S11-Al (TI STANFORD RESEARCH INSTITUTE MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025 (415) 32G-6200 DIRECT PERCEPTION OF REMOTE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS by Harold E. Puthoff and Russell Targ Invited parier prepared for IEEE National Convention, ELECTRO 77, 12 April 1977, Npw York City, N.Y. Approved For Release 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 Approved For ReleaW2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787W00200080008-6 DIRECT PERCEPTION OF RLMOTE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS 11arold E. Puthoff anti Russell Targ Stanford Research Institute, Menlo Park., California 94025 ABSTRACT For the past five years we have been in- -@-cstignting aspects of human perception that .1ppear to fall outside the range of well-under- stood perceptual/processing capabilities. Of 2)articular interest is a human information- iccessing capability that we call "remote sens- ing." This phenomenon pertains to the ability o'f certain individuals to access and,describe., by means of mental processes, information sources blocked from ordinazy perception (for example by distance or shielding) and believed to be secure against such access. In particu- lar, the phenomenon we have investigated most extensively is the ability of a subject to view remote geographical locations up to several thousand km distant from his physical locati given only a known person on whom to target. We have recently carried out coast-to-coast ex- periments using a computer network to interface with individuals whose remote perceptual abili- ties have been developed sufficiently to allow them to describe--often in great detail--geo- graphical or technical material such as build- ings, roads, and natural formations. Our accumulated data indicate that both specially selected and unselectbd persons can be assisted in developing remote perceptual abilities up to a level of useful information transfer. Further, the extent of physical dis- tance separating the subject from the target site up to transcontinental distances does not appear to significantly affect the accuracy of the perception. INTRODUCTION In over 70 laboratory experiments that now include work with more than a dozen subjects, we have investigated an often-reported human perceptual ability that has heretofore not been widely investigated in the laboratory. This ability, brought to our attention by a subject, Mr. Ingo Swann, we term "remote sensing." It is an ability by which human subjects perceive, and describe by word and drawing, distant scenes and activities blocked from ordinary perception. In these experiments, subjects have been able to describe with equal accuracy scenes at both local sites (that isl within a few miles) and those at transcontinental dis- tances. As observed in the laboratory, the basic Phenomenon appears to cover a range of subjec- tive experiences variously referred to in the literature as autoscopy (in the medical liter- ature); exteriorization or disassociation (psychological literature); simple clairvoy- anceY traveling clairvoyance,, or oAxt-of-body experience (parapsychological literature); or astral projection (occult literature). We choose the term "remote sensing as a neutral descriptive term free from prior-associations and bias as to mechanisms. The need for i supportive setting to over- come prevailing societal prejudices against such remote sensing has been provided within the confines of the Electronics and Bioengi- neering Laboratory and the Radio Physics Lab- oratory at Stanford Research Institute (SRI). Here., throughout our research spanning a five- year period, we have worked with new and un- trained subjects so as to avoid reliance on the availability of a very limited number of spe- cial subjects. Remote perceptual abilities In several individuals have now been developed sufficiently to allow them to describe--often in considerable detail--geographical or tech- nical material such as buildings, roads., and real-time activities. Since the initial publication of our in- vestigations of this remarkable phenomenon, IY2 four successful replication experiments have been performed in other laboratories across the country.4-7 In addition., we have learned through private communications of several un- published studies of other successful experi- ments in paranormal functioning of this type. In this paper we describe the experimental protocol used to carry out the research and the formal judging procedure used to quantify the results. In addition, we detail recent experi- ments in coast-to-coast remote viewing that have yielded results similar to those obtained in the initial experiments using relatively local target sites. Finally, as a step toward achieving our research aim of using the experi- mental data base to deduce relevant physical principles and laws governing paranormal or psi functioning, we examine some physical models potentially applicable to remote perception. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Description of the Protocol (Local'Targets) The.general protocol is to closet a sub- ject with an experimenter at SRI and at a pre- arranged time to obtain from the subject a de- scription of an undisclosed, remote site being visited by a target team. In each of the ex- periments., there is an SRI experimenter on the target demarcation team at the remote location J_J AV E. LECT TENNIS COURTS DIST, 76 10D PLAY GROUNDS POOL HOUSE SERVICE CONCRETE BLOCK YARD FIRE STATION Q /_ '%' PICNIC AREA/ 'PICN16`AR@A@ (a) City map of target location FIGURE 1 SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX AS REMOTE VIEWING TARGET that is chosen in a double-blind fashion out- lined below. An outbound experimenter is assigned a target location by an independent experimenter who has generated a list of targets located within a 30-minute driving time from SRIY and who accesses this list by a randomization pro- cedure. The target pool consists of more than 100 target locations chosen from a target-rich environment. The target location selected is kept blind to both the subject and experimenter closeted at SRI. In detail: To begin the experiment, a sub- ject is closeted with an experimenter at SRI to wait 30 minutes before beginning a narrative description of an undisclosed remote location that will be the target for the experiment. A second experimenter, accompanied by other mem- bers of a target demarcation team, then obtains sealed traveling orders from a monitor who has previously prepared and randomized 