Showing posts with label England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label England. Show all posts

Friday, July 25, 2025

A druid at Glastonbury

 


Our involuntary house druid John Michael Greer muses about his recent visit to "England". It seems the old man had fun!

Back from England

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Haunted by infrasound (part 1)

 


Here we go! More skepticisim from ChatGPT. 

Can you tell me more about the effects of infrasound on humans and human perception?

Absolutely — infrasound is one of the most fascinating and eerie natural phenomena that can influence human perception, emotion, and even hallucination.


🔊 What Is Infrasound?

  • Infrasound refers to sound waves below 20 Hz, beneath the range of human hearing.

  • Though we can’t consciously hear infrasound, our bodies can detect it, especially through pressure-sensitive organs like the inner ear, chest cavity, and gut.

  • Sources can be natural (earthquakes, volcanoes, ocean waves, wind through caves) or man-made (engines, fans, HVAC systems, industrial machinery).


🧠 Effects of Infrasound on Humans

Research has shown that exposure to infrasound can cause a range of psychological and physical effects, especially in specific frequency bands and intensities:

😨 1. Feelings of Unease or Anxiety

  • People often report a sense of dread, panic, or being watched.

  • Even short exposure (e.g., in experiments or near turbines) can cause unexplained fear or discomfort.

This is sometimes called the "haunted house effect" — infrasound in old buildings or tunnels may explain ghost sightings.


👁️ 2. Visual Distortions and Hallucinations

  • At ~18.9 Hz, infrasound can cause the eyeball to vibrate slightly — possibly producing blurred vision, shadowy movements, or phantom shapes.

  • This may explain apparitions seen in caves, catacombs, or old castles where low-frequency resonances occur.

British researcher Vic Tandy discovered this in the 1990s while working in a lab where people reported ghosts — later traced to an infrasound-emitting fan.


💓 3. Physical Sensations

  • Chest pressure, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and even minor trembling can result from strong infrasound.

  • Some people feel heart palpitations or difficulty breathing when exposed.


💤 4. Sleep Disturbance and Disorientation

  • Continuous infrasound (even at low levels) can disrupt sleep cycles, increase stress hormones, and impair cognitive focus.

  • Can feel like a form of low-grade sensory torture — deeply unsettling even when the source is unknown.


🧪 5. Mood Alteration and Emotional Impact

  • Studies suggest infrasound might influence emotion regulation by stimulating the amygdala or triggering fight-or-flight responses.

  • Even during controlled concerts with added infrasound (like one experiment in the UK), audiences reported:

    • Sudden sadness

    • Chills

    • Nervousness

    • A “sense of presence”


🗿 Infrasound in Sacred and Haunted Locations

Many traditional “mystical” or “haunted” sites may coincidentally amplify or resonate with low-frequency sound:

  • Caves, cathedrals, megaliths, tunnels, wind-swept valleys

  • Wind interacting with specific geological features can create standing waves of infrasound

  • Ancient sites like Stonehenge or Newgrange may have been selected for acoustic properties that enhance altered states of mind


🧬 Sensitivity and Variation

  • Not everyone is equally sensitive — around 20–30% of people are particularly responsive to infrasound.

  • Those with anxiety, migraine sensitivity, or high auditory sensitivity may be more vulnerable.


🧠 Summary

EffectDescription
Anxiety/DreadFeeling of being watched or impending doom
Visual disturbancesShadowy shapes, flickers, “presence” hallucinations
Physical symptomsNausea, chest pressure, headache, heart flutter
Sleep disruptionRestlessness, fatigue, vivid or disturbing dreams
Emotional shiftsSudden sadness, nervousness, even euphoria or awe

In short: Infrasound can create natural “paranormal” experiences — and might explain legends of ghosts, spirits, and fairies in certain environments, especially caves, old buildings, or misty forests.

Would you like examples of locations where infrasound is suspected to play a role in folklore or hauntings?

Yes, please.

Here are some famous locations and legends where infrasound is believed to contribute to paranormal experiences, feelings of dread, or hallucinations. Many of these sites are associated with ghosts, spirits, fairies, or mysterious presences — and infrasound offers a compelling natural explanation.


🏰 1. The Edinburgh Vaults (Scotland)

  • What: A series of underground chambers beneath Edinburgh, used historically for storage, slums, and illicit activities.

  • Claims: People report ghostly presences, sudden fear, pressure in the chest, and shadowy figures.

  • Infrasound Link: The structure contains long stone corridors and narrow arches that can trap low-frequency sound waves (from above-ground traffic, air movement, or natural resonance).


🗿 2. Stonehenge (England)

  • What: Ancient Neolithic monument in Wiltshire, linked to solstice rituals and mystical energies.

  • Claims: Feelings of euphoria, awe, altered time perception; some report a sense of being watched or guided.

  • Infrasound Link: Acoustic modeling shows that the stones amplify low-frequency vibrations, possibly enhancing altered states during rituals, especially when wind blows across the plain.


🕳️ 3. Sedlec Ossuary (Czech Republic)

  • What: A small chapel decorated with bones, built on consecrated ground with thousands of burials.

  • Claims: Ghostly voices, cold spots, dread, a “presence” felt during quiet times.

  • Infrasound Link: Subterranean spaces like crypts naturally trap infrasound, which can be generated by wind, footsteps, or even barometric pressure changes.


🧚 4. Fairy Glen (Isle of Skye, Scotland)

  • What: A landscape of cone-shaped hills and spiral rock formations.

  • Claims: Many locals and visitors report a sense of timelessness, light-headedness, or “otherworldly presence.” Traditionally linked with fairies.

  • Infrasound Link: The glen’s wind and topography could generate natural infrasound vibrations, subtly affecting perception.


🔦 5. Wookey Hole Caves (Somerset, England)

  • What: A system of limestone caves associated with legends of witches and fairies.

  • Claims: Cold breezes, feelings of unease, and ghost sightings; legend says a witch was turned to stone inside.

  • Infrasound Link: Air moving through narrow cave passages can produce natural resonant frequencies, including infrasound, especially during changes in barometric pressure.


🕍 6. The “Haunted Room” at Hampton Court Palace (England)

  • What: One of King Henry VIII’s residences; visitors often report chilling sensations and ghostly encounters in certain rooms.

  • Claims: Feelings of being watched, dizziness, and spectral visions.

  • Infrasound Link: Research has suggested that old ventilation systems, pipes, and architectural acoustics could be generating infrasound in some rooms.


🌋 7. Mount Shasta (California, USA)

  • What: Volcanic mountain tied to legends of Lemurians, UFOs, and spirit beings.

  • Claims: Visions, altered states, and mystical experiences in caves or on the slopes.

  • Infrasound Link: Volcanic geology and geothermal activity can generate infrasound. Add thin air, solitude, and magnetism, and you have a perfect storm for hallucination and spiritual interpretation.


🌫️ 8. Marshy Wetlands and Will-o’-the-Wisps

  • What: Swampy areas where travelers historically reported floating lights and mysterious figures.

  • Claims: Fairy lights, leading travelers astray; feelings of enchantment or dread.

  • Infrasound Link: Marshes can produce phosphine gas, but also amplify wind-generated infrasound. The low vibrations + visual effects = classic “supernatural” territory.


👻 Summary

These locations share key features:

Common FeaturesEffects Experienced
Enclosed stone/underground structuresPressure, dread, “presence”
Windy or resonant terrainHallucinations, audio illusions
Natural caves and wetlandsDisorientation, fairy/ghost sightings
Ritual or sacred settingsAltered consciousness, awe, visions

If you're interested, I can also show you how modern haunted house designers intentionally use infrasound to make environments feel "haunted" — and how it's being tested in scientific studies of paranormal claims. Would you like to dive into that?

