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| 'Black Light: Perspectives on Mysterious Phenomena' by William J. Grabowski |
Grabowski
shares some personal experiences of seemingly paranormal phenomena,
as well as resulting insights, but that is by no means to suggest the
author lacks healthily skeptical perspective. He explains how he has
come to view the so-called paranormal as relatively common place,
whatever its explanations may include. He is also quite clear in his
disappointment of what is all too often the traveling circus of
phenomenology. The author suggests the widespread public
interpretation of “UFO” as synonymous with “extraterrestrial
vehicle” indicates a lack of critical thinking and outright
hostility toward ideas and intellect.
Plenty
of quite worthwhile contributions to ufology and related genres are
considered as well, including the work of such innovators as Jacques
Vallee, George P. Hansen and Martin Cannon. Grabowski thinks Carl
Jung was knocking on the right doors, and fans of John Keel will be
well satisfied with the attention and respect given the Fortean
pioneer.
Considerations
of the Mothman saga and Point Pleasant are among the most interesting
aspects of 'Black Light'. While Grabowski suspects a truly unknown
phenomenon may have been at the heart of the occurrences, he makes a
compelling case the events were possibly exploited and served as some
type of social study by the powers that be. He suggests the
circumstances may have been involved in the genesis of data-farming
under the guise of paranormal phenomena. In support of his
suspicions, Grabowski explains how reports of so-called census takers
became common around Point Pleasant, as well as the presence of an
overly inquisitive woman falsely claiming to be John Keel's
secretary. Such events are potentially correlated with reported
telephone anomalies and the work of Martin Cannon, specifically 'The
Numbers Game'. It all makes for very thought provocative potential
dot-connections, including truly interesting circumstances
surrounding the history of the government site which came to be known
as the TNT area that played such an influential role in the Mothman
chain of events.
Also
considered are Project Stork and a Battelle Memorial Institute
document, each of which are quite intriguing and carry a great deal
of potential significance to the UFO community. Grabowski has
extensively explored the intelligence community descent into mind
control, including reading the entire transcript of Congressional
hearings on Project MKULTRA. He subsequently became convinced, he
explains, that no serious or even semi-serious researcher of
anomalous aerial phenomena and associated activity can with integrity
ignore the exceedingly dark topic.
'Black Light' includes an intriguing fictional quite
related short story penned by Grabowski, who has authored over 300
such stories. An informative interview of the author conducted by Lee
D. Munro is also included.
After
inviting readers to consider reported alien abduction, seemingly
flying anomalies, the intelligence community and things that go bump
in the night and day, the author encourages us to ask, “So what?”,
perhaps the ultimate question. In proper Zen-like fashion, Grabowski
suggests the answer might include the consideration that the
unexamined life is not worth living, an observation of which this
writer and advocate of self-discovery would agree.
Purchase
'Black Light: Perspectives on Mysterious Phenomena'
at Amazon. Learn more about author William J. Grabowski at his writer's page.
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Originally posted at 'Orlando Paranormal Examiner'
Jack, thank you very much for the great review!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Bill. I'm still mulling over some of your points and implications. Thanks for your work!
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