6 set of such orders. After leaving SRI by automobile, the target demarcation team opens the traveling orders and proceeds directly to the target without any communication with the subject or experimenter remaining at SRI. The experiment- er remaining with the subject in the SRI labo- ratory is kept ignorant of both the particular target and -the target pool so as to eliminate the possibility of cueing (overt or subliminal) and to allow him freedom in questioning the sub- ject for clarification of his descriptions. The target demarcation team remains at the target site for a prearranged 15-minute period follow- ing the 30 minutes alloted for travel. During the CbCCrvation period, the experimenter in the lab tape-records the subject's remote viewing impressions of the target site and collects ar drawings made by the subject. After the targ( demarcation team returns to SRII the impressi( obtained from the subject are compared with t1 actual observations of the team. Finally,, following the experiment, the subject is takei to the site so that he may obtain direct feedback. Initial Experimental Series with a Subject Experienced in Remote Viewing Our first subject in a formal series of experiments to investigate the remote viewing function was Mr. Pat Price, a former Califori police commissioner and city councilman, who p,articipated in nine experiments. Mr. Price came to our experiments with a reported histo: of spontaneous remote viewing experiences. Ii general, Price's ability in our experiments ti describe correctly buildings, docks., roads,, gardens., and the like., including structural materials', color, ambience, and activity--som -times in great detail--indicated the function of a remote perceptual ability. A Hoover Tow. targetY for exampleJ, was recognized and cor- rectly named. Nonetheless'. Price's descripti generally contained inaccuracies as well as c rect statements. A typical example is indica by his drawing shown in Figure 1 in which he correctly described a park-like area containi two pools of water: one rectangular, 60 X 89 ft (actual dimensions 75 X 100 ft); the other circular, diameter 120 ft (actual diameter 11 ft). As can be seen from his drawing, he als included some elementsl such as the tanks sho in the upper right, that are not present at t -2- Approved For Release 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 (b) Drawing by Price Approved For Relea60 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787&000200080008-6 tarrot site. We also note an apparent left- ritOlt reversal@ often observed in paranormal perception experiments. Further, he incorrectly indicated the function of the site as water purification rather than recreational swimming. We often observe essentially correct descriptions of basic elements and patterns coupled with incom- plete or erroneous analysis of function. This theme emerged as a thread which continued throughout our work and eventually led to a breakthrough with regard to an understanding of the interrelationship between paranormal per- ception and cerebral functioning, namely: that paranormal functioning may involve specializa- tion characterisftc of the brain's right hemi- sphere) which predominates in spatial and other holistic processing, in contrast to the left hemisphere which predominates 8 in0verbal and other analytical functioning. Judging of Results To obtain a numerical evaluation of , the accuracy of the remote viewing experiment, the experimental results were subjected to indepen- dent Judging on a blind basis by an SRI research analyst not otherwise associated with the re- search. Price's response packets, which con- tained the nine typed,, unedited transcripts of the tape-recorded narratives and associated drawings, were unlabeled and presented in ran- dom order. Working alone) the analyst visited each target location in turn and in a blind fashion rated Price's descriptions on a scale 1 to 9 (best to worst match). The statistic of interest is the sum of ranks assigned to the target-associated transcripts., lower values indicating better matches. For nine targetsY the sum of ranks could range from nine (for perfect matching) to eighty-one. The technique for calculating the probability that a given sum of ranks s or less will occur by chance is given in Reference 2. The results of the judging, shown in Table 1. included seven direct hits out of the nine. The overall result was statisti- cally significant at p = 2.9 X 10-5. Table I also indicates the various types of targets used in this series. Further., in experiments 3.9 4., and 6-9. the subject was secured in a double-walled copper screen Faraday cage, which provides 120-dB attenuation for plane-wave radio-frequency radiation over the range of 15 kHz to I GHz. The results of rank-order judging indicate that the use of such shielding does not prevent high-quality descriptions from being obtained. Replication Series with a Subject Inexperienced in Remote Viewing Having completed this initial series of experiments with Price we concluded that Table I DISTRIBUTION Or, RANKINGS ASSIGNED TO TRANSCRIPTS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH TARGET LOCATION FOR EXPERIENCED SUBJECT PRICE Distance Rr-ink Target Location (km) o Associat-@ TranscriT Hoover Tower., Stanford3.4 1 Baylands Nature Preserve Palo Alto 6.4 .1 Radio telescope., Portola Valley 6.4 1 Marina Redwood City 6.8 1 Bridge toll plaza,, Fremont 14.5 6 Drive-in theatre., .5.1 Palo Alto I Arts and Crafts Plaza, Menlo Park 1.9 1 Catholic Church, Portola Valley 8.5 3 Swimming pool complex., Palo Alto 3.4 1 Total sum of ranks 16 (p=2.9X10_ remote viewing was both a real and a robust phenomenon. Our next task was to try to find out how widely distributed the ability was in the general population. We began with the following replication experiment. The subject for this experiment was Mrs. Hella Hammid., a gifted professional photogra- pher. She was selected for this series on th basis of her good performance as a percipient in an earlier EEG experiment designed to meas physiological response to remote strobelight stimuli., a hypothesized screening procedure f remote viewing. Outside of that interaction, she had had no previous experience with appar paranormal functioning. At the time we began working with Mrs. Hammid., she had no strong feelings about the likelihood of her ability to succeed in t task. This was in contrast to both Ingo Swan who suggested these experiments and who had come to our laboratory fresh from an apparent successful series of similar experiments with Dr. Karlis Osis at the American Society for Psychical Research (ASPR) in New Yorkil and -3- I.