On the fringes of scientific research on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) are a range of topics. One of these is the subjects of "the black eyed children."
A friend recently lent me a book devoted to the subject. It is "The Black Eyed Children" by David Weatherly, published in 2012 by Leprechaun Press. Arizona. ISBN 978-1-4675-1993-9.
The author:
David Weatherley is an individual who has had a long term interest in the paranormal, UAP, and other Fortean topics. He writes that "I'd heard stories about the black eyed children from time to time in the late 1990's and into the early 2000's." (p.15.)
What are the stories?
They recount encounters with unfamiliar children who appear at the front door of your home, or at the window of your car. The children ask such questions as "Can we come in?" or "Will you take us for a ride?"
Their outstanding features are that both the whites and the irises of their eyes are black in colour.
"The children appear to believe that they can will people into following their directions as long as they keep repeating the request." (p.14.)
Their whole appearance, clothing and behaviour is odd. Sometimes they seem to move around or vanish in situations which seem impossible. Their behaviour unsettles people who encounter them.
Accounts:
Weatherley presents a number of first hand interviews with individuals who have encountered these children. He quickly found that today, the Internet is full of such stories, many posted anonymously. He set out to locate individuals he could personally interview.
Possible explanations:
Weatherley explores hoaxes;urban legends; possible medical causes for such totally black eyes. He then looks at the subject of alien hybrids as discussed in UAP literature; demonic possession; tricksters and tulpas.
Data:
Specific data points that Weatherley found from his interviews included "I have found an unusual number of them happen to people in some type of service-oriented role. Nurses, firefighters, government employees and members of the military account for a good percentage of BEK encounters." (p.59.)
"One of the most common aftereffects reported by those who encounter the black eyed children is the disruption of their sleeping habits and unusual and troubling dreams." (p.141.)
"Without a doubt, the most fascinating aspect of tales involving the black eyed children is the potential that they are omens of misfortune, accidents and even death." (p.161.)
The UAP connection:
"Its obvious to anyone looking at artistic depictions of the black eyed kids that they bear a stroking resemblance to another denizen of the paranormal world, the so called gray aliens." (p.71.)
Weatherley neatly capsulates the literature on the "grays" and provided input by way of interviews with a number of abductees, and also provides an overview of the classic "Men in Black."
Comparisions:
"While the accounts are unusual, the children share traits with a number of other supernatural beings from around the world...From the evil eye of the Jettatone of Italy, to tales of black eyed angels in the Middle East. From energy draining succubi to Europe's tales of changelings. Many of these creatures have reached mythic proportions and they all may help us solve the puzzle of the black eyed children." (p.175.)
Weatherley's views:
"After conducting countless interviews with people who have had direct experience with these weirs children, I'm convinced that they are real.
But, are there hoaxes involving people with black eyes? Most certainly...Are the black eyed children merely an urban legend? No. There are simply too many direct encounters with the kids to fit the mould of urban myth." (p.42.)
"Perhaps the classic image of the MIB became too tame for some situations and a higher force created the black eyed children in order to grab the attention of a jaded, overwhelmed public that is tired of old stereotypes." (p.91.)
Final thoughts:
Chapter 26 presents Weatherley's final thoughts on the subject.
"The black eyed children are now solidly rooted in the realm of the paranormal. Reports will continue to come in and people will continue to encounter these odd children (p.223.)
Waverley's final piece of advice is:
"If at the end of a long day, just as you are getting comfortable, you hear a gentle rap on the door, it may be safer to simply not answer." (p.224.)
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Monday, October 28, 2013
Spontaneous Human Combustion and UAP
Hi all,
I have been catching up with some old issues of the English magazine "Fortean Times" from my local library. I always look forward to the "UFO Casebook" column by Jenny Randles. The July 2013 column was no exception. Jenny's work is always thought provoking.
In the column, Jenny mentions that she is working, with colleague Peter Hough, on "...an e-book version of an investigation that we carried out into the mystery of SHC (spontaneous human combustion) and the ensuing debate over potential natural and more extraordinary causes that might explain what occurs in these cases." (p.31). The column looks at a possible relationship between their SHC idea that some people can generate vast amounts of static electricity, and experience an electrochemical "overheating," and certain UAP events.
