MEMORANDUM: SUBJECT: 'REMOTE VIEWING' PROJECT
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This document is a memorandum from Ruth M. Davis, the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, to Dr. Jack Vorona, the Deputy Director for Scientific and Technical Intelligence at the Defense Intelligence Agency. In the memo, Davis suggests several topics that need immediate attention from oversight groups regarding the "Remote Viewing" project. These topics include the need for clear objectives tied to specific collection or analysis goals, a rationale for continued exploration of remote viewing phenomena, the scientific status of remote viewing experiments, the development of scientific measures of progress and achievement, evaluation of experimental results by independent parties, a funding profile justifiable in terms of DoD objectives, a clear statement of events that would justify termination of funding, and the legal issues of individual privacy and controlled surveillance. Davis highlights the potential of success in remote viewing but acknowledges the scientific skepticism surrounding the project. Charlie Rose, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Evaluation, also expresses interest in investigating remote viewing and other related phenomena to protect classified activities and citizens' rights.
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OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
RESEARCH AND
ENGINEERING
20 November 1978
MEMORANDUM',FOR=,DR. JACK VORONA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR SCIENTIFIC AND
'TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE, DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
SUBJECT: "Remote Viewing" Project
I understand 'tha.i DIA plans a meeting on this subject on 28 November 1978.
I would like;to puggest a few topics or issues that appear to me to demand
immediate attention from the oversight groups you will establish. These
particular topics,are.primarily managerial or procedural in nature: never-
theless, thei neglect may preclude scientific success in the project.
The topics or issues are:
1. A clear cut statement of objectives sought by the Intelligence
Community`(I.C.): hopefully these technical objectives can be
tied to rather specific collection or analysis goals.
2. A rationale for continued exploration of remote viewing phenomena,
e.g., in terms of understanding the impact of success by others
on U.S.'vulherabilities and of resolving recognized current
deficierr`.cies in the existing project.
3. The scientific status of remote viewing experiments treating such
issues as the apparent non-reproducibility of results, the lack of
documented and/or accepted scientific protocols, the seeming lack
of consistent- criteria for accepting and treating subjects, and
the non-existence of accepted means of communication with subjects
including ;the';use of positive/passive feedback.
4. The development of traditional scientific measures of progress and
"achievement" and the delineation of scientific procedures to be
followed by . experimenters. These measures and procedures must be
developed by other than. the current experimenters. They need to
ensure that the~,magicians' processes of deception, feedback to
subjects, etc. are not inadvertantly allowed.
5. Means of evaluation of experimental. results by other than the
experimenters must accompany the development of experimental.
procedures.
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6. A past, present and future funding profile justifiable in terms of
DoD objectives.
7. A stark clear statement of events, data, etc. that will justify
termination of continued funding of the project.
8. The related legal issues of individual privacy, controlled surveillance,
etc.
As you know, I have had highlighted to me both the potential afforded by success
in remote' viewing as well as the current scientific skepticism about the ongoing
activity. I believe it to be in our best interests to address the issues I have
raised just as soon as resources permit. I will assist in any way possible.
Ruth M. Davis
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering
(Research and Advanced Technology)
cc:
Dr. Walter B. LaBerge
Jill Wine-Volner
Men E.R. Thompson
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L. MAZZOLI, KY.
Y. MINETA. CALIF.
-OWLER, JR., GA.
SON. CALIF.
AOHBROOK. OHIO
MCCLORY. ILL.
.TH ROBINSON, VA.
PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE
ON INTELLIGENCE
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Ql~
October 25, 1978
K. LATIMER.STAFF DIRECTOR
J. O'NEIL. CHIEF COUNSEL
Dr. Ruth Davis
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
for Research & Advanced Technology
Room 3E114, Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20310
Dear Dr. Davis,
I have recently had occasion to become acquainted with
some interesting research involving paranormal phenomena,
specifically that relating to remote viewing. Clearly,
while this phenomenon might well result in opportunities
for the collection of intelligence otherwise denied us,
we have a strong obligation also to learn what Soviet
research is underway and what emergent capabilities they
may have so that we may protect our own classified activi-
ties from this potential source of surveillance.
I would therefore like to see the Department of Defense
undertake those efforts deemed necessary and appropria
to investigate remote viewing and other related phenomena.
As research continues in such areas it will be incumbent
on us to understand and safeguard our citizens' properiate
concerns about their individual rights and the appropr
of government.
I am ready to assist in this venture as best I can.
Sincerely,
Charlie Rose
Chairman,
Subcommittee on Evaluation