Tag: repose

Dec 28

Repose

Rob Hillstrom

Rob Hillstrom

Director / Chair Science at TEPI
Paranormal: Somewhat cliché but, my experiences began at a young age though I don’t recall making the “paranormal” association until the age of 9 when my grandmother died and returned for a visit. Through the years, I have given many phenomena more attention; from subtle dream images to apparent physical contact from “unseen” sources. I have been involved in independent research/study and investigation for about 30 years and began using some equipment about 20 years ago. I have been working with the Colorado based TEPI team since 2010. As a science oriented investigator, I am a bit of a contradiction. I believe the experience more so than the evidence. Simply because there can be many plausible explanations for most evidence. The experience on the other hand, can sometimes be very complex and difficult to explain easily. Professional: I have a Master of Science degree that essentially qualifies me to manage a multi-discipline team in their efforts to accomplish technical activities. (If I say more the MIB might show up.) My engineering background is primarily electronics but includes mechanical, astrophysics, and some aspects of thermal, optical, and audio. Previous careers were medical including paramedics and medical device technology (design, manufacturing, and training medical staff). I also dabbled heavily in photography before the wide spread use of digital imaging. Ideological: I was raised Presbyterian but allowed to find my own path. I studied Zen for a short time and explored many other faiths. In my late teens I attended a seminar on the subject of Quantum Physics and how it relates to our mind and consciousness; this was the turning point in my belief system. I did not become a scientific skeptic, I simply began to view nearly everything differently. I removed definitions I had learned and replaced them with relationships to my personal experiences and observations. Things once clearly defined as paranormal now had a plausible spin to them. Personal: In my spare time I write dark music, dark poetry, and horror/science fiction stories.
Rob Hillstrom

Latest posts by Rob Hillstrom (see all)

NPSGraphic

Time for repose; to let the mind wander through the subjects we briefed this week. Why the fuss about science? What about that EM Spectrum? Where to go with the Big “E”s and why IR and UV? What’s the problem with our Brain? What’s the deal with TV Demons?

Science is all we have to hold the laughter back. With various internet and news media tearing us limb from limb based on the actions of thrill seekers, science is the only thing setting us apart. The integrity we own our clients, ourselves, and each other comes from science. The questions we should be asking come from science. We should not be asking for proof; we should only be seeking more information. We should not be confirming feelings with our own feelings; we should be offering alternate explanations. Not dismissing or denying the events we seek to explain but, also not accepting blindly.

It turns out the EM Spectrum just might be everything. Our senses rely on it, our technology relies on it, and it even allows our brain to work. To paraphrase Nicola Tesla; “If you want to understand the universe, think frequency.” Can it be that simple? Within its limitations, the EM Spectrum represents our understanding of energy. If nothing can happen without energy, and our understanding is incomplete, it can be suggested energy/frequency can explain things we have yet to understand. It seems Tesla may be correct.

We focused in a bit on EVP, EMF, IR, and UV. These subjects arguably being the most popular bits of data we collect, share, and debate. Primarily we questioned our readily available technology related to EVP, EMF, IR, and UV. None of our technology appears to provide a particularly useful range for what we seek to find. Nor can we design a technology to discover the unknown. We can only deploy what we have hoping to detect a clue of some sort. If nothing else, at least this technology provides some level of safety doing what it is designed to do.

Is it all in our minds? It could be but. We want data so everyone will believe our experiences but, we refuse to accept data from others wishing we would believe their experiences. Our brains are a mess of confusion and contradiction. Our brain seeks to help us through our lives by misinforming us with its interpretation of what serves us best. We are born with the ability to recognize faces and our brain wants to find them, and other familiar things, no matter what we are looking at. Though our brain my mislead us, it wants to know, it wants to understand, and it allows us to ask questions. Whatever information it allows us to perceive, we need to try to understand why and how our surroundings and history has led to that perception. Likewise, we need to understand how this whole thought process is unique to each of us.

Next, we questioned the validity and value of TV shows. They use cool technology. They visit awesome locations. They show us some intriguing evidence. Some even claim a scientific approach. Many of us are here because we felt inspiration from one of these TV shows. So, what’s the harm in a little entertainment? TV Demons take the form of a bad example to the public. They may demonstrate some rough technique but they don’t teach method. They may hold a piece of technology in their hand in the name of science but, they rarely use the technology properly. They may hint at the importance of evidence review and finding alternate explanations but, they science is dismissed in general.

So, how should we close this first opportunity for NPS Science Week? Let’s close in repose…relax, slow down, and ask yourself some questions. “Am I doing this the way I want to do this?” “Do I truly understand the technology I have chosen?” “Do I understand my biases and how they affect my results?” …etc. …etc. Pick a subject and do some research. Share you research with the community.

Rob Hillstrom

Rob Hillstrom

Director / Chair Science at TEPI
Paranormal: Somewhat cliché but, my experiences began at a young age though I don’t recall making the “paranormal” association until the age of 9 when my grandmother died and returned for a visit. Through the years, I have given many phenomena more attention; from subtle dream images to apparent physical contact from “unseen” sources. I have been involved in independent research/study and investigation for about 30 years and began using some equipment about 20 years ago. I have been working with the Colorado based TEPI team since 2010. As a science oriented investigator, I am a bit of a contradiction. I believe the experience more so than the evidence. Simply because there can be many plausible explanations for most evidence. The experience on the other hand, can sometimes be very complex and difficult to explain easily. Professional: I have a Master of Science degree that essentially qualifies me to manage a multi-discipline team in their efforts to accomplish technical activities. (If I say more the MIB might show up.) My engineering background is primarily electronics but includes mechanical, astrophysics, and some aspects of thermal, optical, and audio. Previous careers were medical including paramedics and medical device technology (design, manufacturing, and training medical staff). I also dabbled heavily in photography before the wide spread use of digital imaging. Ideological: I was raised Presbyterian but allowed to find my own path. I studied Zen for a short time and explored many other faiths. In my late teens I attended a seminar on the subject of Quantum Physics and how it relates to our mind and consciousness; this was the turning point in my belief system. I did not become a scientific skeptic, I simply began to view nearly everything differently. I removed definitions I had learned and replaced them with relationships to my personal experiences and observations. Things once clearly defined as paranormal now had a plausible spin to them. Personal: In my spare time I write dark music, dark poetry, and horror/science fiction stories.
Rob Hillstrom

Latest posts by Rob Hillstrom (see all)