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Skeptiko – Science at the Tipping Point

alex-bw-head1Upon researching Alex Tsakaris and Skeptiko, the professionalism of his material and writing is too good to attempt to repackage here. So, in lieu of a rewrite, we’ll proceed with content from Skeptiko’s website and hope Alex doesn’t mind.

The name Skeptiko comes from the ancient Greek philosophy of Skeptikos, and refers to the teachings and the traits of a school of philosophers of whom it was said “asserted nothing but only opined”.

Our Agenda
Follow the data… wherever it leads.  Explore the possibility that the dominant scientific paradigm (i.e. Materialism) might be at a tipping point.  Engage the top thinkers in pointed discussions about the questions that matter most. Treat all guests with respect.

Host Bio: Alex Tsakiris

Alex, host of Skeptiko, is a successful entrepreneur turned science podcaster. In 2007 he founded Skeptiko which has become the #1 podcast covering the science of human consciousness.  Alex has appeared on syndicated radio talk shows both in the US and the UK and is well-know within the parapsychology and near-death experience research communities.

Examples of Engagement (from Skeptiko’s Community files)

In a recent podcast episode of Skeptiko, Dr David Jacobs is quoted as saying:

“This is not consciousness-raising; this is like consciousness denying. This is consciousness-lowering in a sense. So I don’t have any stake in this. It would be wonderful if it is. I think that John Mack was just dead wrong in his analysis of this. In fact, he tried and tried and tried to ram the abduction phenomenon into his preconceived ideas about consciousness and never could. Most people don’t realize that he gave up. He said, “That’s it. I don’t want to do it anymore,” because it could never conform to his ideas. Two years before he died he stopped doing abduction research altogether, closed up his peer group at Harvard, and told Budd Hopkins that maybe he’d been a little too gullible in this situation of abductions. He could never fit it into what he wanted it to be.”

– – –
Reply from Will Bueche of JEMI:
– – –

Jacobs has made these statements about Dr. John Mack before, notably in a documentary film by David Cherniak, and he remains wrong.

Jacobs’ narrow view of the phenomenon is a holdover from early research which failed to accept that the alien encounter phenomenon involves different levels of reality and is deeply affecting in both positive and negative ways to those who experience it. This difference between Mack and Jacobs is of course widely known, and need not be debated here; Mack wrote expansively of what he learned from experiencers in Passport to the Cosmos, his second book on the subject.

But in particular to your inquiry, Jacobs’ repeated claim that Dr. Mack gave up his interest in alien encounters is simply false. Jacobs made that same claim earlier in the Cherniak documentary.

In fact, Dr. Mack had wrapped up the research branch of his organization (PEER – the Program for Extraordinary Experience Research) a few years before his death, and this was reported in a press release from PEER to MUFON (I wrote that press release myself), but he continued to speak and write on the subject as well as to consult with the experiencers who saw him long-term until his death in 2004.

Visit http://www.skeptiko.com for more in-depth discoveries. You’ll be glad you did.

#ufology #abduction #contactee #ufo #skeptiko #Alex Tsakaris

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Scotty Roberts – Intrepid Magazine

scotty robertsScotty Roberts

Scotty Roberts has his hands full. (from elsewhere) Scott Alan Roberts is the founder and publisher of Intrepid Magazine, a journal dedicated to politics, science, and unexplained phenomena. He is a radio show host, popular public speaker, and stand-up philosopher. He has been interviewed on scores of radio shows and was editor-in-chief of SyFy’s Ghost Hunters magazine, TAPS ParaMag. He attended Bible college and theological seminary, working toward his master’s in Divinity, but left for a 33-year career in advertising and publishing as an art and creative director, designer, illustrator, photographer, and writer. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and children.

Intrepid Magazine… Boldly Going.

Have you ever questioned what conventional historical studies tell us about humanity’s ancient past? How often do you wonder if there is more to the world around us than what our everyday existence would reveal? Many would balk at these kinds of ideas, and not just because respect for the principles set forth within a consensus view of our reality requires less work; it is all but demanded by our mainstream academic institutions today. As the late zoologist Ivan Sanderson once wrote of his frustrations with establishment opinions, “is it that these people cannot face rewriting all the textbooks?”

Intrepid Magazine is a publication that focuses on subjects that are typically shunned by mainstream news sources, and while maintaining respect for the consensus body of scientific and historical knowledge, we also seek to explore more thoroughly the potentials that exist beyond accepted beliefs and popular opinions.

