Ok, What Was It?

[MuDPhuD]

Shrike, my memory isn't perfect, but I tend to forget where I put my keys or ink pen, or in not quoting people verbatim while gossiping, but not when it's something odd that happens. That tends to make my memory sharper, possibly, because of the kind of work that I do. If it's something unusual I'll immediately pay more attention to it, or notice it for that matter, out of habit.

Here, there is a mechanism for it that is noted in the research that describes what I'm talking about:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2676782/

This belief in the durability of emotional memories – a term that is often used as short-hand to denote memories for events that elicited an emotional response at the time of their occurrence – is closely related to the concept of a “flashbulb memory,” a phrase coined by Brown and Kulik (1977). These authors argued that when a highly surprising event occurs, a special memory mechanism takes over, causing the moment to be recorded with picture-perfect accuracy.

And from the very next paragraph of that article:

"Despite their subjective vividness, however, even emotional memories are subject to distortion. Compelling evidence for inaccuracies within emotional memories has come from studies that measure the consistency with which people report details such as where they were, or what they were doing, when they learned that an event occurred. If these details were retained accurately, then people should report exactly the same details at each retelling. In reality, however, people’s accounts of these details change over time:"

Memories change over time. This is what everyone hear has been repeating. Attempting to explain apparently inexplicable events from the past is almost futile because you can never be sure you have remembered all the details accurately. You may learn of a number of plausible explanations, but you will probably never be sure. You will be left with doubts.

Everyone has things like this happen to them, as witnessed by all the stories above. The best approach is to attempt to understand them at the time they occur. Stop, look carefully. Attempt to recreate the conditions immediately to see if it is repeatable. Begin with the assumption that objects do not disappear, and they do not move unless acted on. When doors close by themselves, spend some time playing with them, trying to make it happen again. If a tissue slips back, be gentle, pull it out a little and see if it happens again. Be curious and investigate. Don't just jump to the conclusion that magic happened and walk away, because once you do you will have only your memory to go on.

Even given immediate careful investigation a valid explanation may escape you (see stories related above). Skeptics consider this a failure of their understanding and investigation, not proof of supernatural causes.

 

[Biscuit]

I was at a loss. I am not mechanically inclined, high tech, or know much about physics. I think it depends on the way people learn. I start with the big picture and work back, so looking at the hinges does help if the big picture doesn't make any sense to me.

I still can't figure out how my grandmother's partial got in the light fixture. I think I would have noticed a hole in the ceiling when I took the globe down to get the partial out, because otherwise, I can't see how a rodent would get it into the globe. My grandmother was pretty far gone with her dementia at that time but I would be really surprised if she was able to climb up on something, balance long enough to unscrew the glass, and plop her partial inside the globe.

So you didn't come up with any possible explanations for what you experienced. That just seems really weird to me. Nothing at all seemed like a rational explanation for these odd events in your mind?

Would you be more surprised that you grandmother could climb a ladder or that a mysterious force unknown to science moved the dentures?

If you are not proposing something paranormal for the cause of these events then why post it in the general skepticism and paranormal section? What's the point of this thread?

 

[VespaGuy]

I still can't figure out how my grandmother's partial got in the light fixture. I think I would have noticed a hole in the ceiling when I took the globe down to get the partial out, because otherwise, I can't see how a rodent would get it into the globe. My grandmother was pretty far gone with her dementia at that time but I would be really surprised if she was able to climb up on something, balance long enough to unscrew the glass, and plop her partial inside the globe.

The simplest explanation is that someone put it there. i don't know who or why, and frankly it makes no difference. If you were able to get it out, someone else was able to put it in.

Do *you* think it's possible that someone else put them there?

How do you categorize all of these incidents? Do you feel that they all have to have mundane, physical, "real-world" explanations - some which may remain a mystery, but not one that has any basis in the paranormal? Or do you think there has to be something more at play? Please be honest.

 

[elkabong51]

Both of my parents suffered from dementia. They did nonsensical stuff all the time. It made sense to them, but not to anyone else.

 

[carlitos]

I still can't figure out how my grandmother's partial got in the light fixture. I think I would have noticed a hole in the ceiling when I took the globe down to get the partial out, because otherwise, I can't see how a rodent would get it into the globe. My grandmother was pretty far gone with her dementia at that time but I would be really surprised if she was able to climb up on something, balance long enough to unscrew the glass, and plop her partial inside the globe.