- " 7 t7 X, WW-PW Vs'rq- Approved For Release 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 .loved For ReleasW2001103/26.:. CIA-RDP96-007874000200080008-6 Pedestrian overpass Target FIGURE 2 SUBJECT HAMMID DRAWING, DESCRIBED AS "SOME KIND OF DIAGONAL 'TROUGH UP IN THE AIR" Pat Price., the first subject in our formal series of experimentsl who felt that he used his remote viewing ability in his everyday life. In working with an inexperienced subject, we must take into account the fact that many people are influenced to a large degree by their environment and by public scrutiny when it comes to activities generally considered to be impos- sible. A reluctance to cope with negative feed- back from society often inhibits individuals from exploring a potential for paranormal per- ception. Therefore, in addition to maintaining scientific rigorl one of our primary tasks as researchers is to provide an environment that lends protective support for a subject to pur- sue such explor 'ation. With a new subject, we also stress the nonuniqueness of the ability because our experience indicates that paranor- Mal functioning is a latent ability that all subjects can demonstrate to some degree. We observed in working with Price that i remote viewing structure and form tended to b correct even when interpretation was incorree We therefore found it an advantage that Mrs. Hammid's artistic background enabled her to draw and describe visual images that she could not identify in any cognitive or analyt sense. When the target demarcation team went to a pedestrian overpass target location for example, the subject said that she saw 'a kin of diagonal trough up in the air , it which she indicated in the upper part of her drawing in Figure 2. She further explained that ,'If you stand where they are f? standing you will see something like this , indicating the nested squares at the bottom of Figure 2. As can be seen from the photograph of the target locati as shown in Figure 2P a judge standing where indicated would'have a view closely resemblin what she had drawn. We emphasize., however., t judges did not have access to our photographv. -4- r V if) Approved For Release 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 tile site., used here for illustrative purposes only; rather, they proceeded to each of the tar- get locations according to a list. As in the original series with Price, the results of this nino-exporimont series were sub- mitted for independent judging on a blind basis by an SRI research analyst not otherwise asso- ciated with the research. According to the judging procedure previously outlined in the it if section j, Judging of Results the judge ranked each target location on a scale of 1 to 9 (best to worst match) on the basis of the narratives and drawings submitted by the subject. The sum of ranks assJgned to the target-associated transcripts was statistically significant at p = 1.8 X 10-6. This inciuded five dire 'ct hits and four second ranks as shown in Table 2 along with the locations of the nine experiments in this set. Table 2 DISTRIBUTION OF RANKINGS ASSIGNED TO TRANSCRIPTS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH TARGET LOCATION FOR LEARNER SUBJECT HAMMID Rank of Target Location Distance Associated (km) Transcript Methodist Church, Palo Alto 1. .9 1 Ness Auditorium, Menlo Park 0.2 1 Merry-go-round,, Palo Alto 3.4 1 Parking garage., Mountain View 8.1 2 SRI International Courtyard, Menlo 0.2 1 Park Bicycle shedY Menlo Park 0.1 2 Railroad trestle bridge., Palo Alto 1.3 2 Pumpkin patch, Menlo Park 1.3 Pedestrian overpass, Palo Alto 5.0 2 Total sum of ranks 13 (p=1.8 X10-6) In comparing the results of the Hammid and Price experiments., we observe a difference in the subjects' styles that evidentl .y affected the pattern of results. The descriptions from Price were usually more detailed than those of Hammid and thus led to more first-place matclics--tilp, is., direct hits in the rank order judging. At tile same time., his striving for detail. producc erroneous analytical interpretations that re- sulted in two distinct mismatches. On the other hand, the more restrained narratives of Mrs. Hammid resulted in fewer first-place matches, but none fell below second place. S@@ a comparison of results does not indicate th,11, one subject necessarily has more paranormal pc ception than the other, but rather shows the effects in this type of judging procedure due a difference in tyle. Experiments with Unselectod Subjects After more than a year of following the experimental protocol described above and ob- serving that even inexperienced subjects ob- tained results better than expected, we began series of experiments to explore further whether individuals other than so-called "psy- chics" could demonstrate the remote viewing ability. To test this idea, we initiated an extensive series of experiments using unseleci ed subjects and local targets in the Bay Area, We had no particular reason to believe that these additional subjects possessed paranorma'. perceptual ability. These experiments served a twofold pur- pose. First they provided an opportunity to obtain data that indicate the level of profi- ciency that can be expected from unselected volunteers. Second, they served to dispel co! cerns about the possibility of deception. Fo. exampleY many scientists from the government and elsewhere have visited our laboratory to decide whether their particular departments should be concerned with paranormal research. Their requests generally focus on a desiie to tt if see something psychic , and we had been will ing to demonstrate the remote.viewing protoco with one of our subjects. However., when an individual observes a successful experiment demonstrated with another person as subject, inevitably occurs to him that perhaps chicane is somehow involved. We have found that the most effective way to settle this issue is -to have the doubter become the subject, thereby providing him with personal experience as a basis for evaluating our experimental protocc and reported results. Consequently, we have discontinued demonstration experiments. In- stead., we ask the visitor to become a subject so that he can personally evaluate what he e2 periences and sees. After the experiment, hc is then taken to the target site where he car determine firsthand if it corresponds to whal he has visualized during the experiment. We have found that the actual experience