PARANORMAL RESEARCH
CIA-STARGATE
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This memo from March 13, 1973, discusses the approach to paranormal research. The author notes that scientists often overlook critical variables and are easily deceived by skilled performers because they lack knowledge of stage tricks. The author suggests that a collaboration between stage performers and scientific investigators is necessary to specifically target and investigate alleged fakery. The memo also mentions a recent article in TIME magazine about Uri Geller, in which psychologists and computer experts duplicated his feats and called him a fraud. The author argues that specific tests designed to rule out the methods used to duplicate Geller's feats are needed to determine their authenticity. The memo concludes that these tests should be the starting point for investigating paranormal phenomena.
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Body: Approved Felease 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP9&00787R000400070010-2
01
13 March 1973
SG1I MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUBJECT : Paranormal Research
REFERENCE Your solicitation of comments on proposed
research program
1. The only observation I would offer at this time
concerns the basic strategy of approach to research in
this area. It seems to me that when those with scientific
training set out to do research of this sort, they typically
set up a group of impressive controls based on the rules
of logic and probability as these generally apply to the
scientific acceptability of evidence in their respective
fields. The trouble is that these. same people are also
usually completely ignorant of the methods by which the
phenomena they seek to study are typically faked by stage
performers. Lacking this knowledge, they overlook the
critical (and often very simple) variables, and, impressed
with the soundness of their elaborate methodology, are
sitting ducks for the skilled magician. On the other
hand, the stage performer, called in to observe and
critique, is quick to dismiss the phenomena with the
claim that he can duplicate it by trickery. Whether he
demonstrates his claim or not, the matter of whether or
not the particular instance in question is real or faked
is neither proved nor disproved. What is really needed
is a teaming up of the skilled stage performer with the
scientific investigator so that experiments can be de-
signed to specifically zero in on the alleged fakery.
2. In Geller's case, the recent TIME magazine article
(12 March 73, p. 112) alleges that Geller "came under
suspicion when a group of psychologists and computer
experts from Hebrew University duplicated all of his
feats and called him a fraud." But until someone subjects
Geller to tests specifically designed to rule out the
methods these people used to duplicate his feats, nothing
has been proved about Geller. To test the phenomena, this
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SUBJECT: Paranormal Research
is the place to begin. All else,--the nature of the
phenomena, application, etc.--comes later.
SG1I
Chief, _Pd hological Services Staff
Off e of Medical Services
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ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
Paranormal Research
FROM:
C/PSS/OMS
706 CofC
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
ISG 1 I
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DATE
3250 13 Mar 73
OFFICER'S
INITIALS
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to whom. Draw a line across column after each comment.)
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p INTERNAL UNCLASSIFIED
T"' i V USE ONLY
SG1I
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Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R00040007