I have highlighted the relevant portions. My mother-in-law has early onset dementia, and occasionally "hides" things in weird places to keep them from ... whomever.

Otherwise, it was probably bigfoot or fairies.

Both of my parents suffered from dementia. They did nonsensical stuff all the time. It made sense to them, but not to anyone else.

Yup. When you find a pill wrapped in a tissue in the corner of the floor, where it was left for the mouse, you stop worrying about the logic of it all. Our brains are not perfect.

 

[Mudcat]

Why is half the General Skepticism page filled with bigfoot posts anyway? Can't we just move them to their own dedicated sub-forum and clear this area up?

Agreed. I mean we have a separate board for 9/11 conspiracy theories and that's practically a dead subject.

 

[carlitos]

Bigfoot has thumbs. Let him move the posts himself.

 

[dlorde]

Everyone has things like this happen to them, as witnessed by all the stories above. The best approach is to attempt to understand them at the time they occur. Stop, look carefully. Attempt to recreate the conditions immediately to see if it is repeatable. Begin with the assumption that objects do not disappear, and they do not move unless acted on. When doors close by themselves, spend some time playing with them, trying to make it happen again. If a tissue slips back, be gentle, pull it out a little and see if it happens again. Be curious and investigate. Don't just jump to the conclusion that magic happened and walk away, because once you do you will have only your memory to go on.

Even given immediate careful investigation a valid explanation may escape you (see stories related above). Skeptics consider this a failure of their understanding and investigation, not proof of supernatural causes.

This ^
It may not give you quite such an interesting story, but immediate investigation (where possible) can give a fascinating and educational personal insight into the many ways our perceptions can be mistaken or misinterpreted, and help to recognise them in future.

 

[Jodie]

So you didn't come up with any possible explanations for what you experienced. That just seems really weird to me. Nothing at all seemed like a rational explanation for these odd events in your mind?

Would you be more surprised that you grandmother could climb a ladder or that a mysterious force unknown to science moved the dentures?

If you are not proposing something paranormal for the cause of these events then why post it in the general skepticism and paranormal section? What's the point of this thread?

She could barely walk without assistance so I would be surprised if she did it, never say never, though. She was prone to wander and be restless.

As to the point of this thread, to find plausible explanations that aren't paranormal, for mine or anyone elses' odd experiences. Those that tend to jump to the paranormal conclusion might find some of these explanations useful, don't you think?

 

[Jodie]

I am sure there is an explanation for this one, but not being a mechanic, I can't figure it out and I couldn't reproduce it at the time.

We had three cars in my family growing up, we all got up to go to school or work respectively one morning and all three car batteries had exploded over night. The sides of the batteries were so blown out that it made it very difficult to get them out to put in replacements. My first guess would have been a lightening strike but there was no storm that night. What could cause that?

 

[TjW]

Some jerk shorting the batteries.

There was an incident several years ago at a park and ride parking lot: one day several of the cars batteries were dead and wouldn't recharge. (I don't know if they were swelled, I have it second hand.) Several days later, the cars that had been dead had their new batteries stolen.

 

[Howie Felterbush]

Batteries will swell up while they're charging if their vent lines are blocked. (Old flooded batteries anyway, not newer AGM batteries, although they can swell if the battery is defective or overcharged)

Freezing will also do it.

 

[Olowkow]

Three exploded batteries? On the same day, in the same family? That's a tough one. I assume this means holes blown in the side/top.

I've never heard of a frozen battery exploding. A fully charged lead acid battery is good to about -90F, and a bad one around 10F or so, but it wouldn't have much energy and probably little hydrogen production.

As far as I know, to explode spontaneously there would have to be a buildup of hydrogen and then a spark. An explosion could result from some kind of dead short or an internal short circuit resulting from a defect in manufacture. It is unlikely that lightning could have caused this. A battery can also explode during an attempt to jump start another car, if proper procedure is not used. There are not too many possibilities beyond this or some kind of malicious mischief. I'm wondering if perhaps there are more details that we are not aware of.

