Alextsakiris,
I think devoting a Skeptiko episode devoted to this effect would be fantastic!
I don't feel qualified to help as such, but here is a suggestion for everyone to knock about:
You once told me you were considering trying the presentiment experiment as part of OpenSourceScience. This would be a great opportunity to challenge the Sceptics. Perhaps you should give them advance notice of the following question:
Can you devise a protocol to test the presentiment effect that would satisfy you that the result - if positive - was not due to the expectation effect? If so, you yourself could use it for the experiment! The experimental design would have to be reasonable - i.e. take into account that subjects could only tolerate trials of a certain length before boredom set in.
Alternatively, do they wish to state that it is inherently impossible to test this effect scientifically - even if it is genuine!
This should make a fascinating podcast - particularly if Dean Radin and Dick Bierman take part!
David  |