Are We Headless? D.E. Harding, The Pointing Experiment and the Infinity of Self

Ernst Mach's self portrait

 No Head?
The Pointing Experiment?
Where to begin?
I'd say Richard Lang's film:



The Headless Monster Resource:
The Headless Way.
 D.E. Harding's trigger:
Ernst Mach

Am I pointing at you?
Later,
Paul Parducci

(Warning Extra Creepy) What's the Deal with Night Time Sleep Paralysis?

At Night. In Your Bed. In the Dark.

Shadow people. Inability to move. Levitation to the ceiling. Electrical Light shows.
Hags. Black cats with red eyes.
I've been hearing these stories for years. And we humans have been experiencing these Nighttime Terrors long before I set foot on the planet.

 Here's Henry Fuseli's painting on the phenomenon from 1781:

 Right now: I highly recommend Rodney Ascher's documentary "The Nightmare" which is currently available on your favorite Streaming Service.



And here's  Fifteen Experiences thanks to Chrissy Stockton.
Are you a little bit hooked?
Some more useful links:
From Scientific American
Why others think it's demonic.
A Sleep Paralysis Study
And from True Ghost Tales 
Live Science
And finally a popular Video of a purported "Shadow Man " capture:


For other Cool, Strange and Funny Stuff, Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Here. Night Night.
Later,
Paul Parducci

"Get. That Snitch." (Get That Ticket)

It has been my privilege to play "Cold Tony" Sargossi the fearsome leader of the Hammer Gang in the World Premiere of Great Minds Creative Productions: "Get. That. Snitch." The World's Most Dangerous Play.
 

"Get. That. Snitches.’ real surprises lie in the truly surprising plot twists and commentary on Human Greed.” -On Stage and Screen

"GTS" ends its Blood-drenched run in Los Angeles on November 1st.

Paul Parducci as "Cold Tony Sargossi" in the World Premiere of "Get. That. Snitch."

If you like your theater Full-on Bad Ass
Then get your tickets here.

Later,
Paul Parducci

The Whole Acting Thing: Is it Dangerous?

Okay-
I generally don't like to talk about "Acting."
So much of the process takes place between the ears and... you see I already don't want to continue.
But I guess it's safe top say that as Actors we strive to create fully human characters for stage and screen. (And of course lots of Stuff goes into achieving this, some fun, some not so much.)
Here's John Cazale one of the best that ever breathed.

John Cazale (1935-1978)

How we get "human" under imaginary conditions tends to be a variegated process. Can it also be harmful?
This article from the Atlantic is one of the best articles on the psychology of acting I've come across:

Emotions a Problematic Psychology

Later,
Paul Parducci

Manufactured Universe: I am a Disneyland Fan

For me its a perfectly manufactured and curated Universe.
You feel a specific point of view the second you enter.
You also feel the social contract in the center of your bones: Be Happy.
Here's a pic from my last trip. Where's it from?

Disney Universe by Paul Parducci

Later,
Paul Parducci

Will We Be Terminated? Is a Robot War Inevitable?

 Is a Robot War REALLY coming?
Do we really know what we're doing here? Or has our collective out-sized Ego plunged ahead of ourselves into Technological waters that will inevitably prove to be too deep for our Biological swim skills?

Is a War with Robots in our future?

Some people with impressive credentials are extremely concerned about the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence.

And all these scientists signed an open letter asking for Responsible oversight.

Scientist Warning letter

 The Future of Life Institute is trying to get a handle on this.
As for me? I'm a proud human. And if a war comes I for one will fight along side my fellow Air-breathers.

Later,
Paul Parducci

Jennifer Kent's "The Babadook" The Horror of Grief

The Babadook

Jennifer Kent   has crafted a perfect horror out of that stuff we all fear much more than Zombies or oozing monsters; namely the cold twisting agony of sudden loss and the grasping terror-filled ache of unremitting grief.

