THE PARACAST NEWSLETTER
December 16, 2012
Skeptical Researcher Lance Moody Quizzed on The Paracast
Special Announcement: The Paracast is heard Sundays from 2:00 AM until 5:00 AM Central Time on the GCN Radio Network and affiliates around the USA, and online across the globe via download and on-demand streaming.
Why It's Important for You to Donate to The Paracast: Although ads help cover a small part of our expenses, the income they produce is never enough to pay your humble hosts decent wages. Also, we do not receive any revenue from the ads placed on the show by our network or local stations. So we hope you're able to help fill the gap, if you can, to help us cover increasing server costs and other expenses -- or perhaps provide a little extra cash for lunch and utility bills. No contribution is too small (or too large
. We have a Donate link on our home page, below the logo and audio player. There's also a Donate link on our forums, at the bottom of the sidebar on the right. Or just send your PayPal donation direct to sales (at) theparacast (dot) com.
Attention U.S. Listeners: Help Us Bring The Paracast to Your City! In the summer of 2010, The Paracast joined the GCN radio network. This represented a huge step in bringing our show to a larger, mainstream audience. But we need your help to add additional affiliates to our growing network. Please ask one of your local talk stations if they are interested in carrying The Paracast. Feel free to contact us directly with the names of programming people we might be able to contact on your behalf. We can't do this alone, and if you succeed in convincing your local station to carry the show, we'll reward you with one of our special T-shirts, and other goodies. With your help, The Paracast can grow into one of the most popular paranormal shows on the planet!
Please Visit Our Online Store: You asked, and we answered. We are now taking orders for The Official Paracast T-Shirt and an expanded collection of other specially customized merchandise. To get your T-Shirt now featuring our brand new logo, just pay a visit to our online store at The Official Paracast Store to select your size and place your order. We also offer a complete lineup of other premium merchandise for your family, your friends and your business contacts.
About The Paracast: The Paracast covers a world beyond science, where UFOs, poltergeists and strange phenomena of all kinds have been reported by millions across the planet.
Set Up: The Paracast is a paranormal radio show that takes you on a journey to a world beyond science, where UFOs, poltergeists and strange phenomena of all kinds have been reported by millions. The Paracast seeks to shed light on the mysteries and complexities of our Universe and the secrets that surround us in our everyday lives.
Join long-time paranormal researcher Gene Steinberg, co-host and acclaimed field investigator Christopher O'Brien, and a panel of special guest experts and experiencers, as they explore the realms of the known and unknown. Listen each week to the great stories of the history of the paranormal field in the 20th and 21st centuries.
This Week's Episode: Gene and Chris present staunch skeptic Lance Moody, who has, for a number of years, provided a solid reality check on what he regards as fanciful claims about possible paranormal events. During this session, Lance will talk about his research, his revelations about possible deception, and why he doesn't believe in such things as ghosts and UFOs.
Chris O'Brien's Site: Our Strange Planet
Lance Moody's Site: The UFO Iconoclast(s): The Lance Moody site
Reminder: Please don't forget to visit our famous Paracast Community Forums for the latest news/views/debates on all things paranormal: The Paracast Community Forums. We recently completed a major update that makes our community easier to navigate, and social network friendly.
We Need the Right Kind of Debunking
By Gene Steinberg
Whenever I hear about a UFO debunker, I think of the late Harvard astronomer Dr. Donald Menzel. Seems that, whenever there was a major UFO sighting, he’d make an effort to tell you why it just couldn’t be anything strange. It just HAD to be conventional, and he often twisted logic into a pretzel to make it seem that he had the answer.
Years ago, I watched an episode of a TV talk show, NBC’s “The Open Mind,” where Menzel went up against John G. Fuller, author of “The Interrupted Journey,” the best-selling book about the UFO abduction experience of Barney and Betty Hill.
When Fuller challenged Menzel’s explanation of one UFO encounter, you could see the aging scientist having a melt down then and there. Watching the discussion on a black and white TV, I could imagine Menzel’s face turning beet red as he became more and more confused over the facts of the case. It was clear to me he was just shooting from the hip, inventing his explanation out of whole cloth.
