35 Naval Surface Weapons Center quoted in Straczynski (1977), 158 (“Geller has altered”).
36 Straczynski (1977), 160 (“The enormous spate”); and Randi (1975), 121 (“digging his own grave”). See also, e.g., Weil (1974a, b).
37 Sarfatti (1975a), 355. Sarfatti elaborated upon his theoretical model in Sarfatti (1974b, 1975b, 1977b). On Sarfatti’s more recent views, see Jack Sarfatti, email to the author, December 7, 2009. On Crookes’s and Thomson’s responses to allegations against individual mediums, see Oppenheim (1985), chaps. 4, 8.
38 Wolf interview (2007); Wolf (1991), 39, 40, 45–47; and Jack Sarfatti to John Wheeler, April 27, 1974, in JAW, Sarfatti folders.
39 Erhard interview (2010) and Wolf interview (2007). On the May Lectures, see also Capra (1988), 149, 150.
40 Wolf interview (2007); and Wolf (1991), 183, 184 (“I can’t say”). See also Puharich, (1974, 1979a). Sarfatti credited many of the ideas in his Psychoenergetic Systems paper to joint effort with Wolf: Sarfatti (1974b), 5, 6, 8.
41 Nick Herbert, email to the author, December 1, 2007. On Walker’s training, see his entry in the Dissertations and Theses database, available via http://proquest.umi.com.
42 Walker (1970, 1971, 1972, 1972/73, 1975, 1977, 1978/79). Walker later published an account of his work for nonspecialists: Walker (2000).
43 Nick Herbert, email to the author December 1, 2007 (“house organ”); Sirag, Musès, and Bohm (1976), 27–29 (quotations); and Sirag (1977b), 77, 78.
44 On Walker’s presentation to the Fundamental Fysiks Group, see Elizabeth Rauscher, “The origins and operations of the era of the Fundamental Physics Group,” prepared for the group’s reunion in November 2000, in EAR. On the metaphase typewriter, see Sirag and Babbs (1977), 53 (“as a joke”); and Nick Herbert, “Metaphase typewriter,” available at http://www2.cruzio.com/~quanta/meta.html (accessed May 29, 2008) (“spirits of the dead”). Jeffrey Mishlove, who attended one of Herbert’s demonstrations of the metaphase typewriter, confirmed that many details of Sirag’s fictionalized account were accurate: Mishlove interview (2008).
45 Sirag and Babbs (1977), 53 (“realm of mind”); Nick Herbert, email to the author, May 29, 2008.
46 Nick Herbert, “Application for radioactive material license,” n.d. (ca. October 1973), in NH.
47 Nick Herbert, “Metaphase typewriter: An exercise in free assembly,” unpublished manuscript (January 1974), on 7, 8; copy in NH. See also Herbert (1976) and (1993), 199–208. On the thallium bans, see Anon. (1973b), 26.
48 Herbert, “Metaphase typewriter: An exercise in free assembly,” copy in NH.
49 Sirag and Babbs (1977), 53 (“rather suspect communication”).
50 Herbert, “Metaphase typewriter: An exercise in free assembly,” copy in NH; and (1993), 199–208.
51 Sirag and Babbs (1977), 57 (“anininfinitime”); Sirag (2002), 111 (“byjung”).
52 Weissmann interview (2008); and George Weissmann, email to the author, March 3, 2008. Cf. Teilhard de Chardin (1959), published posthumously.
53 LaMothe (1972), quotations on xi. See also Kress (1999). Kress is the CIA agent who arranged Puthoff and Targ’s first CIA grants. See also Puthoff (1996); Targ (1996); and Schnabel (1997), 94. On earlier fears over the missile and manpower gaps, see Kaiser (2006a).
54 Kress (1999), 71; Schnabel (1997), 97; and Kripal (2007), 340, 341.
55 Puthoff and Targ (1976), 335. Puthoff expanded upon the protocol in a February 1978 letter to scientists who sought to replicate the remote-viewing findings at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Puthoff’s letter was reprinted as “Appendix B: SRI Protocol” in U.S. Army Material Systems Analysis Activity (1979), 57–62.
56 Puthoff and Targ (1976), 344; see also Targ and Puthoff (1974), 606.
57 Targ and Puthoff (1974) and Puthoff and Targ (1976).
58 Gilliam (1978a), 4 (“If a man”); see also Petit (1973), 1 (“mystic powers,” “supernatural phenomena”).
59 Puthoff and Targ published several descriptions of their remote-viewing work in the open literature, in addition to filing dozens of classified reports. See esp. Targ and Puthoff (1974, 1975, 1977); Puthoff and Targ (1976, 1979); Puthoff (1996); and Targ (1996). On “ESPionage,” see Kripal (2007), 340–45; and Kress (1999). Several detailed, if credulous, books on the remote-viewing projects have been published since the first wave of declassification in the mid-1990s. See esp. Schnabel (1997) and Smith (2004). See also Ronson (2004).
