Are Telekinetic abilities the next step in human evolution?
The human mind is an amazing entity; thanks to its 100 billion neurons, we are able to walk, talk, create, think, and grow, among countless other things. Humanity, on the other hand, motivates us to strive for more, push the limits of our cognitive capacity, and learn novel abilities. Telekinesis, which enables us to interact with physical objects using only our thoughts, is one of the most coveted of those skills.
The desire for evolved human potential has given rise to a slew of pop-culture characters capable of wielding psychokinetic powers with both benign and lethal purpose. Telekinetic abilities hold a unique place in the human social lexicon, from the disgruntled Carrie White to the wise-beyond-her-years Matilda Wormwood, not to mention the entire Jedi order. The concept is also gaining traction as a result of the 80s-inspired TV show “Stranger Things” and one of its most powerful characters, Eleven. Spoilers for “Stranger Things” follow.
Could people ultimately develop Eleven-like abilities? What is the definition of telekinesis? Do confirmed instances exist? How does contemporary technology fit into such (possibly upcoming) phases of human development? Continue reading, or use your telekinetic powers to rapidly download the brief article into your brain. If you go with the latter option, please do us all a favor and take detailed notes on how you accomplished it, OK?
Telekinesis
What exactly is telekinesis? The phrase is derived from the Greek terms for “mind” and “motion.” Telekinesis, also known as psychokinesis (PK), is the ability to move objects with the consciousness at its most basic. Strength differs greatly from person to person, depending on the source of their abilities, training, age, and so on. According to Bustle, Eleven in “Stranger Things” can throw large objects, turn digital devices on and off, shatter glass, and influence the bodily functions of other people. She can also reach alternate dimensions such as the Void and the Upside-down, which appear to overlap in time (and possibly area) in a multiverse arrangement.
The catch? Executing feats of mind over matter is exceedingly difficult for the vast majority of telekinetics: Luke Skywalker labored to get his X-Wing out of the swamps of Dagobah. (though Yoda had no problem). When Eleven pushes herself too far, she develops nosebleeds. When we last saw Eleven, she used her powers to seal the portal between our world and the Upside Down, imprisoning the Mind Flayer on the other side and protecting the citizens of Hawkins. The Flayer watched the Snow Ball dance from its Upside Down domain, keeping an eye on those meddling youngsters.
While much of the show has concentrated on Eleven’s progress after she escaped Hawkins Lab, she has shown significant telekinetic development, implying that her powers aren’t finished developing. Sure, they’re the product of unethical CIA experiments and sensory deprivation, but the foundation is there: What if Eleven is just a small-screen recreation of powerful individuals who have lived in secret throughout historical events?
A Quick Background of Mind Magic
There is no documented evidence that telekinetic abilities exist. A quick online search will yield numerous videos, but they lack the scientific rigor to give anything of substance. While “Stranger Things” captures the 1980s government fascination with finding human mind-powers, the real-world outcomes did not match those of the show, as neuroscience professor Mark Breedlove observed in an EarthSky article. There has never been conclusive evidence to back telekinetic talents.
A number well-known “telekinetics,” such as Uri Geller, have gained notoriety for using sleight-of-hand illusions to simulate mental powers; however, this has not completely discouraged telekinetic study. According to Live Science, scientists have shifted their focus to “micro-PK,” or the ability to influence small objects or results over time. Once again, these attempts have been futile.
What Comes Next?
So, while relocating things with our minds may be out of reach for the time being, what about in the future? Could the next stages of human development include PK abilities? From a biological standpoint, most likely not. There is nothing in our environment that would force that type of evolution because we don’t know which genes, if any, govern Eleven-type powers; trying to customize genetic code would be unethical at best and extremely dangerous at worst.
But it’s not all terrible news. According to Psychology Today, technology can help bridge the gap between mind and matter by utilizing brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to allow direct control over computers and other linked tools without the need for tactile or voice contact. Some efforts have been directed at developing direct brain/device connections to treat conditions such as blindness or paralysis, while others are aimed at developing thought-to-text solutions that enable users to quickly create texts or e-mails. No, it’s not Eleven closing the portal to the Upside Down, but bear in mind that she began crushing Coke canisters while dressed in a hospital gown. Mind-meld e-mails may look unimpressive, but they may pave the way for a brave new world of abilities that are telekinetic.
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