IS TELEPATHY GENUINE OR JUST MORE TRICKERY?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 52, 17 October 1949, Page 6

IS TELEPATHY GENUINE OR JUST MORE TRICKERY?

Ever since a stammering young Australian named Sidney Piddington and his wife Lesley stepped before a 8.8. C. microphone to give some astounding examples -of thought transferences, people in Britain have been asking each other, “Do you believe in telepathy?’’ People love, and at the same time hate, a mystery. Although the majority of listeners are convinced it is all genuine, there is a minority who are just as sure it is all trickery and conjuring, writes a London correspondent.

Whatever it is, there is no doubt that their performances have been the most controversial and entertaining 8.8. C. and television feature for years. Newspapers and magazines have published hundreds of letters and articles on the subject, and now the controversy has even spread to the U.S.A. No Apparent Loophole

The programmes last half an hour, and are conducted before a studio audience and in the presence of judges. Everything is carefully explained to the listeners, and there appears to be no loophole for the magician’s* art. For instance, a judge writes down short words in various colours on a blackboard. Quite out of sight of each other, Sidney transmits them correctly to his wife. A member of the audience observed by Mr Piddington collects various little personal items such as tiepins, combs, brooches, and cigarette cases. They are carefully sealed in an envelope. Then in comes Mrs Piddington, the envelope is opened, and with disarming uncertainty she han'ds every object back to the correct owner. A pianist plays some snatches of tunes which only listeners, and Mr Piddington can hear. But by what he claims is thought transference, his wife identifies each one. Or a brand-new pack of cards is broken, shuffled, and five cards dealt to Sidney. Hesitantly but' surely his wife describes them all.

Those are only some- of the many examples with which the Piddingtons have been intriguing British radio and television audiences.

Into the arena this week, brandishing a pen of disillusionment, has stepped one of the judges, Mr Kingsley Martin, editor of the “New Statesman and Nation.”

Criticism of the 8.8. C. He does not say outright that there was no such thing as telepathy, but he does criticise the 8.8. C. for giving the impression that it was a scientific demonstration in which there was no chance for trickery. “Expert conjurors who Were present on the night that I was ‘judge’ and others who have talked to journalists who have been present at these shows, agree that nothing occurred that is difficult for a trained magician to explain or perform,” writes Mr Martin.

He reveals that there were men in the audience who were-with Piddington in a Japanese prison camp, that the other judge had also “judged” all the other programmes. He suggests that there were accomplices in the audience. On the other hand, he praises the Piddingtons for a first-class entertainment and clever show.

Support for the Piddingtons has come from many, including the producer of five shows, Mr Piffard, who declares everything was genuine. In the “Radio Times” he writes: “I can quite truthfully say that there never has been a single instance of fake thought transference by Sidney Piddington and his wife.” And what do the Piddingtons say? “We leave it to you to judge,” is their comment. They have never declared that their thought transference is telepathy, but have been quick to point out the precautions taken against trickery and subterfuge.