[net.physics] old senses

knutsen@sri-unix.ARPA (06/21/85)

From:  knutsen (Andrew Knutsen)


	Im almost positive that our sense of smell has atrophied as
we've "evolved"... probably due to lack of use as we left the hunter/
gatherer stage.

	However, if ESP is existent and not refined, I would say it is
probably more due to lack of control.  We know for sure that if it
does exist is isnt particularly controllable;  and a powerful capability
which is not under control can actually be a weakness (like if you think
you can stop the tiger and dont climb the tree).

	By the way, there is one form of ESP which I think I may have
experienced in a fairly powerful way.  I was once sleeping in a hotel
when a motorcycle hit a concrete divider outside, killing two people
instantly.  I woke up very suddenly with a very unusual sensation, which
Ive never experienced before or since.  It may have just been the loud
noise though...

Andrew

steve@kontron.UUCP (Steve McIntosh) (07/09/85)

> From:  knutsen (Andrew Knutsen)
> 
> 	By the way, there is one form of ESP which I think I may have
> experienced in a fairly powerful way.  I was once sleeping in a hotel
> when a motorcycle hit a concrete divider outside, killing two people
> instantly.  I woke up very suddenly with a very unusual sensation, which
> Ive never experienced before or since.  It may have just been the loud
> noise though...
> 
I heard somewhere (I think it was on a PBS show) that the human brain has
a half-second delay between then time things actually happen and the time
it is percieved. (ie. when you hear something, it actually happened half
a second earlier.) During this half-second, your brain is processing the
signal and setting up all sorts of responses that are ready to kick in
when perception of the event hits.

This is a possible explanation for deja-vue (however you spell it.)

Anybody have any references on this?

-Steve McIntosh, Kontron electronics, Irvine CA