In their study of CEOs of
large corporations, Dean and Mihalsky found that a third of them believed firmly in psi;
according to the survey, the basis of their beliefs was constant - and successful - use of
intuition or ESP in their business decisions. The
researchers also ran CEOs through actual precognition tests. CEOs who had a record of
doubling their company's earnings over a period of five years had by far the highest psi
scores. In fact, almost everyone who had substantially improved their company's earnings
had positive test results. The researchers concluded that psi testing of executive
decision-makers or problem-solvers might help companies select individuals who are likely
to have the best intuitions.
Psi and the stock market
A striking demonstration of the potential practical value of psi was given by Delphi
Associates, a small California-based group created by former SRI researcher Russell Targ
and psychologist Keith Harary. Using the technique of Associative Remote Viewing they
sought to predict fluctuations in silver fortunes, and make investments based on these
predictions. Toward the end of 1982, they made nine predictions separated by large
intervals, and invested. All of the predictions were correct, both in the direction and
amplitude of the movements. (If this had been a scientific experiment, the statistics
would have shown a 1 in 250,000 probability that these results were due to chance). The
Delphi associates made a hefty profit of $120,000, and were featured in numerous
publications, including an article in the Wall Street Journal. Unfortunately,
when they sought to repeat this success, this time following a much more rapid rhythm and
with bigger stakes, there were errors in the protocol and things generally didn't go so
well: a negative effect with a vengeance... |
