A Paranormal Library – Ancient Aliens

I would like to preface my review by stating that I have purchased all the books I review for the public.  I am in no way being paid for my reviews, but I am sharing my favorite paranormal books for your reading pleasure.  The opinions expressed in these books do not always reflect my own personal opinion, but I do find these topics fascinating.  Your purchases of these books do not monetarily benefit me, nor do I gain points with your readership or purchase.  I am sure, however, that the authors do enjoy your patronage.  Happy reading Dreamers!

This disclaimer is in reference of my use of the word “paranormal.”  My use of the word “paranormal” refers to anything that is not normal, be it ghosts, conspiracy theories or aliens.  If the topic is not part of conventional beliefs, then it is paranormal.  So please do not bombard me with comments about how something is or is not paranormal.

Ancient Aliens

The History Channel Wednesdays 9pm/8pm Central

Ok, so while I love reading, I’m a huge TV Junkie to the point that my sister and I are going through the Netflix backlogs of Frasier.  What I do love though is to watch documentaries on the Paranormal.  Ancient Aliens is one such program that I die to see every week.

Before I really go into the show Ancient Aliens, I should discuss the theory behind the show itself.  The theory of Ancient Aliens began with Erich von Däniken and his book Chariots of the Gods?, in which von Däniken hypothesizes that our ancient civilizations (Egyptian, Aztec and Maya for example) were once visited by extraterrestrial beings.  In these visitations, our ancients were given knowledge from these visitors that benefited these fledgling societies with information far advanced than we gave them credit for.  Not only that, but the ancients chronicled the visitations in ways that made sense to them in books such as the Bhagavad Gita, Gilgamesh, and The Bible.

The show Ancient Aliens began as a two-part documentary started by the creators of UFO Hunters after that specific show was canceled.  The regular series begins with the topic of discussion with a panel of experts in various fields of science.  Most of the topics vary from the very original question and that is “Whether or not Aliens were the direct result of some of the Ancients greatest creations?”  While some of the theories are outlandish, some of the real world proof, things humans have tested, are astounding.

For example, in the episode “Ancient Aliens and Deadly Diseases,” the pundits hypothesize that Aliens were responsible for diseases that almost wiped out mankind.  While the idea seems more science fiction than science, there is evidence of NASA testing a hypothesis on what would happen to bacteria in a zero gravity environment. In this test, NASA tested several bacteria samples in space to see if they would die or thrive in the vacuum.  While 3 out of the 4 samples died in space, the samples of Salmonella grew 3 to 7 times more virulent than when it was initially launched. From this evidence, we can conclude a larger hypothesis: have any of the major diseases that almost wiped out humanity have been mutated bacteria from deep space?  While it is a stretch, the evidence with the virulent Salmonella is definitely food for thought.*

Now, again, I really do think that most of their hypotheses are outlandish and stretched way too thin; I do believe that a good chunk of the information that is presented in Ancient Aliens is very fascinating.  I also think more people would take the show more seriously if the “crazy-haired-douche-bag,” to quote the boyfriend and sister, were to be less spastic on the word “proof.”** I do agree with most of the pundits on the show, I personally believe that if this said person stopped saying the word “proof” and combed his hair once in a while with gel or mousse; maybe people would probably see the show with a better light.

You can view Ancient Aliens episodes on History.com (updated every Thursday Morning), or view them on Hulu, Youtube, and Netflix.

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* Go to this NASA Site for more information on what may have caused the Salmonella virus to become more virulent in space.

** If you have ever seen this show, you know of whom I am talking about.  Every time there is the faintest of circumstantial evidence given in the show, this man starts popping the word “proof” every ten seconds.  Even for an openly cautious person as I am, that is just way too over the top.