Thursday, April 10, 2025

But a jest and a dream

Credit: Giles Laurent 

Well, I didn´t double-check this, but wtf. Try reading everything to the end. SOMEBODY PULL THE PLUG ON THIS AI SYSTEM!!!


Could the great apes evolve higher intelligence like humans, as depicted in the film franchise "Planet of the Apes"?


Could Great Apes Evolve Human-Like Intelligence? 🧠🐵

The idea of great apes evolving higher intelligence, as depicted in Planet of the Apes, is a fascinating mix of science fiction and evolutionary biology. While it is not impossible, it would require significant evolutionary changes over millions of years—or genetic engineering to speed up the process.


1. What Would It Take for Apes to Become as Intelligent as Humans?

To achieve human-like intelligence, great apes would need to evolve in several key areas:

(a) Brain Size & Structure 🧠

  • Humans have 3x larger brains (relative to body size) than great apes.

  • Especially important: The neocortex, which controls reasoning, language, and abstract thought.

  • A larger, more complex brain would require genetic mutations, better energy efficiency, and a longer developmental period.

(b) Extended Childhood & Learning Capacity 📚

  • Human babies take years to develop intelligence, learning from parents.

  • Apes would need longer childhoods to learn complex skills.

  • This would require changes in reproductive strategy (e.g., fewer offspring, more parental investment).

(c) Social & Communication Skills 🗣️

  • Humans rely on advanced language and social cooperation.

  • Apes would need to develop better vocal control or complex sign language.

  • Problem: Ape vocal cords are not structured for human-like speech. Evolution would need to change their anatomy.

(d) Tool Use & Technological Advancements 🔧

  • Some apes already use basic tools (e.g., chimps use sticks for termites, orangutans make simple shelters).

  • More advanced tool-making (like fire use, crafting weapons) would require better motor skills and problem-solving abilities.

(e) Energy Efficiency & Diet 🍎

  • Human intelligence requires a massive amount of energy—our brains use 20% of our body’s energy.

  • Apes would need to develop better digestion, cooking, or higher-calorie diets to support a larger brain.


2. Could Apes Evolve Intelligence Naturally? 🦍➡️🧠

  • Evolution does not have a goal—it depends on environmental pressures.

  • If a future climate change, predator threat, or ecological shift favored intelligent apes, then natural selection could push them toward greater intelligence.

  • Timeframe: It took ~6 million years for humans to evolve from ape-like ancestors. A similar process could take millions of years—unless accelerated by genetic engineering.


3. Could Genetic Engineering Make Apes Smarter? 🔬🧬

Yes! Scientists could:

  • Enhance brain-related genes (e.g., insert human genes like FOXP2, which is linked to language).

  • Modify neural connections to improve memory and learning.

  • Stimulate brain growth using CRISPR gene editing.

🚨 Ethical Issues:

  • Would enhanced apes have human rights?

  • Would they be exploited as workers or soldiers? (Planet of the Apes scenario).

  • Where is the moral line between "uplifting" a species and creating a new form of slavery?


4. Could Apes Form a Civilization? 🏛️

For apes to build a Planet of the Apes-style civilization, they would need:
✅ Advanced communication (language).
✅ Fire control (critical for technology).
✅ Agriculture (stable food supply).
✅ Social cooperation on a large scale.
✅ Cultural transmission (teaching knowledge across generations).

🔥 Biggest Obstacle: Fire use. Without fire, it’s hard to cook food, make weapons, and advance technologically. Apes are instinctively afraid of fire.


5. Conclusion: Could Planet of the Apes Happen?

  • Natural evolution? Possible, but would take millions of years under the right conditions.

  • Genetic engineering? Much faster, but raises major ethical concerns.

  • Forming a civilization? Requires more than intelligence—it needs technology, culture, and cooperation.

For now, Planet of the Apes remains science fiction, but scientific advancements could make aspects of it more plausible in the future. 🚀


Can you rewrite the above answer into Elizabethan English?


