Is telekinesis possible?

Answer 1

Short Answer:

Based on scientific studies to date, telekinesis (or psychokinesis, PK) has NOT been conclusively demonstrated. In fact, even the best results obtained so far continue to be under much debate and PK continues to be regarded with much skepticism by the scientific community.

Long Answer:

The Rhine Institute (founded by Joseph Banks Rhine, famous for being completely fooled by a "telepathic" trained horse, one of his many blunders), conducted many experiments to test PK including dice experiments. While True Believers are more than willing to believe these experiments prove PK, the truth is very different. Only one of the early experiments [1934-1946] employed a control series and this experiment “provided no evidence for psychokinesis but clear evidence for bias of the dice, since the dice tended to fall with the 6 face uppermost, whether it was being wished for or not” (Hansel 1989: 172). (see skepdic.com/essays link)

There was a research group at Princeton for about 25 years which worked on PK. The group, after working so hard and so long, refused to consider that their work was wasted, but outside objective analysis showed that their work was indeed a flop. There are a number of fatal statistical flaws in their experimental analysis that can be easily identified (see skepdic.com/pear link). In fact, reviews harshly critical of the experimental and statistical methods used by the Princeton group have been published, stating that they are "some of the poorest quality ESP experiments published in many years." (see tricksterbook.com link.)

Even some modern-day paranormal investigators are naive/credulous enough to be taken in by simple magicians, which tells you something about how ready and willing they are to believe in PK. One old magician commonly brought up by True Believers is Nina Kulagina, who is said to have performed PK on small objects after being thoroughly examined (even strip-searched) by KGB. The strip-search KGB claim is likely apocryphal and in any case is irrelevant since Kulagina's key performances were done for academic Russian scientists in their labs, not KGB agents. Today, magicians can easily duplicate her tricks. Kulagina used the thread trick to move objects, and a thread is very easily hidden even from strip-searchers. The compass trick is easily accomplished by embedding a magnetic sliver underneath the skin which likewise would be unnoticeable. Regarding the testing of Kulagina by the Russian scientists, "there were no miracles whatever. There was ordinary hoax."---Martin Gardner, Science Good, Bad and Bogus, Oxford University Press, 1983

The skepdic.com/essays link is a very thoroughly documented essay, and if you're interested and have the time, it will be a great resource for you to research the history of PSI yourself. Have fun.

Answer 2

While I cannot disprove its existence (just like I can't disprove God or Santa Claus), I'm willing to accept emails from psychokinetics willing to prove me wrong.

The deal - We will sign a contract which states that:

1. You agree to move a tiny feather a distance of one inch with your psychokinetic powers, for the sum of $1,000. You have up to an hour to do it.

2. The agreement will also provide that the feather will be inside a box with clear plexiglas windows, with a camera mounted over the box (not touching it) feeding to a large-screen TV monitor.

3. The bottom of the box will be embedded in a concrete pillar.

4. Mercury-type switches will be attached to the column and floor, which will trigger an alarm if a stated level of vibration/force is applied to the column or the floor. If the alarm goes off, game over.

5. You agree to pay me a $1,000 oversight fee for supervising your attempt, but such fee will be WAIVED if you move the feather.

Answer 3

No.

None of the very careful and detailed research to date has been in any way conclusive. Even if the research at PEAR (Princeton) was conclusive, it would still be a pointless ability -- it only would work sometimes to create tiny useless effects a very small number of times.

From a strictly biological viewpoint it is extremely unlikely that humanity would evolve such an unreliable ability. There is no survival advantage, there is no "organ of telekinesis", and there is no reasonable physical explanation of how such a power would work.

Answer 4

Yes, telekinesis is possible, with the aid of an alien imp. Despite the protestations of evolution of some humans, the genes have yet to reach the general population. The only other agent left is an agent external to the human. The only unseen agents that exist are demons. So demons fool we highly evolved humans into believing that we are doing something when in reality we are not.

Answer 5

For the 1,000th time: It may very well be possible, but since there is no evidence for it working, no explanation of the mechanics of how it would work and plenty of evidence of fraud/trickery, I am comfortable with the assumption that it doesn't work. Therefore, barring evidence to the contrary, TK is the product of wishful thinking by the fantasy-prone.

Answer 6

Telekinesis is now called psychokinesis(PK) in the research literature. Some organizations like Princeton University call it human/machine interaction.

Yes. The Rhine Research Center (previously at Duke University) conducted dice throwing experiments with tighter and tighter controls and still had positive results. This was done back in the 1930's. A link is below.

Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) spent about 27 years conducting experiments to see if people could influence Random Number Generators and have positive results. While the work is dismissed by skeptics that can't get published in peer reviewed science journals where the actual research is published the results fail to be seriously challenged. (link below)

The Parapsychologist Association has links to previous and current research on psychokinesis. (link below)

Let me be clear I am talking about people influencing objects in flux (not yet in a resting state) like dice and random number generators to show a chosen number more than chance would predict and not people starting fires or levitating their friends.

Daniel Dunglas Home and Nina Kulgina both had reports of being able to accomplish amazing feats. Hume would play instruments without touching them. However, controls were poor back in his day and while he was never caught as a fraud he may have been the worlds best magician of all time rather than had exceptional abilities.
Kulgina is harder to dismiss (but skeptics try) with her moving compass needles and matches. No magician while observed by scientist under controlled testing conditions and KGB style body searches has ever duplicated her performance.

Michael John Weaver, M.S.

Answer 7

It's only possible if you know the correct channels to direct the energy - then it's all about 'practice, practice, practice'!

I studied chakra's for awhile and by using the palm on my left hand I managed to command a gold ring to levitate. It happened because we have energy centres (chakras) in our palms as well and by channeling my energy to flow from this area and by mental visualisation I made the object rise, fall and swing in mid-air. It was great, from my palm I actually felt a magnetic connection with the object. That's why it's good to practice.

Anyway, I know how sceptical these people can be in these sections - honestly i REALLY DON'T CARE if no one believes me because I know I have great skills - sceptics, your all just jealous!!!

Answer 8

Now that they are figuring out how to attach electrodes to nerves, a very primitive form is developing. There are prosthetic arms that are brain controlled. As the technology gets better it will be combined with wireless broadcasting and then with satellite technology. By the end of the next century, people will be able to control machines over great distances with their brains.

Answer 9

Since this question has been asked 100's of times.Why not research past questions.Contact the askers and see how they made out.Certainly, some of them must have found out.Use the search for questions bar.Let us know how you make out.I just did it myself,31 other questions on the first try.

Answer 10

I like to imagine in the antediluvian days when our ancestors lived hundreds of years they were able to do stuff like this. And all we have left is a sad reminder of our lost legacy.