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Welcome to the October 2008 round up of news and views on UFOs, alien abductions, crop circles, ghosts, the paranormal, the unexplained, the weird and the wonderful.
Fringe
J J Abrams, the creator of the cult TV series Lost, has launched a new series called Fringe. Fast paced and slick, this intriguing show pairs an FBI agent with an institutionalised scientist hovering somewhere between genius and madness. They investigate a spate of strange phenomena and discover that a sinister private corporation may be involved in undertaking fringe science experiments into areas ranging from invisibility to astral travel. The series premiered on Fox last month in America and the pilot episode will be shown on Sky One on Sunday 5 October. Check out the official website at http://www.fox.com/fringe/ for more information on this great new show.
Crash Con 2008
American readers can meet me next month, when I will be speaking at the 2008 Crash Retrieval Conference. The conference is organised by Ryan Wood and will take place at the Tuscany Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on 7 - 9 November 2008. The speakers already announced are Linda Moulton Howe, Don Scmhitt, Stephen Bassett, Richard Dolan, Ryan Wood, Dr Robert Wood, James Clarkson and myself. Check out www.ufoconference.com for further details.
Large Hadron Collider
As trailed in previous columns, the largest machine ever constructed, the Large Hadron Collider, went live on 10 September, in a story that made the news all around the world. The particle accelerator has a circumference of 27 kilometres and straddles the borders of France and Switzerland, near Geneva. Buried underground, the plan is to smash protons together at virtually the speed of light and thus recreate conditions that are thought to have existed a fraction of a second after the Big Bang. Scientists hope that the results may shed light on some of the great mysteries of our time, including Dark Matter and the search for extra dimensions. It may also detect new and exotic particles, such as the Higgs Boson, the existence of which has, thus far, only been theoretically postulated. The first beams were circulated successfully on 10 September, but sadly, a helium leak on 18 September led to a problem which will now keep the machine offline until Spring 2009. I will keep readers informed of developments. In the meantime, check out www.cern.ch/lhc for more information.
MoD X-Files
Earlier this year the MoD began the process of releasing its entire archive of UFO files. The first files were made available on 14 May and the story led to media coverage all around the world. Although unlikely to make the news in such a big way, the next batch of files are likely to be released this month. Watch www.mod.uk and www.nationalarchives.gov.uk for news on this story.
Robbie Williams
Pop superstar Robbie Williams continues to make the news due to his interest in UFOs, coupled with the fact that he has had sightings himself. It was recently reported that he intends to devote more time to this interest and take part in further skywatches. I met Robbie earlier this year at a conference in Nevada. He is a nice guy and genuinely interested in the subject. He is not the first musician to have UFO sightings or discuss the subject (others have included John Lennon and David Bowie) but he is probably the most high profile star currently involved in ufology.
Nick Pope with Robbie Williams
Edge Media TV
Edge TV is going from strength to strength. This is a specialist TV channel focusing on mysteries, conspiracy theories and the esoteric. Edge Media TV (EMTV) now broadcasts on Sky Channel 200 and is a place where you can tune in to listen to shows on UFOs, crop circles, 9/11 conspiracy theories, debates about ID cards and much more besides. Presenters include Franky Ma and Ross Hemsworth and the discussion forum is beginning to become the place to discuss the unexplained, conspiracy theories and anything else weird and wonderful. Check out the website at http://www.edgemediatv.com/ and the forums at http://www.edgemediatv.com/forum/ to get involved. You can interact with the presenters, suggest guests and pose the questions you want answered, in a way not found on most other channels.
The Shunt Lounge
Last month I got the chance to check out a great new venue, when I took part in a series of events at the Shunt Lounge in London Bridge. This wonderful, spooky underground venue is accessed by a little door at London Bridge station that looks as if it is a store cupboard. But behind the door is one of the trendiest and most unusual clubs in London, where you can go for a drink or see any number of special events that may include theatre, art, debates and much more besides. I gave a talk on government projects involving psychics and took part in a debate on 9/11, all arranged as part of a conceptual art project themed as the People's Republic of Shunt. Check out http://www.shunt.co.uk/ for details.Ed's Note:
Nick Pope has written four books. Open Skies, Closed Minds is an overview of the UFO phenomenon with the emphasis on his official Ministry of Defence research and investigation. The Uninvited is an overview of the alien abduction mystery. Operation Thunder Child and Operation Lightning Strike are science fiction novels about alien invasion, incorporating UFO and abduction data. All four titles are available from most good bookshops and all the usual Internet book sites.
Nick Pope has a website, which can be accessed at www.nickpope.net |
