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Paranormal Borderlands Of Science edited by Kendrick Frazier
01/07/2007 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
Pub: Pyr/Prometheus Books. 465 page illustrated enlarged paperback. Price: $ 30.00 (US). ISBN: 0-87975-148-7. Buy Paranormal Borderlands in the USA - or Buy Paranormal Borderlands in the UK  check out website: www.pyrsf.com
Continuing from the looks at pseudosciences last month, I came to this book, 'Paranormal Borderlands Of Science', a compilation of essays by forty-three scientists examining the evidence for all manner of things. These range from ESP, dowsing, near-death experiences to bio-rhythms, astrology, cattle mutilations, the so-called Bermuda Triangle (it's hardly a triangle after all) and UFOs. Although published in 1981, much of this work is valid today.
A key observation made as to why scientists hadn't bothered with any of this fringe material is largely because they didn't give it the time of day. The problem with that is it systematically gained its cult credence largely because it wasn't put to the test. The people here did actually do this and found much of it wanting from poor analysis and repeatability to outright fraud. Whether you believe there is something in any of it or not, this book is an eye-opener to tell the difference between real and fake. If nothing else, it will make you more sceptic and not to take anyone's word without some close scrutiny of the evidence in any of these subjects.
I could go into specifics on a lot from this book but I think to the most part, each of you is likely to find something different as well as learn different things. What you are reading here, is more my opinion based on what I read here. Much of this book is based on specific well-known case samples. Proving them wrong doesn't necessarily make all claims invalid, only those who are out to make a profit from them at your expense. Some, like Velikowsky's claims of the origin of some of the planets and whom I hadn't really came across, are clearly at odds with established knowledge, but then so is the more recent intelligent design vs evolution (if the book is updated then this should be included) and people believe in that. If there is any belief at all that some things work, it can be as much a placebo effect that captures a small percentage of the population on statistical probability that it affects them rather than everyone as a whole.
Knowledge is power. Knowing why some things are so and others not even more so. With Science Fiction, especially those of us who write it, we play with make-believe or at least extrapolation of where current science takes us all the time. Looking at what has been tried in the current day should at least give you insight in what to avoid or extrapolate. This is a good book to have a look at all such claims.
GF Willmetts
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