>> The only way to scientifically determine whether a claim is valid or not
>> is to, you know, actually investigate it. If we wrote off anything that
>> sounded too weird, human kind would never have advanced anywhere.
> 
> Person A: I can read minds.
> Scientist: Hypothesis: Some people can read minds. Sure, let's test it.
> - Test yields a negative result -
> Person A: I was off that day. I cannot read minds on Fridays.
> Scientist: Sure, let's repeat the test on a Monday.
> - Test yields a negative result -
> Person A: The room was too cold. It doesn't work in the cold.
> Scientist: Sure, let's repeat the test in a warmer room.
> - Test yields a negative result -
> Person A: There are too many lights. I cannot concentrate.
> Scientist: Sure, let's repeat the test in the dark.
> - Test yields a negative result -
> Person A: Today's subjects were antagonistic. It doesn't work with
> everybody.
> Scientist: Sure, let's find new subjects.
> Person A: No, I've had enough. I don't have to prove myself to you.
> - next day -
> Person B: I can read minds.
> ... rinse and repeat.
> 
> So what did the scientist "prove"?

That if this ability does exist, it's far too rare and/or unreliable to 
be useful for military purposes, which was the point of the study.

-- 
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*

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