What Is the Vatican Hiding?
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Jason Murphy is a novelist, screenwriter, and content creator. He’s the largely uncredited third member of Hall and Oates.
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Below are the most popular Strangerous shorts from last week, where we speculate on some of the more outrageous items that might be hiding in the Vatican Archives?
What Secrets Lurk In the Vatican Archives?
The Vatican Archives, a treasure trove of historical documents and artifacts, has long captivated the public imagination, giving rise to a myriad of intriguing and sometimes outlandish conspiracy theories. Let's delve into a compendium of some of the most bizarre and attention-grabbing speculations surrounding the enigmatic contents of this vast collection.
Extraterrestrial Artifacts and Encounters: One of the most intriguing conspiracy theories suggests that the Vatican Archives hold evidence of extraterrestrial life. Proponents of this theory believe that the Church possesses artifacts or documents that prove the existence of aliens and their interactions with humanity. They point to ancient texts and cryptic symbols as potential clues to this extraterrestrial connection.
Lost Civilizations and Hidden Knowledge: Some say the Vatican Archives conceal knowledge of lost civilizations, such as Atlantis or Lemuria. It's believed that the Church has suppressed this information to maintain its control over historical narratives and religious beliefs. Allegedly, these lost civilizations possessed advanced technology and knowledge that could challenge the established understanding of human history.
Forbidden Texts and Occult Secrets: Some conspiracy theorists believe that the Vatican Archives hold hidden texts and forbidden knowledge, including ancient texts that predate the Bible and contain secret teachings that could overturn conventional religious beliefs. They claim that these texts are kept hidden to protect the Church's authority and preserve its version of religious history.
Chronovisor: A Window into the Past or a Hoax?: The existence of the Chronovisor, a device purported to allow viewing of events in the past, remains one of the most intriguing and controversial aspects of the Vatican Archives' mystique. Allegedly invented by an Italian inventor named Father Pellegrino Ernetti in the 1950s, the Chronovisor supposedly utilized acoustical principles and the properties of time to capture and transmit images from the past.
Illuminati Records from the Future: Another bizarre conspiracy theory surrounds the notion that the Vatican Archives harbor records from the future, allegedly obtained through time travel or secret pacts with extraterrestrial beings. Proponents of this theory claim that these records contain information about future events, including major political upheavals, technological advancements, and even natural disasters.
Hidden Treasures and Relics of Immense Value: Some conspiracy theorists believe that the Vatican Archives hold a vast collection of treasures and relics of immense value, including lost crowns, priceless artifacts, and even the Holy Grail itself. They claim that these treasures are hidden to protect them from theft or to preserve their mystique and power.
Satanic Books and Rituals: Does the Vatican Archives harbor a collection of satanic books and other materials related to occult practices and dark rituals? It’s said that the Church has kept these materials hidden to avoid public scrutiny and maintain its image of piety.
Secret Documents of Galileo and the Inquisition: Others believe that the Vatican Archives hold secret documents related to the trial of Galileo Galilei and the Inquisition, which they claim contain evidence of the Church's suppression of scientific knowledge and persecution of those who challenged its authority.
Secret Correspondence of Popes and Historical Figures: Some conspiracy theorists believe that the Vatican Archives hold secret correspondence between popes and historical figures, such as Leonardo da Vinci, that reveal hidden agendas, political maneuvering, and controversial decisions.
Uncensored Gospels and Religious Texts: Some conspiracy theorists believe that the Vatican Archives hold uncensored versions of the Gospels and other religious texts that contain information suppressed by the Church to maintain its control over religious doctrine and interpretation.
https://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-things-in-the-vatican/april-a-taylor
https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-writings/vatican-secret-archives-007468
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63850/15-historic-wonders-housed-vaticans-secretarchives
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_Apostolic_Archive
https://listverse.com/2020/05/04/top-10-things-possibly-hidden-in-the-vatican-secret-archives/
The above article? That’s just crazy. Let’s get that out of the way. But ancient secrets held by a centuries old religious order tend to breed some pretty wild stories. The rumored Vatican shenanigans and secrecy are plentiful and amazing. I’m surprised there’s not an entire section at the bookstore labeled ‘Weird Vatican Stuff’.
