Freaky feelings

Fiction

While sceptics claim the special connection between twins is a myth, Richard and Damian Powles, from the UK, had long professed they could feel what the other did.

American experts decided to put the then eight-year-old identical twins’ claim to the test in 2003 by separating them for a telepathic study on television.

The experiment began with Richard being placed in a soundproof booth with a bucket of ice cold water, while Damian – in another studio that was out of sight and earshot – was hooked up to a polygraph machine, or lie detector, measuring respiration, muscle and skin response.

No one was surprised when Richard gasped and shivered when he plunged his hand into the icy cold water. But bizarrely, at the exact same moment, Damian’s polygraph went crazy as he drew in a sharp breath, in unison with his twin. Astounded researchers decided to push the theory by placing a cardboard box in front of Richard and instructing him to open it.

He followed the order, expecting a pleasant surprise. But he jumped in shock when a huge rubber snake sprang out. His brother mirrored his alarm down the hall, and the polygraph showed his pulse rate escalate at exactly the same time. Amazing!