I'm thinking about canceling my Netflix subscription and staying with Nick instead. This is as close to real life and our pure existence as it can possibly be.
Thank you, Marek. I’m delighted you’re on board. I’ll let you know if Netflix buys the streaming rights to this column; then it might be time to resubscribe!
Well sir, I am all in. I'm sure that's no surprise. You are one of the rare souls that I believe has not only made it to the edge of the abyss but also remains willing to peer into it, yell, throw rocks, etc., and then listen to it.... I'm so glad to be on the continuing journey with my meta sherpa!
Well, I love the idea of the meta-sherpa! Thank you for your encouragement from the beginning, Troy and delighted you’re saddling up for the next leg of the journey
Just researched the availability of a parapsychology-related research paper, "The Iceland Papers", from 1979. Might prove useful, Nick. Here's a summary from Grok...
- **Russell Targ, Harold E. Puthoff, and Edwin C. May**: "Direct Perception of Remote Geographical Locations" – Discusses experiments on remote viewing, where individuals attempt to perceive distant locations without sensory input.
- **Elizabeth A. Rauscher**: "Some Physical Models Potentially Applicable to Remote Perception" – Proposes theoretical models for how remote perception might function within a physical framework.
- **John B. Hasted**: "Paranormal Metal-Bending" – Examines claims of psychokinetic metal-bending, including studies involving Uri Geller and others.
- **R. D. Mattuck and E. H. Walker**: "The Action of Consciousness on Matter: A Quantum Mechanical Theory of Psychokinesis" – Develops a quantum-based theory to explain how consciousness might influence physical objects.
In his foreword, Josephson, who won the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physics for the Josephson effect, defends the scientific investigation of parapsychological phenomena. He argues that dismissing such research outright is dogmatic and that phenomena like telepathy and psychokinesis deserve rigorous study. Josephson suggests that quantum mechanics, particularly its non-local aspects, may provide a framework for understanding these phenomena. His involvement reflects his broader interest in the Mind-Matter Unification Project, which explores intelligent processes in nature.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Josephson)[](https://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~bdj10/mm/articles/PWprofile.html)
The book and its contributors, including Josephson, have faced significant criticism from mainstream scientists, who often label parapsychology as pseudoscience. Critics argue that the phenomena discussed lack reproducible evidence and that the theoretical models are speculative. For instance, a 1980 exchange in *The New York Review of Books* saw Martin Gardner challenge the claims in *The Iceland Papers*, asserting that parapsychology lacks the robust empirical support of established physics. Josephson and co-authors defended their work, emphasizing the need for open-minded inquiry.[](https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1980/06/26/parapsychology-an-exchange/)
### Recent Results or Updates
There are no recent results directly tied to *The Iceland Papers* itself, as it is a historical document from 1979. However, Brian Josephson remains active in advocating for parapsychology research. His Mind-Matter Unification Project at Cambridge continues to explore consciousness and quantum mechanics, though specific new findings related to the 1977 conference papers are not publicly documented. For the latest on Josephson’s work, his Cambridge homepage or ResearchGate profile may provide updates, but they do not explicitly reference new experiments tied to *The Iceland Papers*.[](https://www.opensciences.org/people/brian-josephson)[](https://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~bdj10/index.html)
### Accessing the Report
To obtain a copy, I recommend:
1. Checking antiquarian booksellers like Weiser Antiquarian (weiserantiquarian.com) for physical copies.
3. Contacting academic institutions with parapsychology archives, such as the University of London or the Parapsychological Association, for access to research copies.
4. Exploring interlibrary loan services through a local university library, as the book is cataloged in some academic systems.
If you need assistance locating a specific copy or want me to dig deeper into any of the papers or Josephson’s recent work, let me know! Cheers!"
I suspect the Grok algorithms I am able to access still possess an air of incredulity, just bear that in-mind. The steps to access might prove helpful.
Now back to your question on what avenues of enquiry...the more rarefied aspects of the Phenomenon seems to be prominent.
Looks really interesting, Rich … and I’d never heard of them (the papers). The value to me of this column’s feedback network in action. Thank you … I’ll tuck into it with interest!
