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