I was invited to be involved in some PSI testing

[Clairvoyant_Kyle]

Awhile back I posted telling you guys about a local “ghost hunting” group in my area. I was have regulare conversations with the groups medume Al. I told him I was interested in testing his ability or any kind of paranormal claims he had. Well I just received this email from him:


Kyle,
In the past you sent me some emails about doing some testing of
me and my abilities.

Would you be interested in testing some psi theories? This is
something that I am far more interested in seeing accomplished.

I have a small, but eager, group across the US who are
interested in performing different types of investigations
using different psi methods. The results of which could be
turned over to law enforcement, should we uncover anything new
in the case.

This means that we will be working with different
methodologies, etc. This is not being pursued by any other
group in the country.

If you are not interested in pursuing this, I will understand.
I wanted to offer you the chance of knowing about this new type
of work that is starting soon.

Blessings,
Al


I responded:


Hi Al,
It’s been awhile since I have heard from you, and am glad you thought of me when it comes to doing some testing. As of right now I would like to here details what exactly you are talking about before I say yes or no. Most likely I will be interested. If I see some kind of flaw in the testing I am sure you know I will voice my opinion on it. So get back to me with how this would work. The more detailed the better.

Thanks for getting a hold of me,

-Kyle


I'll keep you people up to date on what he says next.

-Kyle

[Clairvoyant_Kyle]

Ok here is what Al sent me:


This is mainly in the talking stage and note making stage. LOL
Some are thinking of working with some psychics, mediums and tie EVP recordings together to see if some of the cases could be closed. This will involve at least one case from Michigan.
The members of this sort of rag-tag team are from all over the US and Mexico. The EVP folks have been fairly long associated with EVP and are not new comers to the EVP field.
What we could use is someone who is skilled at helping to plan, develop, and encourage others to work cooperatively in a potentially stressful experiment.
Currently, we are considering just giving people a name and to see what folks can find out from that point.
We need to have a really strong ethical stand...we will tolerate no cheating!
On another note, I would like to see some experiments being done with mediums tying EMF and EVP readings together and seeing what the results might be. But this is better suited for another separate experiment.
I need to understand just what your background is regarding supervision of such an experiment. Initially, I did not understand your age and didn't see your photo on the Meetup page! I thought that you were a young person and not as someone who may have some sort of history in the field of testing.
Al


I haven’t answered yet. I am not even total clear what it is he wants to do. If someone wants to jump in on this conversation and either give me some pointers or suggestions it would be much appreciated.

-Kyle

[Marcus]

That sounds like it could be interesting, if he wants a non-believer(assuming you are a skeptic) to help provide some controls. You could help prevent confirmation bias, design blinds for data collection and interpetation, ect. If he doesn't want any of that it could be a waste of time.I can envision listening to an EVP, for instance. Instead of everyone sitting around listening together, make each person listen alone and write down what he hears.

[Clairvoyant_Kyle]

I can envision listening to an EVP, for instance. Instead of everyone sitting around listening together, make each person listen alone and write down what he hears.

Excellent point! This is the kind of feedback I am looking for. Thanks!

-Kyle

[JWideman]

"What we could use is someone who is skilled at helping to plan, develop, and encourage others to work cooperatively in a potentially stressful experiment."

They want a babysitter, not a skeptic.

[Clairvoyant_Kyle]

After asking Al to clarify what it is he wanted to test he sent me this:

Kyle,
Critical thinking is a real value...so that's a good thing. Wish you had more experience in research. But let's see where it goes.
<<“Currently, we are considering just giving people a name and to see what folks can find out from that point.”>>
What I am saying is that we will merely give a name to be investigated and see what the medium and the EVPer might uncover. No state, address, etc. We will need to be able to answer questions that the researcher might have during his research. For example, when I am asked for a reading I only require the name of the person that you wish for me to read. That's it.
Sometimes I might have some follow up questions about how the person looked like, etc. Hair color (even thought I am color blind), size, weight, clothing they liked to wear. If what I am getting matches up with what I am being shown the reading is continued. If not, then the reading is ended.
It might be nice to meet you at the next Meetup!
Al

Just thought I would share that with you guys.

-Kyle

[CFLarsen]

He cannot be allowed to ask a question from which he can later build on. He has to state in advance - not ask - everything that the spirit is telling him. He shouldn't be allowed to work from a continuous feedback.

No "I'm told it's a woman. Is that correct? OK.....Now, she had whitish hair?". He has to state all the information he gets from the spirit, and then - after he is done - you walk through the information, one by one.

