While in the UK for a conference, Emily and I enjoyed dinner at the home of Rupert Sheldrake and his wife Jill Purce. Jill is widely recognized for developing chanting overtones for therapeutic use. Rupert is a mesmerizing lecturer and author of some dozen books dealing with unconventional science. His research topics include: Do your pets really know when you leave your office to come home? Do you really know when someone is staring at you? Might you know who’s calling when the phone rings? And, are the fixed “constants” of science, such as the speed of light and the gravitational constant, G, really constant?

Rupert’s recent experience with TEDx shocked me. His lecture was pulled from the official TED series. It was banned. The series prides itself on presenting “ideas worth hearing.” Yet TED decided that Rupert’s ideas were not worth hearing.

Any readers interested in following this controversy, and perhaps adding your two cents, check the following links:

·         Sheldrake’s TEDx Talk framed for our protection by TED 

·         The debate about Rupert Sheldrake’s talk

·         Rupert Sheldrake’s comprehensive website

·         Science Set Free, Rupert Sheldrake’s blog

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