[extropy-chat] About ESP, etc.

[Damien Broderick]

At 10:34 PM 4/29/2007 -0700, Lee wrote:

>
> >>Likewise if someone demonstrated that ESP works.
>
> > That has been done sufficiently already.
>
>When will someone make some money out of an
>obviously incredibly powerful faculty?

Whoever said it was incredibly powerful? Actually almost all the 
extant evidence says that it's weak and intermittent (when used intentionally).

> >>  Why didn't evolution seize upon it?
> >
> > Evolution probably did seize upon it.
>
>Where?  We just don't see it at all

Fish don't see the sea, we don't see the air.

> > Why aren't really gifted card sharps and other grifters cleaning 
> out casinos?
>
>I've seen on TV how they watch *everybody* for conventional
>cheating, using all sorts of spying cameras.  But if I had ESP,
>why couldn't I just know when to fold when playing 21, or
>something?  What could they do?
>
>Here is what would happen:  the casinos would simply begin
>throwing out people who were "too lucky", with no other
>explanation.  I haven't heard of this, have you?

Yes, I'm amazed you haven't. "Card counters" don't use equipment, but 
out they go.

Damien Broderick