NeilC
Graduate Poster
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2005
- Messages
- 1,347
This morning I woke to BBC Radio 5's interview with Rupert Sheldrake who was described as Professor Sheldrake from Cambridge University. I think he must have a new book coming out or something. He went on to describe his experiments demonstrating psychic abilities in animals including the well-known "JT" experiments"
I looked up Sheldrake and it does not appear that he is a Professor and not currently teaching at Cambridge. He appears to be a PhD.
As far as I know the JT experiments have been pretty well debunked as containing major procedural errors which account for the results and that the dog JT was tested by Wiseman's team who found no evidence of ESP.
I emailed the bbc to comment on the broadcasting of such information with no challenge or balance. Being a state broadcaster the BBC have to provide balanced information, often false balance for some subjects like homeopathy and global warming, yet they quite often allow stories like this to pass unchallenged.
It's possible that if enough people comment or complain that it might make a difference and they might consider getting a skeptic or academic with an evidence-based view to counter the woo. If you want to assist their email is: breakfast@bbc.co.uk. The show was broadcast c.8am on 9/1/12 on BBC Radio Five Live.
I looked up Sheldrake and it does not appear that he is a Professor and not currently teaching at Cambridge. He appears to be a PhD.
As far as I know the JT experiments have been pretty well debunked as containing major procedural errors which account for the results and that the dog JT was tested by Wiseman's team who found no evidence of ESP.
I emailed the bbc to comment on the broadcasting of such information with no challenge or balance. Being a state broadcaster the BBC have to provide balanced information, often false balance for some subjects like homeopathy and global warming, yet they quite often allow stories like this to pass unchallenged.
It's possible that if enough people comment or complain that it might make a difference and they might consider getting a skeptic or academic with an evidence-based view to counter the woo. If you want to assist their email is: breakfast@bbc.co.uk. The show was broadcast c.8am on 9/1/12 on BBC Radio Five Live.