[pron]

One of the problems with NDE reports is that it is not clear exactly when the experience occurred. While the patient's brain may not function at all during the medical procedure, it is far from certain that this is the time NDE is taking place. It is very possible that the whole experience occurs shortly before the brain loses function or shortly after it regains it.

Another problem is the memory of the witnesses, like in the "shoe incident" described in the article. It's been known that people who come to believe they are witnessing something extraordinary suffer from great amounts of confirmation bias and other memory-distorting psychological effects.

Finally, as always, extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. NDE is a fascinating topic deserving rigorous scientific study – one that might shed light on some of the mind's mysteries – but in no way should a relatively small number of reports change our complete view of the mind-brain problem.

[corin_]

The shoe incident really confused me... maybe because I skim-read, but will read again when I'm off this flight and on a bigger screen than my blackberry.

I understand that memory of things will practically dead might be possible, and while the science goes over my head, I'm fine with that. Even "looking down on yourself" can be achieved with a.) science of still remembering something and b.) imagination

But figuring out something no-where near your body, like the shoe outside... short of a non-scientific explanation (e.g. religious), I really can't see how that could ever be possible.

[pron]

Unless that's not quite what happened. A witness's memory can be deceiving.