The Book of THoTH Newsletter Issue 150
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ReverendChaos
Jul 6, 2009, 11:23:52 PM7/6/09
to The Book Of THoTH
Newsletter for the week of June 29th to July 5th
Hello to everyone! To all of our new subscribers out there, welcome
to the book of THoTH Newsletter and to our Book of THoTH Google
group. Thanks for taking the time to subscribe and thanks for joining
our group. We're glad that you've joined our mailing list and hope
that you enjoy what we have to offer in its pages.
As of now, we have had 27 new members to join us at BoT since last
week. To those who've joined, we say thanks for taking the time to be
a part of the greatest paranormal site on the web! Due to this new
addition of members, we now stand at 8,051 members strong. A huge
thanks to each and everyone of you for helping to make this site what
it has become! We couldn't do it without you.
This Week at BoT:
Numnutz, last week's GoldStar winner, has enjoyed his week of wearing
the golden award and has now decided to pass it along to another BoT
member. For being the "Researcher, Historian, Poet and at times
Comedian...", it is PauloRiven who has earned this week's most
Prestigious GoldStar. His hard work and dedication to the lost city
of Atlantis has earned him many a regular and interested reader.
Congratulations, PauloRiven! Wear it well and keep it shining.
For those keeping up with the BoT LabCoat Quiz, Nightlighter's
question last week has been answered. The question was, "In the
scientific world, what is the significance of the letter "Q"? Crux
came in with the correct answer of "Q or q as an electric charge.
Conservation of Charge: Net charge cannot be created or destroyed".
Congratulations, Crux!
Crux then posted his question of:
"Who was known as the "Queen Bee"? What was she famous for?
and for the bunsen burner bonus.......
explain the different metamorphosis of the Trematode Life Cycle"
Cato9tails then quickly came and got the bunsen burner bonus right,
but not the name of the "Queen Bee". Even though, he still walked
away with the coveted and highly stylish BoT LabCoat.
Congratulations, Cat!
For Cat's question this week, he's asked us:
"When its been raining why does it smell so nice."
If you think you know the answer and want a shot at seeing what's in
the pockets of the famous LabCoat, then have a look inside the "BoT
LabCoat Quiz Part VIII" thread in our Science section of the forums.
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopic-19452-240.html
This Week in the Forums:
"New UFO Video From Mexico" is Kira's thread that provides us with a
very interesting video. The objects in the clip appear to show
intelligent movement. What are they? To watch the video and to add
your two cents, be sure to see Kira's thread in the UFO section.
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21098.html
Mensa517 reports in the UFO section that France is about to disclose
what it knows about UFOs and admit their existence. The date of
disclosure has come and gone. Are they just running late, or is this
yet another disclosure rumor involving France? To find out more and
to join the discussion, see "France to disclose presence of Extra
Terrestrials on earth".
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21105.html
In the Phenomena section, Sojourner has posted a thread with a
fascinating video that many wonder is proof of reincarnation. Is it?
To read more and to view the video, see "Proof of Reincarnation" and
join in on the talk.
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21075.html
Lonecat's posted a topic in the Astronomy about the British search for
exoplanets. To view the informative video that's he's given us the
link to, and to spark up a discussion on the topic, step inside
"Kepler and the Search for ExoPlanets".
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21101.html
Lonecat also has a thread in the Animal Kingdom & cryptzoology section
this week. This one focuses on three new dinosaurs that were recently
discovered in Queensland, Australia. To read more about these new
finds, to see the accompanying video, and to leave your comments, be
sure to see "New dinosaurs found in Australia".
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21067.html
Random Site Feature of the Week:
If you're not familiar with the Article Archives, it's a section on
BoT that contains thousands of pages of archived articles from old the
Bulletin Board Systems of the early days of the internet. In the
archives, you'll find information on subjects ranging from UFOs to the
occult and conspiracy.
For those of you who have already visited the archives, THoTH has been
hard at work with adding thousands more pages, giving it a facelift,
and giving it a name change. Ready for your reading and research
pleasure, the newly updated "T Files" is a great resource for older
BBS articles.