So much has been dismissed by the "establishment" over the last 50 years. To me, it's fascinating how much work was going on in the 70's and 80's that is only coming to light now (but ya gotta dig for it!). Thanks for posting this!
Just one more thought about the "establishment" - I can't remember the exact details but I think I read about it in Paul Smith's book (Reading the Enemy's Mind". Basically, a group of scientists were studying Uri Geller and he was doing a spoon bending demonstration. Then he showed the other scientists how to do it and they were able to do it also! Some of them left in a hurry and one proclaimed "I wouldn't believe this even if it was true!". I might have the details wrong but that quote really stuck with me!
A guy called Jack Houck used to hold ‘spoon bending parties’ back in the 70s and 80s … John Alexander told me about them. Lots of results! Lots of people ‘in the trade’, so to speak, told me that Uri is the real deal. His showmanship gets in the way of his skills, though, adding to his ‘trickster’ reputation
I think Melinda Leslie - of the recent Coulthart/News Nation podcasts about Sedona - went to a load of those spoon bending parties back then as well. The circle of who knew whom back then continues to fascinate me.
Much as I'm tempted to correspond direct/privately, Nick, in the spirit of our team's evolving ethos, I am choosing to keep our work and sharings here, open. Courageous Curiosity. Onwards.
Great, Rich. With aerospace and defence journalism in my blood, it’s sometimes counterintuitive doing all this out in the open - a lot of my info gathering had to be done in smoky pubs and shady meetings, resulting in gathered data ‘on background’. But keeping this conversation as open as possible is the right thing, IMO. Not that I’m averse to the odd meeting in a pub (only nowadays without the smoke)!
“But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we are slaves not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.”
As you know Nick, I'm good to go on this next recce into the unknown with you and our fellow explorers.
Sharing the Rogue Icons substack with a colleague at Cap, an engagement manager who I met yesterday for follow-on work in the Aerospace & Defense sector...what an astonishing conversation. Before we even touched on talking shop, we spent the thick end of an hour talking of our shared interests in parapsychology, UAP, and our respective experiences thereof.
Another uncanny valley episode, and the further we go down this shared informational wormhole, the more I seem to notice them as an embodied "ah, there's another..." feedback from the Control System 😆
Love it! It was all on Teams, end of an uber-busy week wrapping up on the project. John has, like myself, had some breakthrough experiences.
Despite a necessary spirit of openness, I suspect the "old, tried and tested ways" of shady conversations in pubs will still be needed.
A totally unexpected conversation with John, Nick. I'd just finished a weekly "wellbeing" oriented guided meditation, an end-of-week ritual I started in the business analysis capability, then received interest from Cloud & Cudtom Applications UK practice leads to extend the offering. Now its available to anyone in Cap, globally. Unintended consequences of holding the principle of love/harmony/connection to the fore whenever I can. I made no mention of my back-room interests in Friday's Teams call, and yet John raised, essentially, the Phenomenon. No doubt its in the aether...but it was the ease, rightness and calm in which we riffed, that has stayed with me...a "white stone" moment. John's a good man, ex-Army medic, you'd warm to him.
Having fallen down the UFO rabbit hole several years ago, I soon found myself diving into the larger and more mysterious topic of consciousness. During that journey, I stumbled across an episode of Project Unity where Jay Anderson interviewed you and Ross Coulthart. After that extraordinary conversation, I became hooked - on both my now obsessive quest to understand consciousness and this journalist Nick Cook. The Light Beyond the Mountains has been a revelation to me and I will forever be grateful to have been front and center at its creation. Thank you, Nick, for helping to light the way forward...
Thank you, Leo. I’m rather blown away. I’m really glad to have played a part in this journey of yours. It certainly can be obsessive (as you’ll have detected from my own meanderings in TLBTM). Writing about it, though, has helped let some of the steam obsession out for me (in a good way), allowing me to be somewhat less obsessive (but still intensely curious) about consciousness and its many facets. Thanks for being on this road … I look forward to more dialogue as we all press forward
I'm thinking about canceling my Netflix subscription and staying with Nick instead. This is as close to real life and our pure existence as it can possibly be.
