Physics with an Open MindPhysics with an Open Mind

What Physics Has To Say What Physics Has To Say About ParapsychologyAbout Parapsychology

The Domain of PhysicsThe Domain of Physics

All events involving physical objects All events involving physical objects or processes are part of the subject or processes are part of the subject matter of physics.matter of physics.

Since parapsychological experiments Since parapsychological experiments involve physical events, physics has involve physical events, physics has something to say about them.something to say about them.

Physicists should not assume Physicists should not assume that that currently known lawscurrently known laws are are the whole of physics!the whole of physics!

Blind Spots in PhysicsBlind Spots in Physics

Most observations in parapsychology Most observations in parapsychology crucially involve intention, attention, crucially involve intention, attention, subjective qualia, or combinations of subjective qualia, or combinations of these to invoke psi effects.these to invoke psi effects.

Physics experiments generally ignore Physics experiments generally ignore these factors.these factors.

Therefore most of the known laws of Therefore most of the known laws of physics derive from an observational physics derive from an observational base that simply does not address psi base that simply does not address psi effects. effects.

The Psi-Sensitive ChipThe Psi-Sensitive Chip

A GedankenexperimentA Gedankenexperiment

►Suppose that a physics or Suppose that a physics or engineering laboratory invented engineering laboratory invented a device that was very sensitive a device that was very sensitive to human mental activity.to human mental activity.

►Since such laboratories do not Since such laboratories do not consider the mental state of consider the mental state of their staff to be relevant their staff to be relevant information, they would regard information, they would regard this device as behaving this device as behaving erratically for no detectable erratically for no detectable reason.reason.

►The design would be regarded The design would be regarded as failing all quality control and as failing all quality control and reliability trials and would be reliability trials and would be discarded.discarded.

Gedankenexperiment Gedankenexperiment ConclusionConclusion

►The standard development cycle, The standard development cycle, especially for experimental apparatus, especially for experimental apparatus, unintentionally acts as a screening unintentionally acts as a screening process to eliminate sensitivity to process to eliminate sensitivity to mental effects. mental effects.

► It should come as no surprise that It should come as no surprise that parapsychological effects on such parapsychological effects on such devices are small and erratic or that devices are small and erratic or that no reliable detection device for psi has no reliable detection device for psi has yet been constructed.yet been constructed.

Circular CausalityCircular Causality

A Cautionary Image of A Cautionary Image of Consensus in PhysicsConsensus in Physics

Causality Violation Dismissed

as Non-Physical ArtifactDue to Lack of Evidence

Reports Dismissed as Evidence Because No

Theoretical Model PermitsCausality Violation

New Physical Model Predicts CausalityViolating Effects

Model Is NowTaken as RequiringCausality “like all

other models”

PhenomenaThat Seem to

Violate CausalityAre Reported

(e.g. precognition)

Unrecognized EvidenceUnrecognized Evidence

• Existing records from physics experiments may conceal evidence for psi effects that has not been recognized for what it is.

• The “cold fusion” and “fifth force” controversies of the late 20th century showed a remarkable tendency for labs to get the results they wanted to see.

• Sloppy technique, or something else?

TaxonomyTaxonomy

What are the categories of What are the categories of psi phenomena psi phenomena

from a physical from a physical perspective?perspective?

Classifying Psi Classifying Psi PhenomenaPhenomena

Many attempts have been made to Many attempts have been made to categorize different types of psi categorize different types of psi phenomena.phenomena.

There has been much debate about the There has been much debate about the validity, usefulness, and validity, usefulness, and distinguishability of categories.distinguishability of categories.

The following classification is based on The following classification is based on the implications of psi phenomena the implications of psi phenomena for for physicsphysics, and makes no claim to , and makes no claim to definitiveness for psychological or definitiveness for psychological or parapsychological purposes.parapsychological purposes.

Physical Categories of Physical Categories of PsiPsi

ESP:ESP: Human gains information without using known Human gains information without using known senses. senses. E.g., E.g., Rhine categories of clairvoyance and Rhine categories of clairvoyance and telepathy.telepathy.

Micro-PK:Micro-PK: Human mental effort alters the Human mental effort alters the distribution of an unpredictable physical process within distribution of an unpredictable physical process within its range of possible variation. its range of possible variation. E.gE.g., RNG experiments, ., RNG experiments, intentional healing, DMILS?intentional healing, DMILS?

Macro-PK:Macro-PK: Physical process is altered beyond its Physical process is altered beyond its range of possible variation by known mechanisms. range of possible variation by known mechanisms. E.gE.g., ., levitation , “impossible” cures in healing.levitation , “impossible” cures in healing.

Retrocausation (meta-category): Retrocausation (meta-category): Any Any phenomenon within the above categories in which an phenomenon within the above categories in which an effect temporally precedes its cause. effect temporally precedes its cause. E.gE.g., precognition, ., precognition, presentiment.presentiment.

Challenges to Challenges to PhysicsPhysics

When the data contradict the When the data contradict the

theory, do we discard the theory, do we discard the

data,data,

or revise the theory?or revise the theory?