In large part, the summation of humankind’s knowledge may be an accurate representation of what we claim to know about our origins. And yet, it also seems, at times, that is has become less couth for the modern thinker to exhibit skepticism when weighing the possible alternatives in relation to human history, philosophical thought, and scientific understanding of the natural world. Such things as peer review and use of the scientific method are often invoked (and rightly so) in relation to the serious study of phenomenon taking place around us. And yet, at times it seems that these virtuous applications are conditional in their legitimacy; science will accept your research only as long as one limits the scope of their interest to conventional models and ideas.

Intrepid Magazine advocates an open minded, but also a reasonable approach to understanding the strange and unusual, history’s mysteries, and other questions that remain unanswered about our world.

We live in a culture that is willing to be bought and sold, and therefore if you want the big dollars that only larger corporate backers can provide, you must also be willing to compromise your principles, and peddle ideas and products that best suit their interests. Sadly, the unconventional ideas that Intrepid Magazine chooses to focus on, such as ancient mysteries, anomalous phenomenon, political conspiracies, and other “edgy” subject matter seldom interests the pursuits and agendas of such financial backers. That, in large part, is why people like us remain frustrated; getting an unconventional message to the masses—even if it’s a reasonable one—is far easier said than done… and it’s nearly impossible without at least marginal funding.

Intrepid Magazine proudly exists within a framework of individualist ideas and expression that has existed throughout the last century, and looks boldly toward the bright dawn of tomorrow. Reminded of the words of the late William F. Buckley Jr,  “It stands athwart history, yelling Stop, at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it.”

We’re here, and here we will remain. We’re Intrepid Magazine, and we’re boldly going.

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Ufology – veritas numquam perit (truth never perishes)

rand_home_computer“UFOs: What to Do?”

Ufology began in the late 60s when the RAND Corporation (then a leading contractor for the U.S. Air Force) crafted a document that would become the guide for Ufology-related activities of that time, titled ‘UFOs: What to Do?” Rand’s vision of the home computer turned out to be far from the actual events. For years the document was denied, but eventually surfaced and is available in its entirety on the NICAP website. Was it more suitable to the future of Ufology? It begins…

Common sense is the quintessence of the experiences and prejudices of its time. It is a most unreliable advisor when one is confronted with a perfectly new situation. Gustav Naan

UFOs — unidentified flying objects, or flying saucers as they are often called — have been on the mind of the public for at least the last 22 years. For a number of reasons, we know little more about them now than we did at the outset. There exists a great amount of misinformation about the phenomenon not only in the minds of the public, but among educated groups such as scientists as well. It is the purpose of this series of essays to describe various aspects of the phenomenon, make clear my prejudices and the reasons for them, and to suggest a means of proceeding on this interesting and potentially very significant problem.

40 Years Later… votum separatum

Who is Stephen Bassett?

Stephen Bassett is a leading advocate for ending the 65-year government imposed truth embargo regarding an extraterrestrial presence engaging the human race.  He is a political activist, lobbyist, commentator, the executive director of Paradigm Research Group and the Extraterrestrial Phenomena Political Action Committee (X-PPAC) and executive producer of the X-Conference.  His work has been covered extensively by national and international media.

In September of 2011 Paradigm Research Group submitted a Disclosure Petition to the White House’s “We the People” project which generated a response from the Obama administration on November 4, 2011.  This response was the first time the executive branch has put a position in writing on the ET issue and is a milestone.  A second Disclosure Petition was submitted on February 23, 2012 designed to draw attention to the Rockefeller Initiative (1993-1996).

Concomitant with these projects is the continuing public awareness work via the PRG website and media appearances coupled with lobbying of the political media to take notice of what is easily the biggest and most important news story in history. Just how deeply involved is the extraterrestrial presence with our world and its people? Are they really living among humans? What do they want? Are they dangerous?

With the nation and world moving into new and troubling territory, Mr. Bassett will continue to work to create a broad based coalition within the extraterrestrial phenomena research/activist community capable of reaching out to the twenty million plus American citizens who are following the politics of disclosure with interest and concern.   The aim is to form a political awareness of sufficient size to meaningfully influence government policies and actions leading up to and following the formal acknowledgment of the extraterrestrial presence.

I have known Stephen for a couple of decades now, with a few personal chats andstephen bassett discussions about Ufology and his unyielding efforts to bring the Disclosure issue to the proper authorities. There are many who have been working toward disclosure, including Dr. Greer, that have brought credible folks together to share their stories. None, however, have been in the limelight in Washington, DC like Mr. Bassett. His work to constantly keep Disclosure (ET and UFO) in the Government’s ears and eyes is nothing short of a lifetime achievement and commitment.

