It seems that the American efforts were the victims of disinformation rather than the instigators. They were started after reports that the Soviets were already engaged in such research.
There was no disinfo fundamentally. There's zero doubt psi/RV works. Try it yourself, or fail to understand. My answer can help you get to 1st session: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42528680
Most folks neg-commenting here would be perfect candidates for this: unafraid of social ostracism, internally directed. Interested in it. Competitive.
