Did Anna Kingsford, a 19th Century Theosophist, kill vivisectionists with her mind? Is consciousness a function of chaos? What does ecology have to do with non-locality? Will TED’s Chris Anderson or Deepak Chopra get the last word on consciousness studies? These questions and more in this week’s Psi In The News.
- If you’re reading this before April 27th, there’s still time to sign up for Dr. Nancy Zingrone’s Introduction to Parapsychology webinar course hosted by the Rhine Education Center. (Rhine Education Center)
- Just a short time left to help fund the Windbridge Institute’s Bereavement and Mediumship study! (Afterlife Science)
- On May 19th David Luke will be speaking on Multidimensional clairvoyant entoptic cymatic synaesthesia: The art and science of psychedelic perception at the Hoxton Gallery in the UK. (Hoxton Gallery)
- On May 21st Shannon Taggart and Liminal Analytics continue their series “Exploring the Science and Aesthetics of the Miraculous” at the Observatory Room in Brooklyn, NY with special guest Rosemarie Pilkington. Rosemarie will be presenting a talk on The Spirit of Dr. Bindelof and The Enigma of Physical Phenomena. (Observatory Room)
- One of the things that Walter Meyer zu Erpen discussed during his recent talk on PK phenomena and table tipping at The Observatory Room was the need for more mediumship development groups to study seance phenomena. Simon Alexander Hardison is proposing just that, with a follow up on preliminary tests that he’s conducted. (Go Fund Me)
- Dean Radin’s new book Supernormal: Science, Yoga and Evidence for Extraordinary Psychic Abilities is scheduled for publication in July! (Dean Radin)
- A new article on the theosophist Anna Kingsford discusses her reported role as a 19th century “psychic assassin” killing vivisectionists with the power of her mind “under direct divine impulsion.” (Strange Company)
- Researchers at Texas A-M University have discovered what seems to be information transfer between two points without the movement of photons or other. These kinds of discoveries are fueling a deeper look at concepts of non-local interaction. (Chron)
- For your reading pleasure, the April issue of Paranthropology is now available. (Paranthropology Journal of Anthropological Approaches to the Paranormal)
- Paranormal Database has a review up of Jack Hunter’s e-book Why People Believe in Spirits, Gods and Magic. (Paranormal Database)
- Christopher Laursen interviews Hannah Gilbert and Madeleine Castro about their role in organizing the Exploring the Extraordinary conference series. (Extraordinarium)
- Carlos Alvarado, Rhine Research Center’s new Scholar in Residence, has started a new blog. His inaugural post focuses on issues of education in parapsychology. (Carlos Alvarado)
- Huffington Post is providing a neutral field for dialogue around the TED controversy. Here, in chronological order, is the conversation between Chris Anderson and a number of scientists and researchers lead by Deepak Chopra. Bad Science or Game of Thrones?
- Anderson contra Chopra, et. al.: TED, Censorship, Consciousness, Militant Atheists, and Pseudo Science!
- Chopra, et. al. plus some contra Anderson: We’re Half Way There, But…
- Additional Chorpa contra TED: TED Relents, But Whose Hash Has Been Settled???
- Artificial Intelligence researcher, Ben Goetzel, weighs in on the TED issue as well, leaning in favor of the study of psi, and against pseudo-skepticism. (Institute for Ethics & Emerging Technologies)
- Questions regarding the nature of consciousness offer no end of interesting theories attempting to tease out the secrets of the mind. A recent piece on PhysOrg.com details a theory which looks at whether consciousness is a function of chaos, and entropy within complex systems. (PhysOrg.com) ??
- One of the more important aspects of the quest for understanding consciousness is the implications of non-locality for every aspect of human existence. A new blog post from the International Academy of Consciousness works through some of these implications in terms of ecology and the development of an “ecological mind.” (International Academy of Consciousness)
- TC Gopalakrishnan, a member of the International Association of Near Death Studies, writes on the benefit of further thought towards the implications of Near Death Experiences as a way to understand more about the nature of mind. (Earth Pages)
- Rupert Sheldrake explains his concept of “Science Set Free” in an interview hosted by Steve Paulson. (To the Best of Our Knowledge) ?
- A large divide exists between serious research and weekend role playing in the world of psychical research. In a recent piece for Examiner Alex Matsuo delves into issues of professionalism and interpersonal drama within the wild world of anomaly studies. (Examiner)
- Independent researcher Adam Neal examines how a deeper understanding of human consciousness can change our perceptions of grief and suffering in a recent article on Paranormalyte.(Paranormalyte)
- An article by Dr. Frederic Neumann in Psychology Today illustrates the laissez faire skepticism many apply towards investigating anomalous claims. His brother attempts to manifest an OBE, Neumann responds with “Why would you do that?” and writes this article detailing his dismissal. He also coyly anonymizes the Monroe Institute (with an odd remark about glue sniffing?) rather than giving credit to the training program his brother signed up for. All of it couched in “anyway, that’s what I believe.” It’s amazing how easily belief clears up questions of science. (Psychology Today)
- OBE researcher Graham Nicholls discusses the idea of a “verified Out of Body Experience” on a recently posted video blog. (YouTube)
- Christopher Laursen interviews Hannah Gilbert and Madeleine Castro about their role in organizing the Exploring the Extraordinary conference series. (Extraordinarium)
- A new blog post on The Evolutionary Mystic discusses the role of memory training in attempts to develop extrasensory perception. (The Evolutionary Mystic)
- Professional medium Marylin Whall explains her experience with channeling the alledged dead in a recent bio piece on News.Com Australia. (News.com)
Note: Special thanks to Tom Ruffles, of the Society for Psychical Research, Christopher Laursen, of Xtraordinarium.com, and Jack Hunter, Editor at Paranthropology Journal, for a number of links included in this edition of Reality Sandwich’s Psi-in-the-News.
