What is Telekinesis?
Telekinesis, also known as psychokinesis, is a hypothetical psychic ability that allows an individual to influence a physical system without physical interaction. The word telekinesis comes from the Greek words τηλε- (tele-) meaning “far off” and -κίνησις (-kinesis) meaning “motion”.
Telekinesis is a popular topic in fiction, especially in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and superhero genres. Some examples of fictional characters who possess telekinesis are Jean Grey from X-Men, Eleven from Stranger Things, Carrie White from Carrie, Matilda Wormwood from Matilda, and Yoda from Star Wars.
However, in reality, there is no scientific evidence that telekinesis exists or can be demonstrated under controlled conditions. Many experiments that have claimed to show telekinesis have been criticized for lack of proper controls, repeatability, and methodology.
Some of the common methods that have been used to test telekinesis are:
– Spoon bending: The alleged ability to bend or twist metal spoons or other objects using only the mind. This phenomenon was popularized by the Israeli psychic Uri Geller in the 1970s, who claimed to perform it on live television. However, many skeptics and magicians have shown that spoon bending can be easily done by using sleight of hand, trickery, or pre-bent spoons.
– Poltergeist activity: The alleged phenomenon of objects moving or levitating by themselves, usually accompanied by noises, lights, or other paranormal manifestations. This phenomenon is often attributed to the presence of a ghost or a spirit, but some researchers have suggested that it could be caused by telekinesis of a living person, usually a child or a teenager undergoing emotional stress. However, there is no conclusive evidence that poltergeist activity is anything more than a hoax or a psychological phenomenon.
– Random number generators: The alleged ability to influence the outcome of random events, such as dice rolls, coin flips, or computer-generated numbers, using only the mind. This phenomenon is also known as micro-psychokinesis or micro-PK. Some researchers have claimed that they have found statistical anomalies in random number generators that suggest the presence of telekinesis. However, these claims have been challenged by other researchers who have pointed out methodological flaws, statistical errors, or alternative explanations for the results.
In conclusion, telekinesis is a fascinating concept that has captured the imagination of many people for centuries. However, there is no scientific proof that it is a real phenomenon or that it can be reliably demonstrated under controlled conditions. Therefore, telekinesis remains in the realm of pseudoscience and fiction.
References:
: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telekinesis
: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telekinesis
: https://www.nap.edu/read/1005/chapter/1
: https://www.skeptic.com/reading_room/is-there-scientific-evidence-for-psychic-phenomena/
: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-the-laws-of-physics-make-it-impossible-to-flip-a-quarter-into-a-glass-with-your-mind/
: https://www.csicop.org/si/show/the_secret_of_spoon_bending
: https://www.livescience.com/27921-poltergeists-hoaxes-paranormal.html
: https://www.skepdic.com/rng.html
: https://www.csicop.org/si/show/mind_over_matter_a_scientific_investigation_of_the_effect_of_intention_on_ran
© Colin Lawson Books