jeffma@tekgvs.UUCP (Jeff Mayhew) (02/10/84)
"I have observed 'paranormal' phenomena, so you will have a hard time
convincing me that they don't exist."
"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."
"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."
-Dan Klein, Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh [mi-cec.200]
A few comments on Dan's "reasons" for being more believable than Uri Geller.
I've got news for you, Dan. History has shown us that merely being a
"scientist" doesn't equip you with the appropriate qualifications to expound
on alleged paranormal phenomena. In fact, scientists are often more gullible
than the average layman. Your second reason for being more "believable" is
rather puzzling. Somehow we are supposed to believe you, because you don't
try too hard to prove it? I guess I missed something there. Sort of reminds
me of the time Merv Griffin decided that Uri Geller had to be genuine, because
he didn't always succeed in performing his miracles. After all, a professional
magician would be able to do it every time....
I might also mention that when someone is asking you to "take his word" for
the validity of his informal assessments of a non-reproducible and highly
debatable phenomenon, rather than look at the solid (non-anecdotal) evidence
to date, he is certainly not making that request in the role of a scientist.
Hence it is rather misleading to use the "scientist" label to justify it.
We are welcome to interpret such occurrences as we wish. I have had
virtually identical experiences myself, but prefer to construct somewhat less
dramatic explanations. Granted, it occasionally makes it a little harder to
come up with exciting dinner conversation, but that's the price we skeptics
have to pay...
Jeff Mayhew
Teklabs