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An anomalous phenomenon is an observed phenomenon for which there is no suitable explanation in the context of a specific body of scientific knowledge (e.g. astronomy or biology).
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Introduction
Many bodies of knowledge exhibit some sort of "anomaly gap" where theory does not explain (or seem to explain) one or more observations. Common examples are out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, extrasensory perception, ghosts, UFOs, alien abductions and close encounters.
These concepts are not widely accepted as real by mainstream scientists, some of whom go as far as calling the study of them pseudoscience. Other anomalous phenomena hang on the fringes of what is known as pathological science, such as cold fusion; while there are some serious, competent scientists researching the phenomenon, there are also many less competent, biased cranks, and even cultists. James Randi offered a million dollars to anyone who could prove a paranormal phenomenon scientifically. No competent scientists or other person or group has succeeded in this challenge.
As the body of knowledge available expands, some anomalies are incorporated into an explanatory framework and lose their standing as anomalies. For instance, while the idea of stones falling from the sky was long ridiculed, meteorites are now acknowledged and well understood.
Often used as a synonym, but actually a subclass, are the paranormal phenomena studied by parapsychology.
Alleged paranormal phenomena can be divided into three main classes:
- Mental phenomena: unusual mental states or abilities, such as telepathy, clairvoyance and precognition
- Physical phenomena: unusual physical occurrences that may be controlled by a consciousness, such as psychokinesis, poltergeists, stigmata or materializations.
- Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) and near-death experiences (NDEs)
Written works
- Classical civilization included unique signs and prodigies of nature in works of paradoxography such as The Phaenomena (240 BC) by Aratus of Soli.
- Inoue Enryo, a Japanese educator and philosopher, authored the six-volume The Study of Yōkai (妖怪学). As a result, he was best known as Dr. Ghost (お化け博士) or Dr. Yōkai (妖怪博士).
- Charles Fort, in his four works on anomalies, lambasted and ridiculed the scientists of his day for their shortsightedness. Some of the anomalies listed in his work have been explained and incorporated into modern science (e.g. meteors), while others continue to be unexplained.
- William R. Corliss' Science Frontiers has covered reports in the scientific literature regarding anomalies for years. He, through his Sourcebook Project, has published a large body of reports collected in many of the scientific disciplines.
- Leonard George, a psychologist who specializes in anomalous phenomena, compiled an authoritative encyclopedia of unusual experiences, activities, and beliefs in his 1995 book Alternative Realities.
- Fortean Times, a British monthly magazine, continues in the spirit of Fort's work by publishing reports of anomalous phenomena and longer investigative articles.
- The Anomalist, ed by Patrick Huyghe and Dennis Stacy, is another magazine/journal devoted to the study of anomalies (which may be called anomalistics).
- The Paranormal Magazine, an online magazine exploring paranormal phenomena and the unexplained, including ghosts, psychic phenomena, UFOs, earth mysteries, and many more bizarre occurrences.
- Strange Magazine is another magazine devoted to the study of anomalies in the spirit of Fort's work.
- Adventures Unlimited, ed by The World Explorer's Club, is another magazine dedicated to exotic travel, lost cities, ancient mysteries and other anomalous phenomena.
See also
- Alien Abduction
- Abominable Snowman
- Agartha
- Bermuda Triangle
- Bigfoot
- Conspiracy theory
- Cryptids (category)
- Cryptozoology
- Delusion
- Hessdalen light
- Hollow Earth
- Legendary creatures (category)
- Levitation
- List of magazines of anomalous phenomena
- Loch Ness Monster
- The Mad Gasser of Mattoon
- Marfa light
- Medical oddities
- Men in Black
- Min Min light
- Mind Control
- Mystery Spot
- Occultism (category)
- Orbs
- Oregon vortex
- Out-of-body experience
- Paradoxography
- Patapsychology
- Perinormal phenomenon
- Skunk Ape
- Society for Psychical ReSearch with Google
- Spiritual Possession
- Spiritualism
- Spontaneous Human Combustion
- Spooklight
- Spring Heeled Jack
- Synchronicity
- Teleportation
- Time Travel
- Unidentified flying object
External links
- Paranormal Animal Research Group
- The Center for Paranormal Investigation Association
- Paranormal Encyclopedia
- The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal
- About.com: Paranormal Phenomena
- Paranormal Forum
- The Randi paranormal Challenge
- Boundary Institute
- Ingo Swann's Biomind website
- Science Frontiers
- Mr. X's Website
- INFO International Fortean Organization
- A taxonomy of paranormality
- Peet's Paranormal Notebook
- Paranormal Forums
- Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society
- Thunderbolts.info: Exploring the electric universe from ancient mythology to cosmic plasma discharge
- UFO Magazine
- Nexus Magazine
- Skeptical Inquirer
- The Museum of Jurassic Technology (see Weschler book below)
- ThothWeb Paranormal Research and discussion site
- Hotspots of Paranormal Phenomena – Paranormal Research site
- The Journal of Scientific Exploration
- Videoclippings of Disourses, Vibhuti Materialisation etc performed by Sri Sathya Sai Baba
- Saibabamiracles depicting photos of miracles associated with Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Further reading
- Handbook of Unusual Natural Phenomena: Eyewitness Accounts of Nature's Greatest Mysteries, William R. Corliss, Anchor Press, Doubleday, 1983, trade paperback, 423 pages, ISBN 0-385-14754-6
- Remote Viewing Secrets, Joseph McMoneagle, Hampton Roads, 2000, paperback, 296 pages, ISBN 1-57174-159-3
- The Conscious Universe, Dean Radin PhD, Harper, 1997, hardback, 362 pages, ISBN 0-06-251502-0
- Channeling: Investigations on Receiving Information from Paranormal Sources. John Klimo, St. Martins Press, 1987. ISBN 0874774314
- Mr. Wilson's Cabinet Of Wonder: Pronged Ants, Horned Humans, Mice on Toast, and Other Marvels of Jurassic Technology, Lawrence Weschler, 1996, trade paperback, 192 pages, ISBN 0679764895 (see web site link above)