The Telepathy Tapes

I get it: we don't want to be credulous. On the other hand, I'd have hoped that we could be enthusiastic and curious about really interesting and strong cases and projects.

I tend to feel this way about a lot of research that seems like it should seriously challenge the dominant pseudo-skeptic paradigm. For example even in the Skeptiko days I expressed some reservations about Bengson's healing research, and I still am very much unsure his techniques really work.

Also consider Farina's videos about ID which IIRC you posted here - I don't necessarily think he has the definitive right of it, but he makes a strong enough case that I as a layperson am wary of wholly accepting evolution has had interventions from a Designer. 

With Cosmic Fine Tuning, OTOH, the data is agreed upon by everyone and the Multiverse alternative is just silly so I am more willing to believe the universe as a whole is Designed even if evolution isn't. In contrast other paranormal/supernatural claims [where] it seems the data is constantly in dispute, even at the basic level of whether or not consciousness affects the quantum wave function. [Not to say these disputes are always honest, but it is IMO difficult for a layperson - even someone like me who did a lot of statistics in the past - to assess the data.]

As I mentioned I know someone who has a Biology Phd and works in the field, and he is very much interested in the Tapes. I suspect there are other scientists who are waiting to see what happens, and like many of us here hoping Powell's findings can be replicated. 

[Laird]

I get where you're coming from. I do think though that there's a difference between the fields you mentioned and the current case of telepathy in non-speakers in that those fields are technical and difficult for non-experts to assess, whereas this one is straightforward: a community is saying, "We can read minds", and that's been and being demonstrated in a variety of ways that, taken in full context, can't be dismissed.

I thought that by now we would recognise the skeptical playbook: focus on one small aspect of a broad phenomenon and its testing which, hypothetically, outside of the broader context could justify some degree of doubt - even though, in the broader context, it clearly has insufficient explanatory power - then move from an implausibly small degree of doubt, in a narrow context, to: "DEBUNKED!" - and lean hard into that ever after.

I get where you're coming from. I do think though that there's a difference between the fields you mentioned and the current case of telepathy in non-speakers in that those fields are technical and difficult for non-experts to assess, whereas this one is straightforward: a community is saying, "We can read minds", and that's been and being demonstrated in a variety of ways that, taken in full context, can't be dismissed.

I thought that by now we would recognise the skeptical playbook: focus on one small aspect of a broad phenomenon and its testing which, hypothetically, outside of the broader context could justify some degree of doubt - even though, in the broader context, it clearly has insufficient explanatory power - then move from an implausibly small degree of doubt, in a narrow context, to: "DEBUNKED!" - and lean hard into that ever after.

Well I think just as a particular medium can be a fraud even for someone who believes in mediumship, Powell's work could fail to show evidence of telepathy even when Psi exists.

There's also the challenge that even the Daily Grail noted that the research isn't [independently] replicated, nor is it - in Powell's own words if I read the article correctly - passing the kind of hard rigor to say the data is definitive:

On this point, even Diane Hennacy Powell recognizes that more stringent tests are needed, writing recently that “the conditions [of the tests in The Telepathy Tapes] were clearly not optimal for proving telepathy and we cannot definitively say that there was no cueing without more tests and a detailed analysis”.

Now it seems the link leads to a PDF where Powell and Williams are rebutting what looks like the usual pseudo-skeptic hit piece. That said, even if we believe in telepathy the skeptics can be right about this particular topic.

What we really need is an independent replication, or so it seems to me? I do realize that pseudo-skeptics can bury even strong evidence with false accusations and bogus research, as when Randi lied about actually doing an experiment that failed to replicate Sheldrake's animal telepathy results. But at the very least I'd want to see someone like Sheldrake, Alexander-Gomez, or even Kastrup try to replicate the results.

If we could get a [few] positive confirmations from the "psi-friendly" scientists out there I think that would move the needle more in getting scientists who are at least neutral to try and replicate?

[Laird]

This critique still ignores the full context shared in The Telepathy Tapes though, Sci. I'm not sure how many of them you've listened to, but the total evidence that they provide goes far beyond these (semi)formal tests. This narrow, hypothetical criticism ("cueing") of those tests is inadequate to explain away that broader context. It seems highly unlikely to me to be sound even in its narrow context in any case, but I'm still yet to pay up and study the raw videos, so I'll say no more on that for now.

Totally agreed, @Larry. On listening to The Telepathy Tapes, my reaction was, "Wow, this is the final nail in the coffin for skeptical materialism. Game over and game-changing. Now we can move on, and Ky is moving on, in such a thoughtful and inspiring way."

For the reactions in this thread on this forum of all places to be as skeptical as they are, or at least referencing of external skepticism, is disappointing. It's like Annika and Tristan all over again, about which I felt similarly.

There, again, was something utterly fascinating and - in my view - compelling, the nature and implications of which I would have thought we could have had an intriguing discussion about here on Psience Quest, but instead reactions were muted and wary (although, thankfully, not entirely so), even descending into digging up muckraking.

I get it: we don't want to be credulous. On the other hand, I'd have hoped that we could be enthusiastic and curious about really interesting and strong cases and projects.

