COMMENT:Allegedly paranormal phenomena tend to fade away as one conducts experiments to observe them. This tendency seems to be so strong that it successfully blocks attempts to demonstrate the very existence of these phenomena. It is therefore of particular interest if there appears a psychic who seems able to give repeatable demonstrations. Such was claimed for the Czechoslovakian, Pavel Stepanek; he seemed convincing enough to be included in the Guinness book of World Records. His guesses of the upper side of a concealed white and green card often showed results which significantly deviated from chance. Gardner presents suggestions as to how Stepanek may have achieved his feats by normal means -- probably using tactile cues and standard conjuring tricks. The book introduces many important new ideas and arguments into the discussion surrounding Stepanek -- though as an after-the-fact explanation it cannot, of course produce proof that will satisfy everyone. (See e.g. Juergen Keil, "How a Skeptic Misrepresents the Research with Stepanek", in <cite>J. of Parapsychology</cite> Vol 54 June 1990, pp.151-167). This, however, one cannot expect until the "psychics" agree to be tested with the participation of informed, skeptical observers. Unfortunately, Stepanek seems recently to have lost his ability (or has parted with his trick). The aforementioned "law of unrepeatability" of paranormal success, then, still stands.
DATE:19990628
KEYWORDS:psi:methodology
MISC:264p., illustrated
PUBLISHER:Prometheus
SUBMITADDR:Gerald_Huber@r.maus.de
SUBMITNAME:Gerald Huber
TITLE:How Not To Test A Psychic: A Study of the Remarkable Experiments with Renowned Clairvoyant Pavel Stepanek
