MetaFilter posts tagged with paranormal

John Keel, RIP

dbiedny — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:46:19 -0800

Fortean author John Keel passed away last Friday at the age of 79. Best known for his book "The Mothman Prophecies", Keel was also widely read by those interested in the UFO phenomenon. Here is an informative post about Keel by cryptozoologist Loren Coleman.

How to talk to the dead

destinyland — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:53:05 -0800

But remember, talking to the dead can be dangerous. "All peoples of earth posess this natural ability," says Nicole Zapruder, who has been communicating with the dead since she was 4 years old. People aren't disputing her ability to use the Grey Walter-Berger Neurophysical Construct for communicating with the dead. They're asking her not to share it online because the technique is too dangerous. "The noise and clutter of modern times serves to distance people from nature and therefore the realization that this gift is in us all," Nicole argues. An important warning. "Do not contact any dead person who may have negative feelings toward you..." Coming in October? A site for communicating with your dead pet.

Somewhere in the crowd... sometimes you find someone very special. Someone who sees light in the dark.

cinemafiend — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:05:26 -0800

Between 1981 and 1984, the first network for kids broadcast an unusual show called THE THI RD EYE The Third Eye was a anthology showcase of supernatural themed television shows from the UK and New Zealand – and scared the mess out of me during my single digit years. These are the television serials that made up the anthology: UNDER THE MOUNTAIN (video) CHILDREN OF THE STONES (video) INTO THE LABYRINTH (video) THE HAUNTING OF CASSIE PALMER (no video) THE WITCHES AND THE GRINNYGOG (no video) CHILDREN OF THE STONES is available on DVD (Region 2 PAL) and the INTO THE LABYRINTH was once available on PAL VHS. None of the other serials have ever been made available in a legitimate form.

Calling Sylvia Browne

SansPoint — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:06:52 -0800

James Randi to end the Million Dollar Challenge in 2010. Nobody's won it in 10 years, and the money would work better if it wasn't tied up waiting for the impossible. Many have tried, none have succeeded.... and just so this isn't a single link, here's Randi owning Uri Geller, and Randi owning James Hydrick (using only styrofoam!) [YouTube links].

The Ultimate Paranormalist

dbiedny — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:29:25 -0800

Henry Steel Olcott is best known as one of the founders of the Theosophical Society, along with Helena Blavatsky. He died 100 years ago. He began his life as an agricultural expert, and authored Sorghum and Imphee, the Chinese and African Sugar Canes in 1857, considered an important textbook at the time and demonstrative of his technical and research prowess. In 1865, after serving in the Northern Army during the Civil War and serving for four years as a Special Commissioner for the War Department (where he achieved the rank of Colonel and led an investigation into corruption and fraud at the New York Mustering and Discharging Office), he was selected to serve as a special agent in the investigation of the assassination of Lincoln. His life took a turn in for the strange when he spent ten weeks in Chittenden, Vermont in 1874, conducting an intensive investigation into the goings-on at the inn belonging to the infamous Eddy brothers. The result of the visit - which remains one of the most comprehensive paranormal investigations to this day - was People from the Other World, one of the most complete and compelling studies ever produced about a paranormal case. As an added bonus, Olcott was one of the very first European descendants to formally convert to Buddhism, and ended up as an important figure in the Buddhist faith.

Ain't superstitious, baby.

found dog one eye — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:42:20 -0800

Meet Mojo, a runaway who was finally buried 80 years after his death. Visit with the Orviss family in their spacious mausoleum. Don’t mind the whispers; there’s no reason to be superstitious. It’s just Calvert, Texas.

The Men Who Stare At Goats

loquacious — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:31:49 -0800

Crazy Rulers of the World: The Men Who Stare at Goats - A rather clear look at attempts to use the paranormal in the US military. (Part 2: Funny Torture, Part 3: Psychic Foot Soldiers)

Real Live Ghost Busters?

anotherpanacea — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:23:38 -0800

Real live ghost busters? Penn State's Paranormal Research Society supplies crucial ghost busting services to students and local law enforcement, including a paranormal counselor and assistance in searching for the missing Cindy Song. They also host the only academic conference on paranormal activity in the country.

Showing for one weekend only!

McLir — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:00:44 -0800

If you watched a lot of television in the 70's, you'll recognize this ad. An authoritative baritone informs us of a startling new motion picture about psychic phenomena, the Bermuda Triangle, near death experiences (with fittingly, a sequel), Bigfoot, the Shroud of Turin, the Lincoln Assassination, or Noah's Ark. "Showing for one weekend only!" (More beyond the door...)

Photography(proof) for the blind(skeptics)

carmina — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 23:30:08 -0800

How do you prove photography to a blind man?

iPod Ouija

divabat — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:15:26 -0800

Fed up with old-fashioned boards and planchettes? Want to contact spirits the 21st century way? Try iPod Ouija. (not responsible for any possessions or nightmares. try at own risk.)