Multiple Reviews from: Rotten Tomatoes attest to its Scare-worthiness


If you have NetFlix it's you can see it right now.
Watch it with the lights on.
Baba-
Dook
Dook
Dooook!
Later,
Paul Parducci

J.C. Chandor's "A Most Violent Year" (A Most Different Kind of Film)

I will do my best to describe the experience of J.C. Chandor's masterful genre-cracking film without giving away this viewers anticipatory tension which the director so perfectly constructed into this morality tale.
This is first and foremost a film about "Standards."
The lead character Abel played by Oscar Issac owns a scrappy on the rise Heating Oil Company by the  name of "Standard."

Abel's Standard Oil Company

Throughout the narrative Abel states and restates his life philosophy of dealing realistically with life and always moving forward. A perfect encapsulation of the American dream coupled with this Nations "Puritan Work ethic."
Abel dresses as an early 1980's Gangster. Near at hand is his loyal consigliere Andrew Walsh played by the impressively growing Albert Brooks.
His wife and partner in aspiration Anna is played like a dangerous bird by Jessica Chastain who delivers a character richly steeped in both Noir Femme Fatale and Mob wife built on top of a person who is in complete control of the "Numbers."

Anna knows her "Numbers."

I came to this film expecting a genre Gangster film and instead had a whole different kind of experience. I suggest that you allow yourself to watch this without overloading yourself with facts on it.

A moment of decision.

You will be glad you did.
J.C. Nice job. I think you followed the path that was "most right" on this one.
Later,
Paul Parducci

The God Thing: The Cosmological Argument For the Existence of God

 Is it reasonable to believe in God?

The Overview Video:



 Here are some very useful links:

 From Space.com: How Old is the Universe?

 From NASA: The Age of the Universe

Exploratorium: Redshift

Hubble Law and the Expanding Universe

Kalam Argument

 And Finally from Quarks to Quasars: The End of the Universe?

Onward!
Later,
Paul Parducci


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The "Midnight Rider" Production Train Crash Tragedy

On February 20, 2014 on a Railroad Trestle in Jesup, Georgia:

Six people were injured and 27 year old Camera Assistant Sarah Jones lost her life:

Sarah Jones

Here is a Video Overview of the this gut-wrenching accident:


The Producer/Director of this film is currently in prison.

Director Randall Miller's statement.

My Thoughts and Prayers are with the Jones Family.
Paul Parducci

Our New Era of Selfie and Snapchat Ghosts

Our Mobile devices are now ever present. After Texting and Facebooking they are frequently used as Cameras.
For Paranormal Explorers this has created a new area of research.
Heck- the Snapchat logo is  even in the shape of a ghost:

Here is an overview Vid from FlikBox on some of the most famous Selfie Ghost Captures:


Remember follow good Selfie Protocol
And Don't look over your shoulder before you press that button!
later,
Paul Parducci

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Miracle at the Spanish Fork River? Mysterious "Voice" Guided Rescuers to Trapped Infant.

This is truly an inexplicably amazing story:


Officers Tyler Beddoes, Jared Warner and Bryan Dewitt, who responded to the incident in the Spanish Fork River Saturday, say they heard an adult voice say, "Help me," Spanish Fork Police officer Lt. Matt Johnson told ABC News.

 Here is a Video Overview:
















Link to the full ABC story Here

Another "We heard a distinct voice."
And From the New York Daily News
Makes you feel hopeful-doesn't it?

Later,
Paul Parducci

Phone Calls From The Dead?

Gladys Cooper from Twilight Zones' "Night Call"

From The Twilight Zone episode "Night Call" to the Telephone line downed in a Cemetery Story I heard as a kid: the creepy possibility of contact from the other side over a telephone has been a mainstay of our darker narratives.
But on Sept 12th 2008 did it actually happen?
Here's the Post Vid on this Pause-giving occurrence:


More on this:
Author Dean Koontz's Experience from Psychology Today
From Virginia Ghosts
QSI
More on the  Peck case from Historic Mysteries
The Snopes Report on Peck.
Time to Hang up-
Later,
Paul Parducci

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Camera Man Lost: The Disappearance of Louis Le Prince

The Video at FlikBox:












 More to look at:

Excellent piece from the New York Times by Glenn Myrent

 From Historic Mysteries: Did Edison Steal Inventions?

Pre-Cinema History

An Alternate History Thread: Thomas Edison Found Guilty of Murder.

