"White Noise" -- fact or fantasy???

Recently, I was contacted by a television producer interested in doing a documentary on "electronic voice phenomena" or EVP -- which is regarded as a form of communication from the deceased, as in the movie White Noise. (See my blog of March 20, 2006, that refers to this subject.) I must admit, like many parapsychologists, this is an area that I have shied away from. I do not believe I have ever given it my full attention. To the extent that I have looked into it, I was troubled by various aspects of what I encountered.

Now, however, after taking a fresh look, it seems to me that the wheat can, so to speak, be readily separated out from the chaffe. And, I am inclined to suspect that this area of inquiry -- one in which thousands of hobbyists are already engaged -- may lead to important breakthroughs in our understanding of human survival.

Of course, I realize that this is hardly the first time that it seemed to me -- and others -- that this line of research was on the verge of a new breakthrough -- that never ultimately materialized. But, I do not wish to allow jaded cynicism to color my appreciation for the work of Anabela Cardoso, David Fontana and others who are pursuing disciplined inquiries here. As I reflect on it, some of the tape recorded conversations to which I have recently listened are quite extraordinary. I can't help but think, now, that this is truly on the cutting edge of survival research.

What would really intrigue me, at this point, is if there is evidence linking EVP/ITC with a cross-correspondence approach. I wonder if this has been reported in the literature.

This area of survival investigation now seems so vital and significant to me that I would like to encourage more discussion of it among zaadz participants.

One objection is that the electronic equipment used is not sufficiently documented with regard to calibration and precautions against artifacts. Of course, this is an interesting point. Yet, some two-way conversations seem to be so very clear and revealing that it would be almost absurd to interpret them as the result of mere artifact. Only deliberate fraud, I think, would suffice as an alternative explanation. (And, frankly, I find that possibility very unsatisfying.)

With so many hobbyists at work, globally, so much sophisticated electronic equipment available, and so many advances in the field of electronics -- it seems to me that we can only look forward to an increasing accumulation of higher quality evidence. And, I'm not sure that the same could be said for any other area of paranormal inquiry these days.

I think we would do well to focus on the best cases here. Many people around the world, for example, have reported receiving messages from Konstantine Raudive, author of one of the first books on EVP prior to his demise.  I do not know how many zaadz members are aware of this.

Here is a link to such a contact with the "Raudive voice" that apparently came, via telephone, to an enthusiast named Mark Macy, working with a group in Colorado.

http://www.worlditc.org/sou_f_5_mmkr.mp3

Below is Macy's own comment on this communication, as well as a transcript:

With the burden of proof out of the way, I began to receive a series of phone calls from Konstantin Raudive in the coming years. This is part of a 15-minute phone dialog  I enjoyed on May 3, 1996:

M Macy: As far as the ITC progress here in Colorado, with my group, how soon do you think we'll be able to expand into television contacts and computer contacts, or are we going to stick with voice for quite awhile?

K Raudive: Well, as we see it, the first good voices will come through in the fall of this year, and it will develop on that.

M Macy: I see. I'm thinking of incorporating subtle energy technologies into the system on my side. Do these things sound like a good idea?

K Raudive: Well sure, a very good thought of you. And you will have to wait for the things that our group can tell you.

M Macy: Okay, can you tell me about the equipment you use to produce a perfect, almost perfect voice on Earth? That must take a lot of work on your side.

K Raudive: Well, it depends on your reception­or, mainly on your psychic reception... We intend to give plans of our equipment, and send them through Hans. We also wanted to give a sort of a map of our world also, drop it into your world. It will be done in the next weeks and months.

M Macy: That's tremendous! That's wonderful!

As far as I can think this through, this contact is either the result of a deliberate deception -- or it is strong evidence for survival. It is hard for me to see any middle-ground here.

I am under the impression that, with this type of communication -- while physical factors may have some influence (as they do with conventional radio transmission) -- the key is perseverance of the humans involved.

The typical story seems to involve a willingness to continue experimenting for weeks or months, without any response at all, before a regular stream starts to come through. I would imagine that this period of focused intentionality is the most important requirement.

It reminds me of the autobiography of Mrs. Gladys Osborn Leonard -- one of the greatest, and most thoroughly studied mediums of the early twentieth century. She began by holding daily seances with a group of friends. (As I recall, they were actors with small parts, and had long periods backstage during plays and rehearsals with nothing to do.) Every day, for at least six weeks, they kept this up -- with no results whatsoever. Thereafter, however, she became a regular channel for a wide variety of phenomena. I doubt whether very many of us -- in today's fast-paced world -- would have the patience to do this.