Examples:
Jenny cites some examples:
1. Halewood, Merseyside. A man saw a white "balloon" near his face and his skin began to tingle. His arm experienced "goose bumps" and his hair was standing on end.
2. Loch Raven Dam. 1958. Car stoppage case. Witnesses felt sensation on their faces while UAP present. Red coloured faces similar to sunburn.
3. Risley, Cheshire. 1978. Witness to a "glowing white mass" had his radio receiver "explode" and he received sun burnt fingers. Plus his watch stopped.
4. Changi, Singapore. 1953. An orange ball travelled through a house. It passed the fridge, which overheated. Switched off lights glowed a dull orange, until the ball left.
Hypothesis:
"...I am suggesting that we apparently have accidentally discovered some science that illuminates the physics of UFO encounter cases in which an energetic UAP (unidentified aerial phenomenon) or atmospheric phenomenon forms spontaneously and introduces change into the surrounding atmosphere or into a susceptible human who comes into close proximity." (p.31.)
Jenny suggest that:
"Perhaps people who are "super carriers" may prove to be especially prone to undergoing hyper-reactive close encounters, whereas others would just report seeing a light in the sky." (p.31.)
Australian cases:
I checked my Australia wide catalogue of UAP events and a quick review revealed the following cases which might relate to Jenny's hypothesis.
1. Childers, Queensland. 1969. "Sombrero-hat" shaped object with a glow, was seen by a family. They also heard a noise like a swarm of bees. The hair on the family member's heads and arms stood up as the object left. (North Queensland Register, 18 Jan 1969.)
2. Pinnaroo, South Australia. 1972. A woman's hair stood on end during the time she drove passed a grey-white oval shape, with lights on, which hung, seemingly only some 30 meters off the ground. (Personal investigation by this author.)
3. St. Helens, Tasmania. 1974. A car stalled after a brilliant light lit up the area. The car's occupants experienced a vibrating noise; painful electrical shocks to their bodies and a chocking smell. The adult in the car suffered a numb right side to her face and found a five cent sized red mark above her right eyebrow. In addition, her arms and fingers were badly swollen by the next day. (Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre investigation.)
4. 60kms from Melbourne, Victoria. 1994. Four women in a car saw a large orange light near their car. Getting out they saw a large, diamond shape. One of the women was charged with static electricity. (Women's Day magazine, 26 Dec 1994.)
Have any Australian blog readers cases which they can add to this list?
I have been catching up with some old issues of the English magazine "Fortean Times" from my local library. I always look forward to the "UFO Casebook" column by Jenny Randles. The July 2013 column was no exception. Jenny's work is always thought provoking.
In the column, Jenny mentions that she is working, with colleague Peter Hough, on "...an e-book version of an investigation that we carried out into the mystery of SHC (spontaneous human combustion) and the ensuing debate over potential natural and more extraordinary causes that might explain what occurs in these cases." (p.31). The column looks at a possible relationship between their SHC idea that some people can generate vast amounts of static electricity, and experience an electrochemical "overheating," and certain UAP events.
Examples:
Jenny cites some examples:
1. Halewood, Merseyside. A man saw a white "balloon" near his face and his skin began to tingle. His arm experienced "goose bumps" and his hair was standing on end.
2. Loch Raven Dam. 1958. Car stoppage case. Witnesses felt sensation on their faces while UAP present. Red coloured faces similar to sunburn.
3. Risley, Cheshire. 1978. Witness to a "glowing white mass" had his radio receiver "explode" and he received sun burnt fingers. Plus his watch stopped.
4. Changi, Singapore. 1953. An orange ball travelled through a house. It passed the fridge, which overheated. Switched off lights glowed a dull orange, until the ball left.
Hypothesis:
"...I am suggesting that we apparently have accidentally discovered some science that illuminates the physics of UFO encounter cases in which an energetic UAP (unidentified aerial phenomenon) or atmospheric phenomenon forms spontaneously and introduces change into the surrounding atmosphere or into a susceptible human who comes into close proximity." (p.31.)
Jenny suggest that:
"Perhaps people who are "super carriers" may prove to be especially prone to undergoing hyper-reactive close encounters, whereas others would just report seeing a light in the sky." (p.31.)
