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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2546-.html
Horror/Scary: August 13, 2008 Issue [#2546]

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Horror/Scary


 This week:
  Edited by: spidey Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Welcome to the Horror Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your guest-editor this week.


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Extra-Terrestrials


Extra-Terrestrials. E.T.s. Aliens. What makes these non-human entities so scary? I took a class in college on aliens and UFOs (the only one of its kind in America), and on the first day of class, we were given a warning by our professor (a man who not only believes in UFOs and alien abductions, but also performs hypnosis to recover hidden memories of abduction experiences). We were warned of the fear the class might cause, of the panic that can occur when presented with convincing evidence that aliens are real and their attempts to contact humans may not be benevolent.

So, what makes them so scary? Let's take a look at just a few of the common ideas about aliens:


Appearance - The 'traditional' idea of the alien's appearance is a humanoid form with gray skin. Its head is large with big eyes, no nose and a tiny mouth. (An article from National Geographic on what aliens might look like - http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/05/0520_050520_tv_aliens.html)


UFOs - Unidentified Flying Objects or "Flying Saucers." (The phrase, “flying saucer,” came into use after Kenneth Arnold claimed a UFO sighting on June 24, 1947 near Mount Rainier, Washington.)

Bright lights in the sky, flying vehicles that are unclassified and unidentifiable. How often have you looked to the sky and wondered about what's out there?

Government Conspiracies - In the United States, there were a few smaller waves of UFO sightings in 1896 and 1897, and again from 1944-1946, but the phenomenon hit its heyday in 1947 to the present. In 1948, the US government assigned the Air Force to investigate the claims of UFO sightings, creating Project Grudge (later renamed Project Blue Book). Though there were many hoaxes and bogus reportings, there were also many unexplainable incidents.

In 1952 Captain Edward Ruppelt headed the task force and began some serious investigation and research into UFO sightings. Unfortunately, in the same year, the Central Intelligence Agency took over Project Blue Book after sightings were reported over the White House and the Capitol Building. During a panel that lasted 12 hours, the CIA concluded that UFOs were not a threat to U.S. national security, but that the reports themselves were a threat, as the Soviet Union and other nations could use the public fear against the U.S. The new objective became convincing the American people that all UFO sightings could be explained.

UFO Abductions - Regardless of whether UFO abductions are real or not, they can make for a frightening tale. Being awakened by a light, the 'abductee' is often unable to move or speak. The light changes form into the typical humanoid alien creature. The abductee is taken to a ship and examined, then returned to their home.


Perhaps the most famous case of UFO abduction is the case involving Betty and Barney Hill. The Hills reported to have been abducted from their car as they drove from Montreal to their home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Though they only remembered seeing a UFO initially, they arrived home two hours later than expected. Over the next few months, they were subject to terrible nightmares and anxiety, which led them to seek help through psychological counseling. It was through regression hypnosis that memories of their abduction surfaced. The case of Betty and Barney Hill became so well-known in popular culture due to a two-part story in Look magazine, a well-sold book, and a television movie.

A general overview of the Abduction Experience

(This information is taken from Secret Life: Firsthand Documented Accounts of UFO Abductions by David M. Jacobs, PH.D.)

The Examination - The examination room aboard a UFO is generally reported to be a small, circular room with a table or tables in its center. Abductees have their clothes removed and are placed on the table. Two to four smaller beings examine the abductees body starting with their feet. They test reflexes, press against muscles, make painless incisions, and take scrapings or samples.

Implants - Many abductees report a small object being inserted into the ear or sinus cavity. Abductees often report nosebleeds or have holes found by their physicians in their nasal cavity.

Mindscan - After the physical examination and implantation, a taller being enters the room and stares deeply into the abductee's eyes. Abductees report a feeling that information or data is being extracted from their minds during this process.



So, why are aliens visiting and abducting humans? There are several theories:


Alien Takeover - Some theorize that abductions occur due to aliens experimenting and researching other life forms. Others believe aliens may be attempting to plot a takeover of Earth.


Colonization - There are also theories of aliens harvesting or creating life that is a cross between human and alien beings. Are aliens attempting to create a co-existence between them and us? A new species of human-alien entity?

What makes the idea of aliens particularly frightening (to me, anyway) is all of the unanswered questions. Are aliens real? Are they abducting people? If so, why? And is there anything we can do to stop it?


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If you're interested in reading more on this subject, here are a few helpful books providing a few different perspectives on the alien/ufo phenomenon:

ASIN: 0517705680
Amazon's Price: $ 24.07


ASIN: 1567184936
Amazon's Price: $ 7.18


ASIN: 0879755091
Product Type: Book
Amazon's Price: $ 28.51





Editor's Picks


 Airlock Open in new Window. [13+]
This is a sci-fi work in progress. An alien fungus infects a science crew.
by zephermakingchanges Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 
The Visitors Open in new Window. [13+]
The Visitors are always there.
by Pen Name Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


The Secret Pyramid Open in new Window. [18+]
Dr. Seth Bradley finds a secret Aztec Pyramid.
by StephBee Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor




 
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Ask & Answer

As a guest editor, I don't have any feedback in which to reply, so instead I'll ask some questions: Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis (where you wake up in the middle of the night and can't move)? Have you ever seen a UFO? In your opinion, what is the scariest thing about aliens and UFOs?

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