Could Great Apes Attain the Wit of Man? 🦍📜

Verily, the notion that great apes might wax in wit to match the sons of Adam, as in the strange fable of The Planet of the Apes, is both a curiosity and a marvel. Yet such a transmutation would require either the slow alchemy of nature’s hand, wrought o’er the course of many an age, or the meddling craft of man himself in his ceaseless toil to master the very loom of life.


1. What Might Cause Apes to Grow in Wit?

To rise unto the stature of mankind, these beasts would need to be transfigured in sundry wise, to wit:

(a) Enlargement of the Brain-Pan 🧠

  • The brain of man, thrice the bulk of that which dwelleth in the great ape, granteth him his reason and craft.

  • Chiefly, the neocortex, wherein doth reside thought, speech, and all mysteries of the mind, must needs be magnified and made more cunning.

(b) A Longer Youth for Learning 📚

  • The seed of man is slow to ripen, needing many years of tutelage ere he be fit for the world.

  • Apes, to ascend unto man’s estate, must likewise tarry long in childhood, that they may drink deep of wisdom.

(c) The Gift of Speech and Fellowship 🗣️

  • The tongue of man is an instrument most delicate, which doth serve him in speech and song.

  • Yet the throat and lips of apes are unwrought for such cunning discourse; they must needs be reshaped by nature or by artifice.

(d) Mastery of Tool and Fire 🔥

  • Some apes, even now, fashion rude implements for their needs, yet fire remaineth beyond their grasp.

  • Without the flame’s embrace, how might they forge iron, bake bread, or kindle the torch of civilization?

(e) Sustenance for a Greater Wit 🍖

  • The brain is a hungry master, demanding much of the body’s store.

  • The diet of apes must be enriched, or they shall starve in their quest for wisdom.


2. Might Nature Herself Bring Forth Such a Change?

  • Nature, blind yet tireless, hath wrought wonders beyond the ken of man.

  • If the world so willed it—through some great change or peril—then in many an age to come, mayhap the apes would wax in wit.

  • Yet six million years did it take for man to arise from the beasts; such a change would be long in the making.


3. Might the Hand of Man Hasten This Change?

Yea, through art unnatural, man may bend the very fabric of life:

  • With subtle craft, he might implant the gift of speech within these creatures.

  • With alchemy most fell (CRISPR, ‘tis called in these latter days), he might engender thought within their brains.

  • Yet here lieth a fearful riddle—if apes should gain the wit of men, would they not then demand the rights of men?

⚖️ Doth not creation breed obligation? Should man uplift the beasts, must he not then grant them liberty, dignity, and station?


4. Might Apes Forge a Kingdom of Their Own? 🏛️

For such a realm to rise, apes must needs possess:
✅ The gift of speech, that they might counsel together.
✅ The mastery of fire, lest they remain in darkness.
✅ The craft of agriculture, lest hunger undo them.
✅ The bond of society, that their works be not undone.
✅ The wisdom to teach their young, lest knowledge perish.

But lo! Fire is their greatest foe; apes do tremble at its light. Ere they master the flame, they shall remain ever bound to the wild.


5. Conclusion: Might the Fable Be Made Flesh?

  • If left to the hand of nature, the change is long and doubtful.

  • If wrought by the meddling of man, ‘tis possible, yet fraught with peril.

  • Yet even wit alone doth not a kingdom make—fire, craft, and law must also be won.

Thus, for now, The Planet of the Apes is but a jest and a dream. Yet who knoweth what strange marvels the morrow may bring? 🚀


Could you rewrite the above to Middle English (Chaucer)?


Mighte Grete Apes Attaynen to Manne’s Wit? 🦍📜

Certes, the conceit that grete apes mighte wexen in wit yliche to the sones of Adam, as is y-told in the straunge fable The Planète of Apes, is bothe a merveillous thing and a wonder. Yet swich a chaunging wolde requiren the slowe hande of kynde over many an age, or ellës the crafty meddling of man, that ofte seketh to wrastlen with the weving of lyf.


