In the last post, I explored the alternate definition in regard to the creation of mythology when the spoken word, memory and the transmission of concepts pre-dated the written word. To put it simply, sound and images were the medium of transmission.
I also used this opportunity to explore an an alternate view of the source and purpose of the UFO phenomenon. If you read the last post, then it should come as no great surprise that I dissent from the view that mythological archetypes such as Oannes, Nommo and the like were, in fact, extraterrestrials, or for that matter, actual living organisms. As I opined in that post and perhaps this one as well, nuance and the subtle have been sledge hammered out of our range of cognition.
However, it is not counterintuitive, at least to me, to consider that a form of speculative form of Cryptozoology might be an interesting subject for us to consider when meditating on the possible source of our USO phenomenon. One of the most entangling and confusing forms of reductionism is to look for a silver bullet, or unified field theory that fits all phenomenon. More often than not, while it is personally interesting to explore these theories, I certainly acknowledge by the necessity of self skepticism, they are speculative. I could fill an entire post with just a recounting of all the occasions I have used the words, 'possible", "may" or "could." I believe, if my memory serves me well, it was Greg Bishop who observed there are so many facets to the subject, the journey might be far more interesting than the final destination of proof..
As some already know, I personally consider this to be a very strong candidate for the aim or intent of this phenomenon. I have included a brief overview of the USO phenomenon simply because it has been so thoroughly covered elsewhere. At least, as to it's history and so forth. Also, I have been rightfully critiqued for making the critical assumption that everyone knows the background of the topic at hand, especially younger readers who have said as much.
An Unidentified Submerged Object, or USO, is defined as any object or optical or mechanical detection phenomenon of unknown origin observed within water that remains unidentified even after thorough investigation. The maritime analog to a UFO, or unidentified flying object, unidentified submerged objects are often seen by those who study unidentified flying objects as a phenomenon the same as or similar, but encountered in water instead of atmosphere.
-Wikipedia
An Unexplored Territory
More than 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, but to date, we've explored less than 5 percent of it.Geophysicist Walter Smith, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Laboratory for Satellite Altimetry clarified the situation that 90% of the ocean floor is unmapped; "If you make an estimate using all the historical data in a place like South Pacific, and compare it to the United States at the same scale, it looks a bit like the interstate highway system," he explained. "It's like sending surveyors out and saying that every few miles they can measure the height of the ground, but [they can] never leave the interstate highway system—then asking them to come back and make a map showing all the geographic features of the United States."
The USS San Fransisco came upon this fact when it collided with an uncharted sea mount, at least that was the conclusion offered in the official investigation.
"The findings of fact show that San Francisco, while transiting at flank (maximum) speed and submerged to 525 feet, hit a seamount that did not appear on the chart being used for navigation," the 124-page report said of the incident in the vicinity of the Caroline Islands.
The Unknown Sounds of NOAA
Unidentified sounds stream through the darkness of the ocean depths. According to NOAA, one sound was heard only once, never to be captured again. The University of Washington used to post the Mystery Sonogram of the Month The anomalous sounds recorded by NOAA are nicknamed Bloop, Slow Down, Julia, Train, Whistle and Upsweep. You can sample these using the NOAA link below:
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/vents/acoustics/sounds_mystery.html
The Unknown Undersea Lights of Physics
Many UFO investigators are unaware that material physicists have come up with no less than than the sum total of these theories, which have explained to no one's satisfaction as to what causes this phenomenon.
Herring, P.J. and Horsman, P. (1985). Phosphorescent Wheels: Fact or Fiction? The Marine Observer, 194-201.
Herring, P.J. and Widder, E.A. (2001). Bioluminescence in Plankton and Nekton. In: Steele, J.H., Thorpe, S.A. and Turekian, K.K. editors, Encyclopedia of Ocean Science, Vol. 1, 308-317. Academic Press, San Diego.
Hilder, B. (1962). Marine phosphorescence and magnetism. Navigation. (J. Aust. Inst. Navigation). 1, 43-60.
Kalle, K. (1960). Die rätselhafte und 'unheimliche' Naturverscheinung des 'explodierended' und des 'trotierenden' Meeresleuchtens – eine Folge Seebeben? Dt hydrogr. Z, Hamburg, 13, No. 2, 49-77. (Review in The Mariner Observer, 31, 1961, 148-149).