Thank you, Marek. I’m delighted you’re on board. I’ll let you know if Netflix buys the streaming rights to this column; then it might be time to resubscribe!
Haha :-D sounds good to me. ;-)
Well sir, I am all in. I'm sure that's no surprise. You are one of the rare souls that I believe has not only made it to the edge of the abyss but also remains willing to peer into it, yell, throw rocks, etc., and then listen to it.... I'm so glad to be on the continuing journey with my meta sherpa!
Well, I love the idea of the meta-sherpa! Thank you for your encouragement from the beginning, Troy and delighted you’re saddling up for the next leg of the journey
Just researched the availability of a parapsychology-related research paper, "The Iceland Papers", from 1979. Might prove useful, Nick. Here's a summary from Grok...
"*The Iceland Papers: Select Papers on Experimental and Theoretical Research on the Physics of Consciousness* is a collection of papers presented at the Frontiers of Physics Conference held in Reykjavik, Iceland, in November 1977, organized by the ORB Foundation of London. Edited by Andrija Puharich, the book was published in 1979 by Essentia Research Associates (Amherst, Wisconsin). It includes a foreword by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Brian D. Josephson, known for his work on superconductivity and later his interest in parapsychology.[](https://www.weiserantiquarian.com/pages/books/53515/andrija-puharich-brian-d-josephson/the-iceland-papers-select-papers-on-experimental-and-theoretical-research-on-the-physics-of?soldItem=true)[](https://www.weiserantiquarian.com/pages/books/53515/andrija-puharich-brian-d-josephson/the-iceland-papers-select-papers-on-experimental-and-theoretical-research-on-the-physics-of/?soldItem=true)
### Overview
The Iceland Papers focus on experimental and theoretical research exploring the physics of consciousness, particularly phenomena like extrasensory perception (ESP), psychokinesis (PK), and remote perception. The collection aims to bridge quantum physics and parapsychological phenomena, proposing that consciousness may interact with physical systems in ways not fully explained by conventional science. Josephson’s foreword lends credibility to the exploration, arguing for the scientific legitimacy of studying such phenomena despite skepticism from mainstream science.[](https://www.weiserantiquarian.com/pages/books/53515/andrija-puharich-brian-d-josephson/the-iceland-papers-select-papers-on-experimental-and-theoretical-research-on-the-physics-of?soldItem=true)
### Contents
The book contains the following key papers:
- **Russell Targ, Harold E. Puthoff, and Edwin C. May**: "Direct Perception of Remote Geographical Locations" – Discusses experiments on remote viewing, where individuals attempt to perceive distant locations without sensory input.
- **Elizabeth A. Rauscher**: "Some Physical Models Potentially Applicable to Remote Perception" – Proposes theoretical models for how remote perception might function within a physical framework.
- **John B. Hasted**: "Paranormal Metal-Bending" – Examines claims of psychokinetic metal-bending, including studies involving Uri Geller and others.
- **R. D. Mattuck and E. H. Walker**: "The Action of Consciousness on Matter: A Quantum Mechanical Theory of Psychokinesis" – Develops a quantum-based theory to explain how consciousness might influence physical objects.