as a st ject of successful remote viewing is by far more instructive than observation of what soz one else has done. The following results -5- Approved For Release 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 A roved For Releas*AO01/03/26 :-CIA-RDP96-007871WO0200080008-6 77 Il k 1, lkl- Z ---------- 7vo( VAL TA SA-53 FIGURE 3 STANFORD UNIVERSITY, INNER QUADRANGLE TARGET; SKETCHES. PRODUCED BY SUBJECT INEXPERIENCED AT REMOTE VIEWING obtained with the last two visitors who agreed to act as subjects provide specific examples. The first was an electrical engineer who was interested in evaluating our work. We ex- plained to him that the only demonstration we were prepared to offer was the experience that he himself might have in being a remote viewing subject. His first target location (determined by the standard random protocol) turned out to be a locale known as the Baylands Nature Preserve. Our visitor described and drew a long wooden walkway and indicated the presence of extensive gardens, an accurate depiction of the target site. However, he also described seeing a building, that is not at the target site. This sort of superposition of erroneous imagery on otherwise accurate descriptions is a common occurrence and is the principal source of noise to be overcome if remote viewing is to become a useful tool. The next day we carried out a second ex- periment with this visitor. This time the ran- domly-determined target was the inner quadrang' at Stanford University. Our subject desc ribed courtyard and made the two drawings shown in Figure 3. Almost every element,of his drawingi corresponds to the actual arrangement at the location of the remote experimenters. These r, sponses are among the most accurate and detai1 that we have ever seen. This target had never been used before., and the visitor indicated th he had never been to the Stanford Campus befor nor had he ever seen a photograph of this location. A second result., typical of what we have come to expect from the remote viewing protoco was obtained with our most recent visitor/voiu teer, a physics professor who was skeptical of our reported results. This man had been lectu ing on.the West Coast and came to SRI to learn firsthand of our research. In addition to hea ing our deser iption of the protocol., he was al invited to participate as the subject in an ex periment so that he could personally evaluate -6- "mm Approved For Release 2001103126 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 _ARP IA-RDP96-00787P400200080008-6 C the experimental aspects of the remote viewing cliannel. The target chosen by random protocol was White Plaza at Stanford University,, -the second time in four years that this particular site came up for experimental use. The subject gave an excellent description of the plaza and the surrounding buildings and produced the drawing shown in Figure 4. In addition., lie also cor- rectly described the motion of the outbound ex- perimenter who circled the fountain in a clock- wise direction as shown in the subject's drawing. The results obtained with these two men are not isolated examples selected from many unsuc- cessful trials. Rather, they are simply the most recent examples of visitor first-time cases., and are typical of what we have come to expect from any serious attempt at remote viewing. LONG-DISTANCE EXPERIMENTS WITH TELECONFERENCING After establishing a data base of over 50 experiments with local targets (sites within a few miles we undertook an experimental series designed to determine whether an increase in subject-target separation to transcontinental distances would degrade the quality or accuracy of perception. As a secondary goal, we were interested in the real-time data rate; e.g.., de- termining the extent to which a remote viewing subject can track the real-time activities and movements of a known individual in a distant city. The only communication between the out- bound experimenter (e.g., in New York City) and a subject in the SRI Laboratory (Menlo Park., California) was by means of the ARPA computer net. Access to the computer by the traveling experimenter was by means of a portable terminal carried from point to point. Following are -the results obtained in this series, which consists of five experiments to date. .. .... 06,11 1@ V Remove Viewing at White Plaza Stanford University FIGURE 4 FIRST EXPERIMENT WITH VISITING PHYSICS P2OFESSOR: "THERE ARE WIDE STEPS RUNNING THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE STRUCTURE.... I SEI AN OVAL POOL IN FRONT OF THE STEPS AS I MOVE BACK.... AND THERE COULD BE A SMALL STRUCTURE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT LIKE A CROSS-SHAPED OBJECT.... ON THE GROUND I STILL SEE SOM KIND OF QUADRILATERAL." New York-California Experiments The protocol.for this experiment allowed the subject at SRI in California and the experi- menter in New York City to communicate via the conversational TALK mode available on the ARPA computer net. The subject and the experimenter at SRI agreed (via computer teleconferencing) to begin an experiment one-half hour later. The Purpose of the computer in this experiment was to provide time- and date-stamped permanent records of all communications between the vari- ous parties involved in the experiment. These data can be read in real time by any authorized person entering the SRI-AI Tenex (MSG) system. After logging off the computer., the out- bound experimenter would use a randoni number generator to determine which of six locations in New York City would constitute tho target tc be visited in this experiment. Neither the su'(, ject nor" the experimenter at SRI knew the con- tents of the target list that was compiled jusl before the experiment. Having selected a targ@ location by the random protocol., the experimen' er would proceed directly to the site and remaj there for fifteen minutes. One-half hour after breaking computer links., the subject would begin to type impres -7- 7 7 T 7-77 r -7 -`.