To find out more or to ask questions, see THoTH's thread in the Main
News section of our forums:
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-9685.html
To dive right into the T Files, have a look here:
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/archives.html
Strange Fact of the Week:
The golor green is seen by East Indian mystics as the union of balance
and harmony. It is said that people who are attracted to the color
green usually show a creative, harmonious, stable, and quiet
personality. To those who deem green as their least favorite color
could indicate a lazy, wanton, and envious disposition.
According to their beliefs, seeing green in our dreams means that we
need healing, harmony, and reconciliation either within ourselves or
when dealing with others.
Trivia Question of the Week:
Who is considered to be the Father of Hypnotism?
Answer to Last Weeks Trivia Question:
What sort of creature do the residents of New Delhi, India fear
attacks from?
Some residents of New Delhi are fearful of attacks by the "monkey man"
creatures who have allegedly killed two people and have injured 35.
After being "mauled and scratched" by the monkey man, some of the
victims say that it was done by men masquerading around as monkeys.
Others report that the creatures are up to 10-feet-tall and have red-
colored eyes and feet with springs. However, Indian newspaper reports
have described the creature as being "short, dark and hairy, with
human legs and an ape-like face".
This Week in History:
July 5, 1811: Venezuela became the first South American country to
declare independence from Spain.
July 5, 1996: Dolly, the first sheep cloned from adult cells, was
born.
July 6, 1942: Anne Frank and her family sought refuge from the Nazis
in Amsterdam.
July 6, 1997: The Mars rover Sojourner rolled onto the Martian
surface.
July 7, 1456: Twenty-five years after her execution, Pope Calixtus
III annulled the heresy charges brought against Joan of Arc.
July 7, 2005: 52 people were killed and hundreds injured in London
when terrorists bombed subways and a bus.
July 8, 1776: The first public reading of the Declaration of
Independence was given in Philadelphia, Pa.
July 8, 1950: General Douglas MacArthur was named commander-in-chief
of the United Nations forces in Korea.
July 9. 1872: The doughnut cutter was patented by John F. Blondel of
Thomaston, Me.
July 9, 1900:The British Parliament proclaimed that as of Jan. 1,
1901, the six Australian colonies would be united at the Commonwealth
of Australia.
July10, 1940: The Battle of Britain began.
July 10, 2003: Spain opened its first mosque (in Granada) since the
Moors were expelled in 1492.
July 11, 1533: Pope Clement VII excommunicated England's King Henry
VIII.
July 11, 1804: Former vice president Aaron Burr fatally wounded
former secretary of the treasury Alexander Hamilton in a duel.
Hamilton died the following afternoon.
This Week's Birthdays:
P. T. Barnum (July 5, 1810) - Phineas Taylor Barnum was an American
showman who is best remembered for founding "the Greatest Show on
Earth", the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus. Although
known for saying "there's a sucker born every minute" and popular for
seeing nothing wrong with using hype to promote material, he was also
an avid skeptic and debunker of illusionists, psychics, and
spiritualist mediums of his time.
Frida Kahlo (July 6,1907) - Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter, who has
achieved great international popularity. She painted using vibrant
colors in a style that was influenced by indigenous cultures of Mexico
as well as by European influences that include Realism, Symbolism, and
Surrealism. Many of her works are self-portraits that express her own
pain and sexuality.
Robert A. Heinlein (July 7, 1907) - Robert Anson Heinlein was an
American novelist and science fiction writer. often called "the dean
of science fiction writers", he is one of the most popular,
influential, and controversial authors of the genre. Along with Isaac
Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke, Heinlein was among the "Big Three" of
science fiction. He won the Hugo Award four times and also won the
first Grand Master award, given by the Science Fiction Writers of
America for his achievements.
Ferdinand Zeppelin (July 8, 1838) - He was a German aircraft
manufacturer and founder of the Zeppelin airship company. Inspired by
the balloon camps of the American Civil War, he became preoccupied
with the idea of guidable balloons in the 1880s, and in 1899 started
construction on his first guidable rigid airship.
Elias Howe (July 9. 1819) - An American inventor and sewing machine
pioneer, Howe did not invent the sewing machine as is popularly
believed, but improved on and refined the ideas before him. After
establishing the Howe Machine Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, his
machine won the gold medal at the Paris Exhibition of 1867.
