What do you do when a velociraptor crosses the road? Would you ignore it or think it was a mirage or optical illusion? As far-fetched as dinosaur road-crossing sightings seem, seeing unknown phenomena is common. About half the population reports experiences that defy explanation. Find out what you should do about it if it happens to you.
This quest can be confusing. So, the first step is learning the differences between proving, exploring, and understanding. Understanding their differences is important. Each one has a unique role in analyzing unexplainable events.
Establishing facts and truths proves or disproves claims. Finding the facts is essential for a credible assessment. Exploring allows us to discover new information and ideas, promoting curiosity and innovation. Understanding enables us to comprehend what we learn, helping us apply knowledge.
By distinguishing these three, we can better tackle problems. This helps us make informed decisions and appreciate the mysteries that still challenge us. This knowledge helps us better navigate the complexities of the world. It provides a balanced approach to investigating the unknown.
Understanding Unknown Phenomena
Let’s take a story about dinosaur road-crossing sightings to examine three important concepts. Many confuse the processes used to prove, explore, and understand things. Once we understand the differences and their uses, we’ll have a solid mindset to investigate unexplainable occurrences. (1)
Let’s say a group of friends spots strange lights in the sky. They are curious about this occurrence and want to understand it. So, they explored the unknown phenomena to find out what it might have been. They go to the library and search online to gather information about similar sightings. They find stories about weather balloons, airplanes, and even UFOs.
Next, they wanted to prove that what they saw was real. They borrowed a telescope, returned the next night, and took pictures of the lights. Then, they compared their photos with the information they found. They went further and talked to a local scientist who explained how to identify different objects in the sky. With this evidence, they could prove that the lights were a rare type of meteor shower.
Finally, they worked on understanding unknown phenomena. They learned about how meteors enter the Earth’s atmosphere and create bright streaks of light. They discovered why this meteor shower was rare and what made it special. By understanding the science behind it, they could explain the phenomenon to others.
By exploring and proving unknown phenomena, they transformed a mystery into a learning experience. They found that some experiences that defy explanation can be solved through work. All it takes is persistence, curiosity, evidence, and knowledge.
What Do You Do When a Velociraptor Crosses the Road?
One hot early summer evening, you and your friend Alex are driving across the desert, enjoying the endless sand dunes and the clear blue sky. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a dinosaur dashes across the road! You both slammed on the brakes, eyes wide with shock. Did you see that? you shouted. Yeah, it was huge and had a long tail! Alex replied, equally stunned.
Dinosaur road-crossing sightings have occurred here recently. Alex and I were joking about it before we left on this trip. Does this information contribute to our understanding of the sighting? Let’s review it.
Exploring Unknown Phenomena
First, you and Alex compared what you saw. You both agreed it looked like a dinosaur, but you needed to be sure. Maybe the heat was playing tricks on you. You remembered the talk about previous sightings in the area.
You decide to investigate. So, you pulled over and searched online for stories about dinosaur sightings crossing the road in the desert. You found some wild theories about holograms and even time travel! You also thought about your day. Perhaps you saw the dinosaur because you were tired or had watched a dinosaur movie recently. Exploring unknown phenomena can be emotionally upsetting. You are trying to sort out your feelings from the facts.
Proving Unknown Phenomenon
To prove what you saw, you looked for evidence. You got out of the car and searched for footprints or any clues. Unfortunately, no giant dino prints were in the sand, but you didn’t give up. That’s interesting.
You talked to experts and even called a local museum and asked a paleontologist about dinosaurs. Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years, she said, laughing. But sometimes, our minds play tricks on us. This led you to speak with a psychologist. Stress or excitement can make us see things that aren’t there. This can happen when we are fixated on finding something.
Understanding Unexplainable Occurrences
With all this information, you and Alex sat down to figure it out. Maybe it wasn’t a dinosaur but a big bird or a clever hologram from a nearby event. You learned that sometimes our brains can mix up what we see, especially if we’re tired or excited.
Finally, you understood that while seeing a dinosaur was super cool, it probably wasn’t real. You learned about how our minds work and how technology can create amazing illusions. You even explained it to your friends, turning a mysterious experience into a fun learning moment.
So, next time you see something unbelievable, remember to stay curious, gather evidence, and learn all you can. Who knows what you’ll discover? So, what do you do when a velociraptor crosses the road, and how can we apply this to other unexplainable occurrences?
Other Experiences That Defy Explanation
Many reports of unknown phenomena, with or without photos or videos, find it hard to prove their authenticity. These reports often share common challenges. Most of these reports come from people alone when they experience something unusual. Estimates suggest that about 75% of these reports are made by witnesses alone. This makes it harder to verify the sightings, since no other witnesses can confirm the details.
When it comes to photographic and video evidence, the issues are often related to the quality of the footage. Many videos are out of focus or lack reference points that could help validate the size, speed, and credibility of what was captured. But even without photos or videos, there are ways to judge the validity of these claims:
1. The Consistency of Details. Check if the details of the sightings are consistent. If the story changes significantly, it might be less credible.
2. Number of Multiple Witnesses. Reports from multiple witnesses are generally more reliable than those from a single person. Several people independently reporting the same thing adds credibility.
