By: Terry G

In September 2006, Nature reported on a study, done by Shahar Arzy and colleagues of the University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. The researchers had unexpectedly replicated the effects of the doppelganger phenomenon via electromagnetic stimulation of the patient’s brain. While receiving electrical stimulation to the left temporoparietal junction, the patient felt the presence of another person directly behind her, whom the patient described as “young, of indeterminate sex, silent, motionless and with a body posture identical to her own.”

When repeated with more intensity, the patient felt the presence of a “man” whom had his arms wrapped around her. While seated, the patient was asked to perform a language test with a set of cards, and the electrical stimulation was applied again. The patient reported the presence of another man, sitting behind her, to the right, who was attempting to interfere with the test. “He wants to take the card; he doesn’t want me to read” she told the researchers. As a result of this research, it is being theorized that many doppelgangers are the fault of a failing left temporoparietel junction, rather than the classical explanation of monothematic delusions.

The concept of having another being parading the earth that is exactly identical to one’s self is something that has proved fascinating yet frightening for humankind for the past few hundred years. Queen Elizabeth I reportedly saw herself lying pale and still in a vision, soon before she died. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German polymath is said to have seen his double adorned with a gray suit, trimmed in gold, riding towards him in the opposite direction while on his way to Drusenheim. Eight years later, while riding from Drusenheim on the very same road, he realized he was wearing the exact outfit that he had seen on his double eight years earlier, somewhat personifying his philosophical Apollonian and Dionysian. Catherine the Great of Russia saw her own image coming toward her and became so frightened that she ordered her soldiers to shoot and demobilize the ghastly replica. Much to her surprise, this was without effect.

Some believe this to be the soul embodied, or some sort of aura embodiment through astral projection or other metaphysical occurrence. Others associate the anomaly with theistic spectacles and folklore, theoretical physics, or psychological affairs.

Classically, doppelgangers cast no shadow and have no reflection. This has been the cause for much debate as to the authenticity of many apparent doppelganger photographs, showing reflections in windows and water. They are believed to provide their “twins” with misleading or malicious advice and sometimes are even thought to implant ideas in their minds. Some cases claim that the “evil” twin had appeared before friends and relatives causing much confusion and turmoil to the relationships. It is considered gravely unwise to attempt to communicate with one’s doppelganger. Abe Lincoln claimed to have witnessed himself with two faces in his mirror. He was known to have been superstitious and it should be noted that old mirrors are notorious for producing dual images, but here is Abe’s recount of the incident:

The phenomenon has been present in human language for ages, having very slight variations in meaning between vernaculars. Vardoger is a Norwegian term relating to the premonitory sound or sight of a person before he/she arrives. This generally suggests a less sinister view of the experience, while ‘bilocation’ describes the ability or instance where a person or thing is witnessed or said to have been in two distinct locations simultaneously. Generally bilocation is said to be physical rather than spiritual, as if there really is another identical being. The twin is said to interact with the environment and other individuals as the “original” person is known to. Several anecdotes of Christian saints are offered, leading many to believe that they had the “ability” to involuntarily bilocate. It should also be noted that famed occultist Aleister Crowley is said to have shared the same involuntary ability.

Legend has it that Constantine the Great experienced a harbinger, envisioning either a cross, a fish, or a Labarum monogram (depending on which version you reference) emblazoned in the sky, narrated by a voice that allegedly told him he would go on to conquer. Essentially synonymous with omens, major historical decisions have been made due to the superstitious manner in which harbingers are often treated. Theoretically speaking, harbingers seem to be subject to an individual’s awareness. Regardless if one is cognizant of probable future events in their life, the subconscious is believed to aid in the development and facilitation of events in a person’s life. If a person is consciously aware of his predestined path, he may choose to alter this path, thus bringing about a philosophical conflict.

And speaking of philosophical conundrums, this brings us to the “Back to the Future” paradox. Let’s suggest that this is all occurring because of alternate realities, parallel universes colliding with ours and time travel. While this seems to explain a lot, essentially I feel that it creates more questions than it answers. Is the twin creating your reality or are you creating the twins reality? What about if you somehow change the past, have you changed the future, or was it in the future that you were supposed to change the past?

For some of us, this is but a confusing incident or an easily hoaxed picture. For others, the results may be life changing or even gave. For the rest of us this just may validate everything we had previously thought about Spock’s goatee and the brilliance of Gene Roddenberry.

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