John Calvin (July 10, 1509) - Calvin was a French Protestant
theologian during the Protestant Reformation and was a central
developer of the system of Christian theology called Calvinism. While
in Geneva, he rejected Papal authority, established a new method of
civic and ecclesiastical governance, and created a central hub from
which reformed theology was propigated. He is known for his teachings
and writings, as well as being infamous for his role in the execution
of Michael Servetus.
John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767) - Adams was an American diplomat
and politician who served as the sixth President of the United States
from March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829. he was a member of the
Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-
Masonic, and Whig parties.
There are three BoT members who are also celebrating their birthdays
this week. Fatima's birthday is on the 5th of July, Zhanna's is on
the 7th, and Daemios celebrates his on the 10th. Happy Birthday to
all of you! Here's to a wonderful day of celebration and a most
exciting year ahead of you.
Tech Tip of the Week:
Is double clicking on your computer's files and folders taking up too
much time? Are you having trouble with your mouse's ability to double
click? Or do you just want the convenience of a single click? If so,
you may want to set your computer's settings so that you can open
files and folders with a single click instead fo the default double
click. This week, we'll tell you how to do just that.
In Windows Vista, open up a folder and click on "Organize". Then
click on "Folder and Search Options". Once in the Folder Options box,
look at the "Click items as follows" section. There you will see a
choice to "Single-click to open an item (point to select)". Check
this box. Click Apply and then OK.
If you're using an older version of Windows, you can get to that same
Folder Options box by opening up a folder, clicking on Tools, and then
clicking on "Folder Options". Afterwards, the process is the same for
enabling single clicking as it was with Vista. Just check the
appropriate box, click Apply, and OK.
It's not necessary to reboot your computer, but it's always best to
reboot after any type of setting changes.
Happy single clicking!
Unsolved Question of the Week:
"Ignis fatuus" is the name that was given to this mystery at one point
in time. It means "foolish fire" due to impossibility of them ever
being caught and because of it being foolish to even consider catching
one. Known and witnessed all over the globe since the beginning of
recorded history, Ignis fatuus is known by several other names,
including "ghost lights", "will-o'-wisps", and "spook lights". What
exactly they are is this week's unsolved question.
Seen and recorded in every country throughout the world, they are
often described as lights ranging in color from white and yellow to
blue and even red. These mysterious lights are usually seen bobbing
up and down or floating in either a general or a specific area. Many
times they are a regular occurrence, putting on a spectacular display
of light every night, while some hold that they are only seen during
particular times, possible omens of things to come.
What they are remains a mystery. Some say they are simply natural
geological occurrences that are caused by lights from various sources
(including the moon) reflecting off of the different types of natural
gas commonly known as "swamp gas". Many geologists have speculated
that they are caused by magnetism, electricity, or even some type of
phosphorescent material. Modern technologies such as car lights and
even anchored lamps or lights have been given as explanations, while
even small grass or brush fires and fire flies have been attributed as
causes. And of course many legends put a more paranormal explanation
to them, claiming that they are everything from souls of the dead to
some type of omen or sign from the gods.
Two of the most well known legends concerning ghost lights is the
jack- o'-lantern and the will-o'-wisp of Britain. The jack-o'-lantern
legend states that it is the soul of a person who's been denied entry
to both heaven and hell and, as a result, must wander the earth for
eternity. This popular tale says that it's subject, Jack, was so mean
that "heaven wouldn't take him and the devil didn't want him." The
will-o'-wisp on the other hand is sometimes said to be an omen of
death, with a large light meaning the death of an adult and a small
light meaning the death of a child. A documented case of this
specific type of mysterious light was recorded by John Davis of
Dardinshire in 1665. He reported that his wife's sister witnessed
five lights inside her bedroom. On that same night, five of their
servants died "of suffocation", the result of what has only been
described as a freak accident. In addition to his in-law's
experience, the lights were previously very common in their town and
were always believed to be a death omen of someone living nearby.
Seen around homes, out in the open, and even indoors, these lights are
still reported in Wales to this day.
Two famous and long standing legends in North America are that of the
Marfa Lights of south Texas and the Brown Mountain Lights of North
Carolina. Both have been seen for centuries by the native populations
of the area. The Brown Mountain Lights were first observed by the
Cherokee who believed that the lights were the spirits of slain
warriors. The same explanation was given by the natives of south
Texas.
