A perceptual channel for information transfer over kilometer distances: Historical perspective and recent research

TLDR

For more than a century, scientists have sought to confirm or refute claims that a perceptual channel allows certain individuals to perceive and describe remote data not presented to any known sense. This paper outlines the history of scientific inquiry into paranormal perception and surveys the current state of parapsychological research in the United States and abroad. The authors examined this perceptual channel through a series of experiments at the Electronics and Bioengineering Laboratory of the Stanford Research Institute, investigating both experienced subjects and volunteers who mentally viewed remote geographical or technical targets such as buildings, roads, and laboratory apparatus. The accumulated data show that the phenomenon is not distance‑sensitive, Faraday cage shielding does not degrade perception, and the research points to areas of physics that may provide an explanation.

Abstract

For more than 100 years, scientists have attempted to determine the truth or falsity of claims for the existence of a perceptual channel whereby certain individuals are able to perceive and describe remote data not presented to any known sense. This paper presents an outline of the history of scientific inquiry into such so-called paranormal perception and surveys the current state of the art in parapsychological research in the United States and abroad. The nature of this perceptual channel is examined in a series of experiments carried out in the Electronics and Bioengineering Laboratory of Stanford Research Institute. The perceptual modality most extensively investigated is the ability of both experienced subjects and inexperienced volunteers to view, by innate mental processes, remote geographical or technical targets including buildings, roads, and laboratory apparatus. The accumulated data indicate that the phenomenon is not a sensitive function of distance, and Faraday cage shielding does not in any apparent way degrade the quality and accuracy of perception. On the basis of this research, some areas of physics are suggested from which a description or explanation of the phenomenon could be forthcoming.