Extra-Sensory Perception. The term itself is somewhat questionable and offers some troubling connotations. A simple glance for synonyms on the internet yields the following busload of equally troubling terms: clairvoyance, extrasensory perception, insight, mind-reading, parapsychology, premonition, presentiment, second sight, sixth sense, spiritualism, telepathic transmission, telesthesia, and thought transference. Some of these terms offer nothing in the way of clarity, but there are some words and phrases there that offer an opening for understanding.

A workable definition for perception from the Princeton Online Dictionary defines it as “the ability to become aware of something via the senses.” The most relevant part of this definition is the final phrase: “via the senses.” People are created almost identical in terms of genetic, but they are far from alike in terms of ability. Some people are born without a sense of sight. Some people are born without a sense of hearing. Some people have a limited sense of smell. Some people can not feel even their own limbs. Some people can cognate faster than others. The simple fact is that some people are gifted with senses that are beyond the usual scope of humankind. These people, by definition of the average human with average senses, would possess extrasensory perception.

In searching for a better definition, I encountered that which was presented in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED): “Of perception: made by other means than those of the known sense-organs, e.g. by telepathy, clairvoyance, etc.; hence, received by such means; of or pertaining to the study of such perception. (extra-sensory perception is often abbreviated to E.S.P., ESP.).” Accompanying this definition, are some examples of usage that appeared in text; J. B. Rhine coined the phrase in this passage, “J. B. RHINE Extra-Sensory Perception (1935) p. xxx, Let us merely say..‘perception by means that are outside of the recognized senses’, and indicate this meaning by ‘Extra-Sensory Perception’ or E.S.P.” J.B. Rhine is a prominent figure to check out when discussing the paranormal in any detail. More information will follow in a separate blog post about this particularly interesting fellow. But the term extra-sensory perception is still quite a modern term (as you can see from above, the initial date and usage of the phrase is 1935). I think it is worth the time and trouble to see if we can find a definition that goes back a little further than that. The term that I will focus on for this post will be clairvoyance.

Clairvoyance is an older term, but still retains a pretty modern meaning. One of the definitions from the OED that I find particularly interesting states, “Keenness of mental perception, clearness of insight; insight into things beyond the range of ordinary perception.” This is completely synonymous with the definition presented above for extra-sensory perception. Here is an interesting example of the usage of clairvoyance: “1884 SYMONDS Shaks. Predec. ii. §19. 79 What may be called..clairvoyance in dramatic matters. Ibid. 81 This clairvoyance gave them insight into things beyond their own experience. Shakespeare painted much that he had never seen.” I believe that Symonds offers a very touching interpretation of what clairvoyance can be taken to stand for in the harsh world of the social norm that we find ourselves in.

In popular culture, there are all sorts of characters that have specially designed powers that are based on the criteria stated above. A few that come to mind are Daredevil, Spiderman, Master-Chief, and Wonder-Woman. But other than thinking that extra-sensory perception is just related to fiction, I feel that Symonds offers us a way to look into our world today and note those that are able to capture expressions that others miss. Essentially, I feel that the above delving into the word “extra-sensory perception” (which, mind, I know is a very shallow delve), offers us to see ESP as an appreciation of something that is often missed. In an artistic sense, this discussion should give you a reason to appreciate any time a person gives an insight that most of us would have otherwise missed, through any medium. But, I think we can also think of ways in which technology can give us a boost with perception.

The most recognizable form of extra-sensory perception that people in this generation would recognize is night-vision goggles. These goggles do exactly what the information above describes; they give a person the ability to have a perception that is beyond the norm. How do night vision goggles work? You can check this link out for the specifics, or you can trust me when I say that night-vision has amazing properties. Essentially there are two major forms of night vision: image enhancement which uses light, even lower portions of the infrared light spectrum, or thermal imaging which detects the upper portion of the infrared spectrum and displays the natural heat emitted by objects. But that is precisely what the issue is here. These magic goggles can let you see in the dark with amazing clarity. They let you perceive what was otherwise un-perceivable. Obviously, this power can put you at great advantage in a combat situation, but are there other purposes to this kind of perception? Can we expect cars to have light amplification night-driving modes in the future? Lightweight versions that fit like sunglasses and can be fitted into common frames for outdoor use? Or is this power to great for common people to posses? Is it something that we need to perceive for our armed elite?