The lights in both the North Carolina and Texas locations have been
researched. The first research was conducted on the Brown Mountain
Lights in 1771 by German engineer Geraud de Brahm. He wrote that "The
mountains emit nitrous vapors which are borne by the wind and when
laden winds meet each other the niter inflames, sulphurates and
deteriorates." During a 1922 expedition by the U.S. Geological
Survey, George Rogers Mansfield found several possible causes for the
lights, but could not find anything conclusive. Most of his theories
though were centered around cars, trains, stationary lights, and
fires. The problem with these theories is that everyone of his
possible explanations, with the exception of fires, did not exist
centuries ago. One would think also that, being naturally aware of
their surroundings, the Cherokee would know about any fires in the
area. The possibility of "earth lights", a phenomenon caused by
seismic activity, has even been ruled out.
The same explanations, including the "swamp gas" and phosphorescent
minerals theories, were often given for the Marfa Lights too. That is
until they were actually studied. The results of the studies have
shown that no trace of gases or phosphorescent minerals can be found.
Even atmospheric tunneling, a phenomenon that is created when light is
reflected from nearby objects and follows the contours of the earth,
was ruled out by two well-known geologists after observing the varying
speeds and moving habits of the lights. This motion also helped to
discout the idea that the lights could be the result of light
reflecting off of planets and stars. About the only possible known
explanation left is that of car lights. But like the Brown Mountain
Lights, these mysterous lights were around long before the advent of
automobiles.
So what are these lights? Some of the lesser known cases have indeed
been debunked after careful study and have turned out to be car or
train lights from miles away. Others are in areas that offer perfect
conditions for St. Elmo's fire (methane gas). But of the cases that
have been studied and no explanation found, the mystery remains.
Until it is solved, it will remain one of those long standing unsolved
questions.
Quote of the Week:
"Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in
and out of favor."
- Robert Frost
That concludes this week's edition of the BoT newsletter. We hope
that you've enjoyed it, found it a nice change in your inbox, and are
looking forward to receiving the next one. As always, we should have
lots more waiting in store for you.
Until next time, keep your eyes to the skies and the door to your mind
unlocked. You never know who might drop by for a visit.
Hello to everyone! To all of our new subscribers out there, welcome
to the book of THoTH Newsletter and to our Book of THoTH Google
group. Thanks for taking the time to subscribe and thanks for joining
our group. We're glad that you've joined our mailing list and hope
that you enjoy what we have to offer in its pages.
As of now, we have had 27 new members to join us at BoT since last
week. To those who've joined, we say thanks for taking the time to be
a part of the greatest paranormal site on the web! Due to this new
addition of members, we now stand at 8,051 members strong. A huge
thanks to each and everyone of you for helping to make this site what
it has become! We couldn't do it without you.
This Week at BoT:
Numnutz, last week's GoldStar winner, has enjoyed his week of wearing
the golden award and has now decided to pass it along to another BoT
member. For being the "Researcher, Historian, Poet and at times
Comedian...", it is PauloRiven who has earned this week's most
Prestigious GoldStar. His hard work and dedication to the lost city
of Atlantis has earned him many a regular and interested reader.
Congratulations, PauloRiven! Wear it well and keep it shining.
For those keeping up with the BoT LabCoat Quiz, Nightlighter's
question last week has been answered. The question was, "In the
scientific world, what is the significance of the letter "Q"? Crux
came in with the correct answer of "Q or q as an electric charge.
Conservation of Charge: Net charge cannot be created or destroyed".
Congratulations, Crux!
Crux then posted his question of:
"Who was known as the "Queen Bee"? What was she famous for?
and for the bunsen burner bonus.......
explain the different metamorphosis of the Trematode Life Cycle"
Cato9tails then quickly came and got the bunsen burner bonus right,
but not the name of the "Queen Bee". Even though, he still walked
away with the coveted and highly stylish BoT LabCoat.
Congratulations, Cat!
For Cat's question this week, he's asked us:
"When its been raining why does it smell so nice."
If you think you know the answer and want a shot at seeing what's in
the pockets of the famous LabCoat, then have a look inside the "BoT
LabCoat Quiz Part VIII" thread in our Science section of the forums.