Later debunkers did better in developing explanations for UFO cases. But Menzel stands first among many, having written several books that seemed to reveal an excessive interest in the subject. If he felt there was nothing to flying saucer sightings, why did he devote so much time and energy to the subject?
Now this doesn’t mean there’s no room for healthy skepticism. Certainly most UFO sightings have conventional explanations of one sort or another, ranging from a regular airplane, a weather balloon, perhaps some sort of natural phenomenon. A pinpoint light in the sky that doesn’t seem to engage in any rapid-fire maneuvers isn’t evidence of an unworldly visit either, and photos and movies can nowadays be easily faked with software that’s readily available.
The assumption from the skeptic is that the so-called “unknowns” could be explained away as well, if there was only enough information with which to reach the inevitable conclusion that they aren’t spaceships.
Unfortunately, there’s a large residue of sightings that continue, even after many years of study, to defy rational explanation. Whether it’s five or ten percent of the case reports, or a whole lot less, they cannot be explained away if approached fairly. Being unknown doesn’t necessarily prove that ET is here, or that we’re being visited by interdimensional entities or time travelers, but many of these cases have enough data to indicate that something really strange is going on.
But entering an investigation of a possible unknown with preconceptions of what the solution might be is unscientific. It doesn’t matter if you believe or disbelieve. If your approach is colored by your expectations as to the outcome, you are apt to reach the wrong conclusion. Important evidence may be overlooked, or conclusions manipulated to support your belief system.
This is where the classic debunker does a disservice. Rather than just pointing out the flaws in any UFO case, they assume it’s all flawed. Data may be twisted to fit the preconception. It has to be an airplane, because it’s a moving light in the sky, and airplanes are occasionally seen in that area. Even if the aircraft engages in feats of maneuverability that appear to exceed that of known conventional aircraft while running silent, even at fairly close range, you have to wonder how much the pretzel can be twisted before the stretch of logic tears itself apart.
At the same time, believing that most any unusual light in the sky is a visitor from Tau Ceti is no less an exercise in futility. It doesn’t help anyone figure out what’s really going on.
The proper skeptic, however, will examine the evidence fairly, both the good and the bad, to try to reach a reasoned conclusion. The UFO may still end up as conventional, but the road to that conclusion is paved with logic and reason. It doesn’t mean the skeptic makes up a story to fit into the belief that UFOs must have mundane causes.
To be sure, skeptics also perform the valuable function of exposing the fakers. When Lance Moody, one of the skeptical regulars at The Paracast Community Forums, became suspicious of a UFO researcher trying just a little to hard to boast of his advanced degrees, he decided to do a little research. He found that the researcher in question, and he’s been named on the show and is not deserving of further publicity, didn’t have the degrees in question. Indeed, he had never been a student at the university where he allegedly received a doctorate, even though he continued to wear T-shirts identifying that institution. Of course, shirts of that sort are available to anyone who places an order.
Does that mean the long-time researcher in question, who wrote several books on the paranormal, should no longer be taken seriously? Even if his research was flawless, the answer is yes. That he would lie about his credentials is sufficient reason to suspect all of his work. It’s the same approach you see in a legal case, where the lies of a witness are used to discredit the testimony of that witness, even if the lies had nothing to do with the legal issue that’s the focus of the trial.
The problem with UFO research is that there is too much careless and superficial research. Someone sees that proverbial light in the sky, and it’s branded an unknown, rather than something that might have a perfectly normal explanation if given some careful attention. There’s also a fair amount of bickering among researchers with different points of view, and while healthy debate is useful, sometimes it just goes a bit too far.
If real, UFOs may be the greatest mystery of our time. But we need healthy, informed skepticism to toss away the irrelevant evidence, the noise, and find the signal that may, in time, lead us to sorely-needed answers about what’s really going on.
The Paracast Copyright 1999-2012 Making The Impossible, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy: Your personal information is safe with us. We will positively never give out your name and/or e-mail address to anybody else, and that's a promise!