*@'77 7 Approved For Release 2001103126 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 Approved For ReleaW2001/03/26 :.CIA-RDP96-007874POO2000800.08-6 into a special computer file established this purpose. When the New York City experimenter ro turned to his hotel from his target site he would make use of a limited-access file to enter. Iiis description of the place he actually visit ud. lie would then return to the executive level of the computer, and await the appearance of the SRI experimenters who could then (and only then) link terminals. At that time both files would be printed out on both terminals and the subject snd the experimenter would each learn what the other had written. Two subjects., both in California, partici- pated simultaneously in this experiment with the first of two New York City targets. The first of the two New York City targets was Grant's Tomb. Both subjects independently pro- vided computer-stored records of their impres- sions., and one made the sketch shown in Fig- ure 5. (The five possible targets in addition to Grant's Tomb were a railroad bridge, the 20- story New York University law library, the fountain in Washington Square Park, the Colum- bia University subway station., and the 72nd Street boat basin. The targets were chosen to be dissimilar, and thus differentiable., by po- tential judges.) The first subject, an SRI systems analyst, said in his opening paragraph: ' IOutdoors., large open area, standing on and then off asphalt (rough material), dark for, a path. A white building, like a ticket booth. Wooden struc- ture., is white in color) and has an arched look about it. There is a large shade tree close to Russ (outbound experimenter) The second subject, a medical student closeted in a separate SRI location, began with: I thought of a high place with a view. I saw a tree on your left. A brick plaza seemed to be in front of a building you were entering. I could not clearly identify the activity. A restaurant? A museum? A bookstore? You had coins in the palm of your hundY maybe giving some to Nicky (son of outbound experimenter)." The coins were in fact used to purchase the :postcard from which Figure 5 was made,, and they -were given to the experimenter's son who made the purchase. Both subjects then went on for :an additional paragraph to describe details of the activities they imagined to be going on in- side 'the building they sawl details that were 1)artly correct, partly incorrect. In Che second experiment., the target., again zhosen by random protocol was the fountain in Washington Square Park. One subject partici- Pated. She produced an exceptionally accurate transcript. The photos and the subject's draw- 1119 of the fountain are shown in Figure 6. The _4 A4 LA Grant's Tomb Target in New York City FROWT VIV-@ FIGURE 5 COAST-TO-COAST REMOTE VIEWING EXPERIMENT. SUBJECT DESCRIBED "OUTDOORS, LARGE OPEN AREA.... SHADE TREES.... WHITE BUILDING WITH ARCHES." subject began her printout with the following: 11 The first image I got at-about the first minut was of a cement depression--as if a dry fountai with a cement post in the center or inside. There seemed to be pigeons off to the right., flying around the surface out of the depres- sion . . . At one point I thought you were open ing a cellophane bag . . ." (The experimenter had in fact bought ice cream during the experi-- mental period.) "There was also a rectangular wooden frame., a window frame., but I wasn't sure if it was on a building, or a similar structure with a different purpose." (A possible corre- lation from a functional viewpoint to the Wash- ington Square Arc h through which the outbound experimenters viewed the fountain toward the er of the experimental period.) " All in all I thought you were at Riverside Park . . . 11 (In- correct analysis.) An SRI scientist, familiar M W. Approved For Release 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96.0079MOO0200080008-6 Approved For Reld'vat FIGURE 6 'coAST-TO-COAST REMOTE VIEWING EXPERIMENT WITH TARGET AT WASHINGTON SQUARE IN NEW YORK CITY with the New York City area but blind to the target, didl howeverY identify the target cor- rectly on reading the twenty lines of printout as it emerged from the computer terminal. As an example of the style of narrative generated by a subject during a computer tele- conferencing experiment, we include the entire unedited computer-logged text of the Washing-ton Square experiment below (Figure 7). These teleconferencing experiments provide an elegant demonstration of the utility of the teleconferencing process as a secure data re- cording system useful in real-time monitoring of long-distance remote viewing experiments. In a more detailed tape recording she made after.the experiment,, but before any feedback, she described "cement steps going into the de- pression., like a stadium., and the rounded edge of the top of ,the depression as you go up to ground level.' These descriptions not only are correct but also show remarkable detail. New York-Ohio A third long-distance remote viewing expe ment was carried out under the control of an independent, skeptical scientist. In -this cas both SRI experimenters visiting in Ohio agreed to -take part in a remote viewing experiment in which our host would select the target. Under the observation of our challenger, telephoned one of our subjects., Hella Hammid,, I New York City and obtained her agreement to participate in a long-distance remote viewing experiment. She was told only that we were located somewhere between New York City and ou: California laboratory and that shortly we woul, be taken to a target that we would like her to describe. The time for the experiment was set for 2:00 PM EDT. We also agreed to call her again at 3:00 PM EDT to obtain her impressions and to give her our feedback as to the actual target. The scientist took us directly to Spring- field,- Ohio., to the Ohio Caverns that he had chosen as the target location (see Figure 8). p R7 !T77r7 __@77W 7777 Approved For Release 2001/03126 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 Subject's Perception was of a "Cement Depression as if a Dry Fountain with a Cement Post in the Center or Inside." all, Approved For Releasew2001/03126 :.CIA-RDP96-00787P4pO2OOO8OOO8-6 ,r,yp@: (MESSROE SEVUENCIE) (MSG. 0 6Y 1730 CHARS) DRTrr-*- 6 JUL 1976 135_04-PDT FnoH: TARG SUBJECT: SUSANS REPORT PART 2 NYC EXP THE FIRST IMAGE I GOT AT ABOUT THE FIRST MINUTE WAS OF A CEMENT DEPRESSION - A IF A DRY FOUNRTAIN - WITH A CEMENT POST N THE CENTER OR INSIDE . THERE SEEMED TO BE PIGEONS OFF TO THE RIGHTP FLYING AROJNDTHE SURFACE OUT OF THE DEPRESSION. THEN I SAW AS IF IFIF IN.THE DISTANCE A REAL" STADIUM WITH CRASS IN THE CENTER AND PERHAPS *STAIIIUM LIGHTS. OTHER IMAGES WERE AROW OF HOUSES/*APICKET FENCE - SOME VERTICAL UNITS WITH JAGGED TOPS. THEN A FLUTED/GROOVED VERTICAL COLUMNY FLIT I COULDN'T SENSE WFIHT IT WAS RELATED TO. AGAIN YOU WERE IN A DEPRESSED AREA WITH CEMENT "'-;.IDESP'LOOKING OUT ONTO THE SURFACE OUTSIDE. THE CEMENT SIDES ARE NOT STRAIGHTP BUT ZSLOPINGF ALMOST S-SHAPRD. ALSO A CLEAR FEELING OF THE HEAVYP