Cosm(et)ic History

(Photo courtesy of Momlogic.com)

Body modification is nothing new. People have been altering their appearances since before the first cosmetic surgeon cut his way out of the womb. So it shouldn't raise any eyebrows (no pun intended) when any new kind of modification is introduced into the mainstream.

The latest mod comes in the form of Elven ears. You heard me right. People are getting their ears modified so they can look like elves. The thing is, no one is 100% certain just what elven ears look like. If and when Elves did exist, it was most likely about the time the Children of Dana came down to the Hill of Tara. That's thousands of years. I don't recall any tomb drawings of just exactly what their ears looked like.

What I do know is that there is plenty of evidence to support the existence of the Long-eared people. Could these be one and the same? You don't have to look too hard or too far to find evidence of the Long-eared folks. Buddha had them. The Moai of Easter Island have them. In some indigenous cultures it is customary to modify ones earlobes to create the long-eared look.

The long-eared people closely resemble the Elven people of lore, with their red hair, fair skin and long, thin noses. Could we be talking about the very same people? And if so, then I'd hate to tell all the World Of War Craft enthusiasts getting their ears modified to a point because there's a very strong chance they're doing it wrong.

The end of SETI?

Via Seti.Org :

Federal and state funding cutbacks for operations of U.C. Berkeley’s Hat Creek Radio Observatory (HCRO) force hibernation of Allen Telescope Array – In an April 22, 2011 email (PDF) to Allen Telescope Array stakeholder level donors, SETI Institute CEO Tom Pierson described in detail the recent decision by U.C. Berkeley, our partner in the Array, to reduce operations of the Hat Creek Radio Observatory (and thus the Allen Telescope Array) to a hibernation state effective this month. NSF University Radio Observatory funding to Berkeley for HCRO operations has been reduced to approximately one-tenth of its former level and, concurrently, growing State of California budget shortfalls have severely reduced the amount of state funds available for support of the HCRO site.

What next for the ATA? – The SETI Institute is working on numerous efforts to insure the Array comes back on line as soon as possible. Pierson’s email outlines potential work the ATA may be performing for the United States Air Force. Donor support is also needed to restart SETI observations on the Array. For the first time in history, SETI researchers are poised to use the ATA to examine the bounty of smaller planetary systems starting to be revealed by NASA’s Kepler Mission. We are also working with a consortium of big thinkers to develop exciting opportunities for the public to participate in the future of SETI, making the science much less vulnerable to government budget cycles. Watch for these future developments in the realm of our citizen science. In the interim, if you haven’t already done so, check out the early results of these efforts at setiQuest.org and setiQuest Explorer.

Public help is needed – Donate now – Help return the ATA to operations and support the exciting SETI exploration of the Kepler planets over the next two years. You can read about our Kepler Worlds search and donate to the effort here.

Four different telescopes being used to see the Andromeda Galaxy

Tracy Twyman @ BOA

Full Preview: We kick things off by getting an update from Tracy Twyman on what she's been up to since her first appearance on BoA:Audio back in the Spring of 2009. We also discuss the current state of the economy in 2011 and how it compares to where Tracy thought it would be, back in 2009, when she first appeared on the program. She explains how the IMF's austerity measures are effecting the populations of countries in Europe that are deeply in debt.

This leads to discussion on when things will come around to drastically affect the United States and Tracy tells us about how the US dollar is on the precipice of being dropped as the world's reserve currency. She also details the insane levels of intricacy surrounding the 'global supply chain,' which sees goods shipped all over the world for reasons that aren't exactly necessary for the development of the end product. Tracy also reveals what has changed in the world, since her last appearance, which has made her feel better about the financial outlook for the world.

From there, we dive in to Tracy's new book, Money Grows on the Tree of Knowledge, and she details how it constitutes the next step in her study of the alchemical influences on the economy. Tracy takes us back to early alchemy and details how stories of child sacrifice and ancient Gods were influential on the study of alchemy and seems to have laid the metaphorical groundwork for the economic system in which we currently live. She explains this theory via a number of examples where the future is sold to pay for the present.

