- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- March 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780226071527
- eISBN:
- 9780226071534
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226071534.003.0006
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind
This chapter focuses on the paranormal photography or thoughtography of Ted Serios. It explains that, in the 1960s, Serios produced a variety of images and other effects on “instant” Polaroid film ...
More
This chapter focuses on the paranormal photography or thoughtography of Ted Serios. It explains that, in the 1960s, Serios produced a variety of images and other effects on “instant” Polaroid film under well-controlled conditions while separated at a considerable distance from the camera and while wearing clothes provided by the experimenters. The chapter also discusses Jule Eisenbud's criticism on Serios and the results of the author's own investigation about Serios's thoughtography.Less
This chapter focuses on the paranormal photography or thoughtography of Ted Serios. It explains that, in the 1960s, Serios produced a variety of images and other effects on “instant” Polaroid film under well-controlled conditions while separated at a considerable distance from the camera and while wearing clothes provided by the experimenters. The chapter also discusses Jule Eisenbud's criticism on Serios and the results of the author's own investigation about Serios's thoughtography.
Stephen R. Wilk
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- April 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780197518571
- eISBN:
- 9780197518595
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780197518571.003.0026
- Subject:
- Physics, Atomic, Laser, and Optical Physics
Ted Serios claimed to have the psychic ability to produce “thoughtographs.” He claimed that by using the power of his mind alone he could impress images on film of things that were in his mind. It ...
More
Ted Serios claimed to have the psychic ability to produce “thoughtographs.” He claimed that by using the power of his mind alone he could impress images on film of things that were in his mind. It seems much more likely that he used some form of trickery. A home-built optical device similar to what is called a “Stanhope lens” could perform the feat, provided he was skillful enough to distract the experimenters long enough to employ the device. Skeptics have demonstrated how such a device could be constructed and used effectively. What is a Stanhope Imager, and how might Serios have come up with the idea of using one to produce his seeming miracle photos?Less
Ted Serios claimed to have the psychic ability to produce “thoughtographs.” He claimed that by using the power of his mind alone he could impress images on film of things that were in his mind. It seems much more likely that he used some form of trickery. A home-built optical device similar to what is called a “Stanhope lens” could perform the feat, provided he was skillful enough to distract the experimenters long enough to employ the device. Skeptics have demonstrated how such a device could be constructed and used effectively. What is a Stanhope Imager, and how might Serios have come up with the idea of using one to produce his seeming miracle photos?