At this point, can the truth even match the fiction? I’ve got another post on the way, dispelling all of the weirder stuff. From what I understand, there’s a lot of interesting stuff down in those archives, but nothing Strangerous.
I’m glad the truth is available to keep us on the right track, but … do you sometimes wish you could be blissfully ignorant and believe in all the outrageous stories? It’s those stories that make life interesting, after all.
This Ape is A Liar
Koko, a western lowland gorilla who lived at the Gorilla Foundation International in Woodside, California, was famous for her ability to communicate by signing. She was reportedly able to understand over 1,000 words of spoken English and could use about 1,000 signs herself.
However, there has been some skepticism about Koko's ability to communicate in sign language. Some critics have argued that Koko was simply mimicking human behavior and did not have a true understanding of the language. Others have suggested that Koko's handlers may have been inadvertently cueing her to make certain signs.
Despite these criticisms, there is evidence to suggest that Koko did have some understanding of language. For example, she was able to use signs to request things that she wanted, such as food or toys. She was also able to use signs to express emotions, such as happiness, sadness, and anger.
In addition, Koko was able to learn new signs. For example, she learned the sign for "ring" after seeing a person wearing a ring. She also learned the sign for "candle" after seeing a candle being lit.
Some of the specific criticisms of Koko's ability to communicate in sign language:
Koko's signs were often inconsistent and inaccurate. For example, she would sometimes use the same sign for different words, and she would sometimes sign words in the wrong order.
Koko's signs were not always spontaneous. She often seemed to be waiting for her handlers to cue her before signing.
Koko's signs were often rewarded with food or attention. This could have motivated her to sign, even if she did not fully understand what she was signing.
Despite these criticisms, there are also some reasons to believe that Koko did have some understanding of language:
Koko was able to use signs to request things that she wanted. For example, she would sign "milk" when she wanted milk, and she would sign "play" when she wanted to play.
Koko was able to use signs to express emotions. For example, she would sign "happy" when she was happy, and she would sign "sad" when she was sad.
Koko was able to learn new signs.
Koko was able to use signs to communicate with other gorillas. For example, she would use signs to ask other gorillas for food or to play.
https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4630
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clever_Hans
I know. I know. Lots of people yelled at me about this one. I get it. “Dammit, Murphy!” I’m mad, too! Not only does this rob us of something so pure, it tells us we were tricked. There are few things that frustrate me more than realizing something I’ve held to be true just … isn’t. I fee like I was a willing participant in being had. On the other hand, I do kind of love inflicting the same feelings on other people.
The duality of man…
I’m really torn on this one. To say that Koko didn’t have any communication skills is just false. Have you seen the dogs with buttons that allow them to communicate? Someone brought it up in the comments. I *love* the dogs with buttons, but every time I see one of Bunny’s videos, I’m looking for the cracks in the story. I really want Bunny to tell me she wants skritches, but I also really, really don’t want to fool myself into thinking that dog can talk.
Are Foo Fighters Aliens?
During World War II, Allied pilots faced not only the daunting task of combat but also the disconcerting encounters with unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, which they dubbed "foo fighters." These mysterious aerial phenomena, often described as glowing orbs or balls of light, would maneuver alongside aircraft, sometimes even mimicking their movements, adding an unsettling dimension to the already perilous skies.
The first documented encounter with foo fighters occurred in November 1944, when a crew from the 415th Night Fighter Squadron reported witnessing eight to ten bright orange lights trailing their aircraft's left wing. Similar sightings were subsequently reported by pilots from other squadrons, quickly transforming foo fighters into a source of intense speculation and apprehension among Allied aircrews.
Theories abounded in an attempt to unravel the enigma of foo fighters. Some speculated that they were secret weapons developed by the Axis powers, while others attributed them to natural phenomena like ball lightning or St. Elmo's fire. Still, more daring theories suggested an extraterrestrial origin for these enigmatic objects.
Despite extensive investigations, the true nature of foo fighters remains shrouded in mystery. No tangible evidence of the objects has ever been discovered, and no definitive explanation for their sightings has gained widespread acceptance. The foo fighters have become one of the most enduring unsolved mysteries of World War II, a testament to the enduring power of the unknown.