This leads to some insight on the Golden Age of Saturn and how Tracy sees it fitting into the world of alchenomics. Tracy ponders the idea that society is being engineered to conjure a new Golden Age, of sorts. We then turn to discussion on time and how it has become commodified in this new economic world. Along the way, we delve into Christmas & Saturnalia and how they connect to Tracy's concept of alchenomics. From there, we contemplate how ancient rituals seem to continue to play themselves out in our contemporary times.

Tracy also shares the chilling tale of alchemist Thomas Flamel and how his story suggests that he used child sacrifice in rituals. Somehow this leads to discussion on Tracy's father, Rich And Famous, and his stance that people should be allowed legal ownership of their organs for future use. This leads to us pondering why the human race cannot seem to break free of the economic system that has been imposed on it. Tracy also details the legend of the Lord of the Earth and how it ties into the paradox of people working for a massive conspiracy that may not be complete until long after they are dead.

Looking at the 'science' of alchemy, we ponder the idea that perhaps it is actually derived from the science of an ancient advanced civilization that lost over the ensuing centuries. Getting back to the Age of Saturn concept, Tracy talks about how she sees it fitting into the Noah's Ark story. We then find out about Tracy's skepticism about monatomic gold and the original outcry her stance received when she first voiced it.

The conversation then turns back to the world today, the current state of the economy, and how Tracy thinks things may unfold from here. Tracy also shares her practical advice on how to survive the economic collapse. We then get Tracy's take on the Road to Roota theory that Bix Weir detailed on a previous edition of BoA:Audio. We also examine the idea of a separatist United States and if that concept would create a more viable nation. This leads to Tracy talking about how the continuous attempts to stop the impending economic collapse are really just wasting time before the rebuilding recovery phase can begin.

Heading towards the close, we consider how 2012 may tie in to Tracy's ideas about the Golden Age of Saturn and the economic collapse, which leads to some talk about the moon-based calendar as well as the 'new Zodiac' meme from January. Nearing the end, Tracy tells us some of the signs to look for as the economic collapse reaches its nadir. Tracy also revisits events that have happened since her last appearance as an example of how scary events have happened and we are just used to them now. Wrapping up our conversation, we find out what's next for Tracy Twyman as 2011 unfolds, including an exciting trip to Turkey later this year. And, on a final note, she shares one more bizarre arcane connection between the economy and 2012.

Listen here.

The Houston Batman

I am always and forever intrigued with seemingly Superhuman or Ultra-terrestrial beings. From Spring-heeled Jack to the Mothman. I found this oft-forgotten but not any less exciting tale of the Houston Batman at Cryptozoology Online.

If you have a(n) Superhuman, Ultra-terrestrial, Giant or Shadow people tale to relate, feel free to contact me at yufology (at) gmail (dot) com.

One of the iconic sightings of a mysterious creature in the UFO era, that of the so-called Houston Batman, was made on June 18, 1953. Hilda Walker, Judy Meyers and Howard Phillips saw a “man with wings like a bat” sitting in the branches of a nearby tree, watching them. After a few moments there was a light display and the “Batman” was gone. The story is a classic in the annals of UFO encounters and associated creature sightings, and is dealt with in full in Ken Gerhard and Nick Redfern’s Monsters of Texas, and Loren Coleman’s Mysterious America, where it is dealt with in connection to that likewise-iconic phantom attacker, the British bogeyman known as Spring-heel'd Jack.

