I find that Shermer position odd in that Science as a whole, agrees that telepathy is the most likely of all the so-called psychic talents. Secondly, and this is coming from within the bio-tech industry, there is a tremendous amount of technology now and soon to be on the market that functions in EXACTLY the same manner most mystics have explained things for centuries (though terminologies may vary here and there). Quite simply, any thought is an electric impulse and thus, something physical and thus, when it actuates something else MUST manifest. . . unless the founding principle of physics is flawed in some way?
Today's medical science is exploiting this very truth, one of the oldest Hermetic teachings, by amplifying that minute electrical pulse in a way that allows it to control and manipulate both, prosthetic devices that are physically attached to a person as well as remotely (via transmission). We can step outside the medical world and find fames via which a ping pong ball is literally manipulated by way of the operator's will. . . in the Scandinavian region there is an Air Hockey styled game complete with major tournaments that were in use well before THE FORCE and such games, that force the competitors to clear their minds, relax and in that state, control the puck. . . they must go to the very same sort of calm state as Psychic students have been trained to do for eons.
Naysayers. . . those that can't/wont believe no matter what, refuse to see such in-your-face parallels and yet, they exist and there is more upon the horizon, including a very interesting PK type technology that's only recently started into the experimental side of things. . . just saw brief mention of it in a magazine this past week, probably People or New Week ???
Revealing the personality types of the big four or five headline chasing naysayers and setting them side-by-side with other "charismatic" cult-leaders so the public can see for themselves the greater portrait as to what's going on, is only fair. The Naysayers don't want this because its the same exact approach they take in order to discredit anyone that opposes or challenges their claims & "facts". Granted, exposing a person's short-comings can't be the only point of focus, but it is a very important part of the picture, at least to my mind in that it allows those that read said essay, to have a better rounded perspective. This is especially so in that (something that keeps getting left out here) I will be doing the same to key players within the Psychic/New Age environment; a leveled playing field as it were in which education status, professional standing, etc. are all taken into account along with the good & bad behavior of each. Let's face it, the JREF and Skeptical Enquirer both do more than their fair share of painting people in an ugly way; especially those that may have at one time supported their way of thinking but later publish findings the don't necessarily agree with the "game plan".
If and when my book is ever completed it will give this sort of contrast and it will confirm certain truths when it comes to psychic fraud, etc. while likewise revealing the things the critics refuse to accept as "Proof" and as such, strive to discredit the reports, comments, and studies that say other wise. I believe it's only fair to reveal their dirty tricks, double-talk antics and taunting games given they've had 30 some years going unchecked for the most part.
My goal is to help folks decide things for themselves, not to state in any authoritative way this is what things "must be" but rather, this is what things are because of this or that; this is why we don't see the trees of the forest, etc.