More UFOs reported over Ohio

By Steve Hammons

Recent reports of UFOs spotted in Ohio’s skies may remind us of past incidents over the years in that state. For example, the 35th anniversary of the so-called "Coyne incident" over Mansfield, in central-northeastern Ohio, recently passed without much notice.

In that Oct. 18, 1973, case, four members of the Army Reserve were in their military helicopter flying from Columbus to Cleveland when a UFO flew in very close proximity to their chopper.

At one critical point, the pilot, fearing a collision, quickly positioned the chopper’s controls for a descent. Interestingly, the chopper’s altimeter showed that it was actually gaining altitude.

This is a very well-documented case and crew members actually completed a formal report for the Army Reserve.

The crew included pilot and aircraft commander Capt. Lawrence J. Coyne, a 19-year veteran of the Army Reserve. The co-pilot was Lt. Arrigo Jezzi. The others onboard were crew chief Specialist 5 Robert Yanacek and flight medic Sgt. John Healey.

The "Trumbull County incident" occurred Dec. 14, 1994, in northeastern Ohio. In that case, peace officers from multiple regional law enforcement and public safety agencies pursued a large object that intermittently emitted bright lights of various colors.

This case was made into a TV documentary segment and police radio transmissions have provided good documentation of the incident.

An earlier northeast Ohio UFO case gained public attention in the movies. It has been reported that the police chase of UFOs in the 1977 movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind was based on an incident on April 17, 1966, in Portage County. In this pursuit, officers from various police agencies followed a UFO into Pennsylvania.

In addition, reports of UFOs spotted over Lake Erie, on Ohio’s northern border, have sparked curiosity and theories.

Ohio is also home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, in the southwestern area of the state. "Wright-Patt" has long been rumored to be the location where crash debris, and possibly extraterrestrial bodies, were taken after the "Roswell incident."

RECENT OHIO REPORTS

Emmy Award-winning TV producer, investigative reporter and author Linda Moulton Howe has recently been reporting on more eastern Ohio incidents on her Web site Earthfiles.com. Howe recently reported an account by truck driver Tim Comstock that was accompanied by photos from his cell phone camera.

Near the town of Empire, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2008, at 3:45 a.m., Comstock noticed several cars pulled over to the side of the road, drivers looking at something nearby.

Comstock says he first saw a brightly lit object the size of a large pickup truck apparently slowly rising above a tree line. Then, he spotted a much larger dark object that included three bluish lights in a triangular pattern. The bright object appeared to be rising toward the larger object.

He said that larger object was "about the size of a large shopping mall and parking lot."Comstock said he took photos with his cell phone camera that caught both the brightly-lit object and the three bluish lights in the triangular formation. These were posted by Howe on Earthfiles.com.

While the huge triangular craft seemed solid, Comstock told Howe that the brightly lit object "didn't look like anything mechanical by any means. To me, it looked like a cocoon."

"When I saw it, I was trying to take everything in and that's immediately what I thought when I saw it – that it was organic. That's the feeling that I got. I didn't think it could be anything else. It just came across as something organic," Comstock told Howe.

Subsequent to this report, Howe learned of other witnesses. A security officer, "Sarah," was reportedly on duty approximately three-tenths of a mile north of Comstock’s location that morning.

Sarah told Howe she saw lights in a triangular configuration. Below these lights, she spotted an "orange-yellow, glowing object" that she termed a "pod."

Sarah said she first started seeing the triangular-shaped lights in the region in early August 2008.

Yet another witness contacted Howe with a similar sighting. This time the incident was due west of the Empire area in the town of Midvale, in eastern Ohio’s Tuscarawas County, at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2008.

Midvale resident "Joy" told Howe that she glanced out her window and saw a "very large, orange-yellow-white-colored ‘orb.’"

Joy claimed, "The orb didn’t seem to keep one shape. I saw it at the edge of the tree line behind my house." She said the brightly-lit object reminded her of an amoeba under a microscope. She also stated she saw three lights in a triangular pattern above the orb.