WORN METAL BAR ON THE TOP OF TYPICAL NYC OR ANYCITY FENCES. THERE DIDN`T SEEM TO BE ANYTHING REALLY SPECIAL INSIDER JUST A SEPARATION BETWEEN TEWO TWO SIMILAR AREAS. AT ONE POINTY I THOUGHT YOU WERE OPENING A CELLOPHANE BAG AND LATER I :3ENSED YOU FEEDING POPCORN - TO PIGEONS. THERE WAS ALSO A RECTANGULAR WOODEN FRfIME, A WINDOW FRAMER BUT I WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS ON A BUILDINGt OR A SIMILAR STRUCTURE WITH A DIFFERENT PURPOSE. ALL IN RLL9 I THOUGHT YOU WERE IN RIVERSIDE PARK NEAR A TRACK AND PLAY AREAP OCCASIONALLY LOOKING UP AT THE "ROCK AND LEAF" CLIFFS LEADING UP TO THE DRIVE. AFTER I HAD THOUGHT THAT AND FIT IT IN T WITH THE IMAGES RECEIVED SO FARR IT KIND OF STUCKR AND I POSSIBLY GENERATED MORE PARK SCENES. THE STADIUM /FOUN TAIN IMAGES WERE THE FIRST AND THUS THE LEAST BJIASED AS T12 PARK MEMORIES. (I SURE DO LIKR THE TLELETYPE. IT CAN BECOME AN OBSESSIVE PASTIMEY I SEE). THAT WAS MESSAGE 6 FIGURE 7 -COMPUTER FILE PRINTOUT. CALIFORNIA-NEW YORK LONG DISTANCE REMOTE VIEWING. TARGET: WASHINGTON SQUARE (NYC). We.entered the grounds through an entrance arch., that opens onto an enormous expanse of lawn, perhaps twenty acres. The caves are located at a depth of Rt@ 150 ft and are entered through a small building having a long flight of steep stairs. Once underground, we walked through a maze of rock-lined tunnels that lead eventually into a series of rooms lined with calcite sta- lagtites and stalagmites frosty white and beige crystals formed like icicles. The entire cavern is illuminated by small electric light bulbs attached to the walls. After a forty-five minute walk we exited the caves through a large metal door giving access to a square cross- sectional shaft with stairs leading to the surface. % 7 f; Following the experimental period, the FIGURE 8 OHIO CAVES: DESCRIBED BY scientist observer called the subject in New SUBJECT IN NEW YORK AS, York., forty-five minutes after we left the "UNDERGROUND CAVES OR MINES. caves. The opening statements of the subject's DEEP SHAFTS.... DARKER, COOL, transcript as dictated over the phone and posted MOIST EARTH-SMELLING PASSAGES, to the SRI experimenters is as follows: _10- Approved For Release 2001103126: CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 Approved For ReleUe 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-.0078*-AK000200080008-6 1:50 I'M before starting-- Flat semi-industrial countryside with mountain range in background and some- thing to do with underground caves or mines or deep shafts"-half man made, half natural--somo electric humming going on--throbbing, inner 'throbbing. Nuclear or some very far out and possibly secret installation--corridor-- mazes of them--whole underground city almost--Don't like it at all--long for outdoors and nature. 2:00 PM-- (Experimenters) R and H walking along sunny road--entering into arbor-like shaft--again looks like man helped nature--vines (wisteria) growing in arch at entrance like to a wine cellar--leading into underground world. Darker earth-smelling cool moist passage with something grey and of interest on left of them--musty-- sudden change to bank of elevators-.!-a very man-made steel wall--and shaft- like inverted silo going deep below earth--brightly lit She concludes with "I see a lot of gold and metal and silver-gold glow all over--not much sound--very silent factory--scary--few people--very special." As is often the case, one observes that the basic gestalt of the target site is cognized and even experienced., while specifics are mis- interpreted. New Orleans-California Two experiments carried out between New Orleans and Menlo Park, CA, constitute the laiest members of the long-distance series, five experiments of which have been completed to date (all reported here). These were carried out with the two subjects who had participated in the New York-California experiments. During an extensive cross-country trip, we arranged to conduct two experiments between New Orleans and Menlo ParkY CAP one each way. The Menlo Park subject was not told in what city the outbound experimenter was located. He knew only that the outbound experimenter was in the cen- tral time zone. For the first experiment (subject in Menlo Park) it was agreed that at 12:00 noon CST on a particular day, the outbound experimenter would choose a target location in his city by random protocol and remain there for the required fif- teen minutes. During this time., the subject in Menlo Park would tape-record his impressions and make any drawings that seemed appropriate. (The ARPA not was not available because of computer not malfunction.) The target chosen by randomized entry in-tc a New Orleans guide book list was the Louisian.-. Supordome. The outbound experimenter tape- recorded the following description as he lookei at the building. "It is a bright sunshine day. In front of me is a huge silvery building with white dome gleaming in the sun. It is a circu- lar building with metal sides. It looks like nothing so much as a flying saucer. The targe- is in fact the 80.,000-seat Louisiana Superdome stadium. The subject in Menlo Park described the target as "a large circular building with a white dome. 11 He also expressed feelings of wanting to reject what he saw because the dome looked to him "like a flying saucer in the middle of a city." Some appreciation for this perception can be obtained from Figure 9 in which the target is shown, together with the sketches that the subject made. The most recent experiment in this series involved a subject in New Orleans viewing acti ities of a group of three people known to her, at a location in the Palo Alto/Menlo Park area 2000 miles away. Her principal impression was of a "overhang of a building over their heads . . also a round gold rim around a sunken de- pression." The target., a bank building is sho in Figure 10. Principal features of the targe include a dramatic building overhang, and a rectangular concrete depression with a fountai in which the water comes out of a circular gol rim. The subject also reported "some kind of fake china flowers mushrooming out of the de- pression." There were four orange lamps mouni ed on the gold rim. Finally, she reported "there was a projectile coming toward David (c of the outbound experimenters). Like a ball c frisbeel, as if Elizabeth (another experimentei has tossed him a ball.1' Actually the experi- menters had found a paper airplane lying on t] ground and had thrown it back and forth for some period of time. In fact., the photo of t] site taken at the