The Supernatural

Anthony North: There is a problem with much of the paranormal in that we rely too much on classic interpretations. This is not to say that these interpretations may not be true, but that understanding can better be achieved by a radical overhaul of terms.The poltergeist is a perfect example. We have a clear idea of what a poltergeist is. But could phenomena be more open to rational understanding by offering new concepts and names? Let’s consider the possibility. What a poltergeist isn't: A poltergeist is classically understood as an infestation of a spirit throwing this and that about the place, causing a generalparanormal nuisance of itself.

Yet if we break down the phenomena in the poltergeist, we can see distinct and separate elements.The two central elements are a level of communal consciousness that perceives paranormal activity in a specific location, such as mind/matter interaction and ‘spirit’ sightings; and the ‘possession’ of a person, or focus.For this essay I want to reclassify the poltergeist as a concept I would call ‘psychodrama.’ This can best be understood as the coming together of mind with other minds, an environment, and culture.What you see is what you get: We can see such a concept as the occurrence of an ‘altered state’ contrary to what we consider to be normal reality. However, can such a thing as ‘normal reality’ exist?The philosopher, Kant, argued yes, it can, but it is above human experience, for we view the world through specific ‘mind filters’, which place our prejudices upon reality.This argument is valid when we consider we input a mass of data, through the senses, of the ‘outside’ world, but the vast majority of this sense experience in not intuited by our conscious mind. Rather, we have ‘selective awareness’ of the world we inhabit, only perceiving what we consider important.

View: Full Article | Source: Beyond the Blog

Veteran TV presenter Yvette Fielding has announced she is stepping down as host of Most Haunted after 10 years.Most Haunted gained widespread popularity in the UK when it launched on Living TV bringing paranormal investigations to a wide audience and helped make medium Derek Acorah a household name. Yvette Fielding has announced that she is leaving Most Haunted.

The presenter made the announcement in a statement posted on the website for the show"s production company Antix Productions, which she set up with her husband Karl Beattie.

View: Full article | Source: DigitalSpy

Psychotherapist Caron Goode investigates whether some imaginary friends aren"t quite so imaginary.Goode is convinced based on some of her own childhood experiences that some children are actually seeing and in communication with spiritual entitities, she has written a book on both how to determine this and what to do about it. Haley Joel Osment shocked millions of American moviegoers when he said, "I see dead people" in "The Sixth Sense.

" Turns out, what"s really shocking is how many kids can actually communicate with spooks -- or at least feel they do.

View: Full article | Source: AOL News

An old radio at a World War 2 heritage centre has been picking up vintage broadcasts despite having no power.The old wireless radio at Montrose Air Station has been heard on several occassions to be playing vintage music from the war along with speeches from Winston Churchill despite the fact that it isn"t connected to any source of electricity. A 70-year-old radio at a Scottish heritage centre has been picking up vintage broadcasts featuring Winston Churchill and the music of Glen Miller.

The Pye valve wireless at Montrose Air Station, a heritage centre that tells the story of the men and women who served there, has no power and is not connected to any source of electricity.

View: Full article | Source: STV