# Can people really sense if someone is staring at them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 7, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682 "2003-08-07T22:54:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![JimOfAllTrades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@JimOfAllTrades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimOfAllTrades)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/121 "2003-08-14T03:53:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > \*\*Why can’t you skeptics accept that this isn’t a debate that can be won or lost. It’s one of those questions that we don’t yet have the means to answer. \*\* If you’re saying that we don’t have the means to tell whether or not the phenomenon of “correctly feeling I’m being stared at”: a) actually happens correctly more often than not b) if “a” is true, that it is caused by something paranormal or by something unknown to science at this time then I think you’re very wrong. The tests have been done, and come down on the side of “a” being somewhat true, but “b” being false. It seems that when properly controlled experiments are done, the phenomenon goes away. By controlled, I mean that mundane ways of telling someone might be looking at you are eliminated. So if you take away the chance of cueing by the “looker” or a third party, noise, peripheral vision, or other perfectly ordinary ways that we might know or guess that someone was watching, we don’t seem to know that someone is watching. So I think we do have the means to answer it, and that it pretty much has been answered, at least as far as some unknown faculty for perception or paranormal means. And even if you don’t agree with the couple of test that have been done, more rigorous testing is certainly possible. Saying “that we don’t yet have the means to answer” these questions seems pretty short-sighted. That’s not to say a study of just which low level perceptions were best at tipping us off, or just how small of a stimulus it takes, or other related things couldn’t be interesting. And if you meant some other questions couldn’t be answered, I’d like to hear what you think they are. Maybe I’ve missed your point. ---
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/122 "2003-08-14T05:26:10Z")
A more scientific way to approach this is to set up an experiment that monitors a person’s reaction, galvanic skin response or other change and see if there is a correlation. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/123 "2003-08-14T08:20:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > I’m just curious, is all, so I perform little casual experiments. You’ll notice I didn’t draw any significant conclusions from my observations. Fair enough (because there were no controls). > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > Only that those people didn’t seem to pay any attention to me until I started **watching** them. But if you stare at someone and they **don’t** look round, do you record it? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > That’s interesting, and fun, and I don’t have to rent a hall to do it. Here’s one that works pretty well: Stand on a wide area of pavement and stare fixedly at a rooftop. At first no-one notices you, then people glance at you as they walk past (presumably thinking ‘what’s he up to?’). But eventually someone will stop (a few feet away) and stare at the rooftop. Hold your position - the process is about to accelerate. Before long several people are all gazing at the rooftop. Now step quietly away and take a picture of them! This of course illustrates no paranormal powers - just that humans have a sense of curiosity, and also are more likely to act when others are already doing something. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > And I’m obviously not very interested the Randi money, or else I would have at least visited the website by now. Just for interest, **why** are you not interested in a million dollars? (I 've asked dowsers this question, and they say things like: - ‘I must be true to my craft’ - ’ money doesn’t interest me’ - ‘my powers don’t work where a reward is involved’ - ‘I don’t like showing off’) > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > By the way, I didn’t say anything disparaging about Randi, or his methods. Only that he somewhat bores me. He’s an entertainer, and that’s good for those who enjoy his shtick. But I don’t, and that’s cool too. 🆒 Entertainment is in the eye of the beholder. But Randi is also a scientist. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > Why can’t you skeptics accept that this isn’t a debate that can be won or lost. It’s one of those questions that we don’t yet have the means to answer. It makes for an interesting discussion, though. As RJKUgly said, **of course we can test for this**. (There’s even a million dollar reward!) What I find interesting is why people (especially those who think the power exists) don’t want to. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > I wonder how many people who profess a belief in god also dismiss the supernatural as bs, because it can’t be proven? Oh well. I’m an atheist, since there is no evidence of any God. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/124 "2003-08-15T00:22:59Z")
