FIrst of all, it's not a +quot;dream registry,+quot; it's a prediction registry. As to how

From: carl@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (Carl J Lydick) FIrst of all, it's not a "dream registry," it's a prediction registry. As to how it's run, it's simply a mailing list, with archives. Here's the message anybody who subscribes receives: PACKAGE: PREDICTION_REGISTRY PURPOSE AND RESTRICTIONS In the interest of allowing those who claim to have precognitive powers to demonstrate them (and to allow anybody who thinks he's good at predicting future events through non-paranormal means to establish a track record documented by a disinterested party), I've set up a mailing list called PREDICTION_REGISTRY on SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU. This registry is intended to be a repository for predictions made by anybody, using any means they desire. Access to the list (both for posting predictions and subscription) is open to anybody who can manage to send mail to SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU ([131.215.67.165]) (ESnet/NSI node SOL1 [5.950]) with a usable return address in the mail header, or who can send me mail personally including a usable mailing address. I ask only that any predictions sent to the registry meet the following three criteria: 1) The events predicted must be objectively verifiable by anybody willing to spend the time and effort required to do so; 2) The events predicted must not be under the control (either direct or indirect) of the person making the prediction. In this requirement, I'll make the exception that if the person making the prediction can control the predicted event only by paranormal means, that's OK, too.; and 3) That the predictions be non-trivial. E.g., I don't want to see anything like "I predict that the sun will rise in the east tomorrow morning" showing up on the list. For the time being, subscription is open to anybody. If the number of subscribers and predictions gets large enough that traffic has a significant effect on the performance of SOL1, I will, of course, have to restrict subscriptions. However, there is an associated file server that will allow anybody to retrieve the archives of the list. If, after restricting subscription to the list, the traffic just from posted predictions is large enough to adversely affect SOL1, I'll have to discontinue the service entirely. Personally, I doubt that either of the above two scenarios will occur (hmm, maybe I should have posted that prediction to the list :-). SUBSCRIBING To subscribe to the list, send a message whose body consists of the single word "subscribe" to PREDICTION_REGISTRY-REQUEST@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (or, for those of you on ESnet/NSI, SOL1::PREDICTION_REGISTRY-REQUEST). If you don't get a confirmation of your subscription request within a few hours, send a message (including your e-mail address) asking me to subscribe you manually to CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (SOL1::CARL). REGISTERING PREDICTIONS To register a prediction, mail it to PREDICTION_REGISTRY@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (SOL1::PREDICTION_REGISTRY). RETRIEVING THE ARCHIVES For information on retrieving the archives of the list, mail a message whose body consists of the single word "HELP" to FILESERV@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU (SOL1::FILESERV). The file server will mail responses only between 5 pm and 9 am PST (we're in the astronomy business here, so we don't believe in using daylight savings time :-). QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS To the best of my knowledge, this registry obviates several of the arguments used by PSI advocates to explain why nobody has convincingly demonstrated PSI talents, viz: 1) "The ability is erratic. I can't use it on demand." Since the registry is available 24 hours a day, every day, whenever a psychic has a precognitive experience, he can post to the list. 2) "The presence of un- or disbelievers inhibits the ability." Since we don't know who might be about to make a prediction, or when, and none of us can spend 24 hours a day actively doubting PSI talents, and it's unlikely that all of us together can effectively do so (and if we CAN, that means that no PSI talents should EVER be demonstrated), the alleged inhibition shouldn't take place. 3) "The investigator uses only the frauds; he never gives the REAL psychics a chance." Since the registry is open to everybody (both for posting of predictions and for retrieving the predictions), this claim won't work either. 4) "Somebody DID display a psychic ability, but the investigator refused to believe it and now claims it never happened." Again, given the glaznost inherent in the list, this claim won't work. I also think there's no effective way (short of getting access to a privileged account on SOL1, and even that won't work as long as I don't have to go to archives-only distribution of the predictions) to cheat. The only mechanism for cheating I can think of would be for somebody to post many predictions, changing the email address from which he's posting every time the hit rate of the predictions gets too low for the old email address. If my personal opinion as to the probability of the existence of PSI is correct, this strategy won't do the cheater much good. If somebody can string together a decent number of valid predictions even using this strategy, I will (as will most skeptics) have to revise my opinions about PSI. Of course, there's always the possibility that somebody might be able to make good predictions without using PSI, but then claims he did it psychically, but I doubt this will happen. I welcome any ideas as to what other claims believers in PSI might make as to how this setup will prevent them from demonstrating psychic abilities, or as to other ways that people might be able to cheat. Of course, recommendations as to solutions to any such problems are also welcome. Rather than posting such suggestions to the list, post them to me (CARL@SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU or SOL1::CARL) personally.