Update on Gene, Tuesday Nov. 18

[Tim Swartz]

According to Gene, it has been difficult for him to communicate with the forum and others due to most of his gear at home. I guess he has his phone, but that's it.

 

[Tyger]

So sad to hear this news.

Someone mentioned having someone interview Gene. I think that is a great idea.

Reading between the lines, sooner rather than later is likely best. Wish I didn't feel I have to say that but theses things can move fast.

 

[Gene Steinberg]

The shows could probably be archived on Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine and maybe a couple other places. It all depends on what Gene wants to do.

It’s 19 years of work. I’m not giving it away.

 

[Gene Steinberg]

Agreed, but it takes vigilance and some nerdy work to administer most any website with a forum. However, if the member’s forum was temporarily disabled and various fair minded guest hosts without a cohost were able to provide an hour and a half show twice a month, folks may stick around until Gene was able to carry on. I remember when Decker among other talk show hosts would field calls from various listeners who would have questions for either Decker or one of his guests.

Over so many years and up until just recently The Paracast has provided a weekly show without fail, and if not mistaken Gene’s extended setback can possibly be attributed to simply walking a dog.

Why couldn’t it have been something more exhilarating like bungee jumping, or sky diving?

This really sucks …

It first came to light while walking Teddy Bear. But it was due to those nasty bacterial infections. I’m still taking intravenous antibiotics and coughing after a couple of bouts with pneumonia.

 

[SRL+]

It first came to light while walking Teddy Bear. But it was due to those nasty bacterial infections. I’m still taking intravenous antibiotics and coughing after a couple of bouts with pneumonia.

Ahh… that’s it, the infection. In 22’ there were several days that I lived in a hospital room with an IV plugged into the arm due to a serious infection. Multiple weeks must be a brutal stay. Just imagine the folks without any type of medical insurance, and what they would end up paying. Needless to say, you must be of the hardiest of breeds.

 

[Randall]

It’s 19 years of work. I’m not giving it away.

To me, the value of The Paracast has nothing to do with what it would sell for. IMO it's a priceless piece of cultural history that should be preserved and made freely available to everyone. That said, a person can't be blamed for wanting to get paid for their work either. Ideally — maybe both things can happen.

 

[JamesT]

I realize that only a select few will get this, but that one should definitely be added to JayVay's collection It's so "Gene" .

I get the reference for sure - but surely all of that was long ago & far away no? In any event,sadly, the fate of so many of the early pioneers of ufology has often been to end up broke & sick.

 

[Randall]

I get the reference for sure - but surely all of that was long ago & far away no? In any event,sadly, the fate of so many of the early pioneers of ufology has often been to end up broke & sick.

I looked into the dissent against Gene before agreeing to be part of the show and never found any of the claims to be substantial. That said, there are still some people who think my reasons for resigning aren't substantial either. The difference between them and me is that I've always welcomed an open and censorship free deep dive into the issues, while they haven't — not even now, in my case, long after the big scamdemic panic is over.

So go figure. It seems that the paranormal/ufology community is ingrained with a certain amount of psychological self-sabotage. It's similar IMO to religious or political dogmatism. If you're not aligned with the in-power crowd — you're banned or censored out. For the record, there are way worse platforms than The Paracast in that regard too. How do you think I ended-up back here

 

[JamesT]

I looked into the dissent against Gene before agreeing to be part of the show and never found any of the claims to be substantial. That said, there are still some people who think my reasons for resigning aren't substantial either. The difference between them and me is that I've always welcomed an open and censorship free deep dive into the issues, while they haven't — not even now, in my case, long after the big scamdemic panic is over.

So go figure. It seems that the paranormal/ufology community is ingrained with a certain amount of psychological self-sabotage. It's similar IMO to religious or political dogmatism. If you're not aligned with the in-power crowd — you're banned or censored out. For the record, there are way worse platforms than The Paracast in that regard too. How do you think I ended-up back here

Well I started listening to the Paracast from the getgo and it was such an exciting era in those days - I looked forward to each new episode every week - there was so much material to get through - so many ufological pioneers still in the game towards the end of their lives, so many old “cases” to discuss and relatively few ads initially.

 

[JamesT]

Well I started listening to the Paracast from the getgo and it was such an exciting era in those days - I looked forward to each new episode every week - there was so much material to get through - so many ufological pioneers still in the game towards the end of their lives, so many old “cases” to discuss and relatively few ads initially.

I looked into the dissent against Gene before agreeing to be part of the show and never found any of the claims to be substantial. That said, there are still some people who think my reasons for resigning aren't substantial either. The difference between them and me is that I've always welcomed an open and censorship free deep dive into the issues, while they haven't — not even now, in my case, long after the big scamdemic panic is over.

