# Can this device predict the future?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-device-predict-the-future/341081>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 22, 2006, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-device-predict-the-future/341081 "2006-01-22T06:32:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-device-predict-the-future/341081/1 "2006-01-22T06:32:53Z")

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Supposedy, there’s a “black box” in a university that churns out random numbers, appears to have some ability to predict future events, and is influenced by the “collective unconscious” or people’s thoughts.

Crackpot, Timecube stuff, right?

I thought so too - but there seem to be some respected scientists involved in the [project](http://www.redorbit.com/news/display/?id=126649) I checked out the leader, and it does indeed seem that [Roger Nelson](http://www.princeton.edu/~rdnelson/) is some kind of professor at Princeton.

I’m surprised this hasn’t been big news - what’s the scoop?

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-device-predict-the-future/341081/2 "2006-01-22T07:08:18Z")

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I’m pretty sure there has been a thread on this, ah yes, [here it is](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=302145&highlight=black+predict+future).

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**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2006, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-device-predict-the-future/341081/3 "2006-01-22T07:40:25Z")

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Ah, thanks - I did search but wasn’t sure exactly what to look for. “REG” is only three letters so unsearchable and the project lead’s name didn’t come up. Mods, feel free to close this one if you want.