In this example, you can see that the military uses night vision to both find their enemy more effectively, but also to avoid certain targets that otherwise would have been covered with an insane amount of lead and explosives. I don’t want to mislead anyone though, misdirection is another trick that is often employed when people have superior technologies. Since the time of the Trojan War, people have been duping other people with superior technology. Here is a picture of a wooden German tank during World War II that was meant to waste allied munitions, gasoline, and supplies in general in pursuing their destruction. This reminds me of an old Chinese proverb, “he who knows his heart mistrusts his eyes.” Other ways of extra-sensory perception can be devices that we don’t necessarily consider extrodinary anymore, but they do enhance our natural senses. An obvious device that enhances our speech is a microphone. It’s not unusual anymore, but think of the implications that this device had with it when it was first introduced. The ability to amplify the human voice so that it carried to the ears of thousands instead of hundreds. There are probably hundreds of examples, but I feel that these are a few of the places you can justly defend calling “extra-sensory perceptions.”

I feel that a sort of introduction is in order. First, let me introduce myself as obscurely as possible. I feel that in some ways, there is some comfort to the anonymity that one has on the internet. Of course, being a voice in the dark has its  own implicit set of moral obligations and responsibilities. I will uphold those responsibilities by giving credit where credit is due and setting forth the large disclaimer that this site does not offer any sort of attempt to present hardcore facts. This site sets forth a conversation. I am a student (not a real Ph.D. or at least not yet), and I am a lover of learning. What I find interesting is the kind of information that we deem worthy or acceptable, and the kind of information that we deem ill-founded or illogical. This is really at the heart of the kind of content you will find in these posts. Herein, I am offering a view (supported by others when appropriate) of the paranormal. Of course, the paranormal covers quite a large amount of territory to discuss. I am open to any avenue of discussion; I feel free to explore anything from mythology, religious beliefs, ghosts, astronomy, astrology, technology, and pretty much anything else that is perceived as that which is beyond or outside the normal.

Obviously, the above comment has its own assumptions, specifically the problem of what one defines as “normal.” I will venture to define the normal as whatever a group of people or society encounter regularly and have incorporated into their practices and routines. Thus, whatever a group of people does in the course of daily survival will be considered normal while everything else would be paranormal. Clearly, discrepancies are possible between what one group considers normal and what another might consider the paranormal. The utilization of specific technologies, cognitive practices, and daily rituals define the “normal” for a civilization.

Essentially, I am expressing that the paranormal is not just the varied bumps in the nights, or the stories told in the dark around campfires at unnerving hours when our imaginations are at their most aroused; the paranormal is that which is beyond the limits of our everyday understanding. The paranormal is comprised of elements that are found in the everyday experiences we have in which the laws that we so rigidly adhere to in our lives are broken or otherwise turned on their heads, and the opposite shown to be true: the impossible made possible. The official title of this blog is “Cognitive Alchemy,” and this is what I wish to try and accomplish. I feel that there is a movement in recent days that tries to explain the mystical, supernatural, and paranormal in scientific terms. A popular television program like “Mythbusters” (Discovery Channel) highlights this move toward secularization. Essentially, I feel by exploring these issues in text and online-discussion, we can try to make comprehendible the incomprehensible; we can strive to turn gold into lead.

An avenue that most people do not consider when they hear the word “paranormal” is the role that technology plays. There is a fantastic quote that comes to us from Arthur C. Clarke on the topic of technology; he states, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” I don’t know if the modern man can truly appreciate the complexity of perceptions that occurs when a group of technologically advanced people encounter an inferiorly advanced group. A scenario that highlights what I am saying may have been played out during the settling of this country. Imagine a native-American who has no idea what a rifle, bullets, or a horse, are. Suddenly, our poor native-American encounters a mounted cavalry rider who shoots his rifle, killing his comrade. How much of this sight would the native-American understand? Would he even see the action? Or would he just know the result? This is just one example of a conflict of technology. Likewise, how would the cavalryman possibly understand the cognitive technology utilized in a spirit-vision? Could the cavalryman even see the visions as omens and divine interferences? Or would he just know the result? There are many different kinds of technologies and magics and the beauty of Arthur C. Clarke’s quote is that it shows the intimate relationship between the two; essentially, Clarke reminds us that magic is technology, technology is magic.

Hopefully, I have given you a little glimpse of the kinds of material that I will be covering throughout this blog. Next week, I’ll take a look at mind-reading.