THE PARACAST NEWSLETTER
February 18, 2012
UFO Researchers Honor the Memory of Lucius Farish 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.
Please Consider a Donation to The Paracast: Although ads help cover a small part of our expenses, the income they produce is never enough. 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. 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 Brand New 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.
Sunday, February 19, 2012: 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 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 a special UFO roundtable to observe the life and accomplishments of the late UFO researcher, Lou Farish. The guest list includes UFO historian Jerome Clark, author of such works as "The UFO Encyclopedia," long-time researcher Rick R. Hilberg, Curt Sutherly, author of "UFO Mysteries: A Reporter Seeks the Truth," and crop circle researcher Nancy Talbott, from the BLT Research Team.
Christopher O'Brien's Site: Home - Our Strange Planet
Nancy Talbott's Site: BLT Research - Crop Circle Science
Tributes to Lucius Farish: Lou Farish Passes
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.
So Where’s the Venture Capital for UFO Research?
By Gene Steinberg
In the days before the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, you could get money to fund almost any online venture, no matter how crazy. Sure most of those Internet companies failed when it was clear their business plans were absurd or non-existent. But some of those “crazy” ideas did result in hugely successful companies such as, for example, Google.
But you’d think if money could become available for some silly Internet scheme -- and venture capital is still there for the right business plan -- there ought to be some money to fund some other “crazy” ventures, such as UFO research. After all, people have been chasing after those strange flying things for several decades. Loads of organizations devoted to figuring out what’s going on have come and gone. But the research community still consists largely of relatively small UFO clubs struggling to get members to pay $40 or $50 a year to keep them going.
Just the other day, I noticed that the Mutual UFO Network, best known as MUFON, had begun a new member recruitment campaign for 2012. The organization, which began in 1969 as the Midwest UFO Network, has seen its ups and downs over the years. But the current membership roster totals a mere 2,700 people; it was reportedly larger in previous years. After nearly 43 years of existence, not to mention several leadership and organizational changes, you wonder why so few people are interested in joining.
But it’s not as if interest in UFOs has seriously waned. Conference attendance appears to be up and it’s a sure thing that a surprisingly large number of people believe they have seen them. An AP poll, taken in October 2007, reported that some 14% of the people surveyed have answered yes to the question of whether they’ve seen a UFO. There ought to be a tremendous amount of curiosity as to just what caused those sightings.
Now it’s certainly true, as it’s always been, that most of those sightings were simply misidentifications of known objects or phenomena. Planes and planets certainly rate high. But there is that small percentage, usually in the single digits, which simply cannot be explained. Some of those cases are so extraordinary in detail and strangeness that they cry out for further study.
At the same time, it almost seems as if every respectable UFO research organization is begging for pennies, and it’s not as if mainstream scientists are receiving grants to engage in any extended projects to research the phenomena. Governments may or may not be involved, but possibly only to determine if there’s a threat to national security.
Despite the fact that a number of UFO-related documents have been released by governments around the world, including the UK and Canada, few of the cases that have been disclosed rise to the level of a possible unknown. Worse, you do not actually know just how much material has been held back, still available only to those with the proper security clearances. And even those who claim to be whistleblowers with alleged secret information are often suspect themselves.
Now it’s not as if the well heeled never invest their money in UFO research. The late philanthropist Lawrence Rockefeller, who died in 2004, became interested in the subject 11 years earlier. He even funded some research activities, and our own Christopher O’Brien was actually recipient of one of those grants.
More recently, Robert T. Bigelow, owner of a hotel chain, Budget Suites of America, and founder of Bigelow Aerospace, became involved in the subject, acquiring the Skinwalker Ranch, a 480-acre property located near Ballard, Utah, which is said to be the scene of numerous paranormal and UFO activities.
Now Bigelow has the reputation of setting stringent terms and conditions on his investments and the release of information. So, for example, he put money into MUFON to help fund their research. But the funding was later cut off in a dispute over how it was being spent, which accompanied leadership changes at MUFON.
However, there are other billionaires who might be willing to let loose with some of their hard-earned or inherited cash if given a convincing presentation as to the value of such research. Sure, I realize such wealthy individuals as Warren Buffett and Bill Gates are constantly bombarded with requests for grants for one purpose or another. Their philanthropic work is well known, though, and you have to wonder just what sort of pitch might succeed in convincing them that UFOs are worth researching.
And it doesn’t just have to be a billionaire. Even those with a few million in disposable funds could be approached to see if they might be interested in investing in UFO research. Indeed, if they haven’t seen a UFO themselves, no doubt a friend or family member has. The work needs to be done. Are these rich and famous people just holding back because they don’t want to get involved in a “fringe” subject? Or maybe we just don’t know the best ways to approach them so they would take such investments seriously.
