What is the deal with michael persinger

[Ryan]

Hello,

I have seen persinger in a number of things online. I find him very persuasive, but I also think some of his claims seem too fantastic to be real. Here is the main link. Has anyone else ever done any tests like this? Is this stuff about patterns and fields relevant? Whats the scoop?

He has been on TV before with the god helmet.

Thanks all!
Ryan

http://ww3.tvo.org/video/164074/micha...

[Mitchell]

The challenge for those of us who are interested in what Persinger is suggesting—that brain waves can transmit information to others—is first to decide if the basis for confirmation and verification is the scientific method. Assuming that is the method of choice, has anyone else performed similar experiments as you ask. I’ve only looked into Persinger’s god helmet work, which, of course, is quite controversial. Look up "God helmet" on Wikipedia to find citations to the opposing arguments. While my inclination is to be skeptical, consider the following link.

MIT Magnetic Field Study
MIT researchers disrupted activity in the right TPJ by inducing a current in the brain using a magnetic field applied to the scalp. They found that the subjects’ ability to make moral judgments that require an understanding of other people’s intentions was impaired.

The take-home is that we don't have to conclude anything, but rather hold the claims and counterclaims in memory limbo. As further evidence is presented, compare and contrast. Skepticism is a fine starting point, but it's only a defensive position. An open mind is critical to maintain as well. The greatest scientific advances often upset the dominant paradigm, so never say never.

[Ryan]

Thanks for the response Mitchell! Here are some more thoughts about this topic.

I have seen everything on Persinger that i can find on the internet. I heard about the god helmet a long time ago as well. I was going to order the kit and try it myself but I can't find persuasive reviews from anyone online. Most people end up reselling the headset. I want to believe this man, but he sets my internal BS detector off.

I think that we will develop technologies that modify our experience in almost all the ways that we can experience things. Our brains are matter and everyday we learn how to manipulate matter in new ways. I can't wait.

Here is evidence that we all descended from animals that could sense electromagnetism.

http://www.popsci.com/science/article...

I can see an evolutionary advantage to being linked somehow, however faint, to people with similar genetic code. At one point in time we had tools to sense electromagnetic fields. It seems if there is helpful data stream that will help a life form, given enough time, it will adapt to see / hear / sense the it.

I hope this guy is right and there is a signal we can latch on to and wirelessly share information direct from the brain. Shared experience could change the planet. however, that would probably take a back seat to militaries figuring out how to use it on each other.

[Ryan]

Here is a link that talks about quantum biology.

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/11061...

It talks about biological systems using quantum effects. They are studying a bird with the hopes that it will lead to discoveries in quantum technology. Incredible.

"Learning from nature is an idea as old as mythology — but until now, no one has imagined that the natural world has anything to teach us about the quantum world. "