Comparison of the SoulPhone Project and Instrumental Transcommunication

Below is a short explanation of each factor listed above.

Factors that are YES for the SoulPhone and NO for Instrumental Transcommunication.

1. Experiments done at accredited university
   SPP experiments have been conducted at the Laboratory for Advances in Consciousness and Health at the University of Arizona. Dr. Schwartz and a team of electrical engineers, software specialists, optical physicists, and other experts have conducted this research for 15 years. Our literature review indicated that no ITC research has been conducted at an accredited university.  (Again, this is not a criticism but, rather, an accurate statement about the differences between SPP and ITC.)
2. Proper controls used during research
   Valid scientific research requires ‘controls’ to show the difference between ‘participant’ and ‘nonparticipant’ conditions. For the SoulPhone experiments, participant sessions were run when a postmaterial person (PMP) was asked to interact with the sensing device involved. During nonparticipant control sessions, the PMP collaborator was asked to not touch the laboratory sensing device. In some SPP sessions, controls were run when the PMP was not present in the laboratory.  This was verified by one or more highly evidential mediums and, most importantly, by the consistent differences in control versus participant sessions.  Having stringent controls increases the statistical probability that observed effects were indeed created by PMPs.As noted in footnote ¹ above, only two ITC experiments have involved controls.  Those found no significant difference in participant versus nonparticipant (control) sessions.
3. Experimental methods shared with others
   To date, the precise methods for SPP experiments have been shared in journal papers. See a list of these under References. (Note: in the future, the SPP will not be able to share specific details about potentially commercializable devices because of intellectual property and pending patents.  This is to ensure optimal devices for maximum benefits to all people and our planet.  Security measures will also protect people from misuse of the technology by nefarious persons.) Some ITC investigators share their methods whereas others – despite being asked publicly – have not.
4. Controlled for experimenter effects
   Conscious and/or unconscious intentions and the ‘mental energy’ of an experimenter may impact experimental findings. SPP has specifically addressed this concern is several ways. Some experiments were run when no one was in the lab and the timing of computerized instructions were set by a random time generator.  In other experiments, the primary experimenter was ‘blinded’ regarding which lab was involved, whether it was a control / nonparticipant or participant session, what time sessions began, and what PMP collaborators were involved.  Upcoming multicenter studies at six or more universities will involve a ‘three experimenter model’ to further minimize any unconscious experimenter psi effects.

No ITC investigations have involved this degree of sophisticated methods to ensure that ‘the mind’ of the experimenter doesn’t affect the results.  To the            contrary, as discussed in #16 below, some ITC researchers consider that their energy is a crucial part of their results.

5. Replicated results obtained by persons besides primary investigator
   Most of the SoulPhone experiments were run in more than one lab and involved different the principle investigator as well as research assistants. We saw no evidence of independent replication for ITC studies.
6. Results published in peer-reviewed scientific journals
   Strict scientific research requirements must be met for papers published in scientific journals. Dr. Schwartz has published three such papers in Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing. In 2021, an advanced methodology and validation paper was reviewed by a mainstream scientific journal. Understandably, this has not been done for any ITC research.
7. Significant findings obtained from the research
   In SPP, all experiments showed highly statistically significant results. That means there was less than 1 in 1000 chance that experimental differences were due to chance. In most studies, that level of significance was 1 in 100,000 or more.  This very high degree of certainty that findings were not random is unusual in scientific research.This factor doesn’t apply to ITC since there has been no university research involving controls and statistical analysis.
8. Consistent findings observed
   In SPP, six experiments with over 1500 sessions yielded over 1 trillion bits of data from tests with PMPs. The data left no doubt that our postmaterial participants consistently understood directions, arrived when and where requested, and completed the tasks in an ideal manner. Again, no ITC experiments have been conducted at this level of advanced methodology so no statement about consistent findings can be made.
9. Experimenter has PhD or other scientific research degrees from reputable university
   Dr. Schwartz received his PhD in psychophysiology from Harvard University. He was trained to conduct the highest standards of scientific research and has done so for fifty years.  In the field of ITC, only Julie Beischel PhD has such training, but she is not an ITC researcher per se.  Her pilot study in 2011 showed no difference between active and control sessions.  We found no other ITC researcher with this level of training for scientific research.

10. Based on contemporary electro-magnetic field theory
    It is Dr. Schwartz’s opinion that sufficient well-done scientific research on aspects of EMF theory have been done with the SoulPhone Project but not with ITC.

11. Results may involve mediumship
    In the field of ITC, some investigators credit their results to their mediumistic or ‘sensitive’ abilities. That is, an emotional bonding with PMPs is considered to enhance the results. With SPP, no mediums were involved in data collection and analysis. In some SoulPhone experiments, a highly evidential research medium assisted in only the following ways: (1) pre-session meetings with PMP ‘test pilots’ to explain the upcoming experiments; (2) invitation and reminder to PMP collaborators to ‘show up’ on the right day and time. However, in other experiments, a non-medium research assistant invited and reminded PMP participants; the highly statistically significant results were the same as when a medium was involved.
12. Used in ghost hunting effects
    Ghost hunting with purported ITC devices is featured in television and other media. These programs are very interesting and sometimes highly sensational. However, the devices and methods of alleged ghost hunters usually do not meet minimal standards for real research. The SoulPhone experiments and early PMP-sensing devices have not been used for ghost hunting. In our opinion, a focus on non-evidence based entertainment detracts from serious research on postmaterial communication. There are many suffering people and uninformed skeptics who deserve evidence-based answers and reputable technology.
13. Special conditions – e.g., dim lights, same time of day, an emotional bond, and meditating before sessions – can help
    These factors are often considered to be very helpful for ITC research. SPP technology, however, does not require any of these. Our goal is to provide a highly accurate, reliable, and safe device that consistently enables clear communication regardless of the above or other conditions. For example, meditating isn’t needed before using a contemporary cell phone. The goal of SPP is to have a similar level of consistent performance.
14. The PMPs involved are more important for ITC success than the device used
    Some of the best results in ITC were obtained with postmaterial persons who were involved in the ITC field before passing on. As mentioned in (13.), SPP is quite different in this regard.
15. Device works better with background noise from random generator
    This observation has been made by top ITC investigators. Some believe that PMPs can use the background noise to form their words in electronic voice projection. As with existing communication devices, SPP devices will not require this.
16. May require ‘psychic’ or emotional energy of the human operator
    Many, if not all, ITC approaches are ‘operator dependent’. That is, the personal energy / mediumship abilities of the investigator are a prime factor in obtaining good results. As discussed in #4 above, results with SPP experiments have not shown this requirement. For example, all indications are that SPP technology should work equally well whether the user is a devout believer or complete disbeliever in the afterlife. Likewise, SPP devices should operate flawlessly with people spanning all sensitive / insensitive and loving / hating levels.

Communication with persons who have passed on has been reported via different ITC methods for centuries. However, results have often been inconsistent, subjective, and/or unintelligible.
These other approaches have certainly not been researched and demonstrated scientifically.

SoulPhone technology, on the other hand, should provide 99%+ accurate responses in real time. The first practical device, the SoulKeyboard^TM, will allow texting and typing with postmaterial loved ones. It will ‘give spirit a voice’ on earth. In addition, this technology should allow communication from postmaterial luminaries who want to help us heal ourselves and our world. These include scientists, educators, spiritual leaders, inventors, and others. Our goal is to enable webinars with these venerable persons who were geniuses while on earth, have continued their studies in the afterlife, and enjoy a less obstructed view of the greater reality.

The SoulKeyboard technology will first be a service, not a take-home device. This will ensure that safety and security issues are thoroughly investigated and addressed. Information gained from postmaterial scientists and inventors will be used by a full-time team of electrical engineers, software specialists, and other experts.

Funding from visionary donors, or collaboration with an optimal investor(s) / business will enable research and development on the next two SoulPhone devices: (1) SoulAudio^TM to allow talking with persons living in other dimensions, and (2) SoulVideo^TM that – like Skype, Zoom, and Facetime – allows seeing and hearing those who are no longer living on earth.

To learn more about the SPP, visit www.SoulPhone.com and see Dr. Schwartz’s papers listed below. For more information about ITC, see related reference; we found Drasin’s ‘Calling Earth’ documentary to be especially informative.

Baruss, E. (2001) ‘Failure to Replicate Electronic Voice Phenomenon’. Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 355–367.

Baruss, E. (2007) ‘An Experimental Test of Instrumental Trans-communication’. Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 89-98.

Bieschel, J. and Boccuzzi, M.  Objective Analyses of Reported Real-Time Audio Instrumental Transcommunication and Matched Control Sessions: A Pilot Study June 2011 Journal of Scientific Exploration 25(2):215-235

Butler, T. and Butler, L. (2004) ‘There is No Death and There Are No Dead’. Nevada. AA-EVP Publishing.

Butler, L. Electronic Voice Phenomena As Evidence for Life After Death.  Journal of Spirituality & Paranormal Studies . Jul2007 Proceedings Supplement, Vol. 30, p129-134. 6p.

Butler, T.  What We Know About Life After Death Via EVP / ITC.  Journal of Spirituality & Paranormal Studies. Jul2007 Proceedings Supplement, Vol. 30, p135-147. 13p.

Cardoso, A. (2010) ‘Electronic Voices: Contact with Another Dimension?’ O Books.

Cardoso, A. (2012) ‘A Two-Year Investigation of the Allegedly Anomalous Electronic Voices or EVP. NeuroQuantology. Volume 10, Issue 3 Pages 492-514.

Drasin, D. “Calling Earth” documentary (2017)  https://vimeo.com/101171248

Fontana, D. (2003) ‘Annabella Cardoso and EVP’. A paper by David Fontana. ITC Journal. Issue 30. Pp.16 – 20.

Keen, M. Ellison, A. and Fontana, D. (1999). The Scole Report. Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research. 58, 222.

Macey, M. (2001) ‘Miracles in the Storm. Talking to the other side with the new technology of spiritual contact’. New American Library.

MacRae, A., (2005), ‘Report of an Electronic Voice Phenomena Experiment inside a Double Screened Room’, Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, October, 2005.

Raudive, K. Morton, J. Coxhead, E. Fowler, N. (1971) Breakthrough: An Amazing Experiment in Electronic Communication with the Dead. Colin Smythe LTD.

Richards, S. (2016) ‘Shocking Observations on the state of Psychical Research’. https://independent.academia.edu/SeanRichards2

Richards, S. (2016: b) ‘Contemporary Research into EVP and Instrumental Trans-communication Paper 1 – Emants Baruss.’ https://independent.academia.edu/SeanRichards2

Schwartz G.E. (2010). Possible application of silicon photomultiplier technology to detect the presence of spirit and intention: three proof-of-concept experiments. EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing 6, pages 166-171.

Schwartz, GE. (2011) Photonic Measurement of Apparent Presence of Spirit Using a Computer Automated System. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing (2011) 7(2) 100-109 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2010.12.002

Schwartz, Gary E., Woollacott Marjorie H., eds. (2019) Is Consciousness Primary?  Perspectives from the Founding Members of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences (Advances in … the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences). Copyright 2019 ©️by the Academy for the Advancement of the Postmaterialist Sciences www.aapsglobal.com 

Schwartz, GE. (2021) A computer-automated, multi-center, multi-blinded, randomized control trial evaluating hypothesized spirit presence and communication.  Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing Volume 17, Issue 4, July–August 2021, Pages 351-359

Schwartz, GE (2021) Validation of a computer-automated, multi-center, multi-blinded, randomized control trial evaluating hypothesized discarnate presence and communication. Frontiers – Methodology Journal (pending)

Senkowski, E.  Statement on ITC / EVP.  http://www.itcjournal.org/?p=5576