60 Rauscher interview (2008).
61 Rauscher interview (2008); Rauscher correspondence with John Wheeler, in JAW, series I, box “Princeton University, Mathematical - RA,” folder “Rauscher, Elizabeth A”; and series II, box “Princeton University, Dept of Physics 3 - Reg,” folder “Rauscher, Elizabeth A.”
62 Rauscher’s early articles on relativity included Rauscher (1972, 1973). These grew out of her long unpublished technical report: Rauscher (1971).
63 Rauscher applied her ideas about multidimensional geometry to psi phenomena such as remote-viewing in Rauscher (1979; 1983a, b); and Ramon and Rauscher (1980). Although the motivations are obviously rather different, Rauscher’s early multidimensional models bear some resemblance to recent work at the forefront of physics and cosmology on universes with large extra dimensions. See esp. Arkani-Hamed, Dimopoulos, and Dvali (1998); Randall and Sundrum (1999); and Guth and Kaiser (2005).
64 Rauscher interview (2008). Puthoff and Targ explicitly cited Bell’s theorem and quantum nonlocality as a likely explanation in Puthoff and Targ (1976), 349 and (1979), 42—although in each case they cited the wrong paper by Bell (his 1966 review article on hidden variables, rather than his 1964 paper on nonlocality), thus skewing citation searches based on Bell’s 1964 article. Had they cited the correct Bell paper, the proportion of articles on Bell’s theorem contributed by participants in the Fundamental Fysiks Group would have been even higher.
65 Rauscher interview (2008). Rauscher is described as the house theorist for Puthoff and Targ in Dewar (1977), 12. See also the discussion following Targ and Puthoff’s presentation in Oteri (1975), 175–79. A follow-up report, prepared by other members of the Fundamental Fysiks Group, continued in Rauscher’s vein. See Hubbard and May (1982).
66 Rauscher, “Is ESP a science? Open meeting Wed.,” The Magnet (August 28, 1975), page not numbered (“any subject”), clipping in EAR; and Rauscher interview (2008). On particle physicists’ “golden events,” see esp. Pickering (1984) and Galison (1987, 1997).
67 Rauscher, Weissmann, Sarfatti, and Sirag (1976); and Rauscher interview (2008).
Chapter 5: New Patrons, New Forums
1 David Marks and Richard Kammann, two psychologists in New Zealand, emerged as the most persistent critics of the Puthoff-Targ remote-viewing work, and carried on an extended debate with the SRI researchers. See Marks and Kammann (1978) and (1980), chaps. 2 and 3; Tart, Puthoff, and Targ (1980); Marks (1981, 1986); Puthoff and Targ (1981); and Marks and Scott (1986). See also Hyman (1977, 1995); and Alcock (1981, 1988). My thanks to Elizabeth Scalia for providing a copy of the 1995 American Institutes for Research report. All of these interactions mirrored earlier run-ins between experimental psychologists and parapsychology researchers in the 1930s, which had likewise turned on abstruse statistical arguments: Mauskopf and McVaugh (1980), chap. 9.
2 Romm (1977), 15 (comparison to Lysenko); and Randi (1982), 131–60.
3 Portions of Wheeler’s AAAS talk, along with his petition to the AAAS leadership, are reproduced in Gardner and Wheeler (1979). See also Anon. (1979), C2; and Randi (1982), 228–32. On “moonshine,” see also Jack Sarfatti, “The quantum mechanics of superluminal communication,” unpublished typescript received in John Wheeler’s office July 2, 1979, on p. 6, in JAW, Sarfatti folders; Sarfatti, “Research bulletin #5,” October 6, 1979, in JAW, Sarfatti folders; and Jack Sarfatti to John Wheeler, January 20, 1982, in JAW, Sarfatti folders.
4 On CSICOP, see Pinch and Collins (1984), 539 (“scientific-vigi
lante”); Hess (1993), 11–13; Rensberger (1976), 19; Dewar (1977), 11; and Gilliam (1978b), 4. On ASTOP, see materials in JAW, series III, box “D - Extrasensory Perception 1,” folder 1, and box “Extransensory Perception 2 - Hi,” folders 2–5.
5 On funding for remote viewing from CIA and Pentagon sources, see Kress (1999), 71, 79–81; and Schnabel (1997), 97, 142, 205, 206, 220, 221, 320, 321, 380. On the Aberdeen tests, see U.S. Army Material Systems Analysis Activity (1979), quotations on 48, 49. See also Ronson (2004).