time of the experiment show, the airplane between them. This is one of th( few times that a remote viewing subject has p4 ceived rapid motion at the target site. The results obtained to date in the long@ distance remote viewing series appear to be roughly of the same caliber as those obtained local remote viewing experiments. The descri tions not only contain correct information beyond that expected by chance, but also show remarkable detail and resolution. Although e tensive data must be taken before a final con clusion can be reached) we are led to conclud at this point that there is little, if any, d gradation in quality of perception as the sub ject-target distance is increased from a few 1r,71 @71 Approved For Release 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 Approved For ReIeW 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-007WO00200080008-6 -1T ti @7 Jq 3 A-14 0-J 0') FIGURE 9 LONG DISTANCE REMOTE VIEWING EXPERIMENT SRI, MENLO PARK, TO LOUISIANA SUPERDOME. SUBJECT DESCRIBED LARGE CIRCULAR BUILDING WITH A WHITE DOME. 31 OCTOBER 1976. miles to transcontinental distances. The re- sults obtained on the basis of viewing a New York Bite from SRI in Menlo Park, California., three thousand miles away, for example, are similar to those obtained in local remote view- ing experiments. Any theory of paranormal func- tioning put forward at this time should take this insensitivity to distance into account. PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS POTENTIALLY APPLICABLE TO PSI PHENOMENA One of the common objections to the exis- tence of so-called paranormal functioning is that it would seem to be in conflict With the laws of physics. Our investigations', however, have led us to the contrary view that the data can in all probability be accounted for either within the framework of physics as presently understood, or within the framework of extra- polations that have@becn proposed to account for other (non-psychic).data. In fact) we antici- pate that not only can we use physical princi- pies to help us understand psi phenomena, but the psi data base will probably shed light or some of the current problems in physics', e.g. with regard to the foundations of quantum theory,, and for geometrical models of space- time events such as exist in relativity theoi In this section we outline how we are making of our experimental data base to deduce the relevant physical principles and laws that govern psi functioning. In addition 'to attempting to determine whether psi phenomena are generally compatib' with the laws and content of physics as pres@ ently codified., we are also examining the lk of specific physical theories in modeling ps phenomena. The areas of physics we have und consideration as potentially relevant to mod ing psi phenomena include: the possibility remote viewing is mediated by extremeiT low- frequGncy (ELF) electromagnetic waves; 2-17 possible significance for remote viewing of Bell's theorem 18 and the Einstein-Podolsky-R _12- @77- Approved ForRelease 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 Approved For ReleW 2001/03/26.: CIA-RDP96-007KR000200080008-6 f Ak FIGURE 10 REMOTE VIEWING EXPERIMENT NEW ORLEANS TO PALO ALTO, 30 OCTO BER 1976. SUBJECT DESCRIBED: "THE OVERHANG OF A BUILDING OVER THEIR HEADS," ALSO "A ROUND GOLD RIM AROUND A SUNKEN DEPRESSION .. .... .. IN THE SURFACE OF THE DEPRESSION THERE IS SOME KIND OF FAKE CHINA FLOWERS. IT'S LIKE A BONSAI TREE MUSHROOMING OUT OF THE SURFACE." LATER IN THE TRANSCRIPT SHE SAID "THERE WAS A PROJECTILE COMING TOWARD DAVE. SOME KIND OFA PROJECTILE, LIKE A BALL OR FRISBEE. AS IF ELIZABETH TOSSED HIM A BALL." (IT WAS A PAPER AIRPLANE.) (EPR) paradox19 of quantum theory which empha" size that "no theory of reality compatible with quantum theory can require spatially separated events to be independent, ,20 but must permit interconnectedness of distant events in a manner that is contrary to ordinary experience21-22 (experimentally confirmed at the microscopic level)j3-24 the proper interpretation of the effect of an observer (consciousness) on experi- mental measurement,, 25-26 of possible signifi- cance in psychokinesis; the 29 ossibility that the causality-reversing tachyon or advanced-po- tential solutions of physics may play a role in precognition;28-30 the potential relevance (for a general theory of psi phenomena) of theories based on geometries which provide for a more extended structure of the space-time metric. To indicate the tenor of our approach., let us consider briefly two examples from this list. A reasonable first hypothesis is that re- mote viewing is mediated by extremely low- frequency (ELF) electromagnetic waves., a hypot esis that does not seem to be ruled out by anN obvious physital or biological facts. We wish to acknowledge the technical contri- butions of Elizabeth A. Rauscheril a consultai to SRI on leave from Lawrence Berkeley Labort tory, who has done extensive research on phy! cal theories relevant to psi functioning; in particular, work on multidimensional geometries. -13- Approved For Release 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP9 6-00787ROO0200080008-6 Circular Fountain in Concrete Depression Approved For Releasq.2001/03/26 :.CIA-RDP96-00787 R@SP0200080008-6 This hypothesis, put forward by 1. M. Jcoaan of the Soviet Union, suggestH that information transfer under conditions of sensory shielding is mediated by EIAP waves with wavelengths in the 300 to 1000-km region.12-15 Experimental sup- port for the hypothesis is claimed on the basis of: less than inverse square attenuation with distance, compatible both with carth-ionosphere waveguide mode trapping, with source-percipient distances lying in the induction field range as opposed to the radiation field range; observed low bit rates (0.005-0.1 bits/s) compatible with the information carrying capacity of EIX waves; apparent ineffectiveness of ordinary electro- magnetic shielding as an attenuator; and stan- dard antenna calculations entailing biologically generated currents yielding results compatible with observed signal-to-noise ratios. viewing and precognition was devel.oped in co-.i junction with Gerald Feinberg of Columbia University. It is proposed that the ordinary Minkowski 4-spaco (three spatial', one temporal coordinates) might simply be the real part of eight-dimonsional complex space-time. For thi,, generalized coordinate model we lot the spatlai coordinates x @ x + ix', and similarly for tiru( t - t + it'. Analogous to the expression lor the square of the distance