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!
February 18, 2012
UFO Researchers Honor the Memory of Lucius Farish 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.
Please Consider a Donation to The Paracast: Although ads help cover a small part of our expenses, the income they produce is never enough. 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. 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 Brand New 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.
Sunday, February 19, 2012: 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 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 a special UFO roundtable to observe the life and accomplishments of the late UFO researcher, Lou Farish. The guest list includes UFO historian Jerome Clark, author of such works as "The UFO Encyclopedia," long-time researcher Rick R. Hilberg, Curt Sutherly, author of "UFO Mysteries: A Reporter Seeks the Truth," and crop circle researcher Nancy Talbott, from the BLT Research Team.
Christopher O'Brien's Site: Home - Our Strange Planet
Nancy Talbott's Site: BLT Research - Crop Circle Science
Tributes to Lucius Farish: Lou Farish Passes
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.
So Where’s the Venture Capital for UFO Research?
By Gene Steinberg
In the days before the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, you could get money to fund almost any online venture, no matter how crazy. Sure most of those Internet companies failed when it was clear their business plans were absurd or non-existent. But some of those “crazy” ideas did result in hugely successful companies such as, for example, Google.
But you’d think if money could become available for some silly Internet scheme -- and venture capital is still there for the right business plan -- there ought to be some money to fund some other “crazy” ventures, such as UFO research. After all, people have been chasing after those strange flying things for several decades. Loads of organizations devoted to figuring out what’s going on have come and gone. But the research community still consists largely of relatively small UFO clubs struggling to get members to pay $40 or $50 a year to keep them going.
Just the other day, I noticed that the Mutual UFO Network, best known as MUFON, had begun a new member recruitment campaign for 2012. The organization, which began in 1969 as the Midwest UFO Network, has seen its ups and downs over the years. But the current membership roster totals a mere 2,700 people; it was reportedly larger in previous years. After nearly 43 years of existence, not to mention several leadership and organizational changes, you wonder why so few people are interested in joining.
But it’s not as if interest in UFOs has seriously waned. Conference attendance appears to be up and it’s a sure thing that a surprisingly large number of people believe they have seen them. An AP poll, taken in October 2007, reported that some 14% of the people surveyed have answered yes to the question of whether they’ve seen a UFO. There ought to be a tremendous amount of curiosity as to just what caused those sightings.
Now it’s certainly true, as it’s always been, that most of those sightings were simply misidentifications of known objects or phenomena. Planes and planets certainly rate high. But there is that small percentage, usually in the single digits, which simply cannot be explained. Some of those cases are so extraordinary in detail and strangeness that they cry out for further study.
At the same time, it almost seems as if every respectable UFO research organization is begging for pennies, and it’s not as if mainstream scientists are receiving grants to engage in any extended projects to research the phenomena. Governments may or may not be involved, but possibly only to determine if there’s a threat to national security.
Despite the fact that a number of UFO-related documents have been released by governments around the world, including the UK and Canada, few of the cases that have been disclosed rise to the level of a possible unknown. Worse, you do not actually know just how much material has been held back, still available only to those with the proper security clearances. And even those who claim to be whistleblowers with alleged secret information are often suspect themselves.
Now it’s not as if the well heeled never invest their money in UFO research. The late philanthropist Lawrence Rockefeller, who died in 2004, became interested in the subject 11 years earlier. He even funded some research activities, and our own Christopher O’Brien was actually recipient of one of those grants.
More recently, Robert T. Bigelow, owner of a hotel chain, Budget Suites of America, and founder of Bigelow Aerospace, became involved in the subject, acquiring the Skinwalker Ranch, a 480-acre property located near Ballard, Utah, which is said to be the scene of numerous paranormal and UFO activities.
Now Bigelow has the reputation of setting stringent terms and conditions on his investments and the release of information. So, for example, he put money into MUFON to help fund their research. But the funding was later cut off in a dispute over how it was being spent, which accompanied leadership changes at MUFON.
However, there are other billionaires who might be willing to let loose with some of their hard-earned or inherited cash if given a convincing presentation as to the value of such research. Sure, I realize such wealthy individuals as Warren Buffett and Bill Gates are constantly bombarded with requests for grants for one purpose or another. Their philanthropic work is well known, though, and you have to wonder just what sort of pitch might succeed in convincing them that UFOs are worth researching.
And it doesn’t just have to be a billionaire. Even those with a few million in disposable funds could be approached to see if they might be interested in investing in UFO research. Indeed, if they haven’t seen a UFO themselves, no doubt a friend or family member has. The work needs to be done. Are these rich and famous people just holding back because they don’t want to get involved in a “fringe” subject? Or maybe we just don’t know the best ways to approach them so they would take such investments seriously.
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!