|
 My
Uncle, Dr. Evan Harris Walker, died on the evening of August 17,
2006 at Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace, Maryland. He
will be buried next to his parents at Elmwood Cemetery in
Birmingham, Alabama during the first week of September. He was 70
years old.
In his book, The Physics of Consciousness, My Uncle quoted Einstein,
(I think) as follows:
Warning: In Quantum Mechanics, the results of any action are
determined by the observer rather than any Newtonian law of physics
and, if this phenomenon is true in three dimensions, it must also be
true in the fourth!
I recently asked him how we would know if someone ever actually
changed history retroactively as that new history would be all we
remember. He said there would be some subtle indicator or something
that looked like a coincidence. He told me that, one might notice
the cars in a parking lot were arranged in such a way as to spell
out a name or, someone or something might appear in an unexpected
place as in Woody Allen’s movie, Zelig or Forest Gump standing next
to the President on TV. After all, who could resist a little time
traveler’s “graffiti”.
It is with this in mind that I mention; at about the time of his
death on the 17th, I was watching him on PBS discussing the letters
of Albert and Maleva Einstein in a rebroadcast of that show.
My Uncle will be sorely missed.
Michael P. Walker
24 August 2006
-------------------------------------
Dr.
Walker is the author of
The Physics of Consciousness (Perseus
Books: 2000). He is regarded by many to be the founder of the modern
science of consciousness research. He was the first to propose a
theory of the nature of consciousness tied to well-known physical
principles of quantum mechanics and based on quantitative physical and
neurophysiological data. He has made significant contributions to the
measurement problem in quantum mechanics and originated the ‘Quantum
Observer Theory’ relating to state vector collapse that is of
significance to parapsychology. Both of these theories have been
supported by extensive and predicted experimental results. He has also
contributed to the fields of neurophysiology, specifically to the
mechanism of synaptic functioning, and in psychology to understanding
optical illusion phenomena.
Dr. Walker is recognized for his discovery of
the role of Albert Einstein’s wife, Mileva Maric´
Einstein, in the development of the theory of relativity. His
discovery has received worldwide attention. His on-going physics
research is directed toward the problems of Big Bang cosmology, black
hole phenomena, and dark matter in the universe.
Dr. Walker has developed numerous concepts and
designs that have resulted in numerous inventions including one
invention in the field of solar energy and a recent development in the
field of environmental protection. His inventions were introduced into
the design of the Abrams Tank used in the Gulf War, contributing to
the saving of 48 lives (by actual count) during that conflict. He made
significant contributions on behalf of the U. S. Government's
interests to delay and mitigate the Yom Kippur War that occurred in
1973. Dr. Walker has also contributed significantly to non-nuclear
designs for ballistic missile defense.
Dr. Walker has made contributions to the US
Satellite Program in the development of formulas to determine
satellite electric field effects on plasma probes and instrumentation.
Dr. Walker is an authority on lunar surface phenomena, particularly in
the areas of photoelectric effects on surface features, meteoric
impact effects, cratering statistics, surface and subsurface
structure, and erosion transport mechanisms on the moon.
Dr. Walker continues his research in cancer
chemotherapy as the Director of the Walker Cancer Research Institute
at its laboratory in Tallahassee (with collaborative programs at
Florida State University and the National Magnet Laboratory), and its
laboratory in Wayne State University, Detroit Michigan. The main
offices of the WCRI are located near Dr. Walker’s home in Aberdeen
Maryland.
Dr. Walker received his
doctorate from the University of Maryland in 1964. He has dedicated
his life to answering one riddle—it is the central question of
philosophy and the oft-forgotten origin of scientific thought itself:
What is consciousness? When we ask, “Who are we; what are we; why are
we here?” are we not asking, “What is the nature of consciousness; can
neither science nor religion explain who am I? In Dr. Walker’s
opinion, his answer to this question incidentally also answers the
question: what are psi phenomena; what is their cause?
Dr.
Walker received the Outstanding Contribution Award from the
Parapsychological Association in 2001.
Position Statement:
Members of the parapsychological community are often asked about their
belief or skepticism about the reality of parapsychological phenomena.
I have this to say: the phenomena are real. I have 9 reasons for this
statement. I give them in ascending order of their importance.
1. I
have seen them happen.
2. I
have done them—made them happen.
3. I
have experimentally verified their reality in formal, reported
experimentation.
4. J.
B. Rhine adequately verified their reality experimentally.
5. A
large number of competent experimental scientists have independently
confirmed and expanded on Rhine’s work.
6. The
phenomena are consistent with quantum mechanical principles.
7.
These phenomena can and have been incorporated into a theory known as
the Quantum Observer Theory of Psi Phenomena.
8. With
these phenomena included, physics provides a more complete scientific
understanding than we would have in their absence.
9.
Careful and competent researchers have independently tested and
verified surprising and unexpected predictions of this Quantum
Observer Theory of Psi Phenomena.
A Selection of
Publications Germane to Parapsychology:
“The Nature of Consciousness,” Mathematical BioSciences 7,
131—178, 1970.
“Consciousness as a Hidden Variable,”
Physics Today 24, 39, 1971.
“Consciousness in the Quantum Theory of
Measurement, Part I,” J. Study Cons. 5, 46—63, 1972.
“Consciousness in the Quantum Theory of
Measurement, Part II,” J. Study Cons. 5, 257—276, 1972/1973.
“Application of the Quantum Theory of
Consciousness to the Problem of Psi Phenomena,” J. Study Cons. 5,
276—277, 1972/1973.
