"Paranormal," Volk reminds us in the introduction, is a word that means "experiences or events that cannot be explained by science." Volk takes pains to carefully point out that this may mean "paranormal events" actually have a scientific explanation that we have not found yet, either by chance or because it is beyond our current scientific capabilities. Or it could mean that paranormal events actually have a supernatural cause. Human beings, Volk accurately writes, do not sit well with not knowing. We don't say "we're not sure yet" and let it go for the time being, or continue open-mindedly exploring or experimenting. Especially with anything labeled "paranormal," some people believe in a supernatural explanation, and other people shove it into the box in the corner labeled "whacko," but lamentably, hardly anyone says, "I don' t know! Let's find out more."
It's a particular shame that we can't have an open dialogue about "paranormal" subjects, since more than 70% of Americans believe in paranormal activity. Which is a particularly amusing statement if you take it literally: 70% of Americans believe that things we can't scientifically explain (yet) happen. Well of course they do! There are all sorts of things we can't scientifically explain yet... but only a few get labeled "paranormal."
Steve Volk, a level-headed and endlessly compassionate journalist, takes the difficult - and, I think, admirable - position that we just do not have all the answers. He gathers scientific research both old and new, eyewitness testimony, and sage advice from astronauts, all in the course of teasing out just how much we do or do not know about the paranormal. He asks us to sit with the discomfort of not knowing - yet. He asks us not to jump to conclusions that fit with our worldview just to feel more comfortable. And what a fun and fascinating journey he takes us on, if we can only oblige. With chapters on Near-Death Experiences, the Overview Effect in astronauts, UFO (remember that simply means unidentified, not extra-terrestrial!) sightings, lucid dreaming, and more, this book is a compelling study in both paranormal phenomenon and human psychology.
“To learn which questions are unanswerable, and not to answer them: this skill is most needful in times of stress and darkness.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness