I have an unusual story from a couple of years ago, and I think it might be useful to share it here:
A few years ago I needed the extra money. It happened every once in a while, and I used to participate in some medical studies or in a pre research groups for a certain new product which is about to hit the market. that way I could raise my income.
In one of those instances, my sister told me she has started to participate in a study and asked me to see the ad:
Quote:
"A research on the power of love and emotion - a person is needed, willing to let loose and think about love. Unorthodox labor - mental - not physical. What will you be required to do? To look at a picture of a man (accompanied with background music) and think as much of love as possible. Open your heart. What is the purpose of the study? To investigate the influence of thoughts over emotion. The frequency of your thoughts is important, therefore, high wages is ensured for those who do it the right way. plus Bonuses for those who make real efforts. your attempts are felt by a special sensor so you can not cheat. Must be motivated to earn as much as possible in order to continue. the study will last a few month."
This ad certainly raised some red flags, But,my curiosity got the best of me and I called and asked to give it a try.
The next day I arrived to a fancy office building in Tel aviv, in the corner of the building there was a camera that captures everyone who enters /leaves. The office was on a high floor. After I'd rung the bell a man of about 35 opened the door and I entered the room, (it was one of several rooms) it had a desk, a chair and a computer, it appeared to be something similar to a fancy lawyer's office. The man who opened the door has explained to me very briefly and concisely what I am suppose to do: I am suppose to concentrate and transmit emotions of love to the picture on the computer, then he asked if I think I'd have any trouble doing so. I said that I don't think so, and am willing to try.
He checked if I have any questions, I asked who is responsible for this research he said it was the responsibility of the Department of Psychology at Tel Aviv University, I wanted to know if the 'sensor' in the room (I didn't believe there was any) also transmitted something to me or only receives my 'supposed' transmission... his response was that it was not transmitting but is able to perceive the frequency and the nuances of my mind.
I noticed this man exuded coldness and had this blank look in his eyes, the exact opposite of love. back then I assumed it was part of the psychological experiment and I could not break it with a smile.
I sat in the armchair in front of the computer. On the screen was his own picture with a charming baby. he looked friendlier in the picture. He noted that members of the Department chose him as the perfect object for the research, that is to say, I basically needed to transmit love emotions to him.
Well, what can I say, I was curious, so I gave the best try that I could (wouldn't do it if I would be asked to transmit some negative thoughts to anyone)
They gave the option to change music in the computer, in order to get into the 'mood', romantic songs, oriental music, Love songs etc. I guessed that was part of the experiment. After 10 minutes he came back to the room and said that now I can start getting payment. He offered about ten dollars per hour. I agreed and continued to convey feelings of love to the picture of himself and the baby (so far it did not break any of my moral rules, so I had no problem to continue. Incidentally, they put headphones on my sister's head, but nothing with me).
Although he left the room when I concentrated ,I was still perceptive enough to see his reflection as he stood behind the window.
He didn't even give me an hour, after another 10 minutes he went in, asked if I wanted to come again, didn't request any other information, did not ask me anything, He was cold on the verge of him being extremely uncomfortable, I provided him with my information, he seemed as if doing a favour writing down my phone number. and that was it.
From what I understood back than, 1) not everyone is succeeding with this experiment 2) the payment per hour is determined by the amount of emotion the person's invests.
Two days later my sister went again (apart from me) , this time while concentrating on the picture he occasionally interrupted her and said she was NOT concentrating enough (She, on the other hand, felt she managed to transmit some strong love emotions). He requested of her to change her mood, or to try and concentrate more. At the end of the experiment she received some payment (she had to ask for it) and he still conducted himself as if he is a cold emotionless robot.
He emphasized that there is freedom and flexibility in choosing the hours but it is important to show diligence and perseverance.
The third time ,she called the day before and set the meeting for the next day at 1730 in the afternoon. When she reached the building, she took the elevator, got to the offices and discovered that the office is empty, the door is open and the rooms are empty without the computer, etc.,. She tried to call the cell phone number without success
A couple of days later, the guy answered her, she asked if they had a change of address or something, He muttered that .. yes, and is she interested to come to a different address? (No apologies or explanation whatsoever) At this point we decided to stop, this was too weird and too much of a dismissive attitude even for a so called psychological experiment.
Two days later I talked with someone at work who is a Tel Aviv university student in the psychology department, I gave him the details and he said it doesn't at all sounds like anything theirs. All the experiments they perform, he explained, must be signed by the participants on an explanatory page, which is elaborating all the conditions. Without it, he said, they can not begin the experiment. he was not familiar with this person's name and description, though, it does not necessarily mean anything in such a big department. As I mentioned, despite the financial temptation we decided to give up.
For anyone who has managed to read so far :) I wonder if any of you have ever encountered anything similar to this description, have you ever heard anything like that from anyone else, or maybe you have a guess to what is the possible meaning of such an attempt .
Many thanks in advance,
~^&*~^&*
Limor