Ted Serios
Encyclopedia
Theodore 'Ted' Judd Serios (November 27, 1918 – December 30, 2006) was a Chicago
bellhop
, who became known in the 1960s by producing "thoughtographs
" on Polaroid film
. He claimed these were produced using psychic
powers. Serios's psychic claims were bolstered by the endorsement of a Denver based psychiatrist, Jule Eisenbud (1908–1999) who wrote a book called The World of Ted Serios: "Thoughtographic" studies of an extraordinary mind (1967) in which he argued for the unproven reality of Serios's feats.
Serios's images were most often blank or black. Occasionally, a fuzzy image would be seen that could be interpreted in many different ways (cf. pareidolia
), but on rare occasions a relatively clear and identifiable image showed up, although often appearing surrounded by dark areas on the film. On some occasions, his photos appeared to be distorted, or altered versions of real places or images, e.g., one such photo seemed to be of Eisenbud's ranch showing the barn as a different structure to the reality. Eisenbud attempted to prove that previously unidentified photographs were actually of the surface of Ganymede
, a moon of Jupiter
. In Eisenbud's own words, "Unfortunately, I couldn’t get an astronomer or optical scientist to agree."
personality manifests itself in many other ways. He does not exhibit self-control and will blubber, wail and bang his head on the floor when things are not going his way." However, in later life, Serios abstained from alcohol for years at a time. He appeared more normal in his behaviour in these periods.
, stage magician and noted scientific sceptic
, took an interest in investigating Serios. Randi comments: "If Mr. Serios did not use a trick method, all the rules of physics, particularly of optics, everything developed by science over the past several centuries, must be rewritten to accommodate Eisenbud's opinion. No such revisions have been found necessary." Though he produced photographs similar to Serios's, Randi refused Eisenbud's request to perform the trick with the same degree of blood alcohol that Serios had when producing his photographs and wearing a rubber suit. Stephen Braude claims that Randi reneged on an agreement to perform the trick because he was incapable of it, claiming that Serios could also project images when he was several metres from the camera. Randi made it clear that he would not try to repeat "an anecdotal
performance", while noting that he "effectively replicated the basic Serios trick on a live TV show in New York with Serios and Eisenbud present."
Charlie Reynolds and David Eisendrath, both amateur magicians and professional photographers, claimed exposed Serios as a fraud after spending a weekend with him and Eisenbud. Reynolds and Eisendrath spotted Serios slipping something into the tube that Serios claimed he needed to help him concentrate. They surmised this was a picture of something that the camera would take an image of, but which Serios would claim came from his mind rather than his hand. The exposé appeared in the October 1967 issue of Popular Photography. Serios's psychokinetic powers began to fade after this exposure.
In an article in New Scientist
titled "The Chance of a Lifetime" (24 March 2007), an interview appears with the noted mathematician and magician Persi Diaconis
. During the interview Persi mentioned that Martin Gardner
had paid him to watch Ted Serios perform, during which Persi claimed that he caught Serios sneaking a small marble with a photograph on it into the little tube attached to the front of the camera he used. "It was," Persi said, "a trick."
episode, Unruhe. The X-Files producer Chris Carter
signed a deal to base an entire movie on Dr. Eisenbud's book.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
bellhop
Bellhop
A bellhop, also bellboy or bellman, is a hotel porter, who helps patrons with their luggage while checking in or out. Bellhops often wear a uniform , like certain other page boys or doormen...
, who became known in the 1960s by producing "thoughtographs
Nensha
, better known to English speakers as thoughtography or projected thermography or nengraphy, is the ability to psychically "burn" images from one's mind onto surfaces, or even into the minds of others. It is common in fiction, and made noteworthy by the recent Ring/The Ring media franchise...
" on Polaroid film
Instant camera
The instant camera is a type of camera that generates a developed film image. The most popular types to use self-developing film were formerly made by Polaroid Corporation....
. He claimed these were produced using psychic
Psychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
powers. Serios's psychic claims were bolstered by the endorsement of a Denver based psychiatrist, Jule Eisenbud (1908–1999) who wrote a book called The World of Ted Serios: "Thoughtographic" studies of an extraordinary mind (1967) in which he argued for the unproven reality of Serios's feats.
History and method
Serios was an unemployed bellhop when his claims that he had the ability to put images on film with his mind came to the attention of Eisenbud. Serios's technique was to hold a small cylinder, or tube, up to the lens of an instant camera, which was then pointed at his forehead and the shutter released. It was also claimed he could project his thoughts from several meters away, or without using the cylinder. He would often be drunk, or at least have been drinking, when he produced his photographs. However, when he performed sober, which he did on several occasions, he would produce images that Eisenbud called "blackies" or "whities", meaning they were entirely black or white photos.Serios's images were most often blank or black. Occasionally, a fuzzy image would be seen that could be interpreted in many different ways (cf. pareidolia
Pareidolia
Pareidolia is a psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus being perceived as significant. Common examples include seeing images of animals or faces in clouds, the man in the moon or the Moon rabbit, and hearing hidden messages on records played in reverse...
