Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous Topics:

• Ancient Astronauts – A belief that aliens have been visiting earth since ancient times and may be the source of various religions, technologies, and perhaps life on earth. Carl Sagan and Francis Crick are well-respected scientists who have suggested this as a hypothetical possibility, but the possibility has been carried much further, even to dogma, by some. It has been popularized in the film Stargate and the TV series X-Files.
• CIA- The Central Intelligence Agencyof the United States Government is an intelligence gathering and analysis organization that also partakes in covert operations.
  • Project MKULTRA (Operation Midnight Climax).
  • 1953 Iranian Coup d’Etat.
  • Bay of Pigs Invasion (Cuba).

• Hollow Earth – A theory originally proposed for scientific reasons several hundred years ago, which has become a common feature of pseudo-science and a recurring theme in science fiction. See also the article on Subterranean Fiction, the article on Agartha.
• Koreshan Unity – A small religious group founded by Cyrus Teed in the late 1800′s which attempted to create several utopian settlements and did make some significant economic and agricultural accomplishments despite its small size. The sect has now died out completely. See also the note on Hollow Earth above, as Teed taught this theory.
• Lactose Intolerance – The inability to digest lactase, most commonly found in dairy-based products, resulting in intestinal discomfort.
• Legendary / Literary Figures:
  • King Arthur.
• Literary:
  • Les Voyages Extraordinaires – Strictly speaking, these are a series of novels written by Jules Vernes which tend to be involve exploration or theoretical science and are considered useful for both entertainment and learning. More generally speaking, one could apply the genre to those works of fiction which provide insight into the sciences and the natural world while using a fictional narrative.
• New Chronology – Created by respected mathematician Anatoly Fomenko it suggests that history was purposely falsified and that most events described as occurring in ancient times actually occurred during the medieval time period. Fomenko uses a number of mathematical approaches to verify his hypothesis.
• Out of Place Artifacts- Sometimes archaeological discoveries are made which run at odds with our current historical understanding. We find coins from one country that we didn’t think had any contact with another country until hundreds of years later, we find advanced technology long before it was invented, and so on. Most of these items are hoaxes, misinterpretations, and so on – but some are valid and fascinating. (Topics: Science, Archaeology, History, Technology)
  • Baghdad Battery – Artifacts believe to be from around 200-300 C.E. that have been posited as a form of primitive battery.
  • Antikythera Mechanism – A complex mechanical device which precisely calculates astronomical positions and is believed to be from the B.C.E. It is fully validated and astonishing since it is the only artifact of its kind that appears until 1400 years later.

• Scientology – A religious philosophy founded by L. Ron Hubbard which has garnered significant criticism and followers. Its hard to sum up concisely – but lets just say its history and founder are fascinating.
• The Singularity – A growing movement amongst technology moguls, academics, and intellectuals. Spearheaded by Ray Kurzweil, a prolific inventor. Is mankind nearing a point of singularity where existence as we know it will fundamentally shift? (Topics: Science, Philosophy, Religion, Technology).
• Tourette’s Syndrome.
• Voynich Manuscript.
• Tungunska 1908 Phenomenon.
• Naga Fireballs.
• Bermuda Triangle.
• Mokele-mbembe.
• Spanish Flu.
• Trepanation.
• Feral Children.
• Sleeping Sickness.
• Alexithymia.
• Fordlandia.
• Battle of Los Angeles.
• Electrogaiagrams.
• John Frum Cult.
• Number Stations.
• Salem Witch Trials.
• Radium Girls.
• Psychopaths.
• Bloop.
• The Occult- The occult is technically the study of hidden knowledge, but in more common usage it refers to organizations which delve into spiritual realities which are not known or accepted by the vast majority of mankind. It is oftentimes associated specifically with religious practices which are anti-Christian, e.g. Satanism.
  • Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn – One of the best-known occult orders which flourish in the late 1800′s and early 1900′s. Played a significant role in the development of current occult beliefs.

Bibliography:

• DamnInteresting. This popular blog is one of the most well-respected and aged blogs on the web dealing with strange topics from a scientific yet open-minded perspective. Obviously, its title may offer offense to some and not all the content is necessarily kid friendly. Overall, I’d give the site a PG-13 rating.