Science Weekly
Telepathy…what’s the evidence?
Jan 21, 2025
Chris French, an emeritus professor of psychology at Goldsmiths University and author of "The Science of Weird Shit," dives into the controversial world of telepathy. He discusses how scientists have rigorously tested claims of mind reading, revealing the reliance on nonverbal signals and subconscious cues. Anecdotal evidence is juxtaposed with skepticism from the scientific community. French also addresses why the allure of telepathy persists despite a lack of solid evidence, and what it could mean for beliefs in psychic phenomena.
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast explores the historical lack of scientific evidence for telepathy, highlighting failures in replication of early studies by Joseph Banks Rhine.
- It examines psychological mechanisms, such as suggestion and shared experiences, that can lead to perceived telepathy without any actual mind reading.
Deep dives
Understanding Telepathy and Extrasensory Perception
Telepathy is defined as the alleged ability to communicate thoughts directly from one mind to another, falling under the broader category of extrasensory perception (ESP). This category also includes precognition, the claim of predicting future events, and clairvoyance, which pertains to gathering information from distant locations. The episode discusses the lack of scientific evidence supporting telepathy and suggests that if it existed, it would contradict many established laws of nature. Research on telepathy has historically been inconclusive, and many claims, including those made by individuals like psychic detectives, fail to withstand rigorous scientific scrutiny.
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