REVIEW OF PARAPSYCHOLOGY PROJECT AT STANFORD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

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Summary:

This memorandum from 1973 discusses the ongoing parapsychology project at Stanford Research Institute (SRI). It mentions that a person named I. Swann has demonstrated the ability to determine the colors of a light switch in a remote room, initially with a success rate indicating random guessing, but improving to "guessing" 18 out of 20 correctly in a color discrimination test. Swann is also being tested for his psychokinesis abilities. The memorandum also mentions the expansion of the project to include more testing of Uri Geller and the approval of increased funding. Furthermore, it states that a theoretical physicist named Dr. E. H. Walker visited SRI and provided a copy of his latest paper on parapsychological phenomena, which includes a physical basis for such phenomena and experimental tests to validate its claims. The memorandum references an article published in Physics Today that discusses the unresolved areas of quantum mechanics related to Walker's theory. It concludes by expressing the importance and potential significance of these scientific developments in understanding paranormal phenomena.

Text

Body:  Approved For Release 2003/
 10-
 MEMORA NDUM FOR THE RECORD
 -00999A000300030020-7
 18 April 1973
 SUBJECT:   Review of Parapsychology Project a
 Stanford Research Institute
 1.  While reviewing the current parapsychology proj-acts
 at Stanford Research Institute {aRI), the following exchange
 of information occurred.  Dr. H. Puthoff and Mr. R. Targ
 reviewed the latest data obtained on I. Swann.   Mr. Swann
 has demonstrated ability to determine the colors of a light
 switch on in a remote room.  At first, he could do so only
 with a success rate indicating random guessing.  :He developed
 to the point where he could "guess" 18 out of 20 in a tv-3
 color discrimination test.   He is currently being tested for
 his psychokinesis abilities.
 2.   The increase in scope of the current project to
 include more testing of tJri Geller was discussed.   Everything
 is proceeding normally and SRI expects to obtain his services
 when our contract is finalized.  ORD's representative,
 has indicated that the increase in funding by ORD
 has been approved.
 3.   During our discussion it was learned that a theoret-
 ically physicist, Dr. E. H. Walker, had visited SRI and
 presented them with a copy of his latest paper concerned
 with parapsychological phenomena.  The paper purports to be
 a theory which gives a physical basis for paranormal phe-
 nomena.                          The theory also includes experimental tests which
 should help to validate its worthiness.
 4.  The above conversation caused me to remember a
 relevant article published in Physics Today, a physics trade
 publication which treated the unresolved areas of quantum
 mechanics which are used as a basis for Dr. Walker's theory
 of parapsychological phenon ena.  A copy of the article was
 given to Dr. Puthoff and Targ and is included here.
 SG1I
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 5.   Even though the attached articles are "popular"
 summaries of Walker's theory and its quantum mechanical
 foundation, they are difficult reading for those not
 familiar with quantum mechanics terminology.   It is
 suggested these parts and the associated mathematical
 description can be finessed with a sacrifice in rigor
 but not in concepts and general thrust of the logic.
 It is gratifying to note that serious attempts are bein;:
 made to understand these phenomena.   It is possible that
 we are now observing and contributing to the development
 of one of the most significant scientific developments
 of our time.
 Approved For Release 2003/03/2>x,: CIA-   P79-00999A000300030020-7
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