The Men | Who Stare At Goats [portable]

The Men Who Stare at Goats is a non-fiction investigative book (2004) by Jon Ronson that examines U.S. military programs exploring psychic phenomena and unconventional “nonlethal” warfare. Ronson follows veterans, researchers, and insiders who describe experiments in remote viewing, psychic spying, and attempts to develop soldiers with allegedly paranormal abilities—often mixing earnest belief, bureaucratic oddity, and outright charlatanism.

Today, the programs have been officially disbanded, but the fascination with human cognitive limits remains. While modern military research focuses more on artificial intelligence, cybernetics, and neurological enhancement drugs rather than telepathy, the underlying goal remains exactly the same as it was in the 1970s: to weaponize the human mind and achieve total dominance over the enemy. The Men Who Stare At Goats

Most importantly, Channon believed in "Remote Viewing" and "psychic driving." He envisioned battalions of silent, meditating men who could project themselves into the Kremlin, read the minds of enemy generals, and shut down tanks by staring at their ignition coils. The Men Who Stare at Goats is a

Investigative journalist Jon Ronson’s book, , details his journey through the strange subculture of military intelligence. Ronson tracked down figures like General Albert Stubblebine III, who famously believed he could walk through walls, and investigated how these "First Earth Battalion" ideas eventually influenced darker military practices, including the use of psychological "PsyOps". Today, the programs have been officially disbanded, but

The Men Who Stare at Goats serves as both a satire and a serious critique of how, in the heat of a "war" (whether cold or hot), reasonable individuals can turn to irrational methods.

However, the CIA eventually declassified the program and admitted it was a failure. An independent review concluded that remote viewing never provided any "actionable intelligence" and that the information provided was too vague and erratic to be of any use.

“The goat,” he explained, tapping a faded photograph of a scruffy white creature named Gerald, “is the perfect warrior. They have no ego. They will eat anything. And when you stare deep into their eyes, they don’t flinch. That’s the secret. You can’t break a goat’s spirit, so you must learn to borrow it.”