6 Geiger (1986), chaps. 4 and 5; Owens (1990); Kohler (1991); Lowen (1997), chap. 1; and Lécuyer (2010).
7 Young (1972), 45 (“science can best serve”). See also Young (1979) and Mishlove (1975), 263–278.
8 Nick Herbert, email to the author, June 2, 2008 (“wonderful intellectual salon”); Saul-Paul Sirag, emails to the author, June 5 and 6, 2008. See also the list of seminar series for the winter 1976 session at the Institute for the Study of Consciousness, copy in SPS; and Saul-Paul Sirag, “Consciousness Theory Group,” unpublished report dated March 1977, in SPS.
9 Herbert, email to the author, June 2, 2008 (“psychic healing,” “weird vibrations,” “We would take any drug”); Sirag, emails to the author, June 5 and 6, 2008. See also Beverly Rubik and Nick Herbert, “A meeting of minds in Big Sur,” n.d. (ca. February 1987), in NH. Young presented his own theories in Young (1976a and b).
10 Fred Alan Wolf, email to the author, November 12, 2007; and Jack Sarfatti, email to the author, November 27, 2007.
11 Marin (1975); Litwack (1976); Pressman (1993), 2, 50, 89, 90, 93, 212; and Fuller interview (2007). Sympathetic biographies of Erhard include Bartley (1978) and Self (1992).
12 Erhard interview (2010).
13 Rupert (1992), 129 (“excessively confrontational”); and Glass, Kirsch, and Parris (1977), 245 (“employ a confrontational, authoritarian model”). See also Kirsch and Glass (1977).
14 Anon. (1977b), 95.
15 Critical coverage included Marin (1975); Fenwick (1976); Heck and Thompson (1976); Kornbluth (1976); Litwak (1976); and Woodward (1976). More positive accounts from the time included Bry (1976) and Bartley (1978).
16 Erhard interview (2010).
17 Pressman (1993), 89, 90 (“San Francisco’s most dazzling salon,” “With a formal education”); and Fuller interview (2007).
18 Fred Alan Wolf, email to the author, September 24, 2007; Wolf interview (2007); Jack Sarfatti, email to the author, November 27, 2007; Saul-Paul Sirag, email to the author, December 11, 2007; and “Articles of incorporation of Physics/Consciousness Research Group,” corporation number C0729058 (January 7, 1975), available from California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division; quotation from p. 1. Sarfatti noted that he filed the legal documents for incorporation himself in Physics/Consciousness Research Group, “A modest proposal to the Foundation for the Realization of Man,” unpublished grant proposal, February 11, 1976, on 4 (copy in SPS).
19 Barbara Stevenson (former chief of staff, Office of Werner Erhard), email to the author, July 15, 2010; Erhard interview (2010); and Physics/Consciousness Research Group, “A modest proposal to the Foundation for the Realization of Man,” February 11, 1976, on 4 (copy in SPS).
20 Sirag (1977b), 79, 80 (“communicate the excitement”); and Sarfatti (1974b).
21 Jack Sarfatti, “Excerpts from ‘The Time Traveller’s Handbook,’” dated May 31, 1976, on 3 (“Be here–Now!”), 5 (Beatles), 9 (“The only thing”), 10 (“Scientific speculation”), copy in JAW, Sarfatti folders. Cf. Dass (1971). On Alpert’s and Leary’s exploits at Harvard and beyond, see Wasserman (2000) and Lattin (2010).
22 Robert Anton Wilson, “Scientists confess strange encounters,” undated clipping, ca. 1976, in SPS. Sirag suggests that the article might have originally appeared in a local underground paper such as the Berkeley Barb: Sirag, email to the author, July 29, 2010. Wilson expanded on his interactions with Sarfatti, Sirag, and the rest in Wilson (1977, 1979).
23 “Physics/Consciousness Program De Anza - Foothill College, Spring Quarter, 1976”; Jack Sarfatti, “Distribution list—Prepublication copies,” May 22, 1975, in JAW, Sarfatti folders. See also Saunders and Norton (1976), 22. On the central place devoted to Puthoff and Targ’s remote viewing in Sarfatti’s presentations on quantum theory, see the lecture outline for the “Philosophy of quantum mechanics” course in the De Anza - Foothill College circular; and Jack Sarfatti, “Einstein: On quanta and human awareness,” lecture notes for another PCRG seminar, n.d., ca. 1976, in JAW, Sarfatti folders.
24 “Physics/Consciousness Research Group” flyer (n.d., ca. 1976), (“the metaphors arising”), in JAW, Sarfatti folders.