December 16, 2012
Skeptical Researcher Lance Moody Quizzed on The Paracast
Special Announcement: The Paracast is heard Sundays from 2:00 AM until 5:00 AM Central Time on the GCN Radio Network and affiliates around the USA, and online across the globe via download and on-demand streaming.
Why It's Important for You to Donate to The Paracast: Although ads help cover a small part of our expenses, the income they produce is never enough to pay your humble hosts decent wages. Also, we do not receive any revenue from the ads placed on the show by our network or local stations. So we hope you're able to help fill the gap, if you can, to help us cover increasing server costs and other expenses -- or perhaps provide a little extra cash for lunch and utility bills. No contribution is too small (or too large
. We have a Donate link on our home page, below the logo and audio player. There's also a Donate link on our forums, at the bottom of the sidebar on the right. Or just send your PayPal donation direct to sales (at) theparacast (dot) com.Attention U.S. Listeners: Help Us Bring The Paracast to Your City! In the summer of 2010, The Paracast joined the GCN radio network. This represented a huge step in bringing our show to a larger, mainstream audience. But we need your help to add additional affiliates to our growing network. Please ask one of your local talk stations if they are interested in carrying The Paracast. Feel free to contact us directly with the names of programming people we might be able to contact on your behalf. We can't do this alone, and if you succeed in convincing your local station to carry the show, we'll reward you with one of our special T-shirts, and other goodies. With your help, The Paracast can grow into one of the most popular paranormal shows on the planet!
Please Visit Our Online Store: You asked, and we answered. We are now taking orders for The Official Paracast T-Shirt and an expanded collection of other specially customized merchandise. To get your T-Shirt now featuring our brand new logo, just pay a visit to our online store at The Official Paracast Store to select your size and place your order. We also offer a complete lineup of other premium merchandise for your family, your friends and your business contacts.
About The Paracast: The Paracast covers a world beyond science, where UFOs, poltergeists and strange phenomena of all kinds have been reported by millions across the planet.
Set Up: The Paracast is a paranormal radio show that takes you on a journey to a world beyond science, where UFOs, poltergeists and strange phenomena of all kinds have been reported by millions. The Paracast seeks to shed light on the mysteries and complexities of our Universe and the secrets that surround us in our everyday lives.
Join long-time paranormal researcher Gene Steinberg, co-host and acclaimed field investigator Christopher O'Brien, and a panel of special guest experts and experiencers, as they explore the realms of the known and unknown. Listen each week to the great stories of the history of the paranormal field in the 20th and 21st centuries.
This Week's Episode: Gene and Chris present staunch skeptic Lance Moody, who has, for a number of years, provided a solid reality check on what he regards as fanciful claims about possible paranormal events. During this session, Lance will talk about his research, his revelations about possible deception, and why he doesn't believe in such things as ghosts and UFOs.
Chris O'Brien's Site: Our Strange Planet
Lance Moody's Site: The UFO Iconoclast(s): The Lance Moody site
Reminder: Please don't forget to visit our famous Paracast Community Forums for the latest news/views/debates on all things paranormal: The Paracast Community Forums. We recently completed a major update that makes our community easier to navigate, and social network friendly.
We Need the Right Kind of Debunking
By Gene Steinberg
Whenever I hear about a UFO debunker, I think of the late Harvard astronomer Dr. Donald Menzel. Seems that, whenever there was a major UFO sighting, he’d make an effort to tell you why it just couldn’t be anything strange. It just HAD to be conventional, and he often twisted logic into a pretzel to make it seem that he had the answer.
Years ago, I watched an episode of a TV talk show, NBC’s “The Open Mind,” where Menzel went up against John G. Fuller, author of “The Interrupted Journey,” the best-selling book about the UFO abduction experience of Barney and Betty Hill.
When Fuller challenged Menzel’s explanation of one UFO encounter, you could see the aging scientist having a melt down then and there. Watching the discussion on a black and white TV, I could imagine Menzel’s face turning beet red as he became more and more confused over the facts of the case. It was clear to me he was just shooting from the hip, inventing his explanation out of whole cloth.