- **Olivier Costa de Beauregard**: "The Expanding Paradigm of the Einstein Theory" – Explores connections between Einstein’s theories and parapsychological phenomena, such as time symmetry and non-locality.[](https://www.weiserantiquarian.com/pages/books/53515/andrija-puharich-brian-d-josephson/the-iceland-papers-select-papers-on-experimental-and-theoretical-research-on-the-physics-of?soldItem=true)[](https://www.weiserantiquarian.com/pages/books/53515/andrija-puharich-brian-d-josephson/the-iceland-papers-select-papers-on-experimental-and-theoretical-research-on-the-physics-of/?soldItem=true)
### Brian Josephson’s Foreword
In his foreword, Josephson, who won the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physics for the Josephson effect, defends the scientific investigation of parapsychological phenomena. He argues that dismissing such research outright is dogmatic and that phenomena like telepathy and psychokinesis deserve rigorous study. Josephson suggests that quantum mechanics, particularly its non-local aspects, may provide a framework for understanding these phenomena. His involvement reflects his broader interest in the Mind-Matter Unification Project, which explores intelligent processes in nature.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Josephson)[](https://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~bdj10/mm/articles/PWprofile.html)
### Availability
*The Iceland Papers* is a rare publication, primarily found in specialized libraries or through antiquarian booksellers. As of my last update, physical copies are listed for sale at sites like Weiser Antiquarian Books, with a first edition hardcover (192 pages, published 1979) in near-fine condition priced around $50–$100, depending on the seller. No digital or open-access versions are widely available, and it is not typically found in mainstream academic databases due to its niche subject matter.[](https://www.weiserantiquarian.com/pages/books/53515/andrija-puharich-brian-d-josephson/the-iceland-papers-select-papers-on-experimental-and-theoretical-research-on-the-physics-of?soldItem=true)[](https://www.weiserantiquarian.com/pages/books/53515/andrija-puharich-brian-d-josephson/the-iceland-papers-select-papers-on-experimental-and-theoretical-research-on-the-physics-of/?soldItem=true)
### Challenges and Criticism
The book and its contributors, including Josephson, have faced significant criticism from mainstream scientists, who often label parapsychology as pseudoscience. Critics argue that the phenomena discussed lack reproducible evidence and that the theoretical models are speculative. For instance, a 1980 exchange in *The New York Review of Books* saw Martin Gardner challenge the claims in *The Iceland Papers*, asserting that parapsychology lacks the robust empirical support of established physics. Josephson and co-authors defended their work, emphasizing the need for open-minded inquiry.[](https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1980/06/26/parapsychology-an-exchange/)
### Recent Results or Updates
There are no recent results directly tied to *The Iceland Papers* itself, as it is a historical document from 1979. However, Brian Josephson remains active in advocating for parapsychology research. His Mind-Matter Unification Project at Cambridge continues to explore consciousness and quantum mechanics, though specific new findings related to the 1977 conference papers are not publicly documented. For the latest on Josephson’s work, his Cambridge homepage or ResearchGate profile may provide updates, but they do not explicitly reference new experiments tied to *The Iceland Papers*.[](https://www.opensciences.org/people/brian-josephson)[](https://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~bdj10/index.html)
### Accessing the Report
To obtain a copy, I recommend:
1. Checking antiquarian booksellers like Weiser Antiquarian (weiserantiquarian.com) for physical copies.
2. Searching library catalogs such as Princeton University Library, which lists the book in its collection.[](https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/99273693506421)
3. Contacting academic institutions with parapsychology archives, such as the University of London or the Parapsychological Association, for access to research copies.
4. Exploring interlibrary loan services through a local university library, as the book is cataloged in some academic systems.
If you need assistance locating a specific copy or want me to dig deeper into any of the papers or Josephson’s recent work, let me know! Cheers!"
I suspect the Grok algorithms I am able to access still possess an air of incredulity, just bear that in-mind. The steps to access might prove helpful.
Now back to your question on what avenues of enquiry...the more rarefied aspects of the Phenomenon seems to be prominent.
Looks really interesting, Rich … and I’d never heard of them (the papers). The value to me of this column’s feedback network in action. Thank you … I’ll tuck into it with interest!
So much has been dismissed by the "establishment" over the last 50 years. To me, it's fascinating how much work was going on in the 70's and 80's that is only coming to light now (but ya gotta dig for it!). Thanks for posting this!
Just one more thought about the "establishment" - I can't remember the exact details but I think I read about it in Paul Smith's book (Reading the Enemy's Mind". Basically, a group of scientists were studying Uri Geller and he was doing a spoon bending demonstration. Then he showed the other scientists how to do it and they were able to do it also! Some of them left in a hurry and one proclaimed "I wouldn't believe this even if it was true!". I might have the details wrong but that quote really stuck with me!
