Parapsychological Information on CD-ROMs
Two CD-ROMs, which are now commercially available, give good overviews of
the field of
research parapsychology and associated topics.
![]()
Return to the CSL Home Page
by
Mario Varvoglis
Abstract
PSI-EXPLORER seeks to provide an accessible, yet serious overview of the
essential
facets of parapsychology. Oriented toward both scientific and lay
audiences, PSI-
EXPLORER attempts to convey the most fascinating qualitative and
quantitative aspects of
the field, while also providing users the opportunity to explore their
own latent potentials.
The CD-ROM consists of several interrelated 3-D spaces:
- The Crystal, the central space,
provides access to all other spaces. It includes an audiovisual
introduction to the field and the phenomena studied.
- The Lab uses videos and animation to illustrate the
most promising lines of contemporary
research: ganzfeld, RNGs, remote viewing, DMILS, and physiological
correlates. The
user can also read or print text presentations which complement or
extend the audiovisual
ones.
- The Form presents attempts to scientifically
interpret psi phenomena. Commented
animation is used to illustrate both mentalistic theories (dualism,
collective unconscious,
etc.) and physicalistic ones (time-symmetry, non-locality, etc.).
- The Library includes textural synopses on the
history of the field, contemporary
applications, journals, research centers and the like.
- The Sphere introduces a guided-imagery technique
which induces an altered state and
encourages users to get in touch with their latent intuitive
potentials.
- The Test Room allows users to test their psi
capacities using ESP cards; results are stored,
and cumulative z-scores across all sessions are calculated.
- The Gate is a psi-timing game-like test emphasizing
holistic mental processes. The setting,
graphics and sounds are intended to induce a trance-like state in the
user. As in the Test
Room, users' z-scores accumulate across sessions.
While not claiming to be an exhaustive review of parapsychology,
PSI-EXPLORER may
be seen as a novel educational approach, encouraging both intellectual
and experiential
probing into the reality of psi.
For more information visit the
PSI-EXPLORER web
site.
![]()
Return to the CSL Home Page
Mystery: A Voyage Exploring
the Limits of ConsciousnessA CD-ROM (in
German)
by
Elmar Gruber
Abstract
The CD-ROM Mysterium covers the whole spectrum of parapsychology, the
history of the
field, the famous cases, and modern research findings. Its scope is very
broad including a
number of fringe phenomena (e.g., stigmata, possessions cults, and
transpersonal
experiences).
The range of the content comprises the cultural-historical background of
belief in the
"supernatural" from stone age shamanism till the present, including the
historical
development of occult concepts (e.g., hermeticism, alchemy, "magia
naturalis,"
Mesmerism, etc.). The historically relevant cases and experimental
results are featured as
well as all aspects of important modern-day studies and theoretical
frameworks of
anomalous cognition and mind-matter interaction.
More than 600 case-studies and experiments with excellent visual and/or
auditory material
build the main contents. Background texts of a more technical nature
with pertinent
information on selected subjects, like consciousness research, psi and
quantum physics,
psi and the brain, etc., can be accessed directly from each
case/experiment.
Individual references to the cases/experiments and the background texts
can be accessed
from the database of almost 2,000 publications. The material is strongly
structured by
means of a dense web of cross-references through hyperlinks. Hyperlinked
access to a
detailed dictionary with more than 900 entries provides additional
information about
technical terms and concepts. An attitude and personality questionnaire
for the assessment
of possible paranormal inclinations is also featured.
There is strong emphasis on visuals with very elaborate virtual reality
environments for
"infotainment" purposes. Included are approximately 1,200 pictures and
about 30 video
sequences (with full-screen option) with some unique footage (e.g., the
metal bending
experiments with Silvio M. at Berne, Switzerland, under the control of
Bernhard Wälti).
A special feature is the virtual laboratory with video introductions and
evaluations of the
results. The "psi-experiments" are mainly geared for the broad public to
become
acquainted with standard lab procedures and to have some fun in testing
ones own abilities.
Experiments include classical ESP card-guessing with Zener symbols and
several other
symbols to chose from, PK testing by means of a virtual Schmidt-type
spiral, and a free-
response precognition experiment with randomly selected pictures.
Included on the CD-ROM is a free internet browser with direct access to
the newly
introduced Mysterium On-line
(1,500 html-pages), providing up-to-date information on the
topics of the CD-ROM (in German).
![]()
Return to the CSL Home Page