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1. "Sonic Sensitivity?"
Posted by Kat on Feb-20th-02 at 7:23 AM

I've been reading an article in the British monthly FORTEAN TIMES MAGAZINE, Jan. 2002, called "Sonic Warfare", by Jack Sargeant, with additional material by David Sutton.
It reiterates information I had seen before, but I never gave it a "Lizzie Slant".  Let's see what you think...

"The human ear can only hear a limited part of the sound spectrum.  Above that range is ultrasound and below it is infrasound ."  It is somewhat speculative what effect these waveforms have on the human body and behavior, though NASA scientists in the 60's "produced much of the documentation of the effects of infrasound on the human body..."; they wanted to know how the low frequency vibrations of the rocket engines affected the astronauts.

"Subsequent research has determined that the frequency that causes vibrations of the eyeballs--and therefore distortion of vision--is around 19Hz."
Vic Tandy was attempting to find a scientific explanation for a *spook* in his laboratory, which "...was characterized by a feeling of unease and vague glimpses of a grey apparition."  He found that a newly installed extractor fan was generating infrasound at 18.9Hz.

"...Not only does the 19Hz frequency create VISUAL disturbances by vibrating the eyeball--hence the shimmering appearance of apparitions--but the frequency could also stimulate a psychological sense of disquiet ."

"...Whether exposure to such infrasound can trigger epileptic seizures ...remains unclear...but that strobe light effect associated with triggering epileptic seizures flashes at an equivalant rhythm..."

("...Effects like these could also, theoretically be contributing to sick-building syndrome .")

"...There is good reason to believe, then, that exposure to certain infrasound frequencies could stimulate aggression and exacerbate psychological disturbances .  This might explain accounts of temporary psychosis' associated with some natural phenomena...(like the Sirocco winds of the Sahara)...certain gusts of wind have infrasound frequencies has been documented."

"...infrasound permeates our daily environment, the machines around us, the buildings, and the weather all generate infrasound frequencies..."

--I thought of Lizzie and her rumored *epileptic spells*, the aggression involved in the crimes, the illnesses in the family, the peculiar personalities involved,Lizzie's vauge sense of *disquiet* the night before the murders, and even the *hauntings* that have been rumored by the staff and visitors to the house even unto this day, and wonder if this is a *sick building* to those whose brain-waves are susecptible....Lizzie didn't commit the crime, the building did!
--This theory may sound better closer to Halloween, but I have come across this "infrasound" information before, as a new scientific theory to explain hauntings, to which I am ever alert.
--Plausible, when the pieces are put together?
--But WHAT, in 1892, and yet still constant Now, could cause these frequencies?  Any ideas?

(one of these times I'll get through a whole post without an *edit*)

(Message last edited Feb-20th-02  7:54 AM.)

Whales, Kat.

Geez, now you really got me thinking.  I suppose that animals send out high or low frequency sounds.  I wonder if cats do that?  It might explain why the cat is a symbol of "spookiness".

Well, Joe, you win a kewpie doll!  Guaranteed made at the factory that used to be located at #94 Second Street!

That article says:

"The natural world is awash with infrasound created by thunder, earthquakes, tsuamis, volcanoes, shifting tectonic plates, and even winds.   The ability of animals, such as bats and dogs to hear ULTASOUND is well documented...Other animals may even employ infrasound as a weapon: recent research suggests that tigers are able to deliver a physically-stunning 18Hz roar immediatlely before attacking.  Similarly, sperm whales seem to use pulses of infrasound to stun the large squid that form the basis of their diet..."

--in the natural world, I was thinking about the possibility of tectonic plates shifting, or some sort of *wind tunnel* effect coincidental to Second Street, though I realize the topography has changed...  I suppose there are some types of machinery around the area that was similar to what was available in  the 1890's--maybe something to do with the Mills?  The article implies that some *forms* of architectural anamolies can be an influence...
--Also think of the TIME of year all these weird things happened at the house--April thru Aug.: barn broken into, pigeons killed, house broken into, illnesses, murder.  A brain-wave susceptible to atmospheric conditions?

--and, ya, whales WOULD migrate past Fall River, just don't know their schedule...

I'd like to tell you a little tale that's true.
I used to subscibe to the Fortean Times magazine, in the 70's, and then again in the early 90's.  I let it lapse, and bought copies  3 or 4 x  a year, at my nearby bookstore.  At the beginning of 2000, I no longer invested in my favorite magazine, because, as an import, it cost $7.50 an issue.  End of Fortean Times....
Then the last year, I was documenting an odd re-occurrance of anamolous events locally, and thought to write it up as an article for the Fortean Times, so I visited their website (having just gotten a computer at Christmas).  I visited the site 2x, but the rules for contributors was practically prohibitive, so I amused & assauged my loss of hope by writing about it to a pal here from the forum.  This was just about 3 weeks ago.
One week ago, out of the blue, an issue, THIS ISSUE, arrives in my mailbox!  "You used to be a subscriber--we want you back--the next 3 issues will be sent to you free..."
I last subscribed about 1997, and only visited their site this month--But they sent me this issue, which ON the cover, features this article that I quoted here.
It seemed as if it was intended...you may now see why it seemed that way.
"Here!  In the Mail!  Free!  An article that may pertain to the location of the Borden house, and certain person's whose brain waves may be more susceptible than others to "infrasound"--maybe inherited from SARAH who looks so de-ranged...or maybe coincidence?