Australian cases:
I checked my Australia wide catalogue of UAP events and a quick review revealed the following cases which might relate to Jenny's hypothesis.
1. Childers, Queensland. 1969. "Sombrero-hat" shaped object with a glow, was seen by a family. They also heard a noise like a swarm of bees. The hair on the family member's heads and arms stood up as the object left. (North Queensland Register, 18 Jan 1969.)
2. Pinnaroo, South Australia. 1972. A woman's hair stood on end during the time she drove passed a grey-white oval shape, with lights on, which hung, seemingly only some 30 meters off the ground. (Personal investigation by this author.)
3. St. Helens, Tasmania. 1974. A car stalled after a brilliant light lit up the area. The car's occupants experienced a vibrating noise; painful electrical shocks to their bodies and a chocking smell. The adult in the car suffered a numb right side to her face and found a five cent sized red mark above her right eyebrow. In addition, her arms and fingers were badly swollen by the next day. (Tasmanian UFO Investigation Centre investigation.)
4. 60kms from Melbourne, Victoria. 1994. Four women in a car saw a large orange light near their car. Getting out they saw a large, diamond shape. One of the women was charged with static electricity. (Women's Day magazine, 26 Dec 1994.)
Have any Australian blog readers cases which they can add to this list?
Has the Loch Ness monster migrated to north Queensland?
Hi all,
A recent photograph from Queensland has created a bit of a stir. Check for yourself at the link below:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/qld/a/19578903/has-loch-ness-monster-migrated-to-nth-qld/
Has any blog reader any further information?
A recent photograph from Queensland has created a bit of a stir. Check for yourself at the link below:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/qld/a/19578903/has-loch-ness-monster-migrated-to-nth-qld/
Has any blog reader any further information?
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Out-of-body experiences on tap
Hi all,
The 22nd June 2013 issue of the "New Scientist" magazine (Vol. 218, Number 2922) carries an article titled "Donate your heartbeat for an out-of-body experience." The text reads:
"A live video of your body appearing to pulse in time with your heartbeat can trigger an out-of-body experience. We can identify with a virtual body in a different location to our own if we are fed conflicting information via senses such as vision and touch.
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, in Lausanne wondered whether the experience could also be triggered by playing with signals from within our own bodies - interoception. They asked 17 people to stand wearing a headset which showed themselves being filmed from behind, so that they essentially saw their own back 2 metres in front of them. Software created a halo effect around the virtual body, with the halo flashing either in time with their heartbeat or slightly out of step - although volunteers were not told this was the case.
After 6 minutes, the volunteers closed their eyes and were guided backwards. They were then asked to move to where they felt they had been standing.
Participants performed well when the halo flashed out of sync with their pulse. But when it was in sync, they moved close to the position of their virtual body. This suggests their feeling of being "anchored" within their own body had been altered. (Psychological Science, in press.)
"Thomas Metzinger of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, is impressed. "It tells us that human self-consciousness is anchored in interoception in a much stronger way then people have acknowledged before."
For more on interoception click here.
The 22nd June 2013 issue of the "New Scientist" magazine (Vol. 218, Number 2922) carries an article titled "Donate your heartbeat for an out-of-body experience." The text reads:
"A live video of your body appearing to pulse in time with your heartbeat can trigger an out-of-body experience. We can identify with a virtual body in a different location to our own if we are fed conflicting information via senses such as vision and touch.
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, in Lausanne wondered whether the experience could also be triggered by playing with signals from within our own bodies - interoception. They asked 17 people to stand wearing a headset which showed themselves being filmed from behind, so that they essentially saw their own back 2 metres in front of them. Software created a halo effect around the virtual body, with the halo flashing either in time with their heartbeat or slightly out of step - although volunteers were not told this was the case.
After 6 minutes, the volunteers closed their eyes and were guided backwards. They were then asked to move to where they felt they had been standing.
Participants performed well when the halo flashed out of sync with their pulse. But when it was in sync, they moved close to the position of their virtual body. This suggests their feeling of being "anchored" within their own body had been altered. (Psychological Science, in press.)