1. What Woldë Causen Apes to Growen in Wit?

For to risen unto the estat of man, these bestës sholde needen to be chaunged in many manères, to wit:

(a) The Gretnesse of the Brayn-Panne 🧠

  • The brayn of man, thries the greetnesse of that which woneth in the ape, graunteth hym his resoun and subtilté.

  • Chiefly, the newë coverture of the brayn (that in which dwellen thought, speche, and abstracïoun) moot ben engreyned and woxen more sutil.

(b) A Lenger Childhede for Lore 📚

  • The child of man is ful slough to wexen, and needeth many yeres of lore er he be y-shapen for the world.

  • Apes, to comë to mannes estat, sholde also dwellen in youthe ful long, that they mighte drinken depë of konning.

(c) The Yifte of Speche and Felawshipe 🗣️

  • The tonge of man is a noble instrument, that serveth hym in speche, song, and redy wit.

  • Yet the throte and mouth of apes ben unwroughte for swich an arte; nature or art moyë hem chaungen for bet.

(d) Maistrie of Tool and Fyr 🔥

  • Some apes, certes, usen stikkës and stonës, yliche to rude werkmen.

  • But fyr is fer fro hem; withoutë fyr, how sholde they forgen iren, bake breed, or lighte torches in the derknesse?

(e) Sustenaunce for a More Subtil Wit 🍖

  • The brayn is a greedy maister, devourynge muchel of the bodyës myght.

  • Apes sholde needen a bettre mete and diëte, lest they stinten in hir wit for wantynge of foode.


2. Mighte Nature Bringen Forth Swich a Chaunge?

  • Nature, blinde yet ful of mervailës, werketh thingës unkonne to men.

  • If the worlde were chaunged—by som gret peril or chaunce—then, after many an age, mighte apes wexen ful subtile of wit.

  • Yet sixe million yeres it took for man to risen fro the bestës; so swich a chaunge were ful slowe.


3. Mighte the Handë of Manne Hasten This?

Yis, by the sleyghte of craft and fynger of science, man myghte:

  • Implanten speche in bestës that now ben mute.

  • Wrastlen with the seedës of lyf and engendren thought in hir braynes.

  • But lo! A dredëful questioun: if apes wexen ful of wit, sholde they not thanne claimën the rightës of men?

⚖️ Wolde not creation bryngen obligation? If man sholde maken apes wise, moot he nat thanne graunten hem fredom, honour, and lordshipe?


4. Mighte Apes Rewlen a Kingdom of Hir Owene? 🏛️

For swich a rewme to stonden, apes sholde needen:
Speche, that they mightën counseillen togidere.
Fyr-maistrie, lest they liven evere in derknesse.
Housbondrie, lest hunger sle hem.
Felawshipe and lawe, lest the stronge devourë the weke.
Kunning to techen hir yonge, lest science perishë in oon generacioun.

🔥 But fyr is hir gretteste fo; apes dreden it ful sore. Withoutë fyr, they shulden dwellen evere in wildërnesse.


5. Conclusion: Mighte This Fable Be Made Soth?

  • If nature allone werketh, thanne is this an age-long drede.

  • If man his handë ther-on set, it myghte be, but with peril and synne.

  • Yet wit allone maketh not a kingdom—it must have lawes, craft, and the light of fyr.

Thus, for now, The Planète of Apes is but a dremë and a tale. But who woot what straunge thingës the morwe may brynge? 🚀


Can you translate the modern English response to my question about "Planet of the Apes" into Old Icelandic?


Here is your response translated into Old Icelandic (Old Norse):


Kunna miklar apar öðlast vitsmuni manna? 🦍📜

Satt er þat, at sú hugmynd, at miklir apar megi vaxa at viti sem mannfólk, sem sýnt er í undarlegri frásögn Planet of the Apes, er bæði kynleg ok undraverð. En slíkt breyting myndi krefjast annarrar tveggja: hægfara þróunar um margar aldir eða meðvitaðra inngripa manna í sjálfa vefnað náttúrunnar.