between two points Minkowski 4-spacel 2 2 2 2 As = Ax C At we take the corresponding expression in the coij plex 8-space to be 2 * 2, 2 2 2 2 #2 As AsAs Ax + Ax' C At C At On the negative side with regard to a straightforward ELF interpretation as a blanket hypothesis are: (a) apparent high-resolution., real-time descriptions of remote activities in sufficient detail to require a channel capacity in all probability greater than that allowed by a conventional modulation of an ELF signal; (b) lack of a proposed mechanism for coding (and decoding) the information onto the proposed ELF carrier; and (c) apparent precognition data. The hypothesis must nonetheless remain open at this stage of research., since it is conceivable that counterindication. (a) may eventually be circumvented on the basis that the apparent high resolution and high bit rate results from a mix- ture of low bit rate input and high bit rate "filling in the blanks" from imagination; coun- terindication (b) is common to a number of nor- mal perce Iptual tasks and may therefore simply reflect a lack of sophistication on our part with regard to perceptual functioning;28 and counter- indication (c) may be accommodated by an ELF hypothesis if advanced waves as well as retarded waires are admitted.29132 Experimentation to determine whether the ELF hypotheS4S is viable can be carried out by the use of ELF sources as targets., by the study of parametric dependence on propagational directions and diurnal timing by experimentation under unusual conditions of shielding (e.g., in a submarine), and by the exploration of interfer- ence effects caused by creation of a high- intensity ELF environment during experimentation. All of these are under consideration in our laboratory and elsewhere. Because of the apparent difficulties with the ELY hyTiothesis, especially in accounting ior the relatively high resolution and data rate of paranormal perception, serious consideration is being given to alternative mechanisms. A more speculative., but promising, hypothesis, which could in princ!iple account for both remote With regard to modeling remote viewing in real, time (At = 0)@, we can construct situation.@ in which the remaining first,, second,, and fourth terms in the above equation add to zero (As = 0). Therefore, even though there is an ordinary (3-space) separation Ax between the tN points, the distance in the complex 8-space is reduced to zero. Under the hypothesis that the imaginary (primed) coordinates are accessible to consciousness., reduction of the 8-space separation to zero could in principle provide for a coupling between remote viewer and targe', site. Given the additional geometrical channe' provided by this model, a similar argument can be mounted to account for precognition (As = o for At < 0). We thus have the possibility of geometrical interpre tation of the 11 Quantum Interconnectedness" principle by which events remote in spacetime are nonetheless connected I non-local correlations, 22-24 or, in this inter. pretation., by the nature of the fabric of spacetime itself. We are presently pursuing the implication! of these and other models. Our goal in these investigations is to develop a theoretical structure to account for the data at hand and to predict new, testable experimental outcomes CONCTAIS TONS In this paper we have described our inves, tigation of particular aspects of paranormal functioning of human subjects. Specifically, have examined the human capability to access a describe, by mental processes, information sources blocked from ordinary perception by re son of distance and shielding. We have found remote sensing to be a robust phenomenon in which experienced and inexperienced subjects a able to describe in words and drawings both th location and actions of experimenters placed a undisclosed sites at varying distances from th subjects. -14- `7W_%T7'-W,, g7T-7- "ZMK Approved For Release 2001103/26 CIA-RDP96-00787ROO0200080008-6 Approved For Releacue 2001/03/26 CIA-RDP96-0078%RO00200080008-6 From over seventy experiments with reinote Hensing, we have obtained three principal find- Ings. First, we have established that it is -possible to acquire significant amounts of in- formation about remote locations. Second, the physical distance separating the subject from the scono--even distances ranging over thousands- of kilometers in recent transcontinental oxpori- iiients--does not appear to losscii the accuracy of the perception. Third, the use of Faraday cage electrical shielding does not in any apparent way degrade the quality of the description obtained. One of the purposes of our research is to make use of the remote perception experimental data base to deduce the relevant physical prin- ciples and laws that govern paranormal function- ing. In pursuit of this goal we are endeavoring to define the level of compatibility of para- normal phenomena,with the laws of physics as presently understood and to examine the limits of specific physical theories in modeling these phenomena. To this end, we have considered some physical models potentially applicable to remote perception, but further investigation must be pursued. Therefore, we plan to continue our .research efforts in the belief that not only can we use physical principles to help bring about an understanding of psi phenomena, but we an- ticipate that the psi data base may make a con- tribution toward the clarification of certain existing problems in physics. -ocofr tiv, 7_ John Bisaha and B. J. Dunno Pi ni remote vLewing in the Chicago area, a rep- lication of the Stanford experiment, Research in Parapsychology 1976. Metuchen, NJ: The Scarecrowl"ress Inc. (in press). 8. J. Ehrenwald "Cerebral localization and ti psi syndrome, J. of Nervous and Mental Disease, Vol. 161, No. 6, pp. 393-398. 9. ROrnstein, The nature of human conscious@ ness. San Francisco, CA: Freeman, 1973, Ch. 7 and 8. 10. R. W. Sperry, "Cerebral organization and behavior '?I Science, Vol. 133, pp. 1749- 1757, 1961. 11. K. Osis , 11 New ASPR research on out-of-the- body experiences, ASPR Newsletter., No. 14 Summer 1972. 12. 1. M. Kogan Is telepathy possible? Radio Eng., Vol. 21, p. 75, January 1966. 13. Telepathy, hypotheses and observa- tions' Radio Eng., Vol. 22, p. 141, January 1967. 14. "Information theory analysis of to] pathic communication experiments Radio Eng., Vol. 23, p. 122, March 1968. 15. The information theory aspect of REFERENCES Teelepathy," RAND Publ. P-4145, Santa Moni( CA, July 1969.. 1. 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