From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!karn
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: Re: Too smart for ESP
Article-I.D.: eagle.784
Posted: Tue Feb 15 23:40:56 1983
Received: Sun Feb 20 12:22:05 1983

Regarding cbosg!dir's comments on ESP and parapsychology:

	"I really find it hard to accept that ANYONE who is competent enough to
	 use a computer system really believes in parapsychology." ... eagle!karn

	Karn's statement implies
	a. that people who use computers are competent (presumably intelligent, 
	   well-read, open-minded, etc.),
	b. that competent people would not believe in parapsychology
	   because they are too smart, and
	c. that parapsychology is something that one believes in.
	
	Implication (a) is false: anyone can use a 
		computer with sufficient instruction.

Agreed; I had second thoughts about this one as soon as I posted the
article.  Considering that more CPU cycles are spent these days on games
than on all other uses combined, this is a very weak test for scientific
competence.  Perhaps I should have said "..competent enough to use
netnews...", well, maybe not.

	Implication (b) is false: there is always someone smarter 
		than you or I who will believe that some 
		parapsychological phenomena are real.

But for each person smarter than you or I who believe in parapsychology,
I could probably find you ten who are dumber.  In any event, an argument
based solely on numbers of believers is worthless.  "Reality" is
independent of the number of people who engage in wishful thinking.
The scientific method depends more on strict adherence to a set of rules
designed to minimize the effects of human fallability (e.g., an emotional
stake in the outcome.)  Even smart people are subject to human failings
from time to time.

	Implication (c) is false: parapsychology is a method of study, not
		a belief system.

Given that parapsychology requires that rational, methodical research
techniques be ignored (otherwise there would be little to study), there
isn't much left besides unfounded beliefs.

	I wonder how many net readers would change their mind about
	ESP if 80% of the Nobel Prize winners expressed belief in ESP.
	We are swayed by scientific peer pressure to an amazing degree. 

The number of believers would not sway me.  A large number of
independent, rigorously conducted double-blind experiments, with open
scrutiny and publication of the techniques and results, showing conclusive
evidence of psi WOULD sway me.  So far this hasn't happened; when it does,
I'll believe.

Perhaps PSI research SHOULD be funded and continued; it provides an insight
into the fallibilities of the human mind that cannot be obtained in any other
way.

Phil Karn