Volume 2, Number 2, Spring 2003

• The Kraken: Fact, Fiction or Both?
• Mermaids, manatees and misshapen humans
• Application of Global Positioning Systems Technology to Solve the Problems of the Bermuda Triangle
• Ghosts On Film: Capturing the Spirit
• Virtue in the Afterlife: An Examination of Ghosts and Their Morality.

 

The Kraken: Fact, Fiction or Both?

Alan White, Elizabeth Hendricks

Seafaring men have told tales for generations of a horrifying sea monster called the kraken. In lore, the kraken was a many-tentacled beast of enormous proportion, capable of capsizing a sailing ship by wrapping its tentacles around the ship's hull. New evidence suggests the beast of legend may exist in reality in the form of a giant octopus or, more likely, a giant squid of heretofore unseen size, as squid are known to be far more aggressive. In this paper, we take a critical look at the new evidence for the existence of behemoth squid and the likelihood that the kraken of legend has finally been discovered.

Mermaids, manatees and misshapen humans

Donald Franklin

In this retrospective study the author will examine historical evidence and eyewitness accounts of encounters with alleged mermaids. Utilizing records dating from 1705 through 1920, including ship's logs, diaries and other accounts, the author will show that most alleged mermaid sightings were the result of mis-identification of manatees in the water or sunning on rocks, or actual humans. There is historical evidence suggesting that in some cultures deformed children were often thrown from boats, thus leading to misinformed sightings recorded as mermaid encounters.

Application of Global Positioning Systems Technology to Solve the Problems of the Bermuda Triangle

Kent W. Sharman, Balthazar Stant

Data collected from satellite GPS technology over the past few decades and recently declassified by the military for use by the scientific research community shows several fascinating patterns with respect to trade routes historically sailed between Bermuda, San Juan and Miami, Fl. and the many ships that have disappeared thereon. Meteorological, geomagnetic, paranavigational, aerodynamic and electronic data is collated and synthesized in order to support the authors' thesis of possible hazardous nuclear testing activity in the area over several years in the mid-1940s and 1950s having a potentially catastrophic genetic effect on the local underwater fauna. Implications for gigantism and thyrodic hypermutation in salt water fish species, the transmutation of formerly docile aquatic life into potentially murderous ship-seeking predators, and the ability of satellite systems to trace and possibly map the hunting patterns of these underwater ravagers, is discussed and analyzed herein.

Ghosts On Film: Capturing the Spirit

Lawrence Craig, David M. Hofer

We examine the pros and cons of standard photographic equipment and newer digital imaging technologies in capturing "spirits" and other manifestations, including so-called "ghostly orbs." We conclude that while digital cameras and other digital equipment can serve adequately as a backup or confirming information capture method, the gold standard for proving paranormal encounters remains physical film due to the need for close scrutiny of a film negative, which digital imaging lacks.

Virtue in the Afterlife: An Examination of Ghosts and Their Morality.

Carla Straum and Elvira Michaelson

From Resurrection Mary to Bloody Mary, paranormal forensic experts Straum and Michaelson delve into the backgrounds and motivations of ghostly emanations in first-world countries, searching for consistencies and possible relevance to morals and societal pressures of each spirit's visceral timeline. Many emanations have been revealed to be tragedies at their source, which led our otherworldly examiners to scrutinize and categorize the economic trends, cultural influences, and gender boundaries which seem to define and shape each ghost's insistence on clinging to this dimension instead of moving on. This article corresponds to an instructional component by the authors, in collaboration with Jason Underwood, noted ghost photographer - so additional microfiche and slide media is available. Samples in the article are reproduced with permission, and have all been verified as accurate.