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Can a mind be read like a book or thoughts heard as if they had been spoken? There is no conclusive evidence to support such claims.

Scientific interest in mind reading and related phenomena began in the 19th century. Harvard University established The American Society for Psychical Research in 1885. Many eminent minds became involved in investigations of paranormal activity.

A common test in this period is the Extra Sensory Perception (ESP) card test. Using a deck of cards, consisting 25 cards in five sets of symbols, a sender would focus on a card drawn from the pack whilst a receiver would attempt to guess the card.

By 1917 Stanford University had completed four large studies with over 10,000 participants. Tests carried out under rigorously controlled experimental conditions. No evidence to support ESP was found.

Over the next 100 years there were other investigations of ESP both in the US and elsewhere. Some experiments appeared to show positive results. However, none were reliably recreated the gold standard for scientists. Often these results proved to be the product of fraud, statistical naivety or self-deception.

The situation is similar for investigations of other paranormal phenomena. Tightening controls on fraud, such as a bringing in an expert on deception, reduces positive results. Believers in the paranormal often claim that such controls, "destroy trust and trust seems necessary for psychic powers to work." Others see proof positive of fraud.

Between 1972 and 1994 there were a number of remote viewing experiments sponsored by the CIA. The final report noted, "in the case of remote viewing there was a large amount of irrelevant, erroneous information that was provided and there was little agreement observed among the reports of the remote viewers."

Despite 125 years of searching, scientists have failed to find conclusive evidence of mind reading. It is the stuff of fantasy literature, stage magicians and con artists. If any one claims they can read minds, watch your wallet.

Learn more about this author, T J Neale.
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