A guy called Jack Houck used to hold ‘spoon bending parties’ back in the 70s and 80s … John Alexander told me about them. Lots of results! Lots of people ‘in the trade’, so to speak, told me that Uri is the real deal. His showmanship gets in the way of his skills, though, adding to his ‘trickster’ reputation
I think Melinda Leslie - of the recent Coulthart/News Nation podcasts about Sedona - went to a load of those spoon bending parties back then as well. The circle of who knew whom back then continues to fascinate me.
Yes, it’s a deep interconnected web!
Much as I'm tempted to correspond direct/privately, Nick, in the spirit of our team's evolving ethos, I am choosing to keep our work and sharings here, open. Courageous Curiosity. Onwards.
Great, Rich. With aerospace and defence journalism in my blood, it’s sometimes counterintuitive doing all this out in the open - a lot of my info gathering had to be done in smoky pubs and shady meetings, resulting in gathered data ‘on background’. But keeping this conversation as open as possible is the right thing, IMO. Not that I’m averse to the odd meeting in a pub (only nowadays without the smoke)!
"Familiarly depressing stuff - humanity at its rawest and basest. And yet, all is not lost..." verily, a Gandalf the White moment!
Ha! Where’s Shadowfax when you need him!
This book has and will be the edge of the precipice of understanding, for those of us who are intensely curious about "touching the fabric."
Bless you, Nick.
“But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we are slaves not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.”
Romans 7:6
As you know Nick, I'm good to go on this next recce into the unknown with you and our fellow explorers.
Sharing the Rogue Icons substack with a colleague at Cap, an engagement manager who I met yesterday for follow-on work in the Aerospace & Defense sector...what an astonishing conversation. Before we even touched on talking shop, we spent the thick end of an hour talking of our shared interests in parapsychology, UAP, and our respective experiences thereof.
Another uncanny valley episode, and the further we go down this shared informational wormhole, the more I seem to notice them as an embodied "ah, there's another..." feedback from the Control System 😆
I may need to revise what I said in my previous reply and head north for a meeting in a shady pub to get the gist of what you two discussed!
Game on for a pint, Nick.
Game on for a pint myself, Rich. As you say, certain conversations still require these kinds of get-togethers. Your talk/s with John sound fascinating
Love it! It was all on Teams, end of an uber-busy week wrapping up on the project. John has, like myself, had some breakthrough experiences.
Despite a necessary spirit of openness, I suspect the "old, tried and tested ways" of shady conversations in pubs will still be needed.
A totally unexpected conversation with John, Nick. I'd just finished a weekly "wellbeing" oriented guided meditation, an end-of-week ritual I started in the business analysis capability, then received interest from Cloud & Cudtom Applications UK practice leads to extend the offering. Now its available to anyone in Cap, globally. Unintended consequences of holding the principle of love/harmony/connection to the fore whenever I can. I made no mention of my back-room interests in Friday's Teams call, and yet John raised, essentially, the Phenomenon. No doubt its in the aether...but it was the ease, rightness and calm in which we riffed, that has stayed with me...a "white stone" moment. John's a good man, ex-Army medic, you'd warm to him.
Having fallen down the UFO rabbit hole several years ago, I soon found myself diving into the larger and more mysterious topic of consciousness. During that journey, I stumbled across an episode of Project Unity where Jay Anderson interviewed you and Ross Coulthart. After that extraordinary conversation, I became hooked - on both my now obsessive quest to understand consciousness and this journalist Nick Cook. The Light Beyond the Mountains has been a revelation to me and I will forever be grateful to have been front and center at its creation. Thank you, Nick, for helping to light the way forward...
Thank you, Leo. I’m rather blown away. I’m really glad to have played a part in this journey of yours. It certainly can be obsessive (as you’ll have detected from my own meanderings in TLBTM). Writing about it, though, has helped let some of the steam obsession out for me (in a good way), allowing me to be somewhat less obsessive (but still intensely curious) about consciousness and its many facets. Thanks for being on this road … I look forward to more dialogue as we all press forward
Lets go! 🚀
Commencing countdown, engines on!