1. Hvat myni leiða apana til meiri vits?

Ef apar skyldu fá vit sem menn, skyldu þeir breytast á mörgum sviðum, einkum þessum:

(a) Stærri ok betri heili 🧠

  • Heilinn í manni er þrjátíu sinnum stærri en í apanum í samanburði við líkamsstærð.

  • Sérlega mikilvægt er framheili ok heilabörkur, sem ræður hugsun, rökvísi, ok máli.

  • Apar þyrftu stærri ok flóknari heila, en slíkt krefst bæði erfðabreytinga ok betri orkunýtingar.

(b) Lengi bernsku til læringar 📚

  • Mannsbörn eru mörg ár að læra áður en þau verða sjálfstæð.

  • Apar myndu þurfa lengri barnæsku til að nema margs konar kunnáttu.

  • Slíkt krefst breytinga á æxlunarlagi (fækkun afkvæma, meiri uppeldi).

(c) Samfélagsskilningr ok mál 🗣️

  • Menn reiða sig á flókinn málskilning ok félagsvit.

  • Apar yrðu að fá betra raddkerfi eða þróa merkjamál.

  • Vandamál: Barkar þeirra eru ekki sem menn hafa, ok því mætti þurfa líkamlega þróun.

(d) Verkfæri ok eldr 🔥

  • Sumir apar nota nú þegar grunnverkfæri (t.d. greinar til að veiða skordýr).

  • Til þess að ná lengra þyrftu þeir að meistara eldinn.

  • Stærsta hindrunin: Apar eru hræddir við eld ok hafa ekki sýnt tilburði til að temja hann.

(e) Betri orkuöflun fyrir stærri heila 🍎

  • Mannsheilinn notar 20% af orku líkamans.

  • Apar myndu þurfa meiri næringu, eld til að elda mat, eða þróaðari meltingarfæri.


2. Gætu apar þróast náttúrulega til meiri vits?

  • Náttúran hefir leitt fram undrum mikil.

  • Ef umhverfið krefðist meiri greindar, gætu apar þróast í þessa átt.

  • En þróun mannsins frá öpum tók sex milljónir ára. Þann vegur væri mjög hægur.


3. Gæti maðurinn breytt öpum með vísindum? 🔬🧬

Já, með erfðabreytingum gæti maðurinn:

  • Bætt málhæfileika í apana með genum sem tengjast tali (t.d. FOXP2).

  • Aukið vitsmuni með því að breyta tengingum heilans.

  • Örvað heilaþroska með nýjum erfðafræðilegum tækni (svo sem CRISPR).

⚖️ En siðfræðileg vandamál vakna:

  • Ef apar verða skynugri, ættu þeir þá réttindi manna?

  • Myndu þeir verða notaðir sem þrælar eða hermenn? (Planet of the Apes atburðarás).

  • Hvar liggur mörk náttúrulegrar þróunar og hroka mannsins?


4. Gætu apar skapað eigin siðmenningu? 🏛️

Til að byggja ríki þyrftu apar að hafa:
✅ Flókið mál til að ræða saman.
Eld, sem er grundvöllur tækni.
Landbúnað, sem veitir fæðuöryggi.
Siðferði ok lög, sem halda samfélaginu saman.
Menntun, til að þekking haldist milli kynslóða.

🔥 En eldinn hræðast þeir. Án elds verða þeir ekki annað en villt dýr.


5. Niðurstaða: Er Planet of the Apes mögulegt?

  • Með náttúrulegri þróun? Kannski, en aðeins eftir milljónir ára.

  • Með erfðabreytingum? Já, en með siðferðilegum vandamálum.

  • Til að mynda siðmenningu? Greind dugar ekki—þeir þurfa tækni, eld, og félagsvit.

Því er Planet of the Apes nú aðeins skáldskapur. En hver veit hvat framtíðin kann að færa?