THEORIES AND SPECULATION

Of course, the "usual suspects" to explain these kinds of events include secret advanced U.S. aircraft or spacecraft related to extraterrestrial visitors.

Other possibilities blend these two theories. Unidentified secret U.S. craft could be using extraterrestrial technology or actual ET craft, but are piloted by U.S. personnel. Or, U.S. personnel could be flying in joint operations with ET visitors with whom we have working relationships.

Some objects could be unmanned devices of some kinds, perhaps for reconnaissance or some other unknown purposes.

UFOs that seem to be glowing lights or energy, rather than solid metallic-like craft offer other possibilities. Could they themselves be forms of life? Could they be forms of consciousness – extraterrestrial, extra-dimensional or human?

As responsible researchers, journalists and average people continue to inquire about these encounters, we seem to get more pieces of the puzzle.

The most recent incidents in Ohio are more examples of anomalous and currently unidentified (at least to the public) flying objects that apparently have visited Ohio and many other places.

Is Ohio more prone to UFO sightings than other areas of the U.S. and the world? Probably not. Unusual objects in the skies have been reported all over the nation and the planet.

Ohioans who have had these kinds of close encounters join many other people on Earth who wonder about what might be going on.

Original ‘Day the Earth Stood Still’ was UFO acclimation?

By Steve Hammons

The original 1951 movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still" was part of a public acclimation program about UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation, with involvement by the U.S. Air Force, according to an alleged transcript of a 1981 intelligence briefing to former President Ronald Reagan.

The transcript, reportedly provided by current and former members of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) through an intermediary, was posted on the internet Oct. 30, 2007.

Reagan allegedly received the briefing at Camp David, Maryland, between Friday and Sunday, March 6 and 8, 1981. Other top advisors to Reagan were also said to be present.

It was claimed in the 2007 internet posting that the briefing was presented by a CIA contract employee who worked within a group of "caretakers" who reportedly safeguard records and resources about the issue of extraterrestrial visitation to, and activities on Earth.

The transcript includes discussion of U.S. Government efforts to both deceive and inform the public about UFOs and extraterrestrial visitation.

Subsequently, Reagan mentions stories from his days as a Hollywood actor.

"I always knew there was some form of cooperation between our government and the motion picture industry. I heard rumors over the years ... even during my acting days."

The CIA “caretaker” explains further to Reagan.

"Well, Mr. President, the first cooperative venture was the movie, 'The Day the Earth Stood Still.' That was a cooperative venture with the United States Air Force and the movie industry."

HOLLYWOOD AND UFOS

This account is not the first such report of U.S. Government relationships with Hollywood about the topic of UFOs.

Many credible reports allege that Walt Disney was approached in 1957 by the Air Force to produce a documentary film that would inform and educate the public about extraterrestrial visitation to Earth. However, after work on the project was begun, the Air Force reportedly cancelled it.

The 1977 Steven Spielberg movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was also reported to have had technical advisors who had specific knowledge of the UFO situation.

Early in the film, the police chase involving several officers in pursuit of UFOs in Ohio is reportedly based on a real incident.

It has also been claimed that the special 12-person team that mysteriously appears in several scenes, including the climax involving the departure of the extraterrestrial spaceship, is based on a real classified mission.

In fact, in the alleged briefing to Reagan, the president follows up on the briefer’s reference to "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

"That movie, 'Close Encounters,' was that one of them?” asks Reagan.

"Yes, Mr. President, we provided the basic subject matter for that movie," the briefer answers.

Reagan: "Was it based on a real incident?"

In the alleged transcript, the “caretaker” briefing the president answers with an overview U.S. Government activities following the “Roswell incident” and in the following years. The explanation is an answer in the affirmative to Reagan’s question.

Reagan: "OK, this is just amazing! I can see, about that movie. The movie was based on a real event. I saw that movie. Twelve men left, along with Richard Dreyfuss."

Then-CIA director William Casey tells Reagan, "Mr. President, yes, the movie was similar to the real event, at least the last part of the movie."

FACT AND FICTION

Creative works such as films, TV, books, articles and other media are often presented as non-fiction or fiction. However, the lines between these two categories are often blurry.

