Russell Targ Jane Katra

Russell Targ, born in 1934, is an American physicist and author known for his work in parapsychology, particularly the concept of 'remote viewing.' He co-founded this term with Harold E. Puthoff at the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in 1972. Their research, which explored psychic abilities for potential intelligence applications, including the U.S. government's Stargate Project, has faced significant criticism and is largely considered pseudoscience by the mainstream scientific community. Targ also has a background in laser research and engineering, contributing to advancements in the field before shifting his focus to parapsychological studies. He has authored and co-authored several books exploring consciousness, psychic phenomena, and spiritual healing, often in collaboration with Jane Katra.

Born in Chicago, Russell Targ's early exposure to paranormal literature came through his father, William Targ, a book editor who published works on subjects like Helena Blavatsky and Erich von Däniken. Russell pursued a formal scientific education, earning a B.S. in physics from Queens College in 1954 and undertaking graduate studies in physics at Columbia University. His early career was dedicated to pioneering laser research. He co-authored significant papers on laser technology, including work on homodyne detection and the development of high-power continuous wave lasers. This foundation in physics provided a scientific framework for his later investigations into parapsychology.

In 1972, Targ joined SRI, where he and Harold E. Puthoff initiated research into psychic phenomena, coining the term 'remote viewing' to describe the practice of obtaining information about distant or unseen targets through non-physical means. Their work attracted the attention of U.S. intelligence agencies, leading to their involvement in the Stargate Project. Despite publishing their findings in scientific journals and presenting at academic conferences, their remote viewing experiments have been widely criticized for lacking rigor and for methodological flaws, such as potential sensory cueing. Critics, including psychologists David Marks and Richard Kammann, have disputed the validity of their results, with a 1988 National Research Council report deeming the studies "fatally flawed."

Following his tenure at SRI, Targ continued his career in electro-optics at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company. He later co-founded Delphi Associates, a company offering psychic consulting services. Targ has authored and co-authored numerous books that delve into topics such as remote viewing, consciousness, spiritual healing, and his personal experiences, including a memoir about being a legally blind motorcyclist. His collaborations with Jane Katra on books like 'Miracles of Mind' explore nonlocal consciousness and spiritual healing, reflecting a continued engagement with esoteric and consciousness-related themes throughout his career.