Telekinesis

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Poltergeist-Therese Selles

Kellar levitation poster

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Edouard-Isidore-Buguet-PK-spirit-photographer

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Stanisława Tomczyk and William Marriott

Uri Geller in Russia

Telekinesis is the purported psychic ability allowing a person to influence a physical system without physical interaction. Telekinesis is also often referred to as psychokinesis, with both terms being used interchangeably in popular culture and parapsychology research. The concept has been a popular subject in science fiction and fantasy literature, movies, video games, and other forms of media. Despite its prevalence in fiction, scientific evidence for the existence of telekinesis is highly controversial and widely regarded as pseudoscientific.

Overview

Telekinesis is derived from the Greek words tele, meaning "distant", and kinesis, meaning "movement". Thus, it translates to "distant movement", implying the ability to move or manipulate objects without physically touching them, typically through mental focus or power. Abilities attributed to telekinesis vary widely, from the subtle manipulation of objects to controlling the elements or even altering the fabric of reality.

History

The interest in phenomena that would today be categorized as telekinesis dates back to ancient times, with stories of magical abilities found in numerous cultures' folklore and religious texts. However, the modern concept of telekinesis emerged in the 19th century with the rise of spiritualism and the popularity of séances, where mediums claimed to move objects or produce manifestations of spirits through invisible forces.

In the 20th century, research into telekinesis became part of parapsychology, with various experiments conducted to test the existence of the ability under controlled conditions. Notable figures in this field include J.B. Rhine and Uri Geller, the latter of whom claimed to bend spoons with his mind, drawing significant media attention. Despite these efforts, scientific validation of telekinesis remains elusive, with many supposed demonstrations exposed as hoaxes or attributed to more mundane explanations like fraud or sleight of hand.

Scientific Skepticism

The scientific community largely regards telekinesis as a pseudoscience due to the lack of empirical evidence supporting its existence. Critics argue that telekinesis contradicts well-established principles of physics, such as the conservation of momentum and energy. Furthermore, studies purportedly demonstrating telekinetic abilities often suffer from methodological flaws, lack of reproducibility, or both.

In Popular Culture

Telekinesis has captured the imagination of the public and creators alike, featuring prominently in countless works of fiction. Characters with telekinetic powers, such as Jean Grey from the X-Men series or Eleven from Stranger Things, are popular examples. These portrayals often explore the implications of such powers on individual identity, social relationships, and the broader society.

Conclusion

While telekinesis remains a fascinating concept in speculative fiction and the subject of some fringe scientific inquiry, it lacks credible evidence and acceptance within the mainstream scientific community. Its enduring popularity in culture reflects a deep human fascination with the idea of transcending physical limitations through the power of the mind.

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