Later debunkers did better in developing explanations for UFO cases. But Menzel stands first among many, having written several books that seemed to reveal an excessive interest in the subject. If he felt there was nothing to flying saucer sightings, why did he devote so much time and energy to the subject?
Now this doesn’t mean there’s no room for healthy skepticism. Certainly most UFO sightings have conventional explanations of one sort or another, ranging from a regular airplane, a weather balloon, perhaps some sort of natural phenomenon. A pinpoint light in the sky that doesn’t seem to engage in any rapid-fire maneuvers isn’t evidence of an unworldly visit either, and photos and movies can nowadays be easily faked with software that’s readily available.
The assumption from the skeptic is that the so-called “unknowns” could be explained away as well, if there was only enough information with which to reach the inevitable conclusion that they aren’t spaceships.
Unfortunately, there’s a large residue of sightings that continue, even after many years of study, to defy rational explanation. Whether it’s five or ten percent of the case reports, or a whole lot less, they cannot be explained away if approached fairly. Being unknown doesn’t necessarily prove that ET is here, or that we’re being visited by interdimensional entities or time travelers, but many of these cases have enough data to indicate that something really strange is going on.
But entering an investigation of a possible unknown with preconceptions of what the solution might be is unscientific. It doesn’t matter if you believe or disbelieve. If your approach is colored by your expectations as to the outcome, you are apt to reach the wrong conclusion. Important evidence may be overlooked, or conclusions manipulated to support your belief system.
This is where the classic debunker does a disservice. Rather than just pointing out the flaws in any UFO case, they assume it’s all flawed. Data may be twisted to fit the preconception. It has to be an airplane, because it’s a moving light in the sky, and airplanes are occasionally seen in that area. Even if the aircraft engages in feats of maneuverability that appear to exceed that of known conventional aircraft while running silent, even at fairly close range, you have to wonder how much the pretzel can be twisted before the stretch of logic tears itself apart.
At the same time, believing that most any unusual light in the sky is a visitor from Tau Ceti is no less an exercise in futility. It doesn’t help anyone figure out what’s really going on.
The proper skeptic, however, will examine the evidence fairly, both the good and the bad, to try to reach a reasoned conclusion. The UFO may still end up as conventional, but the road to that conclusion is paved with logic and reason. It doesn’t mean the skeptic makes up a story to fit into the belief that UFOs must have mundane causes.
To be sure, skeptics also perform the valuable function of exposing the fakers. When Lance Moody, one of the skeptical regulars at The Paracast Community Forums, became suspicious of a UFO researcher trying just a little to hard to boast of his advanced degrees, he decided to do a little research. He found that the researcher in question, and he’s been named on the show and is not deserving of further publicity, didn’t have the degrees in question. Indeed, he had never been a student at the university where he allegedly received a doctorate, even though he continued to wear T-shirts identifying that institution. Of course, shirts of that sort are available to anyone who places an order.
Does that mean the long-time researcher in question, who wrote several books on the paranormal, should no longer be taken seriously? Even if his research was flawless, the answer is yes. That he would lie about his credentials is sufficient reason to suspect all of his work. It’s the same approach you see in a legal case, where the lies of a witness are used to discredit the testimony of that witness, even if the lies had nothing to do with the legal issue that’s the focus of the trial.
The problem with UFO research is that there is too much careless and superficial research. Someone sees that proverbial light in the sky, and it’s branded an unknown, rather than something that might have a perfectly normal explanation if given some careful attention. There’s also a fair amount of bickering among researchers with different points of view, and while healthy debate is useful, sometimes it just goes a bit too far.
If real, UFOs may be the greatest mystery of our time. But we need healthy, informed skepticism to toss away the irrelevant evidence, the noise, and find the signal that may, in time, lead us to sorely-needed answers about what’s really going on.
The Paracast Copyright 1999-2012 Making The Impossible, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy: Your personal information is safe with us. We will positively never give out your name and/or e-mail address to anybody else, and that's a promise!