It turns out the likening to Jack and other phantom attackers may be particularly apt. The Lubbock Evening Journal for May 22, 1953 bore the headline “’Phantom Attacker’ Strikes in Full View of Two Officers.” The article told the story of Betty Lee Jamison, a young woman who was walking on Richmond Avenue when a man lunged from a crowd, knocked her to the ground, and fled with four men in pursuit – two policemen and two men coming out of a nearby bar. The man still escaped. Frank Murray of the Houston police department told the newspapers that it was the 13th such attack in the space of a year. I could find no references to the earlier attacks; perhaps some other intrepid CFZ member could, however.

The Mexia Daily News for June 12 (only a week before the sighting of the “Batman”) reported another attack. This time a woman was pulled bodily from a car. Again, the attacker fled. And still the attacks came, even after the sighting of the man in the tree. On May 7, 1954, the Galveston Daily News reported that an attack had taken place only two days before, but this was dealt with in no more than a passing manner. Once again, I could find no references in the intervening time, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

You can read the rest here.

Ben Bova on UFO's

Here.

The case for Nuclear war on Mars

While researching the affects of Nuclear war on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and birth defects, I happened upon something else altogether. The web is replete with pictures of the Martian surface. Barely visible areas of possible habitation that seem to have collapsed into the landscape or been swallowed up by the desert.

(Before)

I always wondered what all those geometric shapes were. Buildings? Homes? Most often I wondered how could anyone compare those images with that of thriving, Earth cities. The photos of before and after devastation in areas affected by Nuclear disaster speak volumes and attest to the possibility that perhaps all those Martian cities are the product of some ancient, Martian nuclear disaster.

(After)

***You never know.

... of Gods and Aliens

Lately I've been inundated by Ancient Astronaut theories galore. It's not that I don't have respect for the idea that an ancient, highly evolved band of 'outsiders' influenced our ancestors. Anything is possible in a world where people can make their phones turn on the lights or start up their car. However, there is one thing that just never seems to gel for me:

Gods being explained away as Extraterrestrials. 

I mean, right off the bat the very definition of 'extraterrestrial' can explain away a whole host of things that are not of this earth. So, I am not saying the description is wrong. What I am saying is that maybe referring to every god from every culture as some E.T.,---thereby denoting their god-like status--- is a bit... unrealistic.

What I mean to say is what really and truly separates GODS from ALIENS? And why can't one be a descriptor for the other and the reverse?

I do not subscribe to the theory that our ancestors were idiots. I never have and never will. The fact that they were capable of comprehending whatever it was these so-called 'ancient astronauts' had to teach them speaks volumes. Just look around you. Not everyone can grasp Quantum Physics. Hell, some people can't even grasp basic Algebra!

If our ancestors had 'help' building the pyramids, it doesn't make it any less likely that they were able to comprehend the skill behind creating such enigmas. Simply put, our ancestors were capable and those that came down and aided them knew it.

So who were those that came down?

In ancient texts around the world they are referred to as Gods. And what are Gods? All seeing, all knowing. Beings of immense power and influence. Beings who could traverse worlds, evoke fear in lesser beings, accept and invoke worship, create and destroy. Gods in the classic sense through and through.

For what is a god if not a 'man-made' creation? *Intellectuals take note.

Today, with advancements in Science we have separated God (any god) from the life equation. Since we can do it under a microscope than what good is some omnipotent, omniscient creator? The fact is our ancestors couldn't do such things. Such great allusions were left to the incomprehensible and to them those that resided between magic and myth were beyond imagining.

Whatever those beings were, they were Gods. They were the classical gods of epic poems and re-contextualized scriptures. Our ancestors knew what they were bowing down to. Angels and other less beings were straight away relegated to their place as more powerful than humanity, but less powerful, still, than the gods. There was a hierarchy.

So, if there was a level to the greatness, than it seems unfair that Ancient Astronaut theorists should straight away jump to conclusions that posit our ancestors couldn't tell exceptionally smart beings from space apart from incredibly powerful world builders from beyond.

Maybe there is no difference. Maybe Gods and E.T.'s are one and the same. Maybe there is a place in the future that we will come to... a precipice that we will stand on that lies between our Humanity and Godliness. Maybe the only thing that separates us from them and them from gods is a matter of time and perspective.

