Stuff You Should Know

Selects: How ESP Works (?)

27 snips
Oct 18, 2025
Diving into the mysterious realm of ESP, the hosts explore its various categories like telepathy and clairvoyance. They unpack early scientific studies, highlighting J.B. Rhine’s experiments with Zener cards and the issues that plagued their credibility. The discussion shifts to modern tests, including random number generators, and the controversial Ganzfeld protocol for telepathy. Skepticism abounds as they dissect the need for extraordinary evidence and the debate surrounding reproducibility in parapsychology, contrasting genuine research with stage psychic tricks.
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ANECDOTE

New Studio Small-Talk

  • Josh and Chuck describe excitement about recording in their new small studio.
  • They joke about the space, which sets a casual tone for the episode.
INSIGHT

ESP Encompasses Multiple Phenomena

  • ESP is an umbrella term for different claimed phenomena like telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychometry.
  • Researchers debate whether it's supernatural or a normal but poorly understood human ability.
INSIGHT

Parapsychology Has Scientific Roots

  • Early scientific study of psi began with William James and the Society for Psychical Research.
  • They both exposed frauds and investigated unexplained cases with an open mind.
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