"Thomas Metzinger of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, is impressed. "It tells us that human self-consciousness is anchored in interoception in a much stronger way then people have acknowledged before."
For more on interoception click here.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
"Missing fingers grow as phantoms"
Hi all,
I haven't posted on this blog for some time, as my main interest, namely looking at Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) has occupied my time (take a look at my blog at http://ufos-scientificresearch.blogspot.com.) However, after reviewing the material on this Anomalies blog I hope to post here more frequently.
I found the following item in "New Scientist" Volume 215, number 2877, 2012, page 14.
"A woman with two missing fingers has grown them back - albeit as part of a phantom limb.
The woman was born missing two fingers on her right hand.
Aged 18, she has the hand amputated after a car accident. She later began to feel that her missing limb was still present, and that the phantom hand had short versions of the missing fingers.
Paul McGeoch and colleagues at the University of California, San Diago, slowly trained her to feel that all five phantom digits were full (Neurocuse, DOI: 10.1080/13554794.2011.556128)
"The deformed hand was suppressing the brain's innate representation of her finger," he says. The innate representation kicked back in again after the accident.
Comments:
To read more on recent research on phantom limbs please take a look here.
I find this a fascinating area, which continues to expand the idea that the human brain is plastic, that is it can reform and change. For more on brain plasticity click here.
The possible connections to out-of-body-experiences and even abductions, have been explored elsewhere, in previous posts on the ufo blog. Please take a look at:
Quirkology
A sense of presence
Alien hand syndrome
Am I really here?
Sense of self returns
I haven't posted on this blog for some time, as my main interest, namely looking at Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) has occupied my time (take a look at my blog at http://ufos-scientificresearch.blogspot.com.) However, after reviewing the material on this Anomalies blog I hope to post here more frequently.
I found the following item in "New Scientist" Volume 215, number 2877, 2012, page 14.
"A woman with two missing fingers has grown them back - albeit as part of a phantom limb.
The woman was born missing two fingers on her right hand.
Aged 18, she has the hand amputated after a car accident. She later began to feel that her missing limb was still present, and that the phantom hand had short versions of the missing fingers.
Paul McGeoch and colleagues at the University of California, San Diago, slowly trained her to feel that all five phantom digits were full (Neurocuse, DOI: 10.1080/13554794.2011.556128)
"The deformed hand was suppressing the brain's innate representation of her finger," he says. The innate representation kicked back in again after the accident.
Comments:
To read more on recent research on phantom limbs please take a look here.
I find this a fascinating area, which continues to expand the idea that the human brain is plastic, that is it can reform and change. For more on brain plasticity click here.
The possible connections to out-of-body-experiences and even abductions, have been explored elsewhere, in previous posts on the ufo blog. Please take a look at:
Quirkology
A sense of presence
Alien hand syndrome
Am I really here?
Sense of self returns
Friday, October 28, 2011
"Destroyed" Frederick Valentich file turns up
Hi all
Appendix six to the final report on the Disclosure Australia Project's five year search for Australian government UFO files concerned the disappearance of Frederick Valentich (click here) on 21 October 1978. While looking through Australian government files for UFO related material, the Project also kept an eye out for any papers concerning Frederick Valentich.
On 10 August 2004, I submitted an FOI request to the federal Department of Transport requesting a copy of their accident/incident investigation report on Valentich - their file reference V116/783/1047. Their reply on 1 September 2004 in part read "I understand that file V116/783/1047 has been destroyed by the National Archives of Australia." An electronic search of the NAA's records failed to find any trace of this file. It did indeed appear that it was no longer with us.
Fast forward to earlier tonight, when I was browsing the NAA website and to my amazement there was file - safely in the Archives!
File series B1497 control symbol V116/783/1047 DSJ - Cape Otway to King Island. 21 October 1978 - Aircraft missing (Valentich). Date range 1978-1992. Barcode 10491375. Location - Melbourne.
There was one hitch thought, the status of the file is shown as "closed." This in theory means that although the file is in the NAA you can't access it. Then I noticed that the reason for it being closed was that in 2008 when the status was shown as closed, the 30 year rule did not apply. Via the Archive Act you can only access files with papers on them providing they are more than 30 years old.