25 Sarfatti (1977b), 75 (“warm personal relationship”).
26 Physics/Consciousness Research Group, “A modest proposal to the Foundation for the Realization of Man,” February 11, 1976, on 4 (“personal account of Werner Erhard”), copy in SPS; Robert W. Fuller to Saul-Paul Sirag, April 20, 1976, in SPS. See also Sarfatti (2002a), 44n64; Sarfatti, email to the author, November 27, 2007; and Sirag, email to the author, July 13, 2010.
27 Fowler (1989), B8 (on Vietnam-era intelligence work); and Sirag (2002), 120.
28 Delores M. Nelson (Information and Privacy Coordinator, CIA), letter to the author, November 4, 2008, in response to FOIA request F-2009-00110; David M. Hardy (Records Management Division, FBI), letter to the author, January 28, 2009, in response to FOIPA No. 1121034-000; Pamela N. Phillips (Acting Initial Denial Authority, National Security Agency), letter to the author, October 28, 2008, in response to FOIA case 57343; and Alesia Y. Williams (Chief, Freedom of Information Act Staff, Defense Intelligence Agency), letter to the author, November 30, 2009, in response to FOIA case number 0019-2009.
29 Fowler (1989), B8, mentions Koopman’s work on the military training films. See also file 46-11705, FBI Los Angeles field office, dated November 8, 1976, concerning the allegations of “fraud against the government,” released in response to FOIPA No. 1121034-000.
30 Fowler (1989), B8; and Sirag (2002), 120.
31 Fowler (1989), B8; Sirag (2002), 120, 121; and Sirag, email to the author, July 13, 2010. Koopman was listed as a participant in the Berkeley PCRG “Tao-of-Physics Discussion Group,” October 27, 1976, in SPS. See also Leary with Wilson and Koopman (1977).
32 Jack Sarfatti, “Physics Consciousness Research Group: Financial statements for the ten month period ended 1/31/77,” in JAW, Sarfatti folders.
33 Kripal (2007), 12 (on 1962 catalog cover); and Goleman, (1985), C6 (“valhala”). See also Anderson (1983).
34 Kripal (2007), chap. 2.
35 Erhard interview (2010). On Erhard’s and Murphy’s relationship, see also Anderson (1983), 272–77.
36 Sarfatti, email to the author, November 27, 2007; Herbert, email to the author, November 28, 2007; Sirag, email to the author, December 11, 2007; and Michael Murphy and Jack Sarfatti, “Physics and consciousness,” 1976 Esalen catalog, quotations on 3, copy in NH.
37 Jack Sarfatti to Richard Feynman, September 5, 1975, in RPF 29:1. On Feynman’s visits to Esalen, see Feynman to Esalen Institute, March 18, 1974, in RPF 24:16; and Feynman with Leighton (1985), 301–8. On John Lilly’s work and connection to Esalen, see Burnett (2010).
38 Feynman and Hibbs (1965), 23 (“in the nature”). On Feynman’s college philosophy course, see Feynman with Leighton (1985), 45–52.
39 Richard Feynman to Jack Sarfatti, September 22, 1975, in RPF 29:1.
40 David Finkelstein interview (2007); David Finkelstein to Richard Feynman, June 9, 1975, in RPF 25:5. Finkelstein demonstrated that a black hole’s event horizon acts as a one-way membrane: matter can fall in, but cannot pass back out. See Finkelstein (1958).
41 Finkelstein interview (2007). See also Finkelstein (1969; 1972a, b; 1974); and Finkelstein, Frye, and Susskind (1974).
42 Karl H. Pribram to Werner Erhard, February 4, 1976, copy in SPS.
43 Nick Herbert, invitation to the February 1988 Esalen workshop (on audiovi
sual aids), and Beverly Rubik and Nick Herbert, “A meeting of minds in Big Sur,” report on the February 1987 Esalen workshop (crystals; “break the old conference mold”), both in NH. On LSD trips at Esalen, see Sirag (2002), 110, 111.
44 On reserving baths and other quoted regulations, see Nancy Kaye Lunney (Programs office, Esalen Institute) to Richard Feynman, n.d., ca. January 1983, in RPF 24:16.
45 Nick Herbert, report on “Bell’s theorem and the nature of reality,” January 1980, in NH. On the Esalen workshops, see also Nick Herbert, email to the author, November 28, 2007; and Saul-Paul Sirag, email to the author, December 11, 2007.
46 Herbert, “Bell’s theorem and the nature of reality,” January 1980, in NH.
47 Kripal (2007), 302, 309, 310; Capra (1988), 117–19. Nick Herbert filed detailed (and quite amusing) reports after each year’s Esalen workshop (copies in NH); my thanks to him for sharing these reports with me.
How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival Page 36