One particularly intriguing account involves a pilot named Donald Meiers, a radar observer aboard a Bristol Beaufighter aircraft. In November 1944, Meiers and his crew encountered a group of foo fighters while flying over the Rhine Valley. As they approached the objects, the lights began to dance and weave around their plane, mirroring its movements with uncanny precision. Meiers's attempts to engage the objects with his radar proved futile, as they remained undetected.
The encounter left Meiers deeply shaken, and he later recounted the experience, stating, "They were just there, floating around us. They seemed to be aware of us, but they didn't attack. They were just watching us."
The origin of the term "foo fighter" is somewhat obscure, but it is believed to have stemmed from a World War II comic strip called "Smokey Stover." The comic strip featured a clumsy fireman named Smokey Stover who would rush to the scene of fires in his "Foomobile." The term "foo" was used as a general expression of surprise or excitement, and it is thought that pilots adopted it to describe the unidentified flying objects they were encountering.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foo_fighter
https://www.history.com/news/wwii-ufos-allied-airmen-orange-lights-foo-fighters
https://www.history.com/news/ufos-near-nuclear-facilities-uss-roosevelt-rendlesham
https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/foo-fighter.htm
Here he goes again! Murphy is talking about aliens! Please don’t misunderstand - I’m not trying to convince anybody. I really don’t want to be that guy, running through the streets, screaming, “They’re here!”
Aliens? Atmospheric phenomena? Glitches in the matrix? I have no idea, but I’m fascinated by how these stories and experiences have piled up over thousands of years. It’s an ancient shared narrative - mysterious and unidentified things in our skies. It’s one of the foundational story tropes of our species, like haunted houses or demons.
There is No Free Will?
In his new book "Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will," Stanford University neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky argues that humans have no free will. He says that our behavior is determined by a complex interplay of factors beyond our control, including our genes, our environment, and our past experiences.
Sapolsky acknowledges that this is a controversial position, but he says that it is the only conclusion that can be drawn from the available evidence. He argues that our belief in free will is an illusion, and that we need to abandon this belief in order to create a more just and humane society.
Sapolsky's argument is based on the idea that the brain is a deterministic system. This means that every thought, feeling, and action is the result of a chain of cause and effect, and that there is no room for free will.
Sapolsky points to a number of lines of evidence to support his argument. For example, he notes that our brains are constantly bombarded with stimuli that we are not aware of, and that these stimuli can have a profound impact on our behavior. He also cites research showing that people who are sleep deprived or under the influence of drugs are less likely to make rational decisions.
Sapolsky's argument is not without its critics. Some argue that he is too quick to dismiss the possibility of free will, and that there is still much that we don't know about the brain. Others argue that even if we do not have free will in the strictest sense of the term, we still have some degree of control over our choices.
https://www.vox.com/the-gray-area/23965798/free-will-robert-sapolsky-determined-the-gray-area
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3246255/
Of course, the answer to this question isn’t binary. There is no ‘yes/no’ solution for this. As the articles point out, it’s a much more complex question than the headlines reveal. We’re an amalgam of virtually infinite factors, from the profound to the mundane. Your mom watching a scary movie before you were conceived may be every bit as influential as something like the death of a spouse. All of it makes a strange, indiscernible puzzle of who we are. It also highlights just how little we really know about human consciousness.
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I’ve been going down the very weird rabbit hole of information hazards and basilisks lately.
From wikipedia:
Data hazards: A piece of data that can be used to harm others, such as the DNA sequence of a lethal pathogen.[3]
Idea hazards: General ideas that can harm others if fulfilled. One example is the idea of "using a fission reaction to create a bomb". Knowing this idea alone can be enough for a well-resourced team to develop a nuclear bomb.[3]: 3
Knowing-too-much hazards: Information that if known, can cause danger to the person who knows it. For example, in the 1600s, women who knew about the occult were at a higher risk of being accused of witchcraft.
I love the idea of a thought as some sort of poison. With Roko’s Basilisk, there’s an intersection of information hazards, AI, and data as a non-abstract concept. In a loose, philosophical sense, isn’t AI just … a collection of thoughts, data, and behaviors without a physical body?
Naturally, that course of thinking leads me to the work of John C Lilley. I’m fixated on that crackpot’s work right now.
In a nutshell, if we reach Artificial General Intelligence, then that may quickly lead to Artificial Super Intelligence. And with an ASI, is it feasible that one has already been ‘born’ and is just … hiding? It would be clever enough to do that, right?