Dear Jeff,

Good to hear from you again. I hope you're enjoying your summer.

With regards to astrology, well, if you can use astrology to predict when
a rock will fall on my head, PLEASE let me know, so that I may step out of
the way!!

Regarding a 'Transcended Energy Being from the Upper Cycle of "Whatever",'
well, if I were so privileged as to have him visit my lab, I wouldn't be
asking him/her to jump through hoops and drinking water or anything else a
human three-year-old could do. I'm sure we could figure out something
much more enlightened to pass the time.

Regarding "Iron Crotch Gung Fu," to answer your direct question whether I
consider this to be paranormal, no, I do not. It is already classified
under sports science as an example of an "extreme human feats." There are
many such examples, and they are active areas of scientific investigation.

Since you raise martial arts (one of my favorite past-times, by the way),
I was wondering if you are familiar with Juko-Kai, created by Soke Rod
Sacharnoski ( http://www.jukokai.com/ ) His brand of martial arts toughens
up the mind and body to such an extent that he and his students are able
to shrug off direct full-force strikes to sensitive body parts, such as
the neck, head, and groin. His group is quite famous for their incredible
demonstrations, sometimes involving professional athletes (like football
players) who are invited to "give it their best shot" in delivering
strikes which would send most people to the emergency room. Of course,
they are only allowed to use their bare hands/elbows/feet to strike, so
there's a limit to a Juko-Kai practitioner's defensive ability. For
example, no one can yet shrug off getting hit in the head by a baseball
bat! Nevertheless, it's quite impressive, and anyone can learn Juko-Kai
with time and discipline. Nothing paranormal here. Just good
old-fashioned blood, sweat, and tears. (BTW ... there's some controversy
regarding Sacharnoski's credentials. See: http://www.e-budokai.com/jukokai/index.htm
But his technique is proof-positively genuine.)

Regarding whether I can "prove reality," well, there certainly is an
"objective reality" which is very easily proved every day, and which
generations of people have devoted and are devoting their lives to trying
to understand on an objective, rational basis. Their work is described
in good science textbooks and journals. Everything in them, you can
independently "prove" for yourself. For example, the objective reality of
gravity is quite easily demonstrated: the next time your feet go "up"
instead of "down" when you get out of bed in the morning, please let us
know (hopefully you'll be able to get to your computer ok).

We have to base our discussion on some rational basis in order for it to
be meaningful. If you are still having trouble with the foundational
question of whether there is a reality at all, you'll have to seek the
help of a philosopher or a psychologist. I am neither, sorry.

Best,

HF