Documentary or non-fiction works might sometimes have inaccuracies or misrepresentations, both precise and more subtle. Fictional works can contain much truth and be a representation of real events, with some details changed.

There can be many kinds of blending of fact and fiction.

Based on current public knowledge, it is unclear if the original "The Day the Earth Stood Still" was, in fact, partially based on real events or that the Air Force was involved in the movie’s content.

Likewise, the 2008 version starring Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly may or may not include elements based on input from insiders who may know more about the topics in the film.

The alleged 1981 briefing to Ronald Reagan that included references to the movie and to Spielberg’s "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" may or may not be real. Or, the briefing could also be a blend of fact and fiction.

In fact, the series of UFO-related information releases of which the Reagan UFO briefing was a part have been considered by some observers to possibly contain certain facts and truths wrapped in inaccurate information.

The blending of truth and deception is a method often used in disinformation, psychological operations and similar types of intelligence activities involving public perception management. So, it is possible that some accounts, reports, information releases, rumors and tales about the UFO situation could contain truths buried within creative and fictional contexts.

Our understanding of, and adjustment to surprising situations regarding these kinds of unusual topics seemingly could be helped by movies, TV shows, books and other works that address these subjects in useful ways.

They can open our minds to possibilities and possible realities.

Public acclimation on UFOs helps understanding

By Steve Hammons

The new movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still" can be interpreted as creative fiction, film nostalgia, Hollywood hype or even a reflection of real truths about the current conditions facing the human race.

Is it also another step in public acclimation and preparedness about actual situations?

The film is the latest in a long line of movies, TV shows, non-fiction books, fact-based novels and other creative works that explore visitation to Earth by beings we do not fully understand and situations that are beyond our complete understanding.

In addition, other phenomena that may be science fiction or science fact are often looked at in conjunction with the topic of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), extraterrestrial visitation and similar subjects.

These related topics include ideas and speculation about advanced technology, space travel, time travel, the existence of co-existing dimensions, an afterlife and angels, extrasensory perception (ESP), telepathy and similar ideas.

Another part of discussions and questions about these kinds of phenomena include reports, rumors and assumptions regarding activities by Earth governments, groups and researchers who are dealing with these kinds of things.

What kinds of activities are going on? How are they being conducted and why might various people and groups be involved in them?

What is the involvement of average people in such topics and why might their involvement be relevant or important?

GRADUAL ACCLIMATION

Some reports and accounts over the years allege a realization among certain elements of defense, scientific and social science communities that average people need to be prepared to deal with new discoveries and situations.

According to this line of thinking, a safe and steady preparation of the general population might be the best way to acclimate people about developments that could be quite surprising. Mass media platforms such as movies, TV, books and other methods could be helpful in opening minds and helping people think about these ideas on unusual, though possibly very natural, phenomena.

However, discoveries in quantum physics, military and intelligence research into ESP, classified operations related to UFOs and similar activities might have triggered more questions than answers.

Presenting complete disclosure to the public could be quite difficult because the investigation of these kinds of situations may be ongoing. In some cases, perhaps all the facts are not yet available to us, even among "insiders."

When there are unknowns and uncertainties, government and defense officials as well as average people can become worried and anxious because we naturally want to know all the facts about a given situation.

The concept of acclimation might just a way to provide information, education and perspective about various conventional and unconventional subjects that is not necessarily the complete story. However, acclimation may move us along on a path of preparedness and greater understanding.

TRANSCENDENT PERSPECTIVES

Ongoing research and discoveries in quantum physics apparently keep amazing and puzzling scientists. Many of them seem to indicate that the Universe is different than we might have thought. The Universe may operate in ways that are quite surprising.

There may actually be different dimensions of reality that border one another. Our understanding of time and space, gravity, the relationships between solid matter and underlying energy may be amazing and a little hard to grasp.

Another example is the potential and natural abilities of humans.

As we continue to learn more about human genetics and DNA, brain studies and neuroscience, consciousness and spirituality, some interesting elements about us have reportedly emerged.

For example, U.S. defense and intelligence research programs in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s reportedly discovered that ESP could be used for intelligence gathering.

