Robotics for conquest of space

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, Joe Strout wrote:
> It's bunk either way, unless you can show even a single controlled study
> where somebody who "went exterior" gained any concrete knowledge they
> didn't already have.
>
> I'd also expect to see a slew of Nobel Prizes for the discoverers of all
> the new laws of physics such an effect would imply.
>
> Best,
> - Joe
>
Though a full report on the subject of going exterior would not be appropriate in this topic, I thought that I should give readers some idea where to find out more about it (since some asked).

Certainly the vast majority of data about this subject is anecdotal, as most scientists outside of some neurologists have not shown much interest in studying the phenomenon.

It is most often cited and studied in the scientific literature in connection with near-death experiences. Though the studies associated with such experiences document them as real, we're not interested in inducing the experience using any kind of heavy physical trauma, including drugs. To re-iterate: I am not advocating the use of any kind of drug for this purpose.

The other body of scientific evidence on this subject consists mostly of tests of remote viewers or similar people who claim to have the ability. There has been some validation of the phenomenon from these tests, too. However, a lot of data on this remains under the radar, as it (remote viewing) was originally a secret government project.

The people working on this from a paranormal viewpoint are quite numerous. When I mentioned that the technology for teaching this is modern, I was thinking mostly of these people, though some remote viewers also offer classes in their techniques. I am not saying that this field, taken as a whole, is entirely ethical or wrapped up at this point, but there can be no doubt that it exists as a serious subject in the minds of many and diverse persons.

Wandering over to the Wikipedia article on out-of-body experiences, we find some of the more well-known studies mentioned. I have edited that text to keep it brief.

Van Lommel studies:

The first clinical study of near-death experiences (NDE's) in cardiac arrest patients was by Pim van Lommel, a cardiologist from the Netherlands, and his team (The Lancet, 2001). Of 344 patients who were successfully resuscitated after suffering cardiac arrest, approximately 18% experienced "classic" NDE's, which included out-of-body experiences. The patients remembered details of their conditions during their cardiac arrest despite being clinically dead with flatlined brain stem activity.

Michael Persinger studies:

...In a second study, Ingo Swann was asked to draw images of pictures hidden in envelopes in another room. Individuals with no knowledge of the nature of the study rated Swann's comments and drawings as congruent with the remotely viewed stimulus at better than chance levels.

The article lists several OBE training and research facilities. Some of these are obviously less science-oriented than others:

The Monroe Institute's Nancy Penn Center is an old and established facility specializing in out-of-body experience induction.
The Center for Higher Studies of the Consciousness in Brazil is another large OBE training facility.
The International Academy of Consciousness in southern Portugal features the Projectarium a spherical structure dedicated exclusively for practice and research on out-of-body experience.
Olaf Blanke's Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience is another laboratory for OBE research.

In the article's list of references, a variety of books on the subject are named:

Buhlman, William. "Adventures Beyond the Body: How to experience out-of-body travel". ISBN 0062513710
Review of the tome "Projectiology: A Panorama of Experiences Outside the Human Body" by Waldo Vieira, MD Journal of Parapsychology
Jones, Zakary et al. (2009). Filters and Reflections: Perspectives on Reality. "Out-of-Body Experiences: An Exploration of Non-Local Filters" (Contributed chapter by Nelson Abreu, International Academy of Consciousness). ICRL Press.
Leland, Kurt. (2001). Otherwhere: A Field Guide to Nonphysical Reality for the Out-of-Body Traveler. Hampton Roads Publishing. ISBN 978-1571742414
Leland, Kurt. (2002). The Unanswered Question: Death, Near-Death, and the Afterlife. Hampton Roads Publishing. ISBN 978-1571742995
Monroe, Robert. (1971). Doubleday Journeys Out of the Body. reprinted (1989) Souvenir Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0285627536
Monroe, Robert. (1985). Far Journeys. Doubleday. reprinted (1992) Main Street Books. ISBN 978-0385231824
Monroe, Robert. (1994). Ultimate Journey. Doubleday. reprinted (1996) Main Street Books. ISBN 978-0385472081
Pritchard, Mark H (2004). "A Course in Astral Travel and Dreams". Absolute Publishing Press. ISBN 0-9740560-1-4
Raduga, Michael. (2009). School of Out-of-Body Travel. A Practical Guidebook. ISBN 978-1445766713
Raduga, Michael. (2009). Ultimate Yoga 2012
Tart, Charles (1997). "Six Studies of Out-of-the-Body Experiences" Journal of Near Death Studies
Vieira, Waldo (2002). Projectiology: A Panorama of Experiences of the Consciousness Outside the Human Body. ISBN 978-8586019586
Vieira, Waldo (2007). Projections of the Consciousness: A Diary of Out-of-Body Experiences. International Academy of Consciousness.

The point was made that we are not seeing Nobel Prizes being handed out for this sort of research. I don't see that this fact invalidates the research.

I can only mention that it has been my perception over the years that not everyone on this planet is "pulling in the same direction" so to speak. This observation remains my best explanation for why we aren't yet overtly exploring and colonizing our solar system, to say nothing of our apparent lack of regard for the survival of our own planet.