On March 2, 1996, a statement was posted on the internet concerning the newly formed National Institute for Discovery Science, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The statement was posted by Dr. Hal Puthoff, a scientist well known for his long involvement in government sponsored research on remote viewing, and for his theoretical work on the physics of "zero point energy." The statement reads as follows:
"The National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS) is a newly formed, privately funded research organization. It focuses on scientific exploration that emphasizes emerging, novel, and sometimes unconventional observations and theories. In its programs, NIDS rigorously employs accepted scientific methods and maintains the highest ethical and quality standards.
"Because NIDS is a new institution, it is too soon to determine exactly what specific projects will be undertaken. However, the Institute is concentrating on exploring fundamental research on issues concerning the nature and evolution of life and consciousness in the universe, and their modes of interaction. A world-class science advisory board is assisting in designating and reviewing specific projects. Dissemination of the products of NIDS research will only occur once extensive peer review has been accomplished. The means of dissemination of this information will be through publication in scientific journals and other appropriate media accepted by the science community."
The address of the institute was given as 1515 E. Tropicana, Suite 400, Las Vegas, NV 89119.
On receiving this statement, ISCNI*Flash immediately sought further details and soon learned that the new institute is the brain-child of millionaire businessman Robert Bigelow, who has previously funded several notable research projects concerning UFOs and possible alien activity on earth. Flash editor Michael Lindemann spoke with Mr. Bigelow by phone on March 5.
"We're trying to do the best kind of scientific research in these areas that can be done," Bigelow began. "Time will tell. Results speak louder than premature talk."
"My function, primarily, is to supply the financial resources that are needed for this kind of endeavor. Our theme is to take the best possible scientific approaches to discovery that we can, and increase the size of the scientific community that can get involved."
Noting that the NIDS statement made no mention of UFOs, Lindemann asked Bigelow if the new institute would study UFO and alien phenomena.
"I would use the term aerial phenomena in lieu of UFO," Bigelow said. "This embraces a broader spectrum of things. We're embracing more than just UFOs and don't want to box our efforts into a particular presumption. I am a very strong supporter of research on aerial phenomena."
Lindemann asked Bigelow if there were any other sources of funding for the institute.
"There certainly is not any connection to government funding or any other sources like that," he said. "This is strictly private money and my own money." This seems to imply that other "private money" could be involved, but Bigelow did not elaborate.
Lindemann asked if Dr. Hal Puthoff was specifically involved in the project, and in what capacity. "Hal Puthoff is somebody we would look to for advice or consultation," Bigelow said.
Asked to describe the institute's current stage of development, Bigelow said, "We're in a major recruitment mode right now. In fact, we have a recruiting ad coming out in Science magazine this week. We're looking for top scientists. We're not sure of how many yet, but we're looking for the best science practitioners we can find in a lot of different disciplines, so that we can offer the institute as a resource to do investigations and research. That's the whole point."
"We're hoping that this institute can evolve into something very useful for everybody," he added.
Col. John Alexander (US Army, ret.), former head of Non-lethal Weapons Research at Los Alamos National Laboratory and a man known to have strong personal interest in such topics as UFOs and remote viewing, will play a key role at Bigelow's institute, although Bigelow did not specify Alexander's precise position.
"John Alexander's background is perfect to act as a liaison between the institute and people in the science community," Bigelow said.
Asked what kind of scientists Bigelow hopes to attract, he said, "We're very strict. We're looking for people that are well credentialed, have done quality work and have published enough in their careers to show the critical path thinking that they employ, ...and a particular passion for studying aerial phenomena [or] consciousness related to survival, and how that integrates with life in the universe. I think the passion is important... I think these are exciting topics, and we hope others will think so too."
Bigelow said he realizes it could take a year or more before he has assembled enough of a team to start doing serious research. But ISCNI*Flash has heard rumors that some projects might already be underway. One unconfirmed story suggests that the institute may have acquired an artifact thought to be of alien origin.
Though not mentioned by Bigelow, ISCNI*Flash has also learned that well-known Las Vegas newsman and UFO researcher George Knapp is on retainer with the institute for unspecified purposes.
Bigelow assured Lindemann during the interview that the institute intended to be open in its findings. Bigelow specifically said that he would welcome further inquiries from ISCNI*Flash in the future.
Original file name: .CNI - NIDS.Bigelow
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