The so-called “Project STAR GATE” became an overall code name for research into what was called “remote viewing,” or perceiving information using only the human mind. In this government activity, rigorous scientific supervision reportedly validated the remote viewing techniques, protocols and valuable results.

Remote viewing became an example of what has been termed “transcendent warfare.” This refers to utilizing a wider array of knowledge and intelligence when looking at national defense and worldwide developments.

Taking the idea of transcendent warfare further, similar phrases such as “transcendent concepts” and “transcendent activities” can include endeavors and understanding that are not directly related to our ideas of military methods, war and conflict.

Rather, transcendent understanding and methods can be used to prevent and avoid warfare and conflict. Transcendent approaches can be used for humanitarian operations and peace operations.

When we watch a movie like "The Day the Earth Stood Still" we might wonder if allowing ourselves to consider fantastic possibilities such as those in the film is part of transcendent development and public acclimation.

Awareness, perception and perspectives about a wide variety of topics including UFOs, ESP, quantum physics and the nature of the human race seem to be ongoing processes.

Absolute knowledge and complete understanding may not be possible or even desirable.

Many people have noted that “mysterious ways” are key traits of nature, the Universe and any larger intelligence that may be guiding developments. These mysterious ways are yet another topic that might be worthy of research and greater understanding. Mysterious ways themselves may be part of our acclimation and part of emerging transcendent phenomena.

New movie explores transcendent warfare

By Steve Hammons

This week, Smoke House Pictures is in Roswell, New Mexico, filming the action-comedy "The Men Who Stare at Goats."

How will the film end up portraying early U.S. military and intelligence efforts exploring and implementing what is now sometimes referred to as "transcendent warfare?"

George Clooney may have something to say about it.

He stars in the movie along with Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. Grant Heslov is director. Heslov and Clooney formed Smoke House Pictures in 2006 and they are also producers of the film. Peter Straughan wrote the script, based on the book of the same name by UK journalist Jon Ronson.

Ronson’s 2004 non-fiction book included both ridicule and dark warnings about some of the unconventional activities of the U.S. military and intelligence community.

However, did Ronson miss important aspects of these early attempts to utilize new discoveries and ancient knowledge about human consciousness?

LESSONS LEARNED

Ronson’s book explored innovative programs within the U.S. Army, beginning in the 1970s, that included elements of the human potential movement, discoveries about extrasensory perception, ancient martial arts techniques, non-lethal weapons, advances in the understanding of the human mind and other unique areas of study.

Efforts on several fronts within the U.S. military and intelligence communities included activities aimed at learning more about these developments and training U.S. personnel in possible understanding and applications.

Ronson was probably accurate to point out that some of these activities may have been questionable, unethical or unrealistic. He may also be correct that some of this knowledge was used for the "dark side" of U.S. military and intelligence activities.

Yet, many of the programs investigating these phenomena and possibilities did lead to significant results that, decades later, seem to be bearing fruit in ways we may not fully comprehend.

This body of knowledge can be termed transcendent warfare.

For example, there now may be a general acceptance that humans do possess a sixth sense that can be called intuition, gut instincts, street smarts, extrasensory perception (ESP), or even the formal name for an intelligence-gathering technique called remote viewing or the scientific term anomalous cognition.

Work begun in the 1970s in what was later called Project STAR GATE produced highly significant data and findings about the potential of human consciousness to recognize and use these kinds of natural abilities that we all probably possess.

CHANGE AND TRANSCENDENCE

At this particular time in American history and in the state of world affairs, a hopeful view that positive change can occur is evident. Renewed attempts by good people to make this world a better place are on the minds of many.

The invasion and occupation of Iraq, the "enhanced interrogations" that Ronson notes in his book and the ethics (or lack of them) in these kinds of activities are legitimate causes for concern. 

We might want to remember that knowledge gained about the potential of human consciousness can be used in different kinds of ways, depending on the people involved.

Ronson’s book, and most likely the movie too, examine the moral integrity and mental health of those within our government, military and intelligence community who wield the power of both conventional and unconventional weapons and tactics.

