What is The Famous Lottery Experiment?

The Famous Lottery Experiment is an attempt to understand group cognitive process. The project takes 'lottery' as the object/specimen of the experiment simply because it is 'famous' and well-known. So participants can relate to it easily. Actually the project has nothing to do with 'lottery' run by any organisation. 

Random numbers are collected from control group and study group as normally done in any lottery situation. Unregistered users of this site who submit random numbers form the control group. Rewards are given to this group to encourage random number submission through the "Wednesday draw" form in the home page. Subscribed users of this site who voluntarily submit random numbers form the study group. They are given simple instructions at different points of time. They can view the metrics and analysis reports of the study for their own understanding.

What is the purpose of this study/experiment?

The project aims to understand group cognitive process. 

Some pages are only available to subscribed members. Why?

Because key metrics and analysis reports are available only to subscribed users.

Who is a registered member?

Anybody who subscribe to www.thefamouslotteryexperiment.com/ becomes a registered member.

Who is a participating user?

Any subscribed user who willingly agree to participate in the study/experiment can become a participating user. Ideally, this project looks for individuals with the following qualities to become participant users. 

• Adult human over the age of 18
• One who can actively focus/concentrate on any one object at a time continuously for at least 2 minutes 
• One who can remain without a thought for at least 30 seconds continuously
• A genuine interest to explore the potential of human mind and group cognitive process

(Somebody can subscribe only to access the study reports without participating in the study is also possible.) 

What is the duration of the experiment?

The project is expected to stretch over a period of 3 years. In extraordinary circumstances, the project duration may change.

Can I become a participating member any time?

People are expected to join any time during the 3 years project period. For those who qualify the above listed qualities, no preparation is required to join the project. Just follow the simple instructions of the experiment.

Can I leave the project any time I like?

Yes, no body is tied to the project, but it is advisable to be with the project for at least 6 moths. It is expected that a participating member will gain high level of mental focus within a period of 6 months as a personal benefit. There is no guarantee to this, because no body is coaching any participant in this project. Resources are available for general understanding. 

What is the role of the participating member in the project?

As a participating member, once a week, you have to fill a simple form with some random numbers. The form is available in the subscribers area of this website. But before filling the form, you have to remain calm as if in a meditative state for at least 20 minutes. We call it  Calming session . You can either think about the numbers ( Fill up approach ) or you can be without any thoughts at all ( Void approach ) during the calming session. This is going to be slightly difficult initially, but by regular practice, it becomes easy and enjoyable. As a personal benefit, you may gain control over yourself within a period of 6 months of regular calming sessions, though this is not the actual aim of this project. You can do the calming sessions every day to get better results, but remember to fill the form once a week before Tuesday midnight. Filling the form won't take more than a minute.

In order to make comparison with your data (the random numbers you submitted), the project collects similar data through a similar form from the unregistered/free users of this website. You will see this form at the home page. Rewards are given to encourage form submission. If you want to submit form for the unregistered users, do it without a prior calming session.

You can do the calming session any time of the day convenient to you. As the project advances,  Group calming sessions  will be introduced. You can do this from the comfort of your house or any other place you like at a particular time. We know that it is difficult to find a particular time suitable for all participating members, but the project will try to find a time acceptable to more participants.

As the project advances, frequency of filling the form may change and new simple forms may be introduced. But there is no compulsion at all for you to submit. 

What are the 'simple instructions' given?

Examples of simple instructions are available in the subscribed user's area. 

Why membership fee?

As you can understand, different costs are involved to run the project. This include maintaining the website, performing data analysis, reporting, communication, advertising, rewards for unregistered users etc. 

Can academic / research institutions become partners?

Yes, organisations can become partners by sponsoring the project. Partner organisations can access project data other than the personal information of individual members for data analysis and interpretation. With the right research institution, the study design and methodology can be shared and alterations can be accommodated depending on the nature of the alteration. 

Contact for further details.