YESTERNITE is a site dedicated to intelligent discussion of unexplained phenomena. We try to strip away the hype, the wild conspiracy theories, and the sensationalism of unexplainable stories to try to piece together explanations of what's going on around us. As we say around here, just bring an open mind.
Why did I start the site?
I love to read books on things that expand my thinking. Whether it be UFOs, world travel, ghost stories, religions, legends, folklore... what have you, I want to better understand the world beyond my daily grind (yes, I have a "real" job by day). I also like to read things that scare me or surprise me. There is a lot about the world around us that we do not know, and by reading about the unknown, I find that I fear it less and less.
In my reading I have discovered a few things about books on unexplained phenonomena. Some approach their subject with respect and curiousity. These are the books I like and generally read until the end. Other books seem to be interesting on the cover, but prove to be taken from tabloid headlines, and, while sometimes entertaining, don't hold my interest. (Insert your cliche about a book and its cover here...). I also don't like agenda books that are obviously written from a unwavering point of view. When dealing with the subject matter presented here, one needs an entirely open mind.
So, this site represents the next step in understanding, hopefully for all of us. It is my hope that a community will form to discuss these topics seriously. Everyone is welcome; Skeptics and believers, scientists and passionate fanatics, but please respect one another and try to be open-minded. Who knows? We might learn something or at least move the discussion into areas we never intended to explore. We may also find that the 'wild conspiracy theories' aren't so wild after all.
My thoughts on banner ads on the site
I am maintaining this site, along with a select group of friends and partners, not to make money, but as a hobby. Discussing unexplained phenomena is a subject that truly interests me and I hope the site flourishes. The banner ads make it possible to have free online storage space, free hosting, free chat, free messaging, and so forth, so unless the site generates a significant income, they are necessary evils. Our partnership with Amazon and other selected companies helps to bring in a little income. Every time you visit our 'Merchandise' link and buy something, we make a small percentage of the purchase. We also make a small percentage if you link straight to Amazon via the banner ad below and buy something from them. We do ask that you click through Yesternite every time you are heading over to Amazon, that way we can make a few dollars and hopefully float the site and justify our obsession... er ...hobby.
By the way, you won't see sneaky alterior motives or get-rich-quick schemes here on the site. If one of the banners offends/angers/misguides you in any way, please let me know and we will alert that sponsor to remove their ad. OK, back to the show...
What do I believe?
I have an open mind. That's number one. My religious upbringing is Christian Protestant, but in my adult life, I have tried to figure out things for myself. I am not a fan of having beliefs dictated to me, so while I still believe in God as an architect of the universe, I don't think it ends there. I think there are a lot of natural phenomena that are explainable in ways that may not make the Church very happy.
In a book by Dr. Jacques Vallee I read a number of years back (the specific title escapes me), my mind really grabbed on to a story he relates (I make no secret that Dr. Vallee is one of my favorite authors on the subject of UFOs and has shaped my thinking quite a lot..anyway, back to the story). In the tale, a simple Line is living its happy life in its 2-dimensional world when a Sphere happens by. The Sphere introduces itself, but the Line is confused. The Line is unable to expand its mind and understand what a 3-dimensional world might be like, so it can only define the Sphere in terms it understands; hence Mr. Line sees Mr. Sphere as a circle that grows larger and smaller as it intersects the 2-dimensional plane that is the Line's world.
My view of unexplained phenomena is rather similar to this little story, where we, collectively, are the Line. It is my opinion that our brains and our senses react to what we see, then we attempt to define things we don't comprehend based on what we are familiar with. Ghosts, UFOs, and the like may simply be technologies, organisms, or "something" which we cannot grasp with our minds, so we create constructs that fit them into what we understand. If you haven't already, I recommend you buy a book or two by Dr. Vallee and read his views. He approaches unexplained phenomena from the standpoint of a believer who is also a scientist (a dangerous combination, indeed!). Whether or not you agree, his books offer one alternative view worth discussing.
Is this to say I don't believe in walking spirits or spacecraft visiting from another world? Not at all. I would love nothing more than for these explanations to be true, and perhaps a percentage of reported phenomena are exactly that. However, history shows us that these phenomena are by no means modern happenings. Most stories of the unexplained have been told with only slight variations for thousands of years, while definitive proof of these happenings remains hazy. I have seen and read about a lot of the evidence collected and believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that people have seen miraculous, terrifying. and wonderful things, but I want to know if they tie together and if there is an explanation behind it.
OK, those are some of my views. I look forward to hearing yours.
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