Otto, L. (1979). Waarnemingen van het 'lichtend wiel', Nautisch Technisch Tijdschrift/De Zee, Nr. 4.
Staples, R.F. (1966). The distribution and characteristics of surface bioluminescence in the oceans. U.S. Naval Hydrographic Office, Washington D.C. Technical Report, TR184, 48pp.
Tarasov, N.I. (1956). Luminescence of the Seal*. U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences. (* In Russian: U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office translation).
Tydeman, G.F. (1911). Het onverklaarbaar lichtverschijnsel. De Zee, 14-19.
Tydeman, G.F. (1921). Een zeldzaam lichtverschijnsel, De Zee, 209-211.
Verploegh, G. (1958). Het mysterie van het lichtend wiel. De Blauwe Wimpel, 8, 232-235.
This observation, which was prepared by the witnesses took place on 5 November 1978 at 00:05 hours, local time on board (4 November 1978, 21:35 GMT)on board the MS Dione. The phenomenon took place in about 15 minutes, after which the wheels and spokes disappeared slowly. Note the scale of the hull outline to the diameter of the light observed. What is interesting in these reports brings to mind use of a sonic detection with may cause such an pattern effect on the bio-illuminating lifeforms present in the sea. According to published reports, these were not seen until the passing of wood vessels and the introduction of metal hulls. Were the wooden hulls a factor as they were not detected?
Chasing Unknown Sonar Targets
A certain Naval officer apparently grew tired of the endless reports of unsucessful and prolonged chases of unidentified targets off the U.S coast.
``Whereas, the presence of unidentified submarines in the approaches to the United States has been frequently reported, and
``Whereas, the submarines have been uncooperative in declaring either their identity or their intent as is required by the customs and usages of honorable seamen, and
``Whereas, tangible evidence that these surreptitious operations are being conducted would result in appropriate embarrassment to those involved
``Therefore, I do hereby pledge to donate one case of Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Brand of Quality Tennessee Sour Mash Corn Whiskey, made as our fathers made it for seven generations at the oldest registered whiskey distillery in the United States, established 1866, to the first Scene of Action Commander in the Atlantic who produces evidence that a non U.S. or known friendly submarine has been worn out.''
"A Longtime friend and coworker of mine at Boston's Museum of Science is Valerie Wilcox of Aubarndale, Massachusetts. During a telephone conversation with me on July 27, 1984, Val commented that an English acquaintance recently mentioned a UFO experience that he had while he was in the Royal Navy. He told her he was present when an unidentified target was picked up on his ship's radar and then tracked by sonar after it entered the water! Part of the log referring to this event was alleged to have been confiscated. Val offered to have us both come to dinner some evening in late August or early September so that I could question the individual about his experience..."
- RADAR/SONAR CONTACT by WALTER N. WEBB
For full report: http://www.waterufo.net/item.php?id=174
More: http://www.ufoevidence.org/documents/doc1713.htm
Acoustic Visualisation In Intraspecies Communication
Within the relationships between the possibility of extraterrestrial sentient species, ourselves, and ufology in general is the presumption of communication being possible as well as potentially being a challenge. many have discussed the phenomenon which may occur or perhaps is occurring now, in a situation wherein we are talking past one another. Or, one is speaking and the other has an organic inability to comprehend,let alone recognise that this communication is being presented either directly or indirectly to them.
One of the biggest hurdles in acknowledging this potential pitfall is the close minded methodology of traditional science which, for the most part has tied its hands behind its back while putting the cart of proof before the horse.
"Nature became identified with matter and its movement, whereas mind, believing, suffering, perceiving, but not interfering, was conceived as existing apart from the external nature that it observed, described, and measured. Yet to the extent that mind is in nature, it is a product of nature. Mind is a quality proceeding from living organisms, and organisms are regarded by mechanist science as arising from the blind interactions of undirected matter; both life and mind become in this view simply the outcome of the random interactions of matter over a vast scale of time. Any apparent meaning to this process, any type of evolutionary advancement or value or purpose, is simply a projection of the observer; in itself, nature is intrinsically blind, without purpose, meaning, or value. This was the philosophical paradox that modern science, based on inductive abstraction, led itself into: confronted with a universe both lifeless and devoid of mind, how to explain the apparent intelligibility of nature and the fact of living organisms."