I’m not interested in _Randi’s_ mil. Maybe if I checked the site, I would be. I don’t know. It’s like I’ve already learned all I want to know about the guy. I assume (a much maligned practice) that many have tried to collect. I do throw a few bucks at the lotto once ib a while, though. A million dollars would be cool, but _that_ million doesn’t seem real to me. I’m not so sure “The Power” does exist. I am sure that I’ve turned and seen people watching me, and that three people I watched (not stared at) turned and looked directly at me. Maybe I’ll repeat the, um, game. 🙂 I’ll try to notice if anyone I’m _not_ watching turns and looks. I really don’t have time for all this, though. I’m trying to read _Different Seasons_ again. 😉 One thing I wonder about: Do these carefully set up scientific experiments accurately test my experience? The environment is _very_ different. There’s a name for the effect of observation, with all the controls and such, but I don’t remember what it is. If a supernatural component did exist, it could be skewed by all the attention focused on the test itself, couldn’t it? I emphasize “watching”, as opposed to “staring”, because there’s a big difference. If one of you were watching me, you probably wouldn’t know I was watching anybody. ---
**Author:** ![TVAA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TVAA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVAA)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/125 "2003-08-15T01:04:00Z")
Y’know, **mangeorge** , it’s refreshing to meet a poster with such an open and insightful mind as yourself. Perhaps you could help me with a little problem of mine. You see, there are these pixies in my garden. Little people with wings and everything. And they turn invisible whenever I try to show them to other people, so no one believes me. I don’t know why I’m the only person who can see them – it just be supernatural or somethin’ – and I can’t think of any way to prove that there are actually pixies there. Can you offer any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/126 "2003-08-15T03:17:04Z")
Pixie dust. Boy, you _are_ an innocent one, aren’t you. If it helps, there are a _lot_ of other people just like you who see pixies all the time. Most of them know about the dust, though. ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/127 "2003-08-15T04:46:40Z")
When you stare at someone, maybe they can feel collapsing wave functions on the back of their neck or upper lip (very sensitive areas of skin) due to the act of observation. 😉 OK, it’s a crap hypothesis. Havent seen a better one though. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/128 "2003-08-15T16:05:17Z")
**TVAA** , try live catch rat traps. They’ve always worked for me. The only problem is, when I try to show the pixies to other people, they change into rats! Nobody believes me. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/129 "2003-08-15T16:20:37Z")
Sometimes my wave function collapses. Strangely enough it only does it when others are looking. Quite embarassing. I sometimes think other people don’t believe I have one. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/130 "2003-08-15T19:45:09Z")
mangeorge, I don’t see how you can say that demanding that someone disprove something is the same as asking them to prove something. However, I wonder about Clause 7 of the application “When entering into this challenge, the applicant surrenders any and all rights to legal action against Mr. Randi…” That seems rather arrogant to me. And does he have a definition of what is supernatural? Had he offered this 200 years ago, would I be able to claim the prize by claiming that there were “magic rays” that can see inside a person? ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@handsomeharold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharold)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/131 "2003-08-15T23:43:31Z")
That reminds me of the guy who has a $50000 for anyone who can prove to him that the holocaust happened. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/132 "2003-08-16T00:14:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Ryan \* > \*\*mangeorge, I don’t see how you can say that demanding that someone disprove something is the same as asking them to prove something. > \*\* If I did say that, I certainly didn’t mean it, Not like that anyway. Isn’t that what Randi and his fans are doing here, trying to disprove something by asking someone to prove it? BTW; I was sitting about 120\* behing a cop (CHP) in a Starbucks in San Jose today, and he kept turning and looking at me. Probably because I kinda flirted with the “barista” and made her laugh. Cops are jealous that way. 😉 But, it _could_ have been because he sensed my atrtitude toward cops in general. Finally I glared at him and he shook his head and went back to his laptop. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/133 "2003-08-16T00:29:25Z")
“My offer and Randi’s are, essentially, the same.” Your offer requires the person to disprove that they will ever kick a dog; Randi’s requires that they prove that there is a supernatural phenomenon. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/134 "2003-08-16T00:47:42Z")
Well hell. I guess that before I comment any further on Randi’s offer I should actually _read_ the danged thing. I’m under the impression that Randi’s offer seeks to _dis_prove the existance of supernatural influence by the fact that no one has won the million. I’ll be back. Oops, that line is possibly under copyright. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/135 "2003-08-16T00:54:57Z")
