What is Remote Viewing?
Remote viewing is a protocol-based, blinded experiment format where a viewer records impressions about a hidden target before it is revealed. Learn the basics and how RVLab runs research-first sessions.
Remote viewing is a structured, blinded procedure used in experiments where a person (or system) records impressions about a target they do not have access to through ordinary means at the time of capture. The core idea is not the claim—it's the protocol: output is generated first, the target is revealed later, and correspondence can be evaluated.
How a Blind Session Works
Remote viewing sessions are designed to reduce cueing by keeping the viewer blind during capture.
Target selection
A target is chosen and associated with a random reference number (often called a coordinate or TRN).
Blind capture
The viewer receives only the reference number (or no identifying info at all) and records impressions.
Output is locked
Notes/sketches are submitted before any reveal to preserve the blind condition.
Reveal and analysis
The target is revealed and correspondence is evaluated with a consistent rubric.
Choosing Targets (For Cleaner Tests)
When selecting targets for remote viewing experiments, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Pick distinctive targets: Visually/spatially rich locations, objects, or scenes are easier to score than "generic" targets.
- Avoid vague tasking: "A person" without context is hard to evaluate. If you use events or people, anchor them to a specific time/place.
- Vary categories: Don't run five similar targets in a row—diversity reduces pattern expectations.
History (Briefly)
The term "remote viewing" is most associated with laboratory work at Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in the 1970s and with later U.S. government programs that were declassified in the mid-1990s. Interpretations of the results remain debated, but the session protocols (blinding, logging, and post-hoc evaluation) are well documented.
Further Reading
For a deeper dive into methodology, check out our History page for comprehensive protocol guides, or browse the Glossary for terminology.
What RVLab Is (and Isn't)
Claims-agnostic: RVLab is built to run clean protocols and collect audit-friendly records. It does not claim to prove "psi" or guarantee outcomes.
Research-first: Blinding, delayed reveal, consistent scoring, and metadata (model + prompt/profile version) are treated as first-class data.
Not for decisions: Don't use sessions to make medical, legal, or financial decisions. Treat results as experimental output, not advice.
Ready to Try a Session?
The fastest way to understand the workflow is to run a short, blind session and review the output against ground truth.
Next steps:
- Start a session to experience the protocol firsthand
- Read the full methodology overview for detailed protocol guides
- Check the FAQ for common questions
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