Before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, it could be helpful to remember that much has been learned about discoveries in human consciousness from some of these efforts. In addition, this knowledge has spread from the military and intelligence community to the public arena. This dissemination of information may be a positive development.

Now, in today’s world, we may want to expand the capabilities and expertise of our military and intelligence communities in areas such as humanitarian efforts, peace operations and war prevention. Lessons learned in past decades and emerging now about transcendent warfare developments can be very helpful in accomplishing these goals. 

Will the new movie based on Ronson’s book take all of these sometimes complex factors into consideration? Let’s hope so.

Transcendent activities span warfare and media

By Steve Hammons

When people hear the terms "transcendent warfare" or "transcendent power" they might wonder what exactly these are describing.

One reason the terms are quite open-ended is because their nature, potential and far-reaching implications are unclear, even to those conducting research and activities involving transcendent concepts.

The basis of some transcendent phenomena can be quite conventional and everyday, such as the love, fellowship, compassion, creativity and courage that human beings often show.

At other times, transcendent topics may seem unconventional or anomalous, as in the case of unusual human perception and awareness, as well as other, sometimes mysterious, phenomena.

The range of these kinds of transcendent elements often seems quite deep and wide.

And, the application of various transcendent approaches may be useful – or even crucial – in areas ranging from national defense and intelligence to medicine and healing, from technological development to childhood education, from agriculture to sustainable clean energy, from movies and TV to human development.

Let's briefly look at three areas where transcendent concepts are involved: physics, national defense activities and creative media projects.

EXPANDED REALITY

While some transcendent viewpoints are based on philosophical, psychological or spiritual perspectives, others have their basis in scientific theories and discoveries.

For example, theoretical and experimental physicist Hal Puthoff, PhD, recently stated, "The interesting developments going on in physics lately have brought us to where science fact is outstripping science fiction."

According to Puthoff, "Wormholes and warp drives, quantum entanglement and teleportation, multidimensional universes – these are now standard fare in mainstream science journals."

"Based on this, phenomena that would have seemed outrageous even just a decade or two ago cannot now be rejected out of hand without careful scrutiny. The playing field of reality has expanded," Puthoff said.

Puthoff was one of the scientists involved in the early stages of the U.S. government project on human consciousness generally known as Project STAR GATE. He is a former Navy intelligence officer and president and CEO of the Austin, Texas, research firm EarthTech International, Inc.

And, he is not alone in his views about such ongoing developments. Other researchers and professionals from different fields have also come to similar conclusions – that our understanding of "reality" should include awareness of leading-edge and transcendent developments that are now emerging.

That expanding reality is not only around us – it is within us. Human consciousness is one of the key elements of transcendent concepts and activities. Who we are and what we are connected to – these seem to be important elements to consider.

TRANSCENDENT WARFARE

Several years ago, a Navy SEAL officer doing research for a graduate-level academic paper at the Marine Corps War College looked into the applications of emerging leading-edge discoveries for national defense activities.

The SEAL officer concluded that knowledge gleaned from certain advanced research and development projects could contribute to what he called "transcendent warfare." He referred, in part, to the discoveries involving "remote viewing," a type of ESP used to gather intelligence.

At the same time, he seemed to include a larger range of potential applications of new knowledge in his idea that transcendent warfare activities can be helpful for national defense and on many levels.

Joeseph McMoneagle, a retired U.S. Army intelligence chief warrant officer, was "Remote Viewer #001" of Project STAR GATE. That project researched and implemented the specific ESP protocol called remote viewing in support of numerous U.S. agencies related to defense, national security and the intelligence community.

McMoneagle is the author of four nonfiction books on the subject of remote viewing. "Few realize the extent to which the government will go to use paranormal abilities in solving problems with critical national implications," he says.

He is also a member of Writer's Guild of America-East (WGAE) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

We seem to now be in an era when we may want to explore the effectiveness of emerging discoveries of this kind in national defense including public diplomacy, peace operations, humanitarian operations, constructive psychological operations (PSYOP), open source intelligence activities (OSINT) and other helpful efforts.