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopic-19452-240.html
This Week in the Forums:
"New UFO Video From Mexico" is Kira's thread that provides us with a
very interesting video. The objects in the clip appear to show
intelligent movement. What are they? To watch the video and to add
your two cents, be sure to see Kira's thread in the UFO section.
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21098.html
Mensa517 reports in the UFO section that France is about to disclose
what it knows about UFOs and admit their existence. The date of
disclosure has come and gone. Are they just running late, or is this
yet another disclosure rumor involving France? To find out more and
to join the discussion, see "France to disclose presence of Extra
Terrestrials on earth".
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21105.html
In the Phenomena section, Sojourner has posted a thread with a
fascinating video that many wonder is proof of reincarnation. Is it?
To read more and to view the video, see "Proof of Reincarnation" and
join in on the talk.
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21075.html
Lonecat's posted a topic in the Astronomy about the British search for
exoplanets. To view the informative video that's he's given us the
link to, and to spark up a discussion on the topic, step inside
"Kepler and the Search for ExoPlanets".
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21101.html
Lonecat also has a thread in the Animal Kingdom & cryptzoology section
this week. This one focuses on three new dinosaurs that were recently
discovered in Queensland, Australia. To read more about these new
finds, to see the accompanying video, and to leave your comments, be
sure to see "New dinosaurs found in Australia".
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-21067.html
Random Site Feature of the Week:
If you're not familiar with the Article Archives, it's a section on
BoT that contains thousands of pages of archived articles from old the
Bulletin Board Systems of the early days of the internet. In the
archives, you'll find information on subjects ranging from UFOs to the
occult and conspiracy.
For those of you who have already visited the archives, THoTH has been
hard at work with adding thousands more pages, giving it a facelift,
and giving it a name change. Ready for your reading and research
pleasure, the newly updated "T Files" is a great resource for older
BBS articles.
To find out more or to ask questions, see THoTH's thread in the Main
News section of our forums:
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-9685.html
To dive right into the T Files, have a look here:
http://www.book-of-thoth.com/archives.html
Strange Fact of the Week:
The golor green is seen by East Indian mystics as the union of balance
and harmony. It is said that people who are attracted to the color
green usually show a creative, harmonious, stable, and quiet
personality. To those who deem green as their least favorite color
could indicate a lazy, wanton, and envious disposition.
According to their beliefs, seeing green in our dreams means that we
need healing, harmony, and reconciliation either within ourselves or
when dealing with others.
Trivia Question of the Week:
Who is considered to be the Father of Hypnotism?
Answer to Last Weeks Trivia Question:
What sort of creature do the residents of New Delhi, India fear
attacks from?
Some residents of New Delhi are fearful of attacks by the "monkey man"
creatures who have allegedly killed two people and have injured 35.
After being "mauled and scratched" by the monkey man, some of the
victims say that it was done by men masquerading around as monkeys.
Others report that the creatures are up to 10-feet-tall and have red-
colored eyes and feet with springs. However, Indian newspaper reports
have described the creature as being "short, dark and hairy, with
human legs and an ape-like face".
This Week in History:
July 5, 1811: Venezuela became the first South American country to
declare independence from Spain.
July 5, 1996: Dolly, the first sheep cloned from adult cells, was
born.
July 6, 1942: Anne Frank and her family sought refuge from the Nazis
in Amsterdam.
July 6, 1997: The Mars rover Sojourner rolled onto the Martian
surface.
July 7, 1456: Twenty-five years after her execution, Pope Calixtus
III annulled the heresy charges brought against Joan of Arc.
July 7, 2005: 52 people were killed and hundreds injured in London
when terrorists bombed subways and a bus.
July 8, 1776: The first public reading of the Declaration of
Independence was given in Philadelphia, Pa.
July 8, 1950: General Douglas MacArthur was named commander-in-chief
of the United Nations forces in Korea.
July 9. 1872: The doughnut cutter was patented by John F. Blondel of
Thomaston, Me.
July 9, 1900:The British Parliament proclaimed that as of Jan. 1,
1901, the six Australian colonies would be united at the Commonwealth
of Australia.
July10, 1940: The Battle of Britain began.
July 10, 2003: Spain opened its first mosque (in Granada) since the
Moors were expelled in 1492.
