Anyone interested in scientific research?

[MorningGlow]

Hi all,

Just picked up Mr. MG's copy of Wired magazine--the "Mysteries" issue, dealing with all sorts of weird stuff. It's tons of fun and approaches topics from a scientific/research standpoint. Really good read--if you see it around, I recommend getting a copy. Anyway, this sidebar made me tee hee quite a lot! I mean--GASP!--REAL scientists conducting REAL studies on esoterica and other silly subjects? Say it ain't so!
:rofl:

The Truth Is Out There, and the Nation's Maddest Scientists Are After It

Paranormal phenomena aren't just for Fox Mulder, Melinda Gordon, and Rod Serling. Even top academics can't resist a good ghost story. And maybe that's for the better: Brilliant ideas often seem crazy at first. Scientific American dubbed the Wright Brothers "the Lying Brothers" despite test flights witnessed by trainloads of startled onlookers. More obscure findings can fare worse: Germs, quarks, black holes, and continental drift were all once considered laughable. Still, impeccably credentialed scientists persist, as Lewis Carroll's White Queen says, in trying to believe a few impossible things before breakfast—or after they've received tenure.

Daryl Bem
Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Cornell University
Object of Study: Precognition
It's dèjé vu in advance: In conventional psychological tests, subjects recall words they've had a chance to study better than words they've seen only briefly. Bem reversed the usual order of events and found that his subjects were significantly more likely to recall words they would study later than words they wouldn't study at all. Extroverts show the most precognition.

More at: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/17-05/st_madscientists

Other topics of study covered:
Disembodied consciousness
Origin of the cosmos
Atmospheric effects on physiology
Telekenesis
UFOs

[Celebration]

1. Okay, I'm going to the bookstore to look for it

I probably ought to take Wired. Everything I happen on from that magazine I like.

[MorningGlow]

2. I enjoy it

Mr. MG says it's gotten too entertainment-like (read: it's leaving the geeks behind for a wider audience), but I think that's a good thing. Now, if they could just get their graphic designers to rein it in just a TAD (silver metallic print on a while background? illegible!!)

This issue also has a story on the Georgia Guidestones in it as well. I haven't read that one yet, though it sounds fascinating...

American Stonehenge: Monumental Instructions for the Post-Apocalypse
The strangest monument in America looms over a barren knoll in northeastern Georgia. Five massive slabs of polished granite rise out of the earth in a star pattern. The rocks are each 16 feet tall, with four of them weighing more than 20 tons apiece. Together they support a 25,000-pound capstone. Approaching the edifice, it's hard not to think immediately of England's Stonehenge or possibly the ominous monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Built in 1980, these pale gray rocks are quietly awaiting the end of the world as we know it.

Called the Georgia Guidestones, the monument is a mystery—nobody knows exactly who commissioned it or why. The only clues to its origin are on a nearby plaque on the ground—which gives the dimensions and explains a series of intricate notches and holes that correspond to the movements of the sun and stars—and the "guides" themselves, directives carved into the rocks. These instructions appear in eight languages ranging from English to Swahili and reflect a peculiar New Age ideology. Some are vaguely eugenic (guide reproduction wisely—improving fitness and diversity); others prescribe standard-issue hippie mysticism (prize truth—beauty—love—seeking harmony with the infinite).

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/magazine/17-05/ff_guidestones

[Raksha]

6. I just read the whole "American Stonehenge" article.

Absolutely fascinating - thanks for the link!

[Matariki]

3. Nice. Thanks for the link.

Post this in GD. C'mon, I dare ya' :evilgrin:

[MorningGlow]

4. Bwaaaahaaaaaaaa

I believe the correct response at this time is "Ssssshhhhyeahhhhhright!"
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Celebration]

5. heh heh

I was going to suggest the Science forum. :o

[rumpel]

7. wow. Love it!

Just my kind of stuff... ;)

Thank you for posting, MG.

[MorningGlow]

8. My pleasure

There's a lot of misinformation out there regarding how much research has been done and is being done on metaphysical/"unexplained" subjects, so I'm just thrilled that there's some documentation within easy reach like this. :hi: