Are alien abductees just processing memories of childhood sexual abuse?

Not sure which idea is sadder/scarier

 For decades now, some researchers have speculated that people who report alien abduction experiences are simply trying to process the traumatic memories of childhood sexual abuse. Many abduction stories follow the same general pattern: the victim is alone at night, often quite young, when a large scary humanoid creature spirits them away and performs non-consensual sexual acts before they are returned. 

And one thing abuse survivors and alien abductees have in common: a lot of people don't believe them.

According to this interesting (if upsetting) theory, abuse survivors suppress their traumatic memories. But repressed memories have a way of working themselves to the forefront, one way or another. The victims begin dreaming or hallucinating or mis-remembering these scenarios. It's a way that their minds can begin talking about what happened, without having to talk about it directly.

Of course, the topic of "repressed memories" is a hotly-debated concept. Many well-respected experts believe that repressing traumatic memories is not a legitimate phenomena, but something that belongs in the category of "junk science."

The jury is still out on the topic of recovered memory and traumatic amnesia. 

Another theory holds that alien abduction experiences may be the brain reprocessing "accidental awareness," which is what happens when the anaesthesia doesn't quite work right when you're in surgery. This might account for the strongly medical overtones of many alien abduction scenarios, which often involve bright lights, faceless aliens (a haphazard memory of doctors in surgical masks), long needles, pain, helplessness, and the inability to move.

One study examined the famous abduction of Betty and Barney Hill, and questioned whether his abduction experience might have been a flashback to his recent tonsillectomy. The same report discussed the different ways that memories are formed, pointing out that "Trauma memories are not encoded as logical narratives, but as globs of sensation." The waking brain may struggle to make sense out of this "glob," and in doing so, get some of the details wrong.

The Flat Earth campaign spreads to billboards

Why is this still a thing?

 Of all the weird things happening in 2017, I never would have predicted that the Flat Earth Society would be surviving, much less thriving and advertising. The latest development: a billboard promoting the Flat Earth "theory" is being placed outside the Tulsa International Airport.

The billboard was purchased by a dedicated member of a Flat Earth Facebook group, who paid $1500 to sponsor the billboard for a month. 

In a national atmosphere that seems to be fostering conspiracy theories left and right, the Flat Earth concept is "flourishing," despite centuries of ample evidence to the contrary. And despite what you may wish was true, many Flat Earthers are not kidding: they really believe that this whole "the planet is round" thing is a conspiracy.

The first and foremost item of evidence given for the Flat Earth theory by the Flat Earth Society FAQ is "The world looks flat, the bottoms of clouds are flat." This society believes that the Earth is shaped like a flat disk with the North Pole in the center, and an ice wall surrounding the edge, which "explorers have named Antarctica."

The short list of celebrities who believe the Earth is flat includes NBA star Kyrie Irving, Tila Tequila, and rapper B.o.B., which is excellent evidence that we should not look to celebrities for any kind of guidance, much less scientific advice.

Speaking to Dead People

Paranormal experts sought answers from ghost Gwyrch Castle

EVP may be most well known as a fictional method of speaking to the dead popularized on movies like Ghostbusters, but actual paranormal investigators do utilize electronic voice phenomena when they attempt to collect data on the unexplained. A team of researchers traveled to 19th century Gwyrch Castle, where sightings of a ghostly woman and reports of terrified dogs have been reported. Rumors circulate that ever since the restoration of the grounds has commenced in 2014, ghostly occurences have been on the rise as unhappy spirits make their desire for quiet known.

The spirit, or spirits, may have the oppositie feeling. When researchers asked how any inhabitants felt about the restoration project, a voice called out "Happy" in the kennel area. Perhaps the spirit appearing is a friendly one who is simply seeking some company in a lonely old castle in North Wales. 

Do you believe in ghosts? Tell us in the chat.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Klat Categories: 
Culture
Society

Massive Cyber Attack Hits Companies

Ransomeware attacks 2,000 people worldwide

It's one of those worst nightmare scenarios: businesses owners over the world wake up to find themselves rendered powerless with a nasty virus demanding money in order to be lifted. It happened this morning after cyberattacks hit Europe, Asia and the United States. The ransomeware is a new kind that has not yet been profiled, but the original source website was tracked to Ukraine. That doesn't tell us much, either, since that site was hacked in order to distribute the virus.

About 60 percent of the attacks occured in the Ukraine and around 2,000 people are thought to have been affected by the hack. Russia's biggest oil company was hit hard, and despite that the spokesperson from the Kremlin reported that no major damage was done, if you believe that.

To find out more about the attacks, click here. Share your thoughts about it in the chat.

 

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Klat Categories: 
News

Wakehurst Parkway: Notoriously haunted road

Locals avoid this remote Australian road at night

 Wakehurst Parkway is a long, remote stretch of road in New South Wales, Australia. This road is notoriously haunted, enough to earn its place in local legend as a bad place to break down in the middle of the night.

The road comes by its haunting honestly: t runs along Deep Creek Reserve, a thickly wooded area which has been the scene of several murders. In 1963, an eight year-old boy was murdered, and his belongings tossed on the road. In 1994, seriial killer Richard William Leonard shot a young man with a bow and arrow nearby, then kept the mutilated remains in his freezer.