July 11, 1533: Pope Clement VII excommunicated England's King Henry
VIII.
July 11, 1804: Former vice president Aaron Burr fatally wounded
former secretary of the treasury Alexander Hamilton in a duel.
Hamilton died the following afternoon.
This Week's Birthdays:
P. T. Barnum (July 5, 1810) - Phineas Taylor Barnum was an American
showman who is best remembered for founding "the Greatest Show on
Earth", the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus. Although
known for saying "there's a sucker born every minute" and popular for
seeing nothing wrong with using hype to promote material, he was also
an avid skeptic and debunker of illusionists, psychics, and
spiritualist mediums of his time.
Frida Kahlo (July 6,1907) - Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter, who has
achieved great international popularity. She painted using vibrant
colors in a style that was influenced by indigenous cultures of Mexico
as well as by European influences that include Realism, Symbolism, and
Surrealism. Many of her works are self-portraits that express her own
pain and sexuality.
Robert A. Heinlein (July 7, 1907) - Robert Anson Heinlein was an
American novelist and science fiction writer. often called "the dean
of science fiction writers", he is one of the most popular,
influential, and controversial authors of the genre. Along with Isaac
Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke, Heinlein was among the "Big Three" of
science fiction. He won the Hugo Award four times and also won the
first Grand Master award, given by the Science Fiction Writers of
America for his achievements.
Ferdinand Zeppelin (July 8, 1838) - He was a German aircraft
manufacturer and founder of the Zeppelin airship company. Inspired by
the balloon camps of the American Civil War, he became preoccupied
with the idea of guidable balloons in the 1880s, and in 1899 started
construction on his first guidable rigid airship.
Elias Howe (July 9. 1819) - An American inventor and sewing machine
pioneer, Howe did not invent the sewing machine as is popularly
believed, but improved on and refined the ideas before him. After
establishing the Howe Machine Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, his
machine won the gold medal at the Paris Exhibition of 1867.
John Calvin (July 10, 1509) - Calvin was a French Protestant
theologian during the Protestant Reformation and was a central
developer of the system of Christian theology called Calvinism. While
in Geneva, he rejected Papal authority, established a new method of
civic and ecclesiastical governance, and created a central hub from
which reformed theology was propigated. He is known for his teachings
and writings, as well as being infamous for his role in the execution
of Michael Servetus.
John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767) - Adams was an American diplomat
and politician who served as the sixth President of the United States
from March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829. he was a member of the
Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-
Masonic, and Whig parties.
There are three BoT members who are also celebrating their birthdays
this week. Fatima's birthday is on the 5th of July, Zhanna's is on
the 7th, and Daemios celebrates his on the 10th. Happy Birthday to
all of you! Here's to a wonderful day of celebration and a most
exciting year ahead of you.
Tech Tip of the Week:
Is double clicking on your computer's files and folders taking up too
much time? Are you having trouble with your mouse's ability to double
click? Or do you just want the convenience of a single click? If so,
you may want to set your computer's settings so that you can open
files and folders with a single click instead fo the default double
click. This week, we'll tell you how to do just that.
In Windows Vista, open up a folder and click on "Organize". Then
click on "Folder and Search Options". Once in the Folder Options box,
look at the "Click items as follows" section. There you will see a
choice to "Single-click to open an item (point to select)". Check
this box. Click Apply and then OK.
If you're using an older version of Windows, you can get to that same
Folder Options box by opening up a folder, clicking on Tools, and then
clicking on "Folder Options". Afterwards, the process is the same for
enabling single clicking as it was with Vista. Just check the
appropriate box, click Apply, and OK.
It's not necessary to reboot your computer, but it's always best to
reboot after any type of setting changes.
Happy single clicking!
Unsolved Question of the Week:
"Ignis fatuus" is the name that was given to this mystery at one point
in time. It means "foolish fire" due to impossibility of them ever
being caught and because of it being foolish to even consider catching
one. Known and witnessed all over the globe since the beginning of
recorded history, Ignis fatuus is known by several other names,
including "ghost lights", "will-o'-wisps", and "spook lights". What
exactly they are is this week's unsolved question.
