# An SDMB test of astral projection **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 3, 2003, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696 "2003-12-03T12:34:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/201 "2003-12-23T19:07:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by IWLN \* > I brought this up before (uh, not the “doing anything” part) and my face is still red. Whatever you do, don’t bring up his IPU boxers! :o :o :o Cityboy has been looking in your house already :eek: - remember the bottle collection! I am prepared to reveal all (no, not that!) about my ‘so-called’ boxers once the first test is concluded. (Until then, I had better not discuss any object in my house.) Season’s greetings to you, IWLN. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/202 "2003-12-23T19:11:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FabioClone \* > I only mentioned it because, if astral projection were real, it would have huge spying possibilities. If a person who could look anywhere on the planet fell into the wrong hands… > > Cityboy, I think your supposed talent has military applications. No intelligence agency on Earth could match your information. If you do succeed in proving your claims, you should plan on being contacted by your government. Hell, they might even declare you a national security threat and lock you up somewhere for testing. > > Take my advice, if this thing works out for you, keep it quiet. Hook up with me and we’ll make a fortune. Screw science, this is America! Let’s exploit your paranormal abilities for financial gain! Cityboy is still working on his ability. Have a look at the first page where I give a contact for an Institute that has remote viewed planets! Not only military applications, but also god for NASA… ---
**Author:** ![FabioClone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5f8ce5/32.png) [@FabioClone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FabioClone)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/203 "2003-12-23T20:15:34Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by glee_ > Cityboy is still working on his ability. Yes, but if I don’t start working on him now, how will I ever turn him to the dark side? If he gets good at it, he will be much too powerful. Haven’t you ever read a comic book? So how about it, CityBoy? I know I’m kidding around with you a little, but this is a serious question. Suppose you were able to develop this “ability” so that you could do it regularly. Would you use your powers for good (police work, NASA) or for evil (blackmail, voyeurism)? It seems to me like the temptation to peep into the ladies locker room would be too great. Why would you bother to look at distant galaxies when there are plenty of heavenly bodies right here on Earth? ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/204 "2003-12-23T22:40:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FabioClone \* > **Suppose you were able to develop this “ability” so that you could do it regularly. Would you use your powers for good (police work, NASA) or for evil (blackmail, voyeurism)?** I would not use it for any type of spying activity. Scientific curiosity, sure, but as I said in the other thread (linked in the OP) scientists want pictures to analyze and media want pictures to sensationalize. The best an AP viewer could do is a sketch. > [@](#): > > \*\*It seems to me like the temptation to peep into the ladies locker room would be too great. Why would you bother to look at distant galaxies when there are plenty of heavenly bodies right here on Earth? \*\* 😃 True enough although I already know what Earthly heavenly bodies look like. If there is extraterrestrial life out there, it would be very interesting to see what it looks like, dont ya think? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/205 "2003-12-23T22:52:44Z")
**CityBoy916,** if you are able to astrally project to view extraterrestrial life, how could you distinguish between a “real” viewing and a phantasmagorical dream? Conversely, suppose I had a dream about a frightful alien species. How could I tell if this was an astral projection? Or just too much chili? ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/206 "2003-12-24T07:14:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Musicat \* > **CityBoy916, if you are able to astrally project to view extraterrestrial life, how could you distinguish between a “real” viewing and a phantasmagorical dream?** Because a dream and a projection are very different experiences. I’d say they’re about as different from each other as either one is from a waking state. Once you’ve had an astral projection there’s no confusion about what’s going on when you have more of them. > [@](#): > > \*\*Conversely, suppose I had a dream about a frightful alien species. How could I tell if this was an astral projection? Or just too much chili? \*\* When you’ve been dreaming and wake up, you realize that it was only a dream. When you’re astral projecting, you realize right away something’s different. Since the two can occur together it’s theoretically possible to view something mundane like a weevil or a poster for a sci-fi movie and, in a dazed dream state, interpret it as a scary extraterrestrial. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/207 "2003-12-24T12:52:01Z")
I am a Skeptic with no psychic abilities, but I gave astral projection a shot, once I was assured that **glee** wouldn’t be wandering in nekkid. I sat quietly for a moment, with my eyes closed and tried to envision **glee** ’s desk. No luck. So I just wrote down a random list of desk-type things based on the crap on my own desk and one item I assume is on **glee** ’s desk based on the things he’s written in this thread. Then I shut my eyes and stabbed the list with a pen to decide which item was “the one.” My control list, with the marked item italicized: 1. A dictionary 2. A coaster _3) A telephone_ 3. A houseplant 4. A pen holder full of pens and pencils 5. A Dave Barry desk calendar 6. Role playing dice 7. A toy car 8. A coffee cup 9. A Yoda action figure 10. A set of headphones ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/208 "2003-12-24T13:54:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jess \* > I am a Skeptic with no psychic abilities, but I gave astral projection a shot, once I was assured that **glee** wouldn’t be wandering in nekkid. Thank you for your list and welcome to the control group! I am going to have a **very** stern word with IWLN, who has put this … image of me in everyone’s mind. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/209 "2003-12-24T14:09:41Z")