Distance IndependenceDistance Independence

Reported failures to Reported failures to follow an inverse square follow an inverse square law are cited as law are cited as inconsistent with known inconsistent with known physics.physics.

Signal information Signal information content does not content does not attenuate as signal attenuate as signal strength, providing a strength, providing a physical model for non-physical model for non-attenuating informational attenuating informational phenomena.phenomena.

Quantum entanglement Quantum entanglement gives another physical gives another physical model for phenomena that model for phenomena that dondon’’t attenuate with t attenuate with distance.distance.

0 200 400 600 800 1000-4

-2

0

2

4

6

0 200 400 600 800 1000-4

-2

0

2

4

ESP, Micro-PK

Energy ConservationEnergy Conservation

Macro-PK is the only form of psi that raisesMacro-PK is the only form of psi that raises

energy conservation issues.energy conservation issues. Some of the best-attested reports involve Some of the best-attested reports involve

physical effort greater than the subject could physical effort greater than the subject could produce, implying more energy was used than produce, implying more energy was used than the subject could provide.the subject could provide.

Even if the subjectEven if the subject’’s body can produce the s body can produce the requisite energy, no known mechanism can requisite energy, no known mechanism can transfer it to the macro-PK target.transfer it to the macro-PK target.

Macro-PK, if real, requires at least some Macro-PK, if real, requires at least some revision of currently understood physical revision of currently understood physical laws.laws.

Macro-PK

________________________________________

RetrocausationRetrocausation

Traditionally, physicists have rejected any Traditionally, physicists have rejected any violation of causality because of the violation of causality because of the implication of time paradoxes.implication of time paradoxes.

Retrocausal effects are at least as well Retrocausal effects are at least as well established in psi research as causal effects.established in psi research as causal effects.

Recent developments (1992 onward) in Recent developments (1992 onward) in physics make causality violations much less physics make causality violations much less threatening.threatening.

Many physical models allow the possibility Many physical models allow the possibility of retrocausation, but none have been of retrocausation, but none have been confirmed.confirmed.

(Nobody(Nobody’’s looked.)s looked.)

ESP Micro-PK

The Observation ProblemThe Observation Problem Double-slit experiment Double-slit experiment

illustrates wave-particle illustrates wave-particle duality.duality.

““Which-WayWhich-Way”” measurement measurement disrupts interference, disrupts interference, even if even if detector is placed but detector is placed but unused.unused.

Recent experiments show RV Recent experiments show RV can act as a which-way can act as a which-way measurement.measurement.

But RV requires no apparatus, But RV requires no apparatus, so so ““detectordetector”” is always in place! is always in place!

How can any double-slit How can any double-slit experiment produce experiment produce interference?interference?

Physical Models for PsiPhysical Models for Psi

What Theory SaysWhat Theory Says

How Theory Can be RevisedHow Theory Can be Revised

Hierarchy of RevisionsHierarchy of Revisions

No Change.No Change. Existing physics can Existing physics can accommodate the phenomenon, accommodate the phenomenon, although some details may be unknown.although some details may be unknown.

Extension.Extension. Some new physics is Some new physics is needed, but it can be fitted into current needed, but it can be fitted into current theories.theories.

Revolution.Revolution. A complete paradigm A complete paradigm shift is required; as with relativity or shift is required; as with relativity or QM, it must reduce to current physics QM, it must reduce to current physics in the special case of no psi influences.in the special case of no psi influences.

Psi In Existing PhysicsPsi In Existing Physics ESP and micro-PK can be accommodated to ESP and micro-PK can be accommodated to

a limited extent. Known fields could carry a limited extent. Known fields could carry signals, if biological coding/decoding is signals, if biological coding/decoding is more sophisticated than currently believed. more sophisticated than currently believed. Quantum entanglement is another Quantum entanglement is another candidate (next slide).candidate (next slide).

Macro-PK cannot be explained by current Macro-PK cannot be explained by current physics.physics.

Retrocausation can potentially be explained Retrocausation can potentially be explained by multiple mechanisms, all compatible by multiple mechanisms, all compatible with current theory, none proven to exist.with current theory, none proven to exist.

Quantum EntanglementQuantum Entanglement Schematic of Schematic of

entanglement entanglement experiment at right.experiment at right.

Same schematic works Same schematic works for many psi for many psi experiments; psi experiments; psi established only by established only by examining correlations examining correlations post hocpost hoc..

Actual entanglement Actual entanglement may or may not provide may or may not provide mechanism, does mechanism, does provide physical model.provide physical model.

Does Psi Require New Physics?Does Psi Require New Physics?• If macro-PK is a real phenomenon: yes.

• If only ESP and micro-PK need explanation: maybe.

• Physical mechanisms compatible with these two psi phenomena are possible but not demonstrated.

• Retrocausation has the same status: possible (through mechanisms appearing in multiple physical theories) but not demonstrated.

Does Physics Require New Physics?Does Physics Require New Physics?