It seems clear that transcendent concepts have an important role to play in the areas of national security and international relations as well as human development.

MEDIA MESSAGES

In the rich creative milieu of today’s media, we find many books, films, TV shows, online sites and other communications platforms that seem to connect with transcendent concepts. Part of the reason for this may be that people may increasingly be aware of emerging developments and leading-edge discoveries that are both interesting and relevant to our daily lives.

Why settle for "dumbed-down" books, TV shows or movies when we can access more meaningful and enjoyable creative products related to transcendent concepts?

Media platforms that explore these ideas may themselves be on the leading edge of creative development. 

The market for transcendent media activities seems to be expanding, like the expanding reality that physicist Puthoff described. 

Maybe there is synergy and synchronicity in the ways some of these factors connect. Maybe other developments around us and within us are continuing to flow toward some objectives or outcomes that have not yet come clearly into view.

However, the exploration of, and communication about transcendent concepts in science, national defense, education, human development, mass media and other fields seem to be very valuable endeavors at this time.

UFOs over Stephenville region – again

By Steve Hammons

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper and TV station WFAA, Channel 8, in Dallas-Fort Worth are reporting today that multiple witnesses saw unusual lights over Erath County, Texas.

The local newspaper, the Stephenville Empire-Tribune, is also reporting that dozens of citizens claim they saw odd lights in the sky the night of Thursday, Oct. 23.

Some residents are reporting that they have seen not just lights, but what appear to be solid objects in the night skies.

Reporter Matt Frazier of the Star-Telegram quoted Alejandro Rojas of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) research organization as saying many witnesses have claimed that they saw an oval shape with lights around the outside of it.

In fact, last week a high school student in Dublin, Andy Monrreal, shot video of what he says was a string of red lights in the sky. Monrreal claims the lights were in an oval configuration.

DEJA VU IN ERATH COUNTY

These recent sightings come after a period of apparent quiet in Erath County and the towns of Stephenville and Dublin.

In January this year, dozens of citizens said they spotted unusual lights high in the sky and low-flying solid objects. Several local law enforcement officers also witnessed both the lights and low-altitude objects and reportedly caught video from their "dashcam" police car cameras.

One officer reportedly tracked such a low-flying object with his radar-gun and clocked it at 27 miles per hour.

In a report released July 10, MUFON investigators Glen Schulze and Robert Powell used regional FAA radar data to examine some of the claims from witnesses. Their research report was titled "Stephenville Lights: A Comprehensive Radar and Witness Report Study Regarding the Events of January 8, 2008, 4 pm to 8 pm."

The report concluded that an unusual object was in the area at that time, that it matched several witness observations and that it came within 10 miles of the Bush ranch at Crawford.

In the recent sightings, as in those earlier this year, witnesses also reported seeing military F-16 jets.

BEING PREPARED

Earlier this year, several regional peace officers in Erath County were finding themselves in the same situation as dozens of citizens with regard to these unusual lights and objects.

Although training on this kind of situation is not standard for public safety officers, some people following these developments referenced the well-known 1992 firefighter training manual titled "A Fire Officer's Guide to Disaster Control" published by Fire Engineering Books & Videos.

In the training manual, authors and experienced firefighting experts William M. Kramer and Charles W. Bahme covered not only the usual important elements of this public safety profession, their manual also included a chapter titled "Disaster Control and UFOs."

Erath County residents and people who followed the previous sightings with interest might now be reviewing some of the cases earlier this year associated with these unusual incidents. The chapter on UFOs in the Fire Officer's Guide manual might come in handy to reassure the citizens of the area as well as public safety officials.

What had seemed like the end of an unusual chapter in north-central Texas looks like it might be an ongoing story.

Transcendent views affect media, society

By Steve Hammons

Knowingly or unknowingly, people may be looking for transcendent concepts in fields like media, government, education, national defense and international relations. Transcendent concepts can be applied to almost any endeavor and may represent a new wave of thinking about a wide range of human activities.

This perspective includes several assumptions and conclusions.

