Approved For Reteése 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00N#7RO0040 SG1I DRAFT 23 JAN: 73 introduction 1, Prompted by the 23 JAN 73 Stanford Research Institute (SRI) presentation of experiments with Ingo SWANN and Uri GELLER and by an earlier paper on "Direct Brain Perception/Action" which was prepared by Dr Henry PUHARICH and Captain Edgar MITCHELL, this paper: briefly discusses the background concerning the SWANN-GELLER phenomena; analyges the three basic questions which are suggested by these purported phenomena; outlines the author's limited knowledge of the Agency's current position and involvement as regards this field; and makes some basic recom- mendations concerning possible courses of action. SG1I Background | 2, Since stenographic notes were taken during the 23 Jan 73 SRI presentation and since a verbatim record can be obtained trom iE OSI (ext 4035), this paper will not attempt to render an account of the session. It is sufficient to note that the presentation consisted of descriptions, a film, slides and extensive question-and- answer exchanges on SRI's recent and continuing experiments with Ingo SWANN and Uri GELLER--covering a broad spectrum of purported parapsychological phenomena and focusing particularly on: ESP ("P" in both the perception and projection sense); telekinetics; clairvoyance; and the perturbation/stressing/distortion of metals and fields of energy by apparently paranormal (paraphysical/parapsychological) means. As presented by the three SRI researchers and their 20 minute film of GELLER, there would appear to have been an incredibly high order of consistent performance in these areas--IF one accepts as being above reproach both the credentials and the motivation of the SRI representatives and if one accepts the efficacy of their laboratory controls and their statistical analysis of the data. 3. From some of the questioning during the session and remarks overhead later, it was clear that a fair proportion of the approximately 20 observers entertained sume © doubts concerning controls and/or analysis. But the doubts appeared to be inostly, if not entirely, matters of degree and of personal preference in terms of methodology-- and were tempered by understanding of the relatively short lead-time and facilities available to SRI, Most of those present appeared to accept, as a working hypothesis, Approved For Release 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-00787R000400070031-9
Approved For Rel®%se 2000/08/07 --ClA-RDP96-00¥#7R000400070031-9 the presence of some undefined paranormal phenomena and none appeared disposed, even privately, to question the honesty of the SRI representatives. My own impressions were that, while GELLER's powers seem to have been attenuated by the laboratory controls (as compared with the claims made in Dr PUHARICH's papcr). substantial indications of some extraordinary power or talent remained, And, for what it may be worth, I felt that the SRI representatives were essentially honest in their approach-- although , being human and in need of financial support to pursue their investigations, perhaps somewhat self-serving in the selection and manner of presentation of their data. Three Basic Questions for the Intelligence Community 4. The focus of this paper, however, is broader than this one incident. The whole field of paranormal phenomena suggests three pragmatic and fundamental questions to which the intelligence community should address itself: WOULD there be SIGNIFICANT potential for the intelligence community? DOES it exist? WHAT is it? As posed, the questions may seem too obvious or naive but I believe there is some virtue in initially viewing the issue in these simplistic terms and in that order--i.e., judgement, measurement and theorem. Obviously this break-down is artificial in many respects : for instance, the first question cannot be answered definitively until the last question is answered; and, hopefully, one should construct his approach to the second question ('whether') so as to be obtaining, at the same time, evidence appropriate to the third ('what'), But the paranormal field is so delicate, so suspect and so potentially explosive that only the most orderly of plebian approaches seems likely to survive in the bureaucratic atmosphere--no matter what the 'reality' or the 'evidence' may prove to be. So let us examine these questions in more detail, exist, would there be SIGNIFICANT potential for application by the intelligence commun - ity in the national interest? This question is, I believe, more complex than it appears on the surface. While there is little doubt that (particularly if we consider our defensive responsibilities concerning foreign capabilities in this field) we could safely answer ‘yes! in the abstract, we ought to be quite pragmatic about it from the outset. No matter how interesting the field might be to us as individuals or how fraught with significance for socie ARR eyed. Far Release AQIOLQ8IO7 SIA:RDRS 8790782 0004090 £9 0 WBive ment
Approved For Relfse 2000/08/07 : CIA-RDP96-009%7R000400070031-9 would be on the basis of demonstrable utility in: the collection or interpretation of ‘intelligence! on foreign powers; the recruitment of sources leading to that end; the conceiving and conducting of physical/psychological/paranormal activities and programs designed to influence or constrain the attitudes/actions/capabilities of foreign powers and/or their leaders to our advantage; or the enhancement of the abilities of our ({i.e., loosely 'U.S.') personnel to accomplish any of the above by heightening their inter- and intra-personal powers --whether in a truly paranormal mode or not. There are several aspects to this overall question. a. The Purported Powers. Holding in abeyance for a moment the question of 'whether' and limiting the discussion to GELLER (since the most impressive evidence, the film, was on him and since his claimed powers are broader than SWANN's), we have apparent instances of : mind-reading (primarily at perhaps solely numbers and names of cities) with over 90% accuracy and few baulks; mind projection (where he 'forces! the researchers to name a city previously written~down by him) with apparently a high order of accuracy (no statistical data, merely anecdotal); perception of unseen, simple line drawings (apparently 100% accuracy); limited stressing/distortion of metals after prolonged physical contact but evidentally far beyond normal physical powers; limited but consistent (though not, apparently, predictable in nature) effect on electric and magnetic energy fields when in close (almost touching) proximity to them; long- distance telephone perception of simple designs or letters (anecdotal); detecting presence or absence of metals or water in sealed containers without touching them (100% axcuracy and two baulks out of 12 attempts); perception of uppermost die-faces in sealed box on 'double-blind'basis (100% accuracy and two baulks in 12 attempts); percep- tion of a road (while driving blindfolded at high speeds), allegedly through the eyes of his heroic companions (anecdotal); and several other anecdotal episodes of similar natures. While it would stretch no one's imagination to create specific operational scenarios (e.g., recruitment of a given Soviet) in which these manifestations could be highly useful, that would also be true if we were only dealing with a highly skillful magician, The real question is : IF there is a paranormal force at work here how could we most appropriately and effectively employ it to our long-range advantage ? Because (again, IF) we would then be posed on the threshhold of modes of perception/ communication/interaction which transcend# our present understanding of physical laws and of man's nature and of a new awareness and discoveries which would dwarf the phendapproved Fankelease 200019810 Zo GlAVRRP 9600782 RO09940007 203129 05 to the