), but on rare occasions a relatively clear and identifiable image showed up, although often appearing surrounded by dark areas on the film. On some occasions, his photos appeared to be distorted, or altered versions of real places or images, e.g., one such photo seemed to be of Eisenbud's ranch showing the barn as a different structure to the reality. Eisenbud attempted to prove that previously unidentified photographs were actually of the surface of Ganymede
Ganymede (moon)
Ganymede is a satellite of Jupiter and the largest moon in the Solar System. It is the seventh moon and third Galilean satellite outward from Jupiter. Completing an orbit in roughly seven days, Ganymede participates in a 1:2:4 orbital resonance with the moons Europa and Io, respectively...
, a moon of Jupiter
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass one-thousandth that of the Sun but is two and a half times the mass of all the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn,...
. In Eisenbud's own words, "Unfortunately, I couldn’t get an astronomer or optical scientist to agree."
Psychology
According to Eisenbud, "Ted Serios exhibits a behavior pathology with many character disorders. He does not abide by the laws and customs of our society. He ignores social amenities and has been arrested many times. His psychopathic and sociopathicPsychopathy
Psychopathy is a mental disorder characterized primarily by a lack of empathy and remorse, shallow emotions, egocentricity, and deceptiveness. Psychopaths are highly prone to antisocial behavior and abusive treatment of others, and are very disproportionately responsible for violent crime...
personality manifests itself in many other ways. He does not exhibit self-control and will blubber, wail and bang his head on the floor when things are not going his way." However, in later life, Serios abstained from alcohol for years at a time. He appeared more normal in his behaviour in these periods.
Sceptical criticisms
James RandiJames Randi
James Randi is a Canadian-American stage magician and scientific skeptic best known as a challenger of paranormal claims and pseudoscience. Randi is the founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation...
, stage magician and noted scientific sceptic
Scientific skepticism
Scientific skepticism is the practice of questioning the veracity of claims lacking empirical evidence or reproducibility, as part of a methodological norm pursuing "the extension of certified knowledge". For example, Robert K...
, took an interest in investigating Serios. Randi comments: "If Mr. Serios did not use a trick method, all the rules of physics, particularly of optics, everything developed by science over the past several centuries, must be rewritten to accommodate Eisenbud's opinion. No such revisions have been found necessary." Though he produced photographs similar to Serios's, Randi refused Eisenbud's request to perform the trick with the same degree of blood alcohol that Serios had when producing his photographs and wearing a rubber suit. Stephen Braude claims that Randi reneged on an agreement to perform the trick because he was incapable of it, claiming that Serios could also project images when he was several metres from the camera. Randi made it clear that he would not try to repeat "an anecdotal
Anecdotal evidence
The expression anecdotal evidence refers to evidence from anecdotes. Because of the small sample, there is a larger chance that it may be true but unreliable due to cherry-picked or otherwise unrepresentative of typical cases....
performance", while noting that he "effectively replicated the basic Serios trick on a live TV show in New York with Serios and Eisenbud present."
Charlie Reynolds and David Eisendrath, both amateur magicians and professional photographers, claimed exposed Serios as a fraud after spending a weekend with him and Eisenbud. Reynolds and Eisendrath spotted Serios slipping something into the tube that Serios claimed he needed to help him concentrate. They surmised this was a picture of something that the camera would take an image of, but which Serios would claim came from his mind rather than his hand. The exposé appeared in the October 1967 issue of Popular Photography. Serios's psychokinetic powers began to fade after this exposure.
In an article in New Scientist
New Scientist
New Scientist is a weekly non-peer-reviewed English-language international science magazine, which since 1996 has also run a website, covering recent developments in science and technology for a general audience. Founded in 1956, it is published by Reed Business Information Ltd, a subsidiary of...
titled "The Chance of a Lifetime" (24 March 2007), an interview appears with the noted mathematician and magician Persi Diaconis
Persi Diaconis
Persi Warren Diaconis is an American mathematician and former professional magician. He is the Mary V. Sunseri Professor of Statistics and Mathematics at Stanford University....
. During the interview Persi mentioned that Martin Gardner
Martin Gardner
Martin Gardner was an American mathematics and science writer specializing in recreational mathematics, but with interests encompassing micromagic, stage magic, literature , philosophy, scientific skepticism, and religion...
had paid him to watch Ted Serios perform, during which Persi claimed that he caught Serios sneaking a small marble with a photograph on it into the little tube attached to the front of the camera he used. "It was," Persi said, "a trick."
Popular Culture
Thoughtography was the premise of The X-filesThe X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
episode, Unruhe. The X-Files producer Chris Carter
Chris Carter (screenwriter)
Christopher Carl Carter is an American screenwriter, film director and producer. He is the creator of The X-Files and Millennium.- Ten Thirteen Productions :...
signed a deal to base an entire movie on Dr. Eisenbud's book.
External links
- Jule Eisenbud collection on Ted Serios and thoughtographic photography, 1931-2001, bulk 1964-1989 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Let's get Serios on Michael Prescott's blog
- Thoughtography entry in The Skeptic's Dictionary.
- Jule Eisenbud 1908-1999 A Profile In Courage Obituary in Journal of ParapsychologyJournal of ParapsychologyThe Journal of Parapsychology is a semi-annual peer-reviewed publication "devoted primarily to the original publication of experimental results and other research findings in extrasensory perception and psychokinesis." It also contains reviews of "literature relevant to parapsychology, criticisms...
.