Thanks, **glee**. I forgot to mention that the reason I couldn’t picture your desk during my attempt at astral projection was that all I could envision was you nekkid. In fact, if you look exactly like Aaron Eckhart, maybe I _am_ psychic! ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/210 "2003-12-24T14:18:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jess \* > Thanks, **glee**. I forgot to mention that the reason I couldn’t picture your desk during my attempt at astral projection was that all I could envision was you nekkid. In fact, if you look exactly like Aaron Eckhart, maybe I _am_ psychic! I don’t know whether I should ask this - but who is Aaron Eckhart? ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/211 "2003-12-24T14:26:11Z")
He’s an [actor](http://www.aaroneckhart.net/possession10.jpg) in a stupid movie I watched last night. He isn’t nekkid in the linked picture. More’s the pity. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_great_unwashed/32/4791_2.png) [@The\_Great\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/212 "2003-12-24T16:11:06Z")
Is it me, or is Christmas a particularly flirty time of year? Bah humbug! ---
**Author:** ![FabioClone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5f8ce5/32.png) [@FabioClone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FabioClone)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/213 "2003-12-24T16:40:02Z")
Thank’s for the reply, Cityboy. You sound worthy of your mental powers. You’re a better man than I! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/214 "2003-12-24T16:53:19Z")
Oh dear. My apologies, **GU** – I _don’t_ usually flirt on the boards, particularly not on GD… Well, we could just chalk it up to Christmas, or I could attempt to drag it back on topic, more or less… How about that? I really did make an attempt to astrally project myself. I tried to empty my mind and _send_ it to **glee** ’s desk. I actually thought, “ **Glee** ’s desk, **glee** ’s desk…” However, my mind doesn’t appear to go empty very easily – or maybe I just don’t know how to do it. So, this thread, **IWLN** ’s comment’s about **glee** ’s underpants, the cute guy in the movie I watched last night, and my own prejudices about what an English guy’s desk ought to look like all melded together into a mental picture of a very British-looking library with Aaron Eckhart wandering around in it in his bare skin… I tried to zoom in on the desk but the only thing I “saw” there was the role-playing dice, which snapped me right out of my imagination with the realization that, “Hey! role-playing dice! I thought those would be there!” So there. Very unflirty. And I _am_ curious as to whether any others – skeptic or non – actually made the attempt to project themselves to **glee** ’s desk or did everyone else just guess 12 desk-type items as I ended up doing? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/215 "2003-12-24T19:25:41Z")
**Glee,** when/if this test is over, just what are you planning on doing with those “control” test lists? Donate them to charity? 😃 Seriously, what good are they for the purposes of this test, even as anecdotal interest? If the same object appears on two lists, and/or on **CityBoy916** ’s list as well, what will that prove, if anything? Especially since they have been published here already, before some posters have submitted theirs. ---
**Author:** ![IWLN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5ac83/32.png) [@IWLN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IWLN)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/216 "2003-12-24T19:55:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by glee \* > I am going to have a **very** stern word with IWLN, who has put this … image of me in everyone’s mind. :eek: Oops, sorry. I haaave _perverted_ the sanctity of this test and I should be punished. :o **Jess** , Just remember you _flirty wench_, I saw him first!! But hey, thanks for the link. I only visualized what was on **glee’s** desk. If I were going to drop in, I would bring my body with me. 🆒 **The Great Unwashed** , For some of us, it’s always Christmas!!! ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/217 "2003-12-24T21:55:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jess \* > He’s an [actor](http://www.aaroneckhart.net/possession10.jpg) in a stupid movie I watched last night. He isn’t nekkid in the linked picture. More’s the pity. Well he’s better looking than I am… ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/218 "2003-12-24T22:05:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Great Unwashed \* > Is it me, or is Christmas a particularly flirty time of year? > > Bah humbug! Christmas comes but once a year (obviously needs some Viagra! :eek: ) I would be **very** careful about using such quotes just before Xmas - you could be visited by 3 spirits (which would be in the **spirit** of the thread! :smack: ) ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/219 "2003-12-24T22:13:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Musicat \* > **Glee,** when/if this test is over, just what are you planning on doing with those “control” test lists? Donate them to charity? 😃 > > Seriously, what good are they for the purposes of this test, even as anecdotal interest? If the same object appears on two lists, and/or on **CityBoy916** ’s list as well, what will that prove, if anything? Especially since they have been published here already, before some posters have submitted theirs. Your sense of humour will get you into the Pit one day! At first I thought the control lists should be kept secret. But then I thought that if I have predictable objects in the test, then that should come out as non-psychic Dopers do their best. And it won’t matter if these predictions are influenced by each other. If all goes to plan, we can choose the 12 objects for the second test carefully, building upon our experience. I repeat that, as far as I know, this is the first time any remote viewer has been tested. So whatever happens, it will be a step forward… ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696/220 "2003-12-24T22:21:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by IWLN \* > Oops, sorry. I haaave _perverted_ the sanctity of this test and I should be punished. :o I’m sorry, I seem to have _completely_ lost my train of thought :smack: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by IWLN \* > **Jess** , Just remember you _flirty wench_, I saw him first!! But hey, thanks for the link. I only visualized what was on **glee’s** desk. If I were going to drop in, I would bring my body with me. 🆒 Blimey, Jess is female? Ah well, I have a rigid rule to only flirt with one female per thread. IWLN, if you have looked at my desk already, **you** should be investigated thoroughly by me … errr … :o [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-sdmb-test-of-astral-projection/216696.md?page=12)