Session Analysis Machine (SAM-Level 2)
General Target Parameters

The Target Parts
Not all targets are appropriate for SAM computer analysis. In general, all SAM targets should have a photograph, a formal target statement (called a "target specific"), and a more general target description. The photograph, of course, is the key to the target. Since SAM targets that are located in the Farsight Workshop area are available to the public, it is best to try to use photographs that reside in the public domain. Lots of good target photos which are authorized by the photographers to be used and distributed freely are available on the web. Inexpensive and large collections of target-quality, royalty-free photos are also available for purchase in computer stores. Most people who have web sites already have such collections, and it is worthwhile re-visiting those collections to get target ideas. Most photographs from governmental sources are also fine for use with SAM. In general, we want to avoid using a photograph if the photographer is a professional who wants to sell his or her images. It is good to remember that all target photos used with SAM are being used for scientific experimentation, so the "fair use" doctrine probably applies to this situation regardless of the source of the photo. But it is best to be on the safe side and to use public domain photos whenever possible.

The Range of Gestalts
It is important for SAM targets to have a restricted range of gestalts. For example, a target that that includes a city next to a mountain, all of which are next to a beach on which a large bomb is being detonated is probably not the best SAM target. These "kitchen sink" targets simply have too many gestalts, and the list of SAM attributes for such targets would be quite long. In such cases, nearly anything a viewer entered into SAM would be correct, and it would be difficult to determine unambiguously if the viewer was "on target." Most remote-viewing sessions are not complete descriptions of targets, so if (for example, in the above case) one viewer perceives the mountains, another viewer perceives the city, another viewer perceives the land/water interface, and yet another viewer perceives the explosion, all of the viewers would be correct. But we would not really have a convincing case that the viewers were not imagining their data since almost anything would fit. Thus, good SAM targets have a more restricted range of gestalts. If the target is an urban area, it might be best to pick an urban area that is just that and not much more. If the target is a mountain, or a group of mountains, it might similarly be best to pick a target that is primarily just that, rather than, say, a mountain surrounded by a city plus...and so on.

Target Features
Good SAM targets should have the following characteristics:
1. All targets for SAM should have generally high "entropy" levels. This means that they should be about places and events about which there is general public interest. A picture of one's neighbor standing in his or her front yard would not be a good SAM target. But pictures of prominent structures, striking natural topologies, or interesting flying (nonsurface) structures would be excellent targets.
2. Information about all targets must be easily verifiable by all viewers, and thus the general public.
3. No esoteric targets, or targets containing known esoteric content, are permissible.
4. All targets should have prominent topological features that can be easily identified by both the viewers and SAM. Thus, a flat golf course would not be a good SAM target, nor would a desolate and flat patch of sand in the Sahara. Good SAM targets should have something inherently interesting to them, and some variety (although not too much variety...see above) is necessary.
5. Activities at the target site (if any) should be significant. For example, someone scratching their head or walking around is not a significant level of activity. But the activity associated with battles, sports events, launchings, bomb detonations, parades, and so on, are significant and more appropriate for SAM. Viewers are likely to observe such things, and SAM is designed to process this type of activity.

Target Variety
Sequential SAM targets should be as varied as possible. Thus, one should not have a string of, say, mountain targets, one after another. Vary the mix as much as possible. To assist in providing the greatest possible variety of target content across any series of SAM targets, the following list of target categories is suggested. Taskers may wish to consult this list from time to time to see if a different type of target from a different category may add more variety to their own target ideas. Taskers may wish to supplement this list of target categories with ideas of their own as long as these ideas correspond to the above content parameters.
1. Train, aviation, and maritime events of all types
2. Monumental stone structures, with or without activities
3. Manned and unmanned space flight and other flight events of all types
4. Mountains, waterfalls, and other large and significant natural formations, with or without human activities
5. Major wartime battles, riots, terrorist incidents
6. Natural disasters of all types involving significant topological features and activities
7. Notable and topologically distinct structures of all types
8. Governmental leaders and other significant persons within significant and topologically distinct settings (such as within or near major structures)
9. Adventurist events, successes, and disasters of all types