There are countless stories of strange electrical problems plaguing drivers who pass through the area at night. Headlights suddenly stop working, radios switch themselves on and off, etc. Many believe that paranormal beings manifest themselves by draining electricity from other items, and electrical interference is often the early warning of an impending paranormal encounter.

One of the most famous ghosts in the area is called "Kelly." Kelly is a classic "Lady in White," often seen wearing either a long white gown or a nun's habit, and standing in the middle of Middle Creek Bridge. She has also been known to appear in the back seats of cars which pass through the area, to the terror of the unsuspecting drivers.

Would you go out of your way to drive this road at night... or avoid it?

People Have Sex with the Earth

And they're known as Ecosexuals

Before you start jumping to conclusions, no, Ecosexuality is not a lifestyle where people actually get married to and are only attracted to the Earth. On the contrary, it is a form of performance art, but it does make use of actual sex with the earth in many different ways. Some may embrace trees or soil while others use vegetables as sex toys, but it's all for the purpose of making environmental activism more fun and sexy. Annie Sprinkle and Professor Elizabeth Stephens started the movement, which uses theatricality in order to raise awareness about environmental issues.

Some forms of sexecology are not even that controversial. Having an orgasm in a waterfall, for example, isn't a huge deal to lots of people. Getting naked and gyrating in some mud, however, may raise a few eyebrows, while licking trees just doesn't seem quite so sanitary, either.

Have you ever heard of sexecology or witnessed a performance? What was it like and did you ever consider getting involved?

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Klat Categories: 
Culture
Society
Hobbies
Arts
Entertainment

Desperate Scottish couple offer huge salary to nannies willing to work in their haunted house

It's a lot of money, but is it enough?

 A Scottish couple is offering a staggering salary of $84,000 PLUS a room with an en suite bathroom and a private kitchen, as well as 28 paid days off a year. Sounds good - until you learn why.

“Five nannies have left the role in the last year, each citing supernatural incidents as the reason, including strange noises, broken glass and furniture moving."

The couple is looking for a strong-willed nanny, their sixth in a year, who can bring themselves to live in this haunted nightmare, and provide excellent childcare services at the same time.

The couple has a beautiful spacious, historic house in the Scottish borders, and two children, ages five and seven.

The founder of the site where the job was posted has investigated and verified that the posting is legitimate. 

No one has been harmed in the house, but the unnerving supernatural occurrences have been enough to put off all five previous nannies. But not the homeowners, who have lived in the home for over 10 years. 

The Strange Allure of Kaindy Lake

Put this one on your bucket list

An underwater forest sounds like something fanciful, maybe from the Lost City of Atlantis, but they do exist for real on Earth. The Sunken Forest of Lake Kaindy located in Kazakhstan is one such place and its beauty is completely breathtaking. The lake itself measures 400 meters in length and was formed when an earthquake blocked off the area, creating a natural lake for rain water to fill in. The constant coldness of the water has maintained the spruce trees that poke up from the surface, presenting an amazing sight from the top of the lake.

It's beneath the lake, however, where the preserved forest appears like something out of a fairytale. The submerged trees are a cross between natural wonder and sunken treasure, bringing the gorgeous scenery of a Miyazaki movie to mind. Perhaps the maestro found inspiration in this lake? It definitely reminds me of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

What do you think of this majestic forest? Would you want to go see it in person?

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

Klat Categories: 
Travel
International
Environment

The Strange Allure of Kaindy Lake

Put this one on your bucket list

An underwater forest sounds like something fanciful, maybe from the Lost City of Atlantis, but they do exist for real on Earth. The Sunken Forest of Lake Kaindy located in Kazakhstan is one such place and its beauty is completely breathtaking. The lake itself measures 400 meters in length and was formed when an earthquake blocked off the area, creating a natural lake for rain water to fill in. The constant coldness of the water has maintained the spruce trees that poke up from the surface, presenting an amazing sight from the top of the lake.

It's beneath the lake, however, where the preserved forest appears like something out of a fairytale. The submerged trees are a cross between natural wonder and sunken treasure, bringing the gorgeous scenery of a Miyazaki movie to mind. Perhaps the maestro found inspiration in this lake? It definitely reminds me of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.

What do you think of this majestic forest? Would you want to go see it in person?

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

Klat Categories: 
Travel
International
Environment

Snake Pukes Up Live Snake

You have to see it to believe it

Have you ever heard of a snake eating another snake? Sure, plenty of them do it. In fact, people should allow black snakes to live around their property for that very reason. They keep you safe from venomous snakes. But have you ever heard of a snake regurgitating another snake? They might if they feel threatened, like this snake. When the video taker mentioned that he just saw the snake at his mother's house, the snake immediately began to throw up his prey and skedaddle, giving himself the energy to move away quickly.

What he left behind, however, was a live snake! The snake he'd eaten was still alive after he threw it up. Seriously, just watch it. It's the grossest but coolest thing you'll see today.

Have you seen any cool animal footage lately? Share your animal videos in the chat space.

 

 

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Klat Categories: 
Animals
Wild
Amphibians

Pages