Paging Dr. Venkman

owhydididoit — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 23:02:34 -0800

The Skeptiseum displays nine exhibits featuring over a hundred specimens. It is supported by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, the group responsible for Skeptical Inquirer magazine. The John Zaffis Museum of the Paranormal, on the other hand, is a creepy little collection with plenty of provocative pieces. John Zaffis, the curator, also runs the Paranormal Research Society of New England, where he offers his services as a ghostbuster, as well as handy tips for the DIY crowd. So, who's got more cred?

The Psi-Corps!

salmacis — Sat, 30 Oct 2004 09:55:12 -0800

In the wake of Vietnam, the US military were demoralised and prey to some fairly crazy ideas. They thought they could train 'super soldiers' with psychic powers. In this first extract from his revealing new book, Jon Ronson describes how their aspirations were perverted in the prisons of Iraq. [from The Guardian]

Jansenist convulsionaires

john — Fri, 23 Jul 2004 18:38:26 -0800

You may not have heard of Jansenism. But on May 1, 1727 one of its more prominent members, Francois de Paris, died. He was a popular fellow for his charitable works and lots of people visited his tomb. That's when things got weird. At first it was just a bunch of people claiming to have been cured of things like "cancerous tumors, paralysis, deafness, arthritis, rheumatism, ulcerous sores, persistent fevers, prolonged hemorrhaging, and blindness." Then things started to get really weird.

...The mourners also started to experience strange involuntary spasms or convulsions...the 'convulsionaires,' as they came to be called, displayed...the ability to endure without harm an almost unimaginable variety of physical tortures....

These events lasted years and were witnessed by thousands as well as commented on by the likes of David Hume and Voltaire. Louis-Basile Carre de Montgeron investigated it for the Paris Parliment and published La Vérité des Miracles in three volumes detailing the events. The tortures were asked for by the convulsionaires. Montgeron details one time when while having an iron drill hammered into a convulsionaire's stomach he, "maintained an 'expression of perfect rapture,' crying, 'Oh, that does me good! Courage, brother; strike twice as hard, if you can!'"

Fork you! Get Bent!

anastasiav — Sat, 10 Jul 2004 12:53:31 -0800

Fork-you! :: spend a rainy Saturday afternoon learning how to bend forks with your mind. Sort of.

Ghost caught on CCTV

Dome-O-Rama — Sat, 20 Dec 2003 02:40:51 -0800

There's a Ghost in King Henry's Court and it was caught on film. "Security staff heard alarms ringing near an exhibition hall, indicating fire doors had been opened. But on investigation they found the doors closed. Perplexed, they examined CCTV footage and that is when it got spooky. The cameras showed the heavy doors popping open but no one there. Then, suddenly, the long-coated figure appeared and slammed the doors shut." [More links]

They garble unintelligibly, you decide.

moonbird — Wed, 10 Sep 2003 16:19:21 -0800

Some believe, some don't. Welcome to the strange world of electronic voice phenomenon. Warning: some Real Audio formats.

gsteff — Sun, 19 May 2002 21:29:27 -0800

The X-Files TV series is officially over. Two years too late, probably. But the finale definately is in my list of favorite episodes. What are some of yours?

stavrosthewonderchicken — Fri, 03 May 2002 16:41:02 -0800

How is this possible? I know there must be a sensible explanation for why this 'ESP experiment' works every time, but I certainly can't figure it out. Anyone? Other 'ESP' tests and the like leave me a bit cold, but this made my brain hurt, and that can't be all bad.

will — Thu, 18 Apr 2002 18:41:49 -0800

Since 1995, a growing number of researchers have hunted ghosts across 4 states as South Jersey Ghost Research. Their website claims a long list of equipment. Are they huckstering hoaxers or the real deal? A 1999 New York Times article didn't make the call. What's everyone's opinion? [via gillan.blogspot.com]

quirked — Fri, 08 Jun 2001 08:36:41 -0800

Belief in Astrology up 3% to 28% and belief in ghosts up 13% to 38%. I find the new Gallup Poll on Americans' Belief in Psychic and Paranormal Phenomena depressing, but not surprising. Aren't we supposed to be headed in the other direction?

borgle — Thu, 19 Apr 2001 08:54:43 -0800

Oooooh... they described a burning sensation on the arm, and others felt something touch their face and tug at their clothes. No, this is not some S&M fantasy. It's ghosts in Edinburgh. Scientists are looking into it.

skallas — Sat, 12 Aug 2000 20:07:35 -0800

Great bunch of mysterious ghost pictures collected by ghosthunter Dale Kaczmarek.

tranquileye — Mon, 19 Jun 2000 07:24:48 -0800

Well, it's about time.