• The two foundations of modern physics, Quantum Field Theory and General Relativity, are mutually incompatible.

• Therefore, we know that at least one major revision, at the level of full paradigm shift, is yet to come.

• A physical theory constructed from the ground up to include psi phenomena, rather than ignoring them, might be the revision that might be the revision that physicists have been seeking for 60+ years.physicists have been seeking for 60+ years.

Sideline: Observation TheoriesSideline: Observation Theories

Some theories explain psi phenomena Some theories explain psi phenomena through “collapse of the wave function.”through “collapse of the wave function.”

But this phenomenon is an ad hoc But this phenomenon is an ad hoc feature with no derivable formalism, feature with no derivable formalism, and is at the crux of QM/GR and is at the crux of QM/GR incompatibility.incompatibility.

This feature of physics needs to This feature of physics needs to be be explainedexplained, rather than having the power , rather than having the power to to explain other phenomenaexplain other phenomena..

Sideline: Retrocausation, PKSideline: Retrocausation, PK The DAT model of May, Utts, and The DAT model of May, Utts, and

Spottiswoode proposes that micro-PK Spottiswoode proposes that micro-PK is an illusion caused by unconscious is an illusion caused by unconscious precognition.precognition.

The physical analysis of Echeverria, The physical analysis of Echeverria, Klinkhammer, and Thorne (proving Klinkhammer, and Thorne (proving that retrocausal physics cannot create that retrocausal physics cannot create time paradox) implies a mechanism by time paradox) implies a mechanism by which micro-PK is a real physical which micro-PK is a real physical consequence of the existence of consequence of the existence of retrocausal ESP.retrocausal ESP.

The Future of ParapsychologyThe Future of Parapsychology

A Physicist’s RecommendationsA Physicist’s Recommendations

Getting Good AnswersGetting Good AnswersReliably repeatable results are a Reliably repeatable results are a prerequisite for any experimental prerequisite for any experimental progress regardless of the specific progress regardless of the specific question being asked.question being asked. High-yield and high-repeatability protocols, High-yield and high-repeatability protocols,

such as DMILS and presentiment, should be such as DMILS and presentiment, should be explored, and their failures examined explored, and their failures examined intensively to explain the cause of failure.intensively to explain the cause of failure.

Parapsychologists should pay close attention Parapsychologists should pay close attention to robust results that require psi-type to robust results that require psi-type explanations, even if they come from explanations, even if they come from seemingly unrelated fields. Intentional seemingly unrelated fields. Intentional healing research is a good example.healing research is a good example.

The Interesting The Interesting QuestionsQuestions

1.1. Does Macro-PK Exist?Does Macro-PK Exist?

2.2. Is Subjective “Energy” Really Is Subjective “Energy” Really EnergyEnergy??

If so, what (besides a human If so, what (besides a human sensitive) can detect and measure sensitive) can detect and measure it?it?

3.3. Does Psychic Observation Obey Does Psychic Observation Obey The Uncertainty Principle?The Uncertainty Principle?

4.4. Does The Physics Literature Hold Does The Physics Literature Hold Unrecognized Evidence For Psi?Unrecognized Evidence For Psi?

Answering the QuestionsAnswering the Questions

1.1. Does Macro-PK Exist?Does Macro-PK Exist? Intense and systematic investigation of Intense and systematic investigation of

reports of RSPK, “external qi gong”, reports of RSPK, “external qi gong”, “impossible” healings (e.g. regeneration)“impossible” healings (e.g. regeneration)

2.2. Is Subjective “Energy” Really Is Subjective “Energy” Really EnergyEnergy?? Metabolic studies of practitionersMetabolic studies of practitioners Instrumentation of practitioners and Instrumentation of practitioners and

eventsevents Analysis of “charged” objects & Analysis of “charged” objects &

substancessubstances

Answering the QuestionsAnswering the Questions3.3. Does Psychic Observation Obey Does Psychic Observation Obey

the Uncertainty Principle?the Uncertainty Principle? Replicate RV ‘which-way’ Replicate RV ‘which-way’

experimentsexperiments Look for limits in space & timeLook for limits in space & time RV version of quantum Zeno effectRV version of quantum Zeno effect

4.4. Unrecognized Psi in Physics Unrecognized Psi in Physics Literature?Literature?

Systematic review and meta-analysis Systematic review and meta-analysis of candidate topics, e.g. “fifth-force”of candidate topics, e.g. “fifth-force”

The Interesting The Interesting QuestionsQuestions

1.1. Does Macro-PK Exist?Does Macro-PK Exist?

2.2. Is Subjective “Energy” Really Is Subjective “Energy” Really EnergyEnergy??

If so, what (besides a human If so, what (besides a human sensitive) can detect and measure sensitive) can detect and measure it?it?

3.3. Does Psychic Observation Obey Does Psychic Observation Obey The Uncertainty Principle?The Uncertainty Principle?

4.4. Does The Physics Literature Hold Does The Physics Literature Hold Unrecognized Evidence For Psi?Unrecognized Evidence For Psi?