An Experiment

A recent article from Scientific American highlights new research suggesting that humans are instinctively wired to believe that the human gaze possesses a tangible force. Essentially, people seem to expect that a person's eyes can exert influence, akin to Cyclops from the X-Men.

In the experiment, participants manipulated a geometric shape on a screen. The shape was positioned upright, and participants were instructed to tilt it towards a virtual person, who was either blindfolded or not, increasing the angle until it was on the verge of falling.

When the virtual figure was blindfolded, participants tilted the shape less than when the figure was staring directly at it. The researchers interpreted this as an indication that participants felt additional force was necessary to overcome an invisible resistance emanating from the virtual person's gaze.

The author of the Scientific American article attributes this phenomenon to an evolutionary shortcut:

> "Gaze serves as a fundamental means of communication, coordinating activities and conveying social dynamics without verbal or gestural cues. The need for quick interpretations leads to a misconception that gaze can physically influence our environment. These findings reveal that this interpretation is subconscious and automatic, even among those who consciously deny that vision has any force."

The article provides an excellent overview and contextualizes the myth of the evil eye in history. It briefly touches on the sensation of being observed, finishing on a light note by stating, “While magicians may manipulate gaze to enhance their illusions, the belief in gaze as a physical force is magic in itself.”

A Notable Oversight

However, Scientific American fails to address a significant body of research indicating that people can actually sense when they are being watched. This relevant fact should be discussed in relation to the recent findings.

If we entertain the idea that gaze possesses a force, it offers a simpler explanation for why humans might expect this than the hypothesis presented by Scientific American, which suggests it’s a mental shortcut for assessing social dynamics.

Publications like Scientific American often tread close to controversial topics before retreating, fearing backlash from staunch materialists.

Many avenues of research are disregarded, marginalized, or ridiculed, regardless of their empirical backing. One could be labeled naïve for even considering them.

Stay Happy, Keep Your Head Down

While walking through an airport or shopping mall, I sometimes find myself glancing at passersby, trying to ascertain if I should recognize them. Often, when I make eye contact, I quickly look away, embarrassed. I should know better than to stare.

Many of us experience similar moments but often brush them off. Perhaps we suddenly notice someone looking at us, leading to feelings of discomfort or shame.

If you were that individual I glanced at, I apologize. But the truth is, you were merely imagining things. Yes, it was all in your mind. It was irrational to think I was observing you.

An article titled “You’re Not Psychic and No One is Looking at You” reinforces this notion, suggesting that such feelings stem from paranoia and subsequently dismisses the same body of evidence that we will explore.

If you prefer to continue being misled by self-proclaimed guardians of science, feel free to stop reading here. Ignore the sensation that tingled down your spine when I caught your gaze.

Unless, Perhaps, You Are Psychic

In the last couple of years, I have grown more receptive to the idea that humans may possess perceptual abilities beyond the traditional five senses. This shift has resulted from exploring remote viewing, a practice that was extensively researched and funded by the U.S. government during the Cold War, with similar initiatives in the Soviet Union and China.

My experiences have garnered attention from VICE, and the online community focused on remote viewing, which I co-moderate, has significantly expanded in the past year.

This indicates that I am not an isolated oddity. I’m a very public one with plenty of company.

I now encounter psychic phenomena almost daily. While I remain skeptical, I empathize with those who share my disposition.

Had I not undergone these experiences, I would likely have scoffed at the notion of humans possessing perceptual abilities beyond our basic senses. I would have been mistaken.

I would be as uninformed as Scientific American appears to be, assuming their omission of relevant evidence regarding gaze detection was not deliberate.

The Overlooked Evidence

Let’s refer to Dr. Wikipedia's archives for a moment. There is an entry on the Psychic Staring Effect, detailing various researchers who have explored the sensation of being stared at, ranging from Edward B. Titchener in the 19th century to Rupert Sheldrake in the 2000s.

Wikipedia's gatekeepers are often dismissive of such topics. In this case, the entry trivializes Sheldrake's work due to a lack of replication. "Class dismissed."

For decades, Sheldrake has faced skepticism from the scientific community. In the early 1980s, he published a controversial book on evolution that drew ire from the editor of "Nature," who suggested it was "A Book for Burning."

Most scientists do not appreciate such extreme, intolerant sentiments from a leading scientific journal.

Sheldrake proposes that a form of collective memory or learning exists, which might explain the transmission of complex behaviors among different species that cannot be solely attributed to genetics.

His research also led him to explore phenomena such as pets sensing their owners' return and the feeling of being observed.

He published his own book on this subject and later contributed to a special edition of the Journal of Consciousness Studies, which compiled primary research and expert opinions, including works from several prominent parapsychologists.

If you're interested in delving deeper, you can find free downloads of Sheldrake's papers on the journal's website.

Why This Matters

Mainstream scientists and unconventional researchers might agree that gaze detection is linked to survival instincts, as are other seemingly improbable perceptual abilities.

My intention in writing this is not to persuade you that a psychic staring effect is genuine, nor is it to present exhaustive evidence.

Rather, I hope to ignite your curiosity, encouraging you to explore the wealth of evidence and experiences that mainstream scientific literature often overlooks.

The omission of such topics does not mean you should ignore them. I found it troubling that they failed to consider various lines of inquiry, even to dismiss them outright.

Ultimately, I urge you to trust your intuition. If something within you urges you to "turn around quickly," will you question that instinct, or will you act upon it?

This article was crafted by Grin Spickett, who assures you he only watches over you for your benefit. Grin is also a contributing editor at LIMINARIES, a publication that occasionally explores the intersections of science, meditation, spirituality, philosophy, mysticism, and humor—or something like that.