Dan Klein) Newsgroups: net.misc Subject: ESP Message-ID: <200@mi-cec.UUCP> Date: Wed, 8-Feb-84 11:49:23 EST Article-I.D.: mi-cec.200 Posted: Wed Feb 8 11:49:23 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Feb-84 09:11:37 EST Lines: 31 I have observed "paranormal" phenomena, so you will have a hard time convincing me that they don't exist. I put the quotes around paranormal because for me, they are simply normal. (The subject in question is me). Now, as to reliability, it isn't. Nor is it reproducable on demand. It is not scientifically verifiable, because often the situation leading up to its observance are not of an experimentally reproducable nature. But: It also is not coincidence. Example: I have not talked to Andrea in 2 months, nor have I really thought about her. Suddenly I get the inspiration to call. As I am walking to the phone, it rings. Andrea is calling me. The same thing happens with my sister (often we find ourselves saying "I was just going to call you"). I am willing to write off my telepathic/empathetic abilities to simply the power of observation. However the telephone episodes are another story. I can attribute a "mental link" to my sister as being linked to our filial association. Andrea is not related though. Can I prove anything? No. You have to take my word for it, and I think I am a bit more believable than Uri Geller, because 1) I am a scientist, and not a charlatan actor, and 2) I realize that I can't prove anything, so I don't come in with drum roll and fanfare. I have also tried telekenisis, and I can't to it. Not even on a mote of dust, or a smoke particle. But I can slow my heart - that is a more believable system. I also can't do precognition. (If I could, I'd go play the lottery a lot). But occasionally, I am empathic and telepathic. No, I can't "read your mind". It depends on who, and where, and when. But it does happen. -Dan Klein, Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh