Peeranormal

Peeranormal 21: Live from Branson

Live from Branson, Missouri.

Peeranormal 20: Orb Photographs

Photographs of “orbs” – small circular or globular lights – that are invisible to the naked eye at the time of the photography are ubiquitous on the internet. Very little scientific research has been conducted to explain the photographic phenomenon. Most of the discussion online asserts that orbs are spirits or some other energy life form. Is this true or is there a coherent, conventional explanation? In this episode, we survey the available literature and consider examples of orbs in photographs. Three resources: Luciano Pederzoli, “Photos of Globes (Orbs): An Analysis,” updated article from SSRN (Social Science Research Network), 12/01/2017 Gary E. Schwartz and Katherine Creath, “Anomalous Orbic ‘Spirit’ Photographs: A Conventional Optical Explanation,” Journal of Scientific Exploration 19:3 (2005): 343-358 Dave Wood, “The Orb Zone: Accounts of Experimentation into the Natural Causes of ‘Orbs’,” Journal for the Society of Psychical Research 76:1, no 906 (January 2012): 17-31

Peeranormal 19: Déjà Vu

Many people have experienced déjà vu, the feeling that a situation or event is familiar, though there is no evidence that the situation has been experienced before. Recent studies have shown that roughly two-thirds of people have experienced déjà vu at least once. This episode explores three research articles chronicling the phenomenon and its elements and the range of proposed explanations for it. Research articles: Alan S. Brown, “A Review of the Déjà Vu Experience,” Psychology Bulletin Vol. 129, No. 3 (2003: 394–413 Anne. M. Cleary, “Recognition Memory, Familiarity, and Déjà Vu Experiences,” Current Directions in Psychology Science 17:5 (2008): 353-357 Alan S. Brown and Elizabeth J. Marsh, “Digging Into Déjà Vu: Recent Research on Possible Mechanisms,” in The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, vol. 53(ed. Brian Ross; Burlington: Academic Press, 2010), pp.33-62

Peeranormal 19: Déjà Vu

Many people have experienced déjà vu, the feeling that a situation or event is familiar, though there is no evidence that the situation has been experienced before. Recent studies have shown that roughly two-thirds of people have experienced déjà vu at least once. This episode explores three research articles chronicling the phenomenon and its elements and the range of proposed explanations for it. Research articles: Alan S. Brown, “A Review of the Déjà Vu Experience,” Psychology Bulletin Vol. 129, No. 3 (2003: 394–413 Anne. M. Cleary, “Recognition Memory, Familiarity, and Déjà Vu Experiences,” Current Directions in Psychology Science 17:5 (2008): 353-357 Alan S. Brown and Elizabeth J. Marsh, “Digging Into Déjà Vu: Recent Research on Possible Mechanisms,” in The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, vol. 53(ed. Brian Ross; Burlington: Academic Press, 2010), pp.33-62

Peeranormal 18: Samhain and Halloween

“Samhain” (pronounced “sow-in,” with the “ow” like in “cow,” or “sow-een,” with “ow” as in “glow”) is an Irish Gaelic term for the time of “summer’s end,” as well as a festival to mark the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter which, in the Gaelic / Celtic calendar, marked the beginning of the year. Because the Celtic day began and ended at sunset, not sunrise, the festival was traditionally celebrated from October 31 to November 1. Sanhaim is the ancient backdrop to Halloween, not only in terms of the calendar, but also in terms of basically all the modern elements of that holiday. This episode investigates the history of Samhain and its curious links to the ancient biblical worldview of demons, giants, and the realm of the dead. Articles for this episode: In public domain, via archive.org, from Hastings’ Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics (ed. James Hastings, John A. Selbie, and Louis H. Gray; Edinburgh; New York: T. & T. Clark; Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1908–1926): “(Celtic) Cosmogony” “Celtic Feasts and Festivals” “Irish Deities” Journal articles not in public domain: Helen Sewell Johnson, “November Eve Beliefs and Customs in Irish Life and Literature,” The Journal of American Folklore 81:320 (Apr. – Jun., 1968), pp. 133-142 Jack Santino, “Halloween in America: Contemporary Customs and Performances,” Western Folklore 42:1 (Jan., 1983), pp. 1-20