Jeff
Ritzmann, host of Paranormal Waypoint on KGRA Radio, recently
undertook a three-part series of shows dedicated to addressing
challenges within research of alleged alien abduction. The series,
designed to identify problems, evidence of such problems and their
subsequent results, began with reviewing information presented by
psychologist Dr. Scott Lilienfeld.
The
doctor explained the lack of reliability in the use of hypnosis as a
memory retrieval tool. Also covered were the inherent challenges
related to witness narratives obtained via
hypnosis. Such challenges include a high degree of cultural
contamination within ufology, as well as biased hypnotists who are typically
overeager to obtain predetermined outcomes. Regressive hypnosis is of
course the preferred investigative tool of such trend setting
researchers of alien abduction as the late Budd Hopkins and retired
historian Dr. David Jacobs. Problem.
Ritzmann's
second episode included guest Carol Rainey, an award-winning
filmmaker, author, grant writer and ex-wife of Hopkins. Rainey drew both widespread support and emotionally-based criticism from the UFO community in 2011
when she published The Priests of High Strangeness: Co-Creation of the “Alien Abduction Phenomenon”,
an article documenting poor research practices by Hopkins and his misrepresentation
of events.
Rainey
followed up the essay by posting videos demonstrating Hopkins'
exaggerations, including one clip in which the writer himself
described his misleading portrayal of circumstances as stacking the
deck.
Additional clips on Rainey's YouTube channel include documentation of
extreme inconsistencies in the Linda Cortile case and as additionally covered by veteran writer/researcher George Hansen and colleagues.
Such circumstances are indeed evidence of problems.
The
third and final episode of the Paranormal Waypoint series will cover
results of the problems and will be broadcast Tuesday, February 4 at
9 p.m. EST. The show will focus upon circumstances surrounding the
case of Emma Woods and the flawed research methodology of David
Jacobs. The historian's reliance on regressive hypnosis as a primary
investigative technique has been coupled with shameless promotion of
completely unsubstantiated claims of human-alien breeding programs.
Opportunities for researchers such as Jacobs to exploit such
circumstances grew out of a ufology culture and subsequent following
largely developed by Hopkins. Jacobs' now resulting iconic status has
blinded many within the demographic to his researcher bias, circumstances affording
him virtual immunity from critical review of his methodology, conclusions and care of research subjects.
Ritzmann
extended an invitation to me, Jack Brewer, to join him and
microbiologist Dr. Tyler Kokjohn on Paranormal Waypoint Tuesday
evening. I look forward to
supporting Ritzmann and his guests in their efforts to clarify circumstances and chains of events occurring within the alien abduction genre. Join us in
the KGRA chat room and express your opinions about the material
covered.
It
should be noted that the Paranormal Waypoint three-part series
consisted of individuals, including Ritzmann and Rainey, who do not
dismiss reports of high strangeness out of hand. They are interpreted by this writer to be among a growing number of community members who recognize it is a poor
choice to settle for premature conclusions in lieu of verifiable
explanations, whatever those explanations may ultimately prove to be.
Looking forward to hearing you on Paranormal Waypoint tonight! Fantastic blog BTW Elle
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elle! See ya in the chat room.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jack. It is much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Emma, and thank _you_.
Delete