Leylines: From the old straight track to Ghostbusters
Interest in leylines or leys as paranormal energy pathways has surged in recent times as ghost hunters use the idea of spooky straight tracks to explain hauntings.
Amazing fossils: Death scenes – geologically preserved
Earth processes can preserve exquisite detail and even a dramatic story of animals’ life and death. Several examples of incredible preserved or fossilized remains have been found.
Manual of monsters from cinema and culture – Book Review
I found an advertisement somewhere online for Rue Morgue Magazine’s Monstro Bizarro collection, “An Essential Manual of Mysterious Monsters”. Maybe it was via the editor, Lyle Blackburn. I pay attention to Lyle’s books because I’ve liked them all so far but I’m not a Rue Morgue reader. This collection of columns looked interesting so I… Read More: Manual of monsters from cinema and culture – Book Review »
Cracked, baby, cracked: The earth is splitting up with us humans
Ground cracks and long fissures in dry areas can indicate an over-extraction of groundwater. Some view these features as a sign of End Times or earthquakes. At least, it’s the end of easy to access clean water.
A Trip to Hell: Mysterious tunnel system and underground river at Baiae, Italy
The ancient village of Baiae in Italy has secrets. A recent discovery suggests that an underground tunnel system may have served as a Oracle of the Dead and simulated a trip to Hell (Hades), including crossing an underground “river”.
Spooky Geology
What is spooky geology about and what content falls into this category? Here is the introduction to this site.
An inconsistent history of paranormal in America – Book Review
Supernatural America: A Cultural History by L.R. Samuel (2011) Supernatural America is one of a few books that aim to take the reader on a tour of the country’s paranormal history to end up where we are today. I’ve not read many good ones. (Paranormal Nation by Fitch was possible the WORST. Steer clear of that… Read More: An inconsistent history of paranormal in America – Book Review »
Cryptid capers: The Iceman, Scooby Doo, and those meddling copyright holders
Dr. Darren Naish has a new post out on the Minnesota Iceman. It’s adapted from his book Hunting Monsters which is soon to be out in hard copy (already in electronic format). Good news! However, the cryptozoological go-hards don’t generally like the scholarly-type books which often carry a more skeptical tone. They tend to go… Read More: Cryptid capers: The Iceman, Scooby Doo, and those meddling copyright… »
When Bigfoot became an alien (around 1973)
Talk about a flashback! In my latest podcast interview with Jason Colavito, we are discussing the alien-Bigfoot connection (in the context of Bigfoot as Nephilim) when Jason mentions the TV series Six Million Dollar Man that featured Bigfoot as a recurring character in four episodes, and once on the Bionic Woman show from 1976 to… Read More: When Bigfoot became an alien (around 1973) »
Where’s Wessie? Snake story is confusing and growing cold
It’s now September and there is still no conclusion to the Wessie mystery which surfaced in late June. Is there a giant snake on the loose in Westbrook, Maine? In my last post, I discussed the evidence advanced so far and the problems with it – eyewitness reports from locals and from two police officers, though… Read More: Where’s Wessie? Snake story is confusing and growing cold »
Cryptozoology “expert” called in to look for Maine serpent (UPDATED: Snakeskin found)
Back in June, locals of Westbrook, Maine said they saw a large snake slithering around. After no sign of the beast a week later, a Westbrook police officer witnessed it eating something near Riverbank Park on the Presumpscot River. A second officer called in also saw it. From their Facebook page: On 6-29-16 at about 0330… Read More: Cryptozoology “expert” called in to look for Maine serpent (UPDATED:… »
Human sacrifice at CERN? It’s not a joke when bizarre claims are taken seriously
Reaction has been varied regarding a video seemingly depicting a human sacrifice on the grounds of CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, the location of the Large Hadron Collider and cutting edge particle physics research. Some people are chuckling at the spoof while others see it confirming their dark suspicions and sinister worldview. As a science advocate… Read More: Human sacrifice at CERN? It’s not a joke when bizarre… »
Psychical Research President states scientific disbelief in psi is “pathological”
What a very strange “President’s Letter” is in Issue 77 of the Paranormal Review published by the Society of Psychical Research (Winter 2016). I read and re-read it trying to make heads or tales out of Dr. Poynton’s meaning and assertions. He seems to despise the application of reason and questioning, wishing the stodgy “pathological” scientists and… Read More: Psychical Research President states scientific disbelief in psi is “pathological” »
You (didn’t) WIN: Jackpot scams from the car dealer
I’m usually pretty good at spotting the “small print” on gimmick mailers and promotional contests. The latest one from a local car dealership was well-hidden. I looked and looked. Got out my hand-lens and scanned the tiny print in the margins. Hmm. This one was sneaky. Mail flyers from car dealers that say you’ve won… Read More: You (didn’t) WIN: Jackpot scams from the car dealer »
Animal Planet’s Monster Week tones down the hype for 2016
It’s business as usual at Animal Planet channel. It’s Monster Week. You know, it’s not that bad to air shows like The Cannibal in the Jungle for one week or on occasion. But AnPlan has gone too far in the past several years by suggesting that mermaids, Megalodon and cryptids exist by co-opting bad or outright… Read More: Animal Planet’s Monster Week tones down the hype for 2016 »
End of an era: the last Skeptic’s Dictionary newsletter
Dr. Robert T. Carroll created the Skeptic’s Dictionary – a source I have used for, oh gosh, over 10 years now. I was upset to hear of Bob’s serious illness. I consider Skepdic.com to be a PRIMARY go to source for skeptical reference. With nearly 800 entries, I have, by default, linked to his site for… Read More: End of an era: the last Skeptic’s Dictionary newsletter »
Well-worn paranormal paths go nowhere: When to give up
Gary Campbell is the keeper of the Official Sightings Register at Loch Ness. In an article today in the Daily Record, he says that even after 20 years of this project, sightings still continue. Gary Campbell, keeper of the register, said the fascination of Nessie was showing no signs of abating. He accepted five sightings for… Read More: Well-worn paranormal paths go nowhere: When to give up »
The Bigfoot Book: Speculation and supernatural but no skepticism
Nick Redfern’s latest, The Bigfoot Book, has a sound premise and great potential. It’s all about stuff you may never have heard about or saw relating to the Bigfoot phenomena. This is a collection of small articles on topics related to the Bigfoot phenomenon – an “encyclopedia” (though not comprehensive by any means) written in… Read More: The Bigfoot Book: Speculation and supernatural but no skepticism »
Book review: Margery and Houdini story reveals gaps, not answers
A review of The Witch of Lime Street: Séance, Seduction, and Houdini in the Spirit World by David Jaher This is a story of Spiritualism in America in the early 1920s. The darling of the psychic scene was Margery (a faux name) intended to hide the identity of Mina Stinson Crandon, a young, outgoing wife… Read More: Book review: Margery and Houdini story reveals gaps, not answers »
Paranormal investigators and Velikovsky sound similarly sciencey
In January 2013, I wrote about Immanuel Velikovsky, Worlds in Collision, and pseudoscience, referencing Michael Gordin’s excellent book The Pseudoscience Wars (2012). Well, I’m writing about it again, to be included in a book about amateur investigation groups “sounding sciencey” and fooling the public. I went back to some of my old sources and found a good one. It’s… Read More: Paranormal investigators and Velikovsky sound similarly sciencey »