Oh. Our offers are the ‘same’ in that they are both uncollectable. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/136 "2003-08-16T01:04:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Just for interest, why are you not interested in a million dollars? > (I 've asked dowsers this question, and they say things like: > > - ‘I must be true to my craft’ > - ’ money doesn’t interest me’ > - ‘my powers don’t work where a reward is involved’ > - ‘I don’t like showing off’) Or more likely they say: “We’ve looked at Randi’s so caled tests and we don’t consider them to be fair or reasonable tests of our ability.” I certainly don’t, and I am a sceptic. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/137 "2003-08-16T01:15:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Ryan \* > \*\*mangeorge, I don’t see how you can say that demanding that someone disprove something is the same as asking them to prove something. > > However, I wonder about Clause 7 of the application “When entering into this challenge, the applicant surrenders any and all rights to legal action against Mr. Randi…” That seems rather arrogant to me. \*\* If you quote the whole of rule 7… > [@](#): > > When entering into this challenge, the applicant surrenders any and all rights to legal action against Mr. Randi, against any persons peripherally involved, and against the James Randi Educational Foundation, as far as this may be done by established statutes. This applies to injury, accident, or any other damage of a physical or emotional nature, and/or financial, or professional, loss or damage of any kind. However, this rule in no way affects the awarding of the prize. it is quite clear that this clause is just to avoid someone subsequently claiming for defamation or accident occuring during the testing. It is quite clear from the last sentence that you are free to take legal action to claim the prize if you pass the test and JREF won’t pay. > [@](#): > > And does he have a definition of what is supernatural? Had he offered this 200 years ago, would I be able to claim the prize by claiming that there were “magic rays” that can see inside a person? No, not as I understand it, just anything that is not explicable on normal rational grounds. So yes, if you had been able to develop x-ray equipment in total secrecy, and then took the challenge, chances are that you would have won the prize. Mangeorge, you need to read up on Randi’s challenge because it is entirely collectible. People take the challenge all the time, on simple tests that, if they were to pass, would give them the money. They never pass. The tests can be as simple as people who say they can view objects psychically through a blindfold, being asked to do so. Invariably, they simply cannot, but if they could actually view objects psychically through a blindfold, they’d be millionaires by now. Randi does not seek to disprove the existence of the paranormal, he offers a million dollars to anyone who can prove it. There is a subtle but very important difference between disproving something and not believing in something because there is no evidence upon which to do so. What Randi’s challenge does is set up perfect conditions for anyone who thinks they have pyschic ability to create really good evidence of that. None do. The conclusion I reach is that where there is no evidence of X, and where the infrastructure is in place for those who state that X exists to prove X exists but fail to do so, then there is no reason to believe X exists. It is not a question of proving X does not exist. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/138 "2003-08-16T01:18:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by peter morris \* > \*\*Or more likely they say: > > “We’ve looked at Randi’s so caled tests and we don’t consider them to be fair or reasonable tests of our ability.” > > I certainly don’t, and I am a sceptic. \*\* Actually, as you very well know, Peter (because you have been provided with cites ad nauseum) many many dowsers do consider Randi’s tests to be fair and reasonable, and sign pieces of paper to that effect. Indeed dowsers are the single most common applicants for the prize. It is only after they fail that they start thinking of excuses. ---
**Author:** ![TVAA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TVAA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVAA)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/139 "2003-08-16T01:30:34Z")
Randi’s test serves multiple functions: First, if someone can actually demonstrate an ability that cannot be explained by normal human capacity, the test would help publicize the existence of such a phenomenon. Secondly, the fact that no one who has taken the tests has even managed to demonstrate such an ability – and that those who insist they have demonstrable powers often don’t take the test in the first place – shows that belief in “supernatural” powers is currently unjustifiable. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682/140 "2003-08-16T01:42:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by peter morris \* > …and I am a sceptic. What? Peter Morris a skeptic?? What??? Peter Morris??? I is to laugh!!! > [@](#): > > _from [The Skeptic’s Dictionary](http://skepdic.com/skepticism.html)_ > Ordinary skeptics are not credulous or gullible. They don’t take things on trust, but must see the evidence before believing. Ordinary skeptics doubt the miraculous claims of religions, the claims of alien abductions, the claims of psychoanalysis, etc. But they do not necessarily doubt that certainty or knowledge is possible. Nor do they doubt these things because of systematic arguments that undermine all knowledge claims. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-really-sense-if-someone-is-staring-at-them/193682.md?page=8)