Now it is 2011, so one should be able to access papers on the file provided they are dated 1978, 1979 or 1980. The Archives still won't let you access papers less than 30 years old.
Needless to say, I have just lodged an application for access to the files, which should get me the 1978-1980 papers. This process can take up to three months, so I will keep you posted. However, finally we might get to see what the Department of Transport's investigation found.
Appendix six to the final report on the Disclosure Australia Project's five year search for Australian government UFO files concerned the disappearance of Frederick Valentich (click here) on 21 October 1978. While looking through Australian government files for UFO related material, the Project also kept an eye out for any papers concerning Frederick Valentich.
On 10 August 2004, I submitted an FOI request to the federal Department of Transport requesting a copy of their accident/incident investigation report on Valentich - their file reference V116/783/1047. Their reply on 1 September 2004 in part read "I understand that file V116/783/1047 has been destroyed by the National Archives of Australia." An electronic search of the NAA's records failed to find any trace of this file. It did indeed appear that it was no longer with us.
Fast forward to earlier tonight, when I was browsing the NAA website and to my amazement there was file - safely in the Archives!
File series B1497 control symbol V116/783/1047 DSJ - Cape Otway to King Island. 21 October 1978 - Aircraft missing (Valentich). Date range 1978-1992. Barcode 10491375. Location - Melbourne.
There was one hitch thought, the status of the file is shown as "closed." This in theory means that although the file is in the NAA you can't access it. Then I noticed that the reason for it being closed was that in 2008 when the status was shown as closed, the 30 year rule did not apply. Via the Archive Act you can only access files with papers on them providing they are more than 30 years old.
Now it is 2011, so one should be able to access papers on the file provided they are dated 1978, 1979 or 1980. The Archives still won't let you access papers less than 30 years old.
Needless to say, I have just lodged an application for access to the files, which should get me the 1978-1980 papers. This process can take up to three months, so I will keep you posted. However, finally we might get to see what the Department of Transport's investigation found.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Yowies on the move
Hi
I thought sightings of Australian Yowies were a a thing of the past. But number 278 of the English Fortean Times magazine (September 2011 page 19) carried an article which read:
"Just before 2.30am on 17 May 2011, while driving south along the Pacific Highway north of Grafton in New South Wales, Australia, a professional driver identified in media reports only as Dean took the Centenary Drive bypass, and moments later he clearly saw in the middle of the road, just up ahead what seemed at first to be a large person stooped over, wearing a big overcoat.
"But as his headlights illuminated it, this hitherto bipedal entity dropped down onto all fours and swiftly bounded into the scrub fringing the road. Slowing down, Dean peered into the bushes, and saw the entity silhouetted against the sky. "It had an almost sort of a square, shaggy block head sitting straight on its shoulders - I'm a pretty big guy but it made me absolutely awestruck how huge its body was." He said "It had its arm up against a tree and it had about a foot of hair hanging from under its biceps."
He estimated it was at least 6 feet (1.8m) tall and seemed to be covered in jet-black hair. At the time of his sighting, he had never heard of the Yowie - Australia's very own supposed man-beast."
I thought sightings of Australian Yowies were a a thing of the past. But number 278 of the English Fortean Times magazine (September 2011 page 19) carried an article which read:
"Just before 2.30am on 17 May 2011, while driving south along the Pacific Highway north of Grafton in New South Wales, Australia, a professional driver identified in media reports only as Dean took the Centenary Drive bypass, and moments later he clearly saw in the middle of the road, just up ahead what seemed at first to be a large person stooped over, wearing a big overcoat.
"But as his headlights illuminated it, this hitherto bipedal entity dropped down onto all fours and swiftly bounded into the scrub fringing the road. Slowing down, Dean peered into the bushes, and saw the entity silhouetted against the sky. "It had an almost sort of a square, shaggy block head sitting straight on its shoulders - I'm a pretty big guy but it made me absolutely awestruck how huge its body was." He said "It had its arm up against a tree and it had about a foot of hair hanging from under its biceps."
He estimated it was at least 6 feet (1.8m) tall and seemed to be covered in jet-black hair. At the time of his sighting, he had never heard of the Yowie - Australia's very own supposed man-beast."
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