|
From: Jerome Clark <jkclark.nul> Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:35:50 -0500 Archived: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:35:05 -0400 Subject: John Keel [was: The van Gogh Fallacy] >From: Gerald O'Connell <gac.nul> >To: ufoupdates.nul >Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:27:37 +0100 >Subject: The van Gogh Fallacy [was: Olson's Final Statement] >>From: Jeff Olson <jlolson.nul> >>To: <ufoupdates.nul> >>Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2007 11:59:38 -0600 >>Subject: Olson's Final Statement On ETH Diehards >A final word about James Horak's reference to John Keel in >support of Jeff Olson's position. It is distressing when a >figure such as Keel is called forth as an authority in the >justification of irrationalism. Keel's great contribution was to >enhance the sophistication of the Ufological enterprise by >insisting that inconvenient or embarrassing data should not be >ignored. Unfortunately, as a journalist, he couldn't resist >over-emphasising some of this data in pursuit of a good story. I have known Keel since the mid-1960s and once was quite close to him. In my observation, his influence on ufology and anomalistics has been far from positive. Not because, I hasten to add, he drew attention to outlandish claims and experiences - which (however interpreted) are indeed a part of the picture - but because he revived a medieval demonology which actively (though furiously is more like it) eschewed more productive, rational approaches. He also got basic facts wrong and on too many occasions lapsed into slack-jawed credulity. Least pleasantly, the man has a spectacularly sour temperament which expresses itself in a spittle-spewing rhetorical style - and, as I know from personal experience, vein-popping, hand- waving, face-to-face vilification, not to mention circulation of slanderous, wildly imaginative charges. In my own case it has been that I criticize Keel's ideas only because I am severely mentally ill and spend most of my days in psychiatric hospitals. On the positive side of the ledger, however, I might note that I've always liked The Mothman Prophecies, after Fort's own work surely the most purely entertaining Fortean book ever. I thought the film was excellent, too. To anyone who's interested: For an account of my life with Keel (it is not on line anywhere, unfortunately), check out my essay Keel vs. Ufology, Fortean Times 156 (2002): 39-42. Though it is hardly an admiring profile, it is, I hope, an interesting and eye-opening one. My original title, which FT's editors didn't use, was Keel Without Tears. Jerry Clark Listen to 'Strange Days... Indeed' - The PodCast See: http://www.virtuallystrange.net/ufo/sdi/program/
[ Next Message | Previous Message | This Day's Messages ]
This Month's Index |
UFO UpDates - Toronto - Operated by Errol Bruce-Knapp