Or, maybe the gods in their flying ships are simply 'alien' in context, much like a person who is born in America and moves to Sweden is still an American. When I was a child, space was heaven and god was no different than the myriad of life forms I speculated populated the worlds within the Dark Matter. Even still, they were greater than me and I would never reach over like Adam and touch the finger of my creator and should my creator happen to be a simple E.T. with a penchant for world building, then so be it. But he/she is still a god because that's the only descriptor that fits.

It's the only title I can believe in.

NASA wants you to believe they are doing something incredibly important when they aren't really doing shit at all...

Sammy Hagar re-enacts his Alien abduction w/ comic-horror effect

Insidious thoughts

A lot of films have been made about the Paranormal. Some of them have faded into obscurity (The Dark, Them) whilst others (The Exorcist, Hellboy) have become iconic sentinels of the genre. Sometimes you see a film trailer and you think, "That might be good." And so, against your better judgement (really, is there even such a thing when it comes to Art?) you pay the $8-11 dollars and you settle into your seat with the loudest MOVIE food ever invented, Popcorn. And you watch.

Sometimes you regret it.

I saw the Insidious trailer and scoffed at the effort the filmmakers made to push the word INSIDIOUS into the paranormal lexicon by having it repeatedly jump out at you. INSIDIOUS IS. INSIDIOUS IS. 

Insidious is... stupid.

Now hear me out, if you are the kind to watch a film, no matter how ridiculous, because the story is kind of intriguing, I feel for you. I really do. But when it comes to the paranormal, cliches on top of hocus pocus does no justice to anyone. Most of all the people who actually study the phenomena. 

I read a few reviews prior to seeing the film myself. The reviewers (who shall not be named. They better feel the shame. Hey... I rhymed!) all expressed fear. The movie scared them. So I wanted to see it because I wanted to be scared. 

And I was. For 2.7 seconds. And that was it.

The story goes a father who is a gifted Astral-projectionist (is that even a legit title?) passes the gift onto his son who then wanders too far from his physical body, leaving it vulnerable to possession. Easy enough right? Oh contraire, mon fraire... no it isn't. Because in the midst of this poor kid's (who is asleep for months in a non-coma), medical woes is a family struggling against darker, stranger forces from the unknown.

The ghosts have come out to play and they all want his body for a playground. Worst of all, the main contender is a demon, who according to the film, has never had a body and therefore wants this kids for nefarious means. You get it?

There were some spooktastic moments that lost their spooktasticness (I just made that up) the longer the camera shots were, because this film was made on an $800,000 thousand dollar budget. That's candy money in Hollywood. So you have to give the filmmakers (the same masterminds behind Paranormal Activity. Cough. ) some cred. 

The movie isn't all bad. There's maybe 2-3 moments that are cool until the moment after sinks it all to oblivion. Here's why I didn't like it: It was too stupid to be true. There, I said it. I've had enough ghost hunts and ghost haunts in my life to be able to look at something so mainstream and see the defect in conventional thinking.

Demons don't wear body paint. Dead people don't smile like cracked out muppets. Mostly, entities without bodies don't conjure all that power on their own, to throw people against walls or physically manifest long enough to get you to chase them from room to room. 

I honestly felt like Insidious was an inside joke. The ghosthunters/experts are two geeks (who, for the record, are the only solid entertainment in the whole film. Sorry, Barbara Hershey.) who use odd instruments that border on Steampunk, to get results. They are funny, argumentative and perhaps a little like some ghosthunters you may know, but there methods are straight up comic-book. 

Insidious just left me with an insidious taste in my mouth. I wanted to like it, I really did, but in the end I just walked out of the theater thinking, "People have the nerve to critique Sucker Punch when stupidity like this gets rave reviews?" Oh Hollywood... you are made of FAIL. 

The ending will make you want to punch someone.