Luis Elizondo for Medium: What comes to mind when you think of the word “paranormal”?
Probably poltergeists, ghost hunters or little gray aliens. Or maybe you imagine movies like The Blair Witch Project or Ghostbusters. The idea of the paranormal has remained a constant focus in thriller and science fiction films, often taking the audience on a wild, but highly speculative ride. Talking about the word paranormal in any context other than the entertainment industry usually results in raised eyebrows and grins.
But isn’t everything in science paranormal until we finally consider it normal?
To answer that question, let’s look at the origins of the word “paranormal.” The prefix “para” simply means above, next to, or beyond. We use the word “parachute” to describe a life-saving device that deploys above your head and hopefully helps you hit the ground with a thud and not a splat. Likewise, the word “paramedic” usually conjures up the mental image of a lifesaver or first responder working above or next to you. In both cases, each word is used to describe something positive and useful.
In fact, the English language is full of words where the prefix “para” is used as an integral part of the word’s meaning.
So why is it that when the prefix ‘para’ is used before the word ‘normal’ we automatically assume elements of fringe science, taboo subjects and witchcraft? After all, the meaning of the word paranormal is relative: what is paranormal today may be considered mundane tomorrow.
When we allow ourselves to make these kinds of assumptions about the paranormal, at best it limits our ability to do serious research and at worst it completely paralyzes us through the fear of stigmatization and ridicule from peers.
Here’s how to avoid these pitfalls and dig deeper:
What we consider ‘paranormal’ is often just a fact of nature.
When I was studying microbiology, I remember my professor telling the class the famous story about the time Antoni van Leeuwenhoek first discovered protozoa.
As the story goes, he looked through a microscope and shouted, “Little bugs, little bugs!” and ran out of the room. For him and many at the time, the discovery of microorganisms was a paranormal moment. But these were living organisms, just below the threshold of our ability to sense and perceive. Today we regard microorganisms as a normal part of science, and in many cases even useful. In fact, scientists discover as many as 20,000 new species every year.
Many of what are now considered normal aspects of the observable universe were once considered paranormal.
For example, the ancient Mayans and Aztecs throughout Latin America considered solar eclipses paranormal, just as Halley’s Comet was considered paranormal throughout Europe for centuries. When the concept of electricity was in its infancy in the past century, it was common to read headlines proclaiming “a true miracle of science,” “a modern miracle,” and “a miracle of physics!” proclaimed. Likewise, the introduction of the telegraph, wireless technology, and even antibiotics were all met with the same wonder and amazement and at the same time suspicion and caution.
Of course, we now realize that all these developments were simply a natural progression of science.
The truth is that “paranormal” really just refers to anything that we don’t currently have a solid scientific understanding of. Even today, a simple photo of a remote Amazonian tribe can still be suspected of having soul-stealing powers.
The US has a long history of involvement in cases considered paranormal
Historically, the US has been a global superpower, thanks in part to its embrace – if often reticent – of the strange or bizarre.
During the early days of the Manhattan Project, many scientists and lawmakers cringed at the idea of spending taxpayer money on tiny, invisible packets of matter called “atoms” that would one day be used to end the war. If you can’t even see an atom, how do we know they even exist? In the 1960s and 1970s, American and Soviet militaries invested millions of dollars in paranormal research, psychotronics, and mind control experiments. Even today, the U.S. Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are developing technology that will allow pilots to fly aircraft using brain waves.
Without outlining the merits of each here, suffice it to say that research into the ‘paranormal’ has sometimes led to a better understanding of the natural universe in areas such as quantum mechanics, electromagnetic energy and human biology.
In the case of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), the stigma of anything that could be considered paranormal has a chilling effect on our nation’s ability to address a potential national security risk. It also severely limits the progress of human knowledge. Technological advances have led to credible and reliable evidence that UFOs exist – far beyond simple anecdotes from reports by untrained observers from decades past. Slowly but surely, the subject is moving from the outer edges of paranormal categorization, as highly trained observers emerge with analyzes of advanced aerospace technology.
But even though the evidence overwhelmingly supports the legitimate study of these potentially highly combative phenomena, we choose to simply look in the opposite direction because the subject is too taboo. Assuming that a paranormal area is not worth investigating due to stigmatization is dangerous.
In this case we need more information, not less.
It takes time to change our perception of the paranormal, but we have to start somewhere.
Complicating our ability to receive new information, today’s media is plagued by the phenomenon of “fake news.”
Labeling media as fake becomes a political weapon that can obscure truths and spread untruths. Information about UAP in particular is often associated with unhinged conspiracy theorists, and tabloid publications are quick to reinforce its negative reputation.
But if we take away misinformation, hoaxes, fraud, money-making schemes, selfishness and wishful thinking, there are certain truths that cannot be denied.
When it comes to UAP, it will likely take time to overcome the stigma and prejudice about the truth in the heart.
We must be careful not to give in to our human nature and reject what is “para” – that is, above, beyond, or beyond our understanding – just because we have no explanation for it at the moment.
According to recent studies, most species on Earth are still waiting to be discovered. And Mother Earth is just one of eight inconspicuous planets orbiting our sun, and our sun is just one of an estimated 250 billion (250,000,000,000) stars in our Milky Way galaxy, and our galaxy is just one of an estimated 2 trillion (2,000,000,000,000) stars. galaxies in the observable universe.
That is, there is much that we do not yet understand and that may be ‘paranormal’ today, but very ‘normal’ tomorrow.
Author: Luis Elizondo, former US Army Counterintelligence Special Agent, source Medium