Seen and recorded in every country throughout the world, they are
often described as lights ranging in color from white and yellow to
blue and even red. These mysterious lights are usually seen bobbing
up and down or floating in either a general or a specific area. Many
times they are a regular occurrence, putting on a spectacular display
of light every night, while some hold that they are only seen during
particular times, possible omens of things to come.
What they are remains a mystery. Some say they are simply natural
geological occurrences that are caused by lights from various sources
(including the moon) reflecting off of the different types of natural
gas commonly known as "swamp gas". Many geologists have speculated
that they are caused by magnetism, electricity, or even some type of
phosphorescent material. Modern technologies such as car lights and
even anchored lamps or lights have been given as explanations, while
even small grass or brush fires and fire flies have been attributed as
causes. And of course many legends put a more paranormal explanation
to them, claiming that they are everything from souls of the dead to
some type of omen or sign from the gods.
Two of the most well known legends concerning ghost lights is the
jack- o'-lantern and the will-o'-wisp of Britain. The jack-o'-lantern
legend states that it is the soul of a person who's been denied entry
to both heaven and hell and, as a result, must wander the earth for
eternity. This popular tale says that it's subject, Jack, was so mean
that "heaven wouldn't take him and the devil didn't want him." The
will-o'-wisp on the other hand is sometimes said to be an omen of
death, with a large light meaning the death of an adult and a small
light meaning the death of a child. A documented case of this
specific type of mysterious light was recorded by John Davis of
Dardinshire in 1665. He reported that his wife's sister witnessed
five lights inside her bedroom. On that same night, five of their
servants died "of suffocation", the result of what has only been
described as a freak accident. In addition to his in-law's
experience, the lights were previously very common in their town and
were always believed to be a death omen of someone living nearby.
Seen around homes, out in the open, and even indoors, these lights are
still reported in Wales to this day.
Two famous and long standing legends in North America are that of the
Marfa Lights of south Texas and the Brown Mountain Lights of North
Carolina. Both have been seen for centuries by the native populations
of the area. The Brown Mountain Lights were first observed by the
Cherokee who believed that the lights were the spirits of slain
warriors. The same explanation was given by the natives of south
Texas.
The lights in both the North Carolina and Texas locations have been
researched. The first research was conducted on the Brown Mountain
Lights in 1771 by German engineer Geraud de Brahm. He wrote that "The
mountains emit nitrous vapors which are borne by the wind and when
laden winds meet each other the niter inflames, sulphurates and
deteriorates." During a 1922 expedition by the U.S. Geological
Survey, George Rogers Mansfield found several possible causes for the
lights, but could not find anything conclusive. Most of his theories
though were centered around cars, trains, stationary lights, and
fires. The problem with these theories is that everyone of his
possible explanations, with the exception of fires, did not exist
centuries ago. One would think also that, being naturally aware of
their surroundings, the Cherokee would know about any fires in the
area. The possibility of "earth lights", a phenomenon caused by
seismic activity, has even been ruled out.
The same explanations, including the "swamp gas" and phosphorescent
minerals theories, were often given for the Marfa Lights too. That is
until they were actually studied. The results of the studies have
shown that no trace of gases or phosphorescent minerals can be found.
Even atmospheric tunneling, a phenomenon that is created when light is
reflected from nearby objects and follows the contours of the earth,
was ruled out by two well-known geologists after observing the varying
speeds and moving habits of the lights. This motion also helped to
discout the idea that the lights could be the result of light
reflecting off of planets and stars. About the only possible known
explanation left is that of car lights. But like the Brown Mountain
Lights, these mysterous lights were around long before the advent of
automobiles.
So what are these lights? Some of the lesser known cases have indeed
been debunked after careful study and have turned out to be car or
train lights from miles away. Others are in areas that offer perfect
conditions for St. Elmo's fire (methane gas). But of the cases that
have been studied and no explanation found, the mystery remains.
Until it is solved, it will remain one of those long standing unsolved
questions.
Quote of the Week:
"Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in
and out of favor."
- Robert Frost
That concludes this week's edition of the BoT newsletter. We hope
that you've enjoyed it, found it a nice change in your inbox, and are
looking forward to receiving the next one. As always, we should have
lots more waiting in store for you.
Until next time, keep your eyes to the skies and the door to your mind
unlocked. You never know who might drop by for a visit.
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