All information has to be binary, and not subject to interpretation. None of this "he was tall", "he had a gentle mind", or "he had chest pains" crap. Not "I need to know, did he have a left wooden leg? - Oh, I see because I am told he didn't. Now, did he have chest pains? Hmmm...yes, he clarifies that now".

But "this spirit tells me that he had a left wooden leg, died from a car crash, mentioned in this newspaper story, and his will in is the second drawer in his mother's bedroom. End of reading. Time for checking."

If he understands how cold reading works (get him to read Ian Rowland's book), and he can't accept this, then you know that he is trying to set up a trap.

If he doesn't understand cold reading, get him to understand it. Test him to see if he does.

They cannot provide the name of the spirit. That means they can do their homework in advance and simply choose someone they already have thorough knowledge of. Let someone outside the group choose a dead person, unknown to all of you during the seance.

Tape everything - preferably both video and extra separate audio. Transcribe from the tape, don't go by notes made during the seance. If any information is given that is not binary, the test is over, and he loses.

[Clairvoyant_Kyle]

After doing some thinking I sent Al this email. I have not heard anything back in about a week, so I am not sure if he like my suggestions to doing the tests he wants to do. Feel free to tell me what any of you think of it too. Personally I think it is fair to the “psychics” and true to reality.


Hi Al,
Sorry I haven’t written back in awhile. I got really busy and even forgot that we were having a conversation about testing. Not sure if you have started your testing yet or not, but here is my two cents on it. First, the psychic should never be aloud to ask any kind of questions. Asking questions and then making it sound like they already knew the answer is the backbone to a technique called, “Cold Reading.” The true frauds in the psychic community have mastered this technique and an untrained eye can easily be fooled by it. Also, they should not be allowed to make generic statements like, “He has brownish hair.” Those kinds of statements have opinionated answers that can be up for debate. For example, I tell people I have dark blond hair, but if you were to say I had brown hair that might be considered correct to some people. Or if you say, “She has blond hair.” Well what if she used to have blond hair but now dyes it black. Does this still mean you are right because she originally had blond hair? I am sure you understand these kinds of statements can lead to some very debatable results, and I don’t think you want that. Also, making statements about clothing is about as generic as it gets so I wouldn’t even bother.

If I was in charge this is how I would do the test. First I would find one person who would be in charge of gathering names and undisputable facts about each person. Each person would be asked the same exact questions much like these:

What is the exact birth date of this person?
What is the name of the elementary school this person went to?
Did this person go to college? If so where, when, and what degree did the person earn?
What is the maiden name of the person’s mother?
Does this person have children? If so how many and what are the children’s names?
Etc…

As you can see facts like these cannot be “close to correct” or “kind of right.” The answers will be facts and will not be debatable. The next step would be to have the information gather turn just the names and questions over to who ever is going to be the tester of the psychics. The correct answers to these questions will be held by the information gather and seen by no one else until after the test. Then each psychic would be given just the name of the person and allowed to focus, meditate, or do what ever needs to be done to feel ready. Then the tester will start asking the questions. As the psychic answers each question the tested will write the answers down. After each psychic has answered all the questions the information gather will take out the correct answers and compare the to the psychics answers. During this time the tester will be the second pair of eyes to ensure that everything is being graded fairly. Each question will either be labeled “correct” or “wrong.” It is as simple as that.

I personal would expect someone who claims to be psychic to be able to get at least 50% of the questions correct if not 100%, but I would say if they got 10% right I would be truly surprised. To be honest I would be expecting most everyone to completely fail and get every answer wrong. Anyways think about it and let me know how this sounds to you and if you would like me to help.

Oh and on your last email you said, “It might be nice to meet you at the next Meetup!”
It is very nice for you to invite me but I just feel like I would not fit in. I am one who speaks his mind and I have found most people who have core beliefs that focus around god, spirits, and the after life hate guys like me who speak against what they “KNOW” to be true. That is one reason I really do like you Al and appreciate all the respect you give me. You would be surprised how many people are not as open as you when it comes to debating people who talk against their beliefs. Well like I said get back to me and let me know what you think of my test design.


-Kyle

[cj.23]

Kyle, I posted this some years ago, and think I subsequently produced an updated and improved version in a later thread, but maybe, just maybe, this may be of assistance to you?
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=2344875#post2344875

Hope not too far out!
cj x

[Marcus]

That's good, Kyle. There is really not much point in witnessing some cold readings. Let us know if this comes to something, no use working out any details unless they show some interest.