The Paranormal (Where is it now?)

by dhw, Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 13:11 (5572 days ago) @ George Jelliss

George and I are discussing the implications of a 4-year-old boy's dream, as reported by BBella. I remarked that scientists believe 96% of the universe consists of dark energy (74%) and dark matter (22%), and it is all a complete mystery, summed up as "terra incognita". - George (bold type mine): "There is definite quantitative evidence for dark matter and dark energy (though the use of these names for the phenomena may prove to be premature, as other explanations such as modified laws of gravity may yet be found). However, no such sound evidence has ever been found for the existence of thought waves." - George: "Many houses are "blue". How blue does a house have to be to qualify as a blue house? Does it matter what shade of blue?" - Let me first extract the salient details of the dream from BBella's account, since your blue comment omits approx. two thirds of them. The family lived in an almost barren, treeless area; they had no intention of moving as their lives were settled. One morning the little boy said he had dreamed that they would be moving soon to a blue house, which he described very vividly and which, he said, was surrounded by trees. 6 months later, owing to an unexpected job loss, the family moved across the country and ended up in a blue house surrounded by trees. - The little boy dreamed of something he could not possibly have known beforehand. This is one of countless such experiences by countless numbers of people through countless generations. There is definite quantitative evidence for "paranormal" experiences, though the use of this name for the phenomenon may prove to be premature, as other explanations such as thought waves may yet be found. - George (14 January at 14.10): "On the other hand, some people are determined to see things that aren't there!" No-one can argue with that. - On the other hand, some people are determined to see only what they are determined to see, which means they are determined not to see what they are determined not to see ... if you see what I mean!