“A Mathematical Theory of Optical Illusions
and Figural Aftereffects,” Perception and Psychophysics 13,
467—486, 1973.
“Spurious Allusions,” Perception and
Psychophysics 16, 419—425, 1974.
“Consciousness and Quantum Theory,” in
Psychic Exploration (Editor: Edgar D. Mitchell), 543—568, Putnam
Press, New York, 1974.
“Foundations of Paraphysical and
Parapsychological Phenomena,” in Quantum Physics and Parapsychology
(Editor: L. Oteri), 1—53, Parapsychology Foundation, New York, 1975.
“Quantum Mechanics/Psi Phenomena, The Theory
and Suggestions for New Experiments,” J. Res. Psi Phenom. 1,
38—52, 1976.
“Effects of Trial Rate on Subject Scores in
Quantum Mechanical Random Number Generator PK Tests,” J. Res. Psi
Phenom. 1, 44—55, 1976.
“Quantum Mechanical Tunneling in Synaptic and
Ephaptic Transmission,” Int. J. Quantum Chemistry 11, 103—127,
1977.
“The Compleat Quantum Mechanical
Anthropologist,” in Parapsychology and Anthropology (Editor:
Joseph K. Long), Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, NJ, 1977.
“Comparison of Some Theoretical Predictions of
Schmidt's Mathematical Theory and Walker's Quantum Mechanical Theory
of Psi,” J. Res. in Psi Phenomena 2, 54—70, 1977.
“The Quantum Mechanical Theory of
Consciousness: A Response to the Critique by Chari,” J. Indian
Psychology 1, 130—153, 1978.
“The Quantum Theory of Psi Phenomena,”
Psychoenergetic Systems 3, 259—299, 1979.
“Matching Bits with the Computer,”
Psychology Today 15, p 108, June 1981.
“Book Review: Mind at Large by C. T. Tart, H.
E. Puthoff, and R. Targ,” J. Parapsychology, Dec. 1981.
“A Critical Review of Taylor and Balanovshi's
Work,” Psychoenergetics 4, 25—45, 1981.
“Book Review: Extra-Sensory Perception of
Quarks by Stephen M. Phillips,” Theta 10, # 1, 20—21, 1982.
“Book Review: The Role of Consciousness in the
Physical World by Robert Jahn,” Parapsychological Review 13, #
4, 18—21, 1982.
“Introduction,” Advances in Parapsychological
Research, Vol. 4, (Editor: Dr. Stanley Krippner), McFarland & Co.,
Jefferson NC & London, 1984.
“A Review of Criticisms of the Quantum
Mechanical Theory of Psi Phenomena,” J. of Parapsychology 48, 277—332,
1984.
“Quantum Mechanics and Consciousness,” J.
Indian Psychology 4, No. 2, 21—26, 1985.
“On the Mathematics of Scientific Belief
Systems,” in The Repeatability Problem in Parapsychology (Editors: B.
Shapin and L. Coly), pages 98—143, Proceedings of the International
Conference held in San Antonio, TX, 28—29 Oct 83, published by the
Parapsychology Foundation, Inc., New York, 1985.
“A Comparison of the Intuitive Data Sorting
and Quantum Mechanical Observer Theories,” J. Parapsychology 51,
217—227, 1987.
“Information Measures in Quantum Mechanics,”
Physica B 151, 332—338, 1988.
“Testing Schrödinger's paradox with a
Michelson Interferometer,” (with Drs. E. C. May, S. J. P. Spottiswoode,
and T. Piantanida), Physica B 151, 339—348, 1988.
“Ms. Einstein,” 1990 AAAS Annual Meeting
Abstracts, p 141, 15—20 Feb 1990.
“Did Einstein Espouse His Spouse's Ideas”?
Physics Today 42, pp 9—11, Feb 1989.
(Rebuttal Article) Physics Today 44, pp
122—124, May 90.
“Ms. Einstein,” The Baltimore Sun,
Editorial p 11A, 30 Mar 1990.
“The Quantum Theory of Consciousness,” The
Noetic Journal, Vol. 1 #1, June 1997, pp 100-107.
Book: The Physics of Consciousness,
Perseus Press: Boston, MA. Published January, 2000.
“Idealized Brush Strokes,” a computer art
graphics published in Computers and Automation 17, # 8, 14,
1968.
“Computer Graphics,” published as journal
cover illustration in The Reflector, IEEE 17, 1968.
“Computer Art Illustration,” published as
cover illustration for J. Soc. Info. Display 6, 2, 1969.
“Science/Consciousness/Religion,” Science
of Mind 47, 34—43, 1974.
“The Scientific Study of Consciousness and its
Significance for Religion,” in Toward a Science of Consciousness,
(Editor: J. W. White) W. A. Benjamin Inc., Menlo Park, CA, 1974.
“Consciousness and Quantum Physics,” in
Future Science, (Editor: John White) Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1977.
“Evan Harris Walker Comments on Edward W.
Karnes, et al., Re: Remote Viewing,” Zetetic Scholar 7, 1980.
“Evan Harris Walker Replies to Edward W.
Karnes Reply to Evan Harris Walker's Comments on Edward W. Karnes, et
al., Re: Remote Viewing,” Zetetic Scholar 8, 1981.
“Pragmatic Dualism and Bifurcated Idealism.
Philosophical Consequences of the Scientific Study of Consciousness:
Comments on John Beloff's Paper,” Journal of Religion and Psychical
Research, 1985.
“The Natural Philosophy and Physics of
Consciousness,” in The Physical Nature of Consciousness, edited
by Philip Van Loocke, John Benjamins Amsterdam/Philadelphia pp. 63—82,
2001. |
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