3. Credible Expert Analysis. Consult experts who can provide insights into what might have been seen. For example, a meteorologist explains strange weather patterns. Meanwhile, a psychologist talks about how stress or excitement can lead to hallucinations.
4. Verifiable Physical Evidence. Look for any physical evidence that supports the sighting. This could be anything from footprints to unusual marks or objects left behind.
5. Context and Environment. Consider the context in which the sighting occurred. Was it in a place known for similar sightings? Were there any environmental factors, like lighting or weather, that could have influenced what was seen?
6. Historical and Cultural Factors. Cultural beliefs and historical context can sometimes influence what people think they see. Understanding these factors can help in assessing the validity of the sighting.
Proof Debunked
If you take the time to consider these factors, you will be in a better position to judge the validity of unexplainable occurrences. Here are some historical examples.
In the late 1800s, people started using photographs to prove they saw strange things. One of the first famous examples was the Cottingley Fairies. Two girls in England took pictures of what they said were real fairies. Many people believed them, but later, it was discovered that the fairies were just paper cutouts.
In the 1930s, a famous picture of the Loch Ness Monster appeared. It showed a creature with a long neck sticking out of the water, which made many people believe there was a monster in the lake. However, years later, it was revealed that the picture was a hoax. The monster was a toy submarine with a fake head attached.
In the 1960s, a video of Bigfoot walking through the woods became very famous. The creature looked like a giant, hairy ape. Some people thought this was proof that Bigfoot was real. However, many experts believe the video is fake. They think the Bigfoot in the video is just a person in a costume.
Another famous example is the UFO sightings over Washington, D.C. 1952. Bright lights were seen in the sky and even appeared on radar screens. Some believed these were alien spacecraft. However, experts later said they might be weather phenomena or reflections.
In 1997, thousands saw strange lights in the sky over Phoenix, Arizona. This event, known as the Phoenix Lights, showed a V-shaped formation of lights moving slowly across the sky. While some believe it was a UFO, others think it was military flares or aircraft.
These pictures and videos are controversial because they seem to show amazing things, but there are reasons to doubt them. First, it’s easy to fake photos and videos. People can use tricks or special effects to make things look real when they are not.
Second, sometimes people want to believe in these strange things so much that they ignore the evidence that shows it’s not real. Finally, experts often find mistakes or clues in the photos and videos that show they are not what they seem.
Pictures and videos can be exciting. They make us curious about the unknown. But we need to look closely. We should think about whether they are real or just tricks. Understanding unknown phenomena is tricky business. Let’s look at what to do when a velociraptor crosses the road from different perspectives.
Other Perspectives on Dinosaur Road-Crossing Sightings
The question is, is it real, a mirage, or my imagination? Would we see a dinosaur if it existed, or would your mind ignore it? If you’re a fan of people like Carlos Castaneda (2), you probably would answer yes! Carlos Castandea’s teacher, Don Juan, would use an apparition like this to create a shock. This would cause a shift to the next level of consciousness.
Whether the Velociraptor is real or not isn’t the issue. The question is, how do we know what is real and what is not? Does it matter? Maybe what we see isn’t a dinosaur but something else that doesn’t fit within our worldview. Perhaps it’s a Chupacabra or an optical illusion? (3) Some think these creatures, like the Chupacabra, are just leftover dinosaurs. Some believe that these leftover creatures explain dinosaur road-crossing sightings.
Making Sense of Unexplainable Occurrences
When we see something unusual, our mind tries to find the most reasonable explanation. It needs to fit somewhere in our belief system. Here, it is a dinosaur. Why do we do we see a dinosaur instead of something else?
Occasionally, the impossible happens; this is a truism that accounts for much of what we call good luck; and also bad. — Faith Baldwin
What do you do when you perceive something? You automatically categorize it. It is no big deal if it falls into the normal range of experience. We either forget it or file it away as a daydream. So, we believe it is possible when a velociraptor crosses the road.
If something falls outside our normal range of perception, we ignore it or reclassify it. We must decide if what is happening is ordinary or a glimpse of a non-ordinary reality. This can cause us to engage our the fight, flight, or freeze response. It’s the most common response because most people are unaccustomed to non-ordinary reality.
Okay, maybe we saw a dinosaur because we fell asleep at the wheel and dreamed of dinosaurs. A dream would explain this apparition, or perhaps it was a mirage, an optical illusion. If we are alone, we don’t have anyone else to verify this.
What Makes Something Real?
What makes something real? Since we experience everything within the mind because reality is a construct of our expectations. Our ability to perceive is only limited by the boundaries of our expectations. Expectations determine the boundary between reality and fiction, between ordinary and non-ordinary reality. So, what is the distinction between ordinary and non-ordinary reality? Is there a set standard, and if there is, who gets to set it?
We know the programming of the dominant cultural narrative sets the parameters for what is acceptable and what is not. Yep. They program you to see what they want you to see, so if they do not want you to see dinosaurs, you simply do not see them. Instead, you might see an alien or a Chupacabra. Dinosaur Road Crossing Sightings can be quite startling for those who witness them.
