Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with paranormal

Am I literally giving off bad vibes?

telegraph — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:07:12 -0800

Is it possible that something about my presence causes hard drives to fail? I fully expect the answer to this question to be a rousing chorus of "confirmation bias," but on the off chance that there is a scientific explanation, I'm very curious.

All my life, hard drives have failed around me. From 2000 to 2008, no fewer than five of my personal hard drives failed. When I moved in with my ex, his hard drive failed within a few weeks. A few days after I bought a used Tivo, the hard drive failed. I'm visiting with my parents right now, and their hard drive failed today.

My friends have joked that I must emit an electromagnetic field (or something) that causes hard drives to break. I don't mistreat them, but is it possible that there really is something about me?

Metaphysics, Angels And Quantum Theory

Enki — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:53:08 -0800

Could a plausible theory be extrapolated for Angels/Paranormal Activity being an aspect of Quantum Physics? I'm doing research for a creative writing project, so a theory would only need to be plausible; the rest could be creatively expanded upon to make relative sense. I'd like to have the initial idea be based on something potentially possible, though.

Looking for unsolved "real" paranormal stories.

jbickers — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:23:04 -0800

What are some (non-Roswell) examples of unsolved "paranormal phenomena"? I'm looking to find some great examples of unsolved paranormal events/happenings. While Roswell is the biggie, of course, I'm looking for things that didn't make it onto the radar of most people. Good examples would be the Kelly-Hopkinsville encounter and, to a lesser degree, the Bell Witch (lesser only because of the popularity of the films it spawned; otherwise, this is a perfect example).

So, what are some other examples that are (a) still "unsolved" and (b) have their own set of adherents/researchers who believe it actually happened?

Groovy paranormal blogs

low_horrible_immoral — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:07:38 -0800

Recommendations for cool, philosophical blogs about recent paranormal phenomena? I’m thinking of setting up a blog, and I want to look at the competition. Can anyone recommend any regularly-updated blogs that post about recent paranormal stuff in the news (so not old ghost stories etc) and discuss it in a cool thoughtful philosophical way? Besides www.forteantimes.com.

Thanks!

Illuminate me.

popcassady — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 11:09:41 -0800

Anyone have firsthand experience of the Paulding Light? I have a thing for spooks and mysteries. I'm also a bit of a skeptic -- help me debunk this ghost story.

In deepest darkest Michigan, there's a thing called the "Paulding Light" . Some say it's a ghost train, others say it's an "earthlight"; the more mundane thinkers blame atmospheric refraction, headlights... the usual hokum.

Here's a video

Here's some more info.

Now because this thing makes a regular showing (every night, I'm led to believe), I was hoping one of you folks might have seen it for yourself. What do you know about the light? I have my suspicions. Notice the pylons?

Are the lights as mysterious as they seem?

Breathe Right Paranormal Mystery

Astro Zombie — Sat, 13 May 2006 23:08:35 -0800

Great googly moogly! When I open my Breath Right Nasal Strip at night in the dark, it briefly flashes with an eerie light. What the heck is causing this unearthly phenomenon, and must I seek an exorcist to properly address my sleep apnea?

Have you, personally, seen a ghost?

adzm — Fri, 31 Dec 2004 01:28:44 -0800

I know many otherwise-skeptical people who believe in ghosts. Further discussion often leads to anecdotes, or a single bizarre happening from a long time ago. Perhaps my skeptical mind closes me off to the experience. So I wonder, has anyone here personally, preferably recently, experienced the paranormal? I remember being young and reading all about ghosts and etc. One of my good friends was all about the subject too. Some night afterwards I awoke, and headed to the bathroom... when out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw something. I really didn't, but I wanted to believe it was a ghost, and so I did. I had mentioned it to many people.. and after years I never thought about it. Years later, after some introspection, I decided to stop feeding the lie.