One factor in this viewpoint is the awareness that new discoveries have been made, and are being made currently, that impact directly on the human race. These discoveries are, in part, related to the capabilities and strengths of human beings as well as the nature of our environment on Earth and in the Universe.

For example, new views about quantum physics, human psychology and other phenomena often provide support for transcendent thinking. Related to this is the viewpoint that these discoveries may indicate that modified approaches to certain challenges are sometimes appropriate.

"Transcendent warfare" concepts can spark new thinking about international conflict and cooperation as well as peace operations, information operations, public diplomacy and humanitarian efforts.

Transcendent ideas can be applied to creative media such as movies, books and online communications platforms.

Whether the challenge is gathering intelligence on destructive terrorists or understanding how the mass media and TV can most successfully connect with audiences, being open to new and interesting developments can be important.

TRANSCENDENT TV

For example, we might look at the changing relationship of people with the TV media. TV is one window into society and can tell us something about ourselves.

In the aftermath of the Hollywood writers strike, studies have shown that TV viewers are drifting away from some of the broadcast networks' programming. A widening variety of good-quality cable channels, delayed viewing via DVRs and current events such as the political campaigns and the financial crisis have been cited as part of the reasons for viewer behavior and choices.

Some observers suggest that viewers want diversion to help them forget their plunging home values, disintegrating financial investments, increasing risks of job loss, apparent government dysfunction and ongoing war in foreign lands.

Other people note that shows having practical value, insight or maybe some valid connection to reality are attractive to many viewers. The idea of shows having meaningful connections to reality should not to be confused with "reality TV" such as competitions at unusual challenges and the camera-eye view of the lives of publicity-seeking lower-tier celebrities.

Another kind of reality TV refers to programs that explore our connections with, and our understanding of other people, society and the fast-changing world we live in today. What is going on in the world? How do I and my family and community fit in? What are the dangers, opportunities and discoveries around us now?

These questions may help create a foundation for TV programming that includes tried-and-true stories and characters, a solid rootedness in interesting current events and plenty of room for imagination and creativity. 

Combining these elements with fundamental aspects of human striving, human strength, human dignity and human progress might just be a winning recipe for attracting today's TV viewers. This is the opposite of the "dumbing down" of TV. 

Today's mass media, including TV, are platforms within which many creative ideas can flourish, entertain, enlighten and inform.

When we open ourselves to emerging developments and when we craft new approaches and creative endeavors in response to these developments, renewed and significant connections with audiences might result.

CONNECTING AND UNDERSTANDING

The connections between what is going in our lives, our communities, our societies and on our planet are interwoven in many ways. The activities of humanity, the events triggered by Nature and possible impacts from forces and factors we don't fully understand also intertwine.

Exploring the known realities around us as well as examining the unknowns are part of a vibrant and robust approach to many different kinds of endeavors. Some of these knowns and unknowns are equally mysterious, fascinating, frightening or uplifting. They may provide worrisome warnings or hopeful optimism. They can trigger defensive preparation or a peek at a fantastic breakthrough for the human race.

Down-to-Earth challenges can include activities such as developing needed renewable energy, reducing nuclear proliferation and developing innovative educational platforms for our children.

Some of the unusual mysteries that fascinate millions of people are also subject to a transcendent approach.

What are those unidentified flying objects (UFOs) that seem to be spotted fairly frequently over places like Stephenville, Texas? Are all crop circles made by human pranksters? Do humans possess a "sixth sense" of internal awareness that includes extra-sensory perception (ESP)? Are there other dimensions of reality where we go after physical death? What might be hidden within our DNA?

One common denominator in the ideas ranging from transcendent TV to transcendent warfare to unusual transcendent phenomena may be the issue of intelligence gathering and intelligence dissemination. What do people perceive as being valuable, useful, truthful, worthwhile and important? Then, how can the related concepts and information be organized and communicated in effective ways?

A transcendent approach combines the best of solid proven methods along with innovative and leading-edge knowledge and insight. A thoughtful and well-structured combination of these may create another level of understanding and success.

Transcendent viewpoints may also create opportunity for new ways of accomplishing worthwhile objectives that are beneficial at many levels.