We should always keep an open mind about any new phenomenon in nature. To merely say that’s impossible, therefore it doesn’t exist, is to commit a serious error. A much better approach would be to say, That’s quite unlikely, but show me the evidence you have that says that it may be so. It would be the height of arrogance to think that man knows everything possible about the Universe or the Earth. There are many things yet to be discovered, and that is why we have scientific research (or any kind of research). That should be the rationalist’s approach to parapsychology and the occult. — Gordon Stein
When A Velociraptor Crosses The Road, What Does it Mean?
What do you think is real? Techniques like Japa meditation and the Shamanic Journey change the bandwidth of perception. Then, you realize you can’t answer the question with a simple yes or no. The boundaries between ordinary and non-ordinary experiences are not static boundaries. We can prove this from our practical experience with sleep.
We do not notice the transition from waking to sleep unless we train our attention. When we meditate regularly, we expand our awareness and become more aware of this transition. We see it happen. We know other levels of perception make it possible to see what others do not.
A more accurate answer about our dinosaur crossing the road would be that it depends. When a Velociraptor crosses the road, it is like any imaginary friend from any of the popular religions. However, our cultural narrative tells us what is acceptable to expect and what is not. We know for sure that dinosaurs existed. There is evidence in their fossils, and that’s more than we can say about most religions.
We believe that time separates us from the dinosaur depicted in the photo. However, we know time is not constant. Speed and gravity can bend time. So, is it a possibility? Does our cultural narrative close our eyes to this and other opportunities?
Phenomenology and Different Dinosaurs
Being blind to reality would be seen as a necessary tool for those of the name-it-and-claim-it persuasion. They would say seeing dinosaurs is possible, but would it be prudent? If it does not align with our beliefs, then we would ignore it. The Word of Faith Movement (4) is a later revision of Edmund Husserl’s theory of phenomenology (5).
The primary goal of phenomenology is the investigation of experience. That is, it examines what we experience apart from any theory or limitation on the cause of the experience.
Proponents of phenomenology would say it is certainly possible to see a dinosaur. If it can be perceived, then it can be achieved as an expression of reality. When a velociraptor crosses the road, it is a glimpse of another aspect of reality. All possibilities are available to us through the subjective structures of consciousness. The fact is that other people and things only exist in my presence.
Science and Velociraptors
We can’t argue against the fact that everything we have created was first a thought in our imagination. Our thoughts bring everything into existence. Albert Einstein’s goal was to find a unifying theory (6) that explains the connections between the various physical sciences (7).
However, science has run into dead ends investigating particle physics (8) and DNA (9). These only contain the raw materials but not the answer to how they might fit together. We do not know what is telling this energy to form into specific patterns we recognize as matter. We do not understand what is directing these complex molecules to arrange themselves.
It’s like taking apart a radio to find the music inside. The music isn’t on the inside of the radio. Because the radio is just a receiver, the intelligence that is creating the music comes from other sources.
The radio, our DNA, and consciousness are only the materials that make up the receiver. There is another force at work beyond this dimension. Some intelligent force must order the raw materials into specific wavelengths of matter.
Rupert Sheldrake calls the intelligence that can order reality Morphic Resonance (10). Mr. Sheldrake postulates that this Morphic Resonance is the unifying field. This is what Einstein sought to articulate. It is this mysterious force that eluded his ability to quantify and communicate. Like many of his other theories, he had confidence in their viability before proving them, so he was sure it was there. It’s the supreme force that philosophy and religion have given various names, including God.
The Morphic fields include all kinds of organizing fields: The organizing fields of animal and human behavior, of social and cultural systems, and of mental activity can all be regarded as Morphic fields which contain an inherent memory. — Rupert Sheldrake
Is this force something we can manipulate or influence, and if so, are there boundaries to our influence? All of this begs the question, what is reality? Can we change our experience of reality? Doesn’t our intent, faith, or some combination of ritual or process affect perception? Yes, they do. So, is it, or could Velociraptor Canyon be a reality? It all depends upon where you draw the boundary between imagination and creation. What else can we expect? It all depends upon how much of a freethinker we are.
It prompts other questions. Are we alone in the universe, or are we not? What other possibilities could there be? What discoveries await us?
In Conclusion
We only perceive what we expect to see. The more open you are, the more you can see. Seeing a dinosaur cross the road is much like encountering the Virgin Mary. Both moments are rare and unforgettable for those who experience them. There’s one big difference. The fossil record gives us evidence for dinosaurs.
Understanding unknown phenomena can be tricky. Many factors can affect the validity of a claim.
References
(1) Exploring the Benefits of Free Learning Platforms for Lifelong Learners. reference.com
(2) Carlos Castaneda, A Separate Reality: Wikipedia
(3) Chupacabra: Wikipedia
(4) Word of Faith Movement: Wikipedia
(5) Edmund Husserl, Phenomenology: Wikipedia
(6) Classical Unified Field Theories: Wikipedia
(7) Albert Einstein: Wikipedia
(8) Particle Physics: Wikipedia
(9) DNA, Deoxyribonucleic acid: Wikipedia
(10) Rupert Sheldrake, Morphic Resonance: sheldrake.org