So go figure. It seems that the paranormal/ufology community is ingrained with a certain amount of psychological self-sabotage. It's similar IMO to religious or political dogmatism. If you're not aligned with the in-power crowd — you're banned or censored out. For the record, there are way worse platforms than The Paracast in that regard too. How do you think I ended-up back here

But I guess that over time pretty much everything about the subject had been exhausted and we were no nearer to solving the great ufo mystery - so many of the great pioneers and a couple of the co-hosts passed over with the riddle still unsolved. Over time we moved into the proliferation of paranormal podcasts, tv shows and cult ufo media personalities. Money increasingly become a major factor.
Unless one is on the ufological Hollywood bandwagon or has independent wealth or a good day job surely one can only look upon ufology as a hobby? - and probably quite an expensive one at that. One’s hobby doesn’t owe one a living no matter how one is devoted to the subject.

 

[Randall]

But I guess that over time pretty much everything about the subject had been exhausted and we were no nearer to solving the great ufo mystery - so many of the great pioneers and a couple of the co-hosts passed over with the riddle still unsolved. Over time we moved into the proliferation of paranormal podcasts, tv shows and cult ufo media personalities. Money increasingly become a major factor.
Unless one is on the ufological Hollywood bandwagon or has independent wealth or a good day job surely one can only look upon ufology as a hobby? - and probably quite an expensive one at that. One’s hobby doesn’t owe one a living no matter how one is devoted to the subject.

Just curious — Who in your mind is "owed a living" for anything? Why?

 

[JamesT]

Just curious — Who in your mind is "owed a living" for anything? Why?

It’s a turn of phrase probably used more commonly in the UK & in a general context. In that it’s unrealistic to expect that one’s hobby interest,or all consuming passion,would be able to be financially viable of itself. With any fringe subject very few are able to make it pay enough - whether by luck, business/organisational acumen or sheer force of personality - chances are even lower than that of 80/20 principle odds. Subscriptions may possibly contribute to site/periodical running costs but not a lifestyle. When it comes to soliciting for donations at some point then that can sometimes become somewhat contentious.

 

[Randall]

It’s a turn of phrase probably used more commonly in the UK & in a general context. In that it’s unrealistic to expect that one’s hobby interest,or all consuming passion,would be able to be financially viable of itself. With any fringe subject very few are able to make it pay enough - whether by luck, business/organisational acumen or sheer force of personality - chances are even lower than that of 80/20 principle odds. Subscriptions may possibly contribute to site/periodical running costs but not a lifestyle. When it comes to soliciting for donations at some point then that can sometimes become somewhat contentious.

That's the gist of it, but I think the phrase "owed a living" also implies a certain attitude on the part of the user, not too far removed from other phrases like, "Get a real job." or "Do something useful with your life." It suggests an undeserved air of entitlement. In this case, it's that the pursuit of interests that don't pay, are worthless — relegated to the status of a "hobby".

That all sounds harsh ( I know ), and I'm not accusing you of going that far — but I have to admit that there is also a certain hard line pragmatism in it, and that sometimes the idealists in world ( myself included ), need a cold splash of water to remind us that not only are we not "owed a living", or even appreciation. We're often derided, exploited, and cheated out of what we create.

That's probably the hardest part — knowing that's what the world is really like. Maybe that's why the dreamers, shapers, singers, and makers of the world are so thankful for those who do appreciate or kindly donate to their cause . . .

 

[JamesT]

That's the gist of it, but I think the phrase "owed a living" also implies a certain attitude on the part of the user, not too far removed from other phrases like, "Get a real job." or "Do something useful with your life." It suggests an undeserved air of entitlement. In this case, it's that the pursuit of interests that don't pay, are worthless — relegated to the status of a "hobby".

That all sounds harsh ( I know ), and I'm not accusing you of going that far — but I have to admit that there is also a certain hard line pragmatism in it, and that sometimes the idealists in world ( myself included ), need a cold splash of water to remind us that not only are we not "owed a living", or even appreciation. We're often derided, exploited, and cheated out of what we create.

That's probably the hardest part — knowing that's what the world is really like. Maybe that's why the dreamers, shapers, singers, and makers of the world are so thankful for those who do appreciate or kindly donate to their cause . . .

I quite understand - I’m very much a dreamer myself having prematurely abandoned the corporate world to pursue other interests well knowing that financially it was a potential road to ruin - but life is short. Receiving a little help along the way is, of course, appreciated.

 

[Red]

Well, damn. Sounds like Gene is having quite the time. I know Gene is about the age of my folks and that stuff can mess you up. Please tell Gene to keep his hopes up. My mom went thru a major medical event late last year, and she went from the ICU to being in their rehab unit in a couple of weeks. Once he starts gaining momentum with the physical therapy, it'll go quick. Fingers crossed that Gene continues to improve, even if the initial stuff is dragging out.

 

[Randall]

According to Gene, it has been difficult for him to communicate with the forum and others due to most of his gear at home. I guess he has his phone, but that's it.

I'm still working on a Win7 4 core AMD PC. People are practically throwing them away.