I am believe fully in telepathy ~ but the cases claiming that non-verbal Autistic individuals are somehow especially telepathic? That's my point of contention. Everyone has the capability ~ but there is no reason for me to think that Autism or "neurodivergence" does anything to specifically increase those capabilities.

I guess I'd first like the experiments to be genuinely repeatable ~ using the general methods parapsychology has devised. Not some study out of nowhere claiming a certain thing that has apparently never been observed before by anyone else.

Maybe I have such caution because there has been enough of a reproducibility crisis in science in general. :/

[Laird]

there is no reason for me to think that Autism or "neurodivergence" does anything to specifically increase those capabilities.

The premise seems to be that these people are not fully embodied: the connection between mind and body is disrupted, which is why they struggle to control their bodies. Thus, they have more access to psychic and spiritual powers, which are more mental than bodily.

some study out of nowhere claiming a certain thing that has apparently never been observed before by anyone else.

I don't know whether you've listened to the Tapes, but on their account this very much has been observed for a long time by many people; they've just been sidelined and silenced for various reasons that are discussed.

Totally agreed, @Larry. On listening to The Telepathy Tapes, my reaction was, "Wow, this is the final nail in the coffin for skeptical materialism. Game over and game-changing. Now we can move on, and Ky is moving on, in such a thoughtful and inspiring way."

For the reactions in this thread on this forum of all places to be as skeptical as they are, or at least referencing of external skepticism, is disappointing. It's like Annika and Tristan all over again, about which I felt similarly.

There, again, was something utterly fascinating and - in my view - compelling, the nature and implications of which I would have thought we could have had an intriguing discussion about here on Psience Quest, but instead reactions were muted and wary (although, thankfully, not entirely so), even descending into digging up muckraking.

I get it: we don't want to be credulous. On the other hand, I'd have hoped that we could be enthusiastic and curious about really interesting and strong cases and projects.

I think the real problem here is that even one incontrovertible instance of a psychic phenomenon breaks a taboo with some people. I mean there is a huge gulf between claiming that a phenomenon is very rare, and asserting it doesn't exist.

Dean Radin has performed his presentiment experiment numerous times, and his experiment has been repeated by other researchers. In addition, since the experiment uses absolutely standard equipment, Dean found that several experiments looking for non-psychic effects could be reanalysed to discover if a presentiment effect was also present. As I understand it, this was also successful.

David

I don't think we "need" more research to be confident, based on what the Tapes have shown, that non-speaking autistic people are generally (universally?) telepathic, but it would definitely be welcome.

Just looking at the site itself, they seem to accept further / stronger research is needed? -> 

The tests in The Telepathy Tapes library were conducted by director Ky Dickens and a small film crew in the homes of non-speakers and their families. These were “proof-of-concept” sessions aimed to authenticate telepathic claims and assess the viability of a documentary.  Their results underscore the need for deeper exploration and rigorous scientific study with tighter controls.

But in their defense they do note they are not claiming apraxia automatically confers telepathy ->

Are all non-speakers telepathic?

We do not believe in using the word “all” when describing any group of people. The Telepathy Tapes explores the possibility that some nonspeaking individuals may experience telepathic or intuitive forms of connection—especially in close relationships—but it does not claim this is universal. Every non-speaker is unique, with their own personalities, preferences, gifts and experiences. 

Telepathy and other psi abilities may be a natural ability that all of us possess to some degree - and some individuals may able to tap into this natural form of connection more effortlessly. The project is an invitation to remain curious, not a blanket declaration about any group of people or any ability.

There also is some discussion about Facilitated Communication on the page that is worth reading.

Is the fee a one time $10 charge or a subscription? It seems to me the next step would be discussing the actual tapes for those of us who want to delve further?

edit: AFAICTell it's a subscription, though the Daily Grail article made it seem there is an option for a one time charge? I suppose I could use a prepaid card to prevent unwanted subsequent charges...

[Laird]

Just looking at the site itself, they seem to accept further / stronger research is needed? ->

Like I said, further research would be welcome, but, taken in their totality, The Telepathy Tapes in my opinion do more than enough to establish the prevalence of telepathy in non-speaking autistic people (those with "apraxia", which I've just learnt as a term). Dismissing this evidence is foolhardy.

they are not claiming apraxia automatically confers telepathy ->

Fine; they're being cautious. Note, though, that there is a dearth of ordinary people coming forward and claiming to be telepathic, let alone demonstrating as much in rigorous conditions - the Ganzfeld tests while significant fall far short of 100% accuracy - whereas in the relatively small community of those with apraxia, the producers of The Telepathy Tapes have managed to find many telepaths.

At the very least, then, the conclusion that those with apraxia are far more likely to be telepathic than the average person seems warranted. Yes?

Is the fee a one time $10 charge or a subscription?

My understanding is that it's a one-time fee. I haven't yet paid up.

It seems to me the next step would be discussing the actual tapes for those of us who want to delve further?

Yep, that's my plan too, although there's a fair bit to do before I get to that.

[Laird]

I've split the contentious posts in this thread out into a new thread. Please let's try to have an informed discussion in this thread. If you haven't listened to the podcast in full, then exercise extreme caution when voicing an opinion. Further contentious or uninformed posts may be moved to the split thread.