Today concerned citizens have a way of assisting this effort. The recent Citizens Hearings are now on DVD and one of the Paradigm Research Group’s next projects is getting copies into the hands of Representatives and Senators. There is also a film in development about the work and how important it is for our development as a nation and world. Steve and the Paradigm Research Group, as well as many legitimate ufologists campaigning for disclosure, needs your help to keep the pressure on Washington, DC. Grab a copy of the Disclosure Dialogues

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Jack Brewer – The UFO Trail

Jack BrewerBlogging credible info on incredible topics, Jack Brewer explores a variety of influences in Ufology. Jack’s interest in the paranormal and subsequent navigation of the UFO community led him to become convinced healthy skepticism was often sorely lacking. His research and writing integrate objectivity and relevant facts into assessments of the all too prevalent fantastic UFO dogma.

Jack’s interests include such topics as alleged alien abduction and the intelligence community, which have been explored on his blog, ‘The UFO Trail’. Brewer also maintains ‘Orlando Paranormal Examiner’, where he covers people and circumstances of interest in ufology and the paranormal community.

Jack is quoted, “At the very least, we should give serious consideration to the extent the intelligence community manipulated public perception while authoring UFO and abduction lore. Intelligence interests have been well documented and demonstrated in circumstances such as the Maury Island fiasco and the supposed contactees of the 1950’s.” Jack has quoted another Ufologist, Regan Lee,  “At the same time, all this covert government activity surrounding aliens and human contact doesn’t negate the reality of literal aliens. Or, what we call aliens.”

“Thanks to Jack Brewer of The UFO Trail for providing me with notice of an excellent two-part piece he wrote on the current state of UFO research, its leaders, its critics and what happens now. If you are at all interested in UFOlogy or how a field of study evolves due to personalities and agendas, have a look.” – Sharon Hill, Doubtful News “In another excellent piece on The UFO Trail blog, Jack Brewer takes the issue of the use of hypnosis in alien abduction research head-on. The post is another example of why, if you care about thinking clearly about matters ufological, you should be reading his blog.” – Dr. Michael S. Heiser, UFO Religions

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Bill Chalker – The OZ Files

bill chalkerI reached out to Bill recently and asked him to share a bit about the Ozzie and his work. Here’s a smattering of his reply, chalking it up to electronic communication and the copy/paste feature. Oh, I love that one.

Speaking of electronic communication, you should check out the new – UFO Truth Magazine. Bill has an article in the first issue, along with many other well-known Ufologists. I’ve had a chance to peruse it and I’d highly recommend getting a copy for your reading pleasure. It’s well written and full of current information.

Now on to the Ozzie himself… The OZ Files gives a unique focus on UFO experiences in the Australian region, as well as commentary and informed analysis of UFO events and research both in Australia and around the world.

I became interested in the mystery of UFOs during the mid to late 1960s during my teenage years. The UFO phenomenon, with its extraordinary worldwide manifestations, was coming under the politicized and militarized myopic lens of science, most notoriously with the so-called Condon Report. This flawed scientific study, published in 1969, unsuccess-fully tried to bury the UFO enigma, but successfully helped marginalize it as a “taboo” subject for mainstream science.

1969 was a turning point for me as I was confronted with the reality of UFOs right on my own doorstep, on the north coast of the Australian east coast state of New South Wales. There was a rash of unusual ground effects in the region, the most prominent being a large flattened saccaline crop site near Bungawalban found on April 17th.

The talk was of flying saucers and that this was a “saucer nest.” The fact that the property involved was owned by the local member of parliament ensured the affair leapt into national prominence. I joined the curious throng. The 15 foot crop had been flattened in four distinct patches, the largest being about 60 feet by 15 feet. Lodging – a phenomenon that can affect crops in a similar manner – was ruled out by locals familiar with it.

Bill is the coordinator of the Sydney based UFO Investigation Centre (UFOIC) & the Anomaly Physical Evidence Group (APEG). Information about sightings and research are most welcome. Author of “The OZ Files – the Australian UFO Story” (1996), “Hair of the Alien – DNA and other forensic evidence of alien abduction” (2005), and “UFO History Keys – Examining the UFO controversy from a historical perspective” (2011).

Inquiries via billozfiles@tpg.com.au or P.O. Box 42, West Pennant Hills, NSW, 2125, AUSTRALIA. In “HAIR of the ALIEN” (order via amazon.com) my primary focus is promoting a forensic scientific approach to examining the alien abduction controversy, concentrating on the DNA approach where compelling biological evidence is available.

Check out his blog at The Oz Files and peruse his other links, too….

http://scienceandtheufocontroversy.blogspot.com.au/

http://aliendnaparadigm.blogspot.com.au/

http://ufoicaustralia.blogspot.com.au/

http://ufohistorykeys.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.auforn.com/Bcintro.htm

http://www.project1947.com/forum/index.htm

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