-Terrence McKenna The Invisible Landscape
For your consideration, there is also in this, a darkness in the pride that often lies side by side with ignorance. What if the intelligent species we came upon had no natural defense against our own animal instincts of exploitation, harvesting, and extermination?
What makes the consideration of this possibilty a judgement we make upon ourselves, is that unlike other species less so empowered; there we have a choice in this.
Is what we fear in alien contact, a form of perverse recognition of what we are?
Are the chilling experiences of abductions a mirror of our own controlling and exploitive behavior? Do as I say. As I have said before, it was if a unrecognised force of nature was taking possession of our free will and then stepping back and saying..well...how do you like it when the shoe is on the other foot? The clinical clean room setting..the blind drones...the sociopathic assurances...the physical and psychic violation of others..then to be discarded like a piece of senseless meat alongside of the road.We would prefer all of this to go away so we can pretend this is not so. You think what you want, as for me.....Message received, loud and clear. Perhaps God is listening to the silent prayers of many...please, don't let them capture our mysterious ape fellow, who avoids us like the plague. Gosh, Why do the aliens not land?
"These experiences illustrate the thesis that one can protect one's self by maintaining one's ignorance by belittling disturbing experiences? Or one can newly recapture sensitivity and be openminded (even painfully so) and discover new facts. Discovery, in my experience, requires disillusionment first, as well as later. One must be shaken in one's basic beliefs before the discovery can penetrate one's mind sufficiently above threshold to be detected A certain willingness to face censure, to be a maverick? To question one's beliefs, to revise them, is obviously necessary. But what is not obvious is how to prepare one's own mind to receive the transmissions from the far side of the protective transparent wall separating each of us from the dark gulf of the unknown Maybe we must realize that we are still babies in the universe taking steps never before taken. Sometimes we reach out from our aloneness for someone else who may or may not exist. But at least we reach out, and it is gratifying to see our dolphins reach also, however primitively. They reach toward those of us who are willing to reach toward them."
-John Lilly
There are rare exceptions to this reign of "mental illness" wherein 'nature is intrinsically blind, without purpose, meaning, or value', in fact, there have been several scientists, which to my despair, have passed away leaving us stranded, feeling, as the also departed Loren Eisley observed; "Every time we walk along a beach some ancient urge disturbs us so that we find ourselves shedding shoes and garments or scavenging among seaweed and whitened timbers like the homesick refugees of a long war."
One who comes to mind is Gerald Hawkins, who, after studying crop circles as a mathematical model of communication, observed, "Natural science processes, left to their own devices, like whirlwinds, rutting hedgehogs, and bacteria have no relationship to the diatonic ratios. They (the diatonic ratios) are human-invented. They are the human response to sound. The only place I can find diatonic ratios in nature are bird calls and the song of the whale. I don’t think the birds made the circles, nor did the whales."
John Lilly took the challenge of interspecies communication seriously. Should there be sentient life other than ourselves either in the dust of stars or deep within the oceanic world, his work, regardless of whether this be true or not, has value. To those of us who look to the vast and seemingly improbable distances between ourselves and some faint glimmer of hope we may learn form a more intelligent species, Dr Lilly observed; "They (cetaceans) have been on the planet now with brains our size or larger for 25 million years. We've only been here with our present brain size about two-tenths of a million years. So they've been here something on the order of 25 to 50 to 100 times the length of time we have. I'd just like to talk to such ancient beings..."
Typically, when we hear of evidential episodes wherein dolphins among themselves are able to communicate information we naturally make the hasty assumption based on our own biology is that the modality of language is verbal rather than imagery as we are biased toward the familar.
"With proper techniques (hypnosis, drugs, etc.) we can program or compute an "acoustic space" into the "visual space."-JL
Think of two channels akin to stereophonic sound.One is speak-see image and the other is speak-transmit image. "The dolphin receives almost as much information through his ear as we do from our eye. ... The two phonation apparatuses can be linked one to the other to give "stereo phonation." ...We have found that the dolphin has a third emitter, especially constructed for the production of his ultrasonic beam." -JL
Interestingly, it has been discovered recently that one of our own sensory organs evolved from an earlier, but as yet unclear divergence of a common mechcanism of sensory sound which are still present in the structure evidenced in the gills of fish.
http://www.livescience.com/animals/060119_breathing_ears.html
In the next post, we will take these evolutionary commonalities and genetic similiarities further, while exploring other evolutionary possibilities.