Later,
Paul Parducci

New Webisode Comedy Series: "The How-To Wizard"

Always nervous with something new.
But I'm relieved that people seem to be liking: The "How-To Wizard."

Streaming now on FlikBox
Here is the pilot episode:

Subscribe for this and other New Comedy Videos Here.

Have a Great Day!

Paul Parducci

Valentines Day: Hearts, Cupids, Love And A Word From The Boss

Valentines Day is here soon. (In two days as I write this)

Here is this Holiday's  history from  History.com.

If you are like me you are now repeating a thought-loop: Don't forget to order those roses. And on those roses there is always either (on that small Heart-splattered card) or on one of those  metallic (Frequently heart-shaped) balloons, at least one Cupid.

And it goes without saying that Valentines day cards themselves are crammed with Cupids and Hearts.

Ten theories on why all the Hearts from ListServe here.


And as for the chubby cherub? Holiday Insights has a great overview on Cupid here.

Valentines Day is a holiday that celebrates Love of course but a very special kind of Love-Eros.



From Snipview here is a diagram of the Greek Types of Love:

In the realm of this kind of Romantic Love there are many theories on how it works:
Here are how five different Psychologists look at it.

And to top off this post on Valentines Day, A special Heart-warming Message from everybody's favorite Boss From Hell: Nightmare Boss:





Happy Valentines Day!
Later,
Paul Parducci

Hey you can also Follow me on Twitter 
and Facebook.

The Strife Pack Commune: An Alternative Way to Live or The Kingdom of Rikki?

Rikki "Alpha" Strife

Cori "Alpha" Strife

Over the centuries there have been many attempts to live in a "New Way."
Many of us have felt at times that the way things are are not quite right. We speak of the Rat Race and the Hamster Wheel. Certainly there are pressures in society as well as the burdens of  thousands of individual decisions.
But is there another way?
Can an individual absorb him or herself into a group and find true freedom?
Can this be done without the destruction of personality?
Can individuals band together without one emerging as the absolute ruler?
Can a group community evolve without devolving to a Cult?
It was with these questions that I traveled to New Mexico with my producing partner James Quattrochi to spend some time with "The Strife Pack Commune," with the goal of developing a Reality show.
The experience was both fascinating and terrifying for me.

This short documentary will bring you into a whole new world.

Later,
Paul Parducci

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This is Exactly How I Stay in Shape

American Film Actor Paul Parducci stays in shape

After many requests here is the Video on My Complete Fitness and Diet Program.

Hope you like it:

Later,
Paul Parducci

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Now Watch Every Episode of Nightmare Boss On FlikBox!

Paul Parducci stars in the Web hit "Nightmare Boss"

 I've been a working stiff actor for a long long time. I'm in more or less constant reruns somewhere.
But since creating Nightmare Boss  a few years back I have been both humbled and amazed at the support for this Web series which by the way was one of the earliest. (They were first released back in 2006)
So now in 2015 I am pleased to be releasing All New Episodes of Nightmare Boss along with all of the originals on the YouTube FlikBox Channel.

Here's the Whole Playlist.


Here is the link to FlikBox.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Interested in UFO's? Then the Project Blue Book Files are Ready for you.

Official file from Project Blue Book

Purported UFO over Santee, California

The much vaunted United States Air Force Investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects is now fully available for UFO Researchers.
An overview from History.com
Here they are at The National Archives.
They can also be accessed here.
Watch the Skies!
Later,
Paul Parducci

I See the Future! Predictions For 2015

 Do you hear that strange Theremin music?

Well it's the first day of 2015:
Let's take a look at some of the predictions for it:

Five from Discovery
Eleven "Bold" predictions from VOX
What do the Planets say? Learn it all from the world of Astrology
 The Academy Awards- Oscar Predictions
 From Forbes Magazine
PSYCHIC Predictions
 Bonus:
From ABC NEWS  Movie-Back to the Future's Predictions

And Looking back-Isaac Asimov’s 1964 Predictions About 2014.

I Predict You found this Entertaining?
Happy and Healthy-
Later,
Paul Parducci