theghostofbillhicks said:
Isn't it interesting that those here with open minds, open to the possibility of telepathy, rather than first assuming it to be false, have had experiences if it- they speak from experience. Those that cite it as a product ofa temporarily mangled brain assume it's false therefore close themselves off to speaking only from ignorance.
I've had experiences that momentarily felt telepathic. That is, I thought I knew what someone else was thinking, said so,and was told "Wow, that's exactly right"! Whoa, dude! Trouble is, you don't need to invoke telepathy to explain it. We knew each other well and were in the same situation. Good friends can often predict what the other will say. My conjecture that telepathy does not exist is based not on lack of experience thereof (I have never experienced synaesthesia either, but I still believe in it) but rather on my understanding of how the human brain works. The things that would have to happen for telepathy to occur are remarkably unlikely. And I don't buy the identical-twins explanation either. Identical twins do not have identical brains (different dynamics, even if similar structure), and there is no evidence that any particular thought can be inserted directly into anyone's mind by means of RF radiation. Certainly magnetic fields et al can influence brain function, and direct electrical stimulation of the cortex can elicit experiences, but the strengths here are very, very high compared to what the human brain gives off. Even with electrodes connected to the scalp, you can only get a very vague picture of what's going on. Every action potential will create an RF signal, but there are so many overlapping ones that you'll never tease them apart. And how do you distinguish between excitatory and inhibitory ones? Aargh, don't know what I'm talking about any more.
Telepathy
could conceivably exist, with appropriate yet-to-be-developed implants in the visual (or other) cortex of the individuals concerned. You could even have a mobile-phone like interface, so you could send your diseased imaginings to a particular person
Might sell well, except for the 'major invasive brain surgery' part. I don't reject telepathy on metaphysical grounds, or just because "it's nonsense"; I reject it because I can see a) no incontrovertible proof that it happens, and b) no mechanism by which it could take place.
I do not close my brain off to the possibility; 'I Want To Believe'. But I need evidence. And do not point me to the crappy parapsychological research out there that means as much as a gnat's ass.
From About.com.
Coincidence:
1. The state or fact of occupying the same relative position or area in space.
2. A sequence of events that although accidental seems to have been planned or arranged.
I certainly believe in coincidence #1: my butt and my chair more or less coincide
I certainly believe in coincidence #2: conspiracies are rare, but they do exist.
Not sure what the poster who said 'there is no such thing as coincidence' meant.