I hate to even imagine the mess the sulfuric acid would have caused to the paint, engine parts and other wiring. Did any mechanic with first hand knowledge of this event ever offer an opinion on this? Were these cars ever repaired?

 

[Donn]

I'm not sure what a partial is, but it sounds like some kind of tooth thing. I'm picturing this sequence.
1. Service person takes light shade off wall and places on table.
2. Leaves room to fetch replacement bulb.
3. Your gran wander by, or wakes up. She sees the shade and a brilliant plan is born!
4. Service person return and finishes job. Partial is now lofted and your gran giggles like a super villian.

 

[Nakani]

Jodie,

Were the vehicles left unlocked? Could someone have opened the hood?

I think it was vandalism. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Maybe one of them didn't want to go to school that day.

 

[Biscuit]

She could barely walk without assistance so I would be surprised if she did it, never say never, though. She was prone to wander and be restless.

That's not what I asked. Would you be MORE surprised that your grandmother could climb a ladder OR that a mysterious paranormal force relocated her dentures.

As to the point of this thread, to find plausible explanations that aren't paranormal, for mine or anyone elses' odd experiences. Those that tend to jump to the paranormal conclusion might find some of these explanations useful, don't you think?

Sure they could be useful but we will never actually be able to determine the causes because we don't even know if these events took place at all, yet alone as described. Not calling you a liar, it's just a fact.

To be honest I don't even find most of these events noteworthy. All three car batteries? I would assume some type of intentional vandalism but I am sure there will be added details that discount this as well. As for no storms that night can you tell us the exact date and location so we can confirm this? I am guessing you can not. We are once again left with a sort of choose your own adventure of problem solving. Every possible answer is a different page where you reveal new information.

 

[Jodie]

Batteries will swell up while they're charging if their vent lines are blocked. (Old flooded batteries anyway, not newer AGM batteries, although they can swell if the battery is defective or overcharged)

Freezing will also do it.

No extreme weather that night, that was the first thought my Dad had about it.

 

[Jodie]

Three exploded batteries? On the same day, in the same family? That's a tough one. I assume this means holes blown in the side/top.

I've never heard of a frozen battery exploding. A fully charged lead acid battery is good to about -90F, and a bad one around 10F or so, but it wouldn't have much energy and probably little hydrogen production.

As far as I know, to explode spontaneously there would have to be a buildup of hydrogen and then a spark. An explosion could result from some kind of dead short or an internal short circuit resulting from a defect in manufacture. It is unlikely that lightning could have caused this. A battery can also explode during an attempt to jump start another car, if proper procedure is not used. There are not too many possibilities beyond this or some kind of malicious mischief. I'm wondering if perhaps there are more details that we are not aware of.

I hate to even imagine the mess the sulfuric acid would have caused to the paint, engine parts and other wiring. Did any mechanic with first hand knowledge of this event ever offer an opinion on this? Were these cars ever repaired?

It was all three cars, it was a mess, and no one could ever figure out how it happened. We had them towed and the batteries were replaced. I was a teen then and as far as I know there wasn't an issue with getting the cars fixed. I just remember the guys coming out to ask about it when Dad took me and my Mom back to the place to pick up the cars. Other than all three happening at once I would have not known it was anything unusual.

 

[Jodie]

That's not what I asked. Would you be MORE surprised that your grandmother could climb a ladder OR that a mysterious paranormal force relocated her dentures.



Sure they could be useful but we will never actually be able to determine the causes because we don't even know if these events took place at all, yet alone as described. Not calling you a liar, it's just a fact.

To be honest I don't even find most of these events noteworthy. All three car batteries? I would assume some type of intentional vandalism but I am sure there will be added details that discount this as well. As for no storms that night can you tell us the exact date and location so we can confirm this? I am guessing you can not. We are once again left with a sort of choose your own adventure of problem solving. Every possible answer is a different page where you reveal new information.

I would have to say paranormal. The only other one that could have done it was my aunt but I can't see why she would, she was going as sane at the time.

I wish I could, it was 35 years ago. As for the car battery episode, I can't think of anything else noteworthy to say about it other than what we found that morning since Dad was the one that talked to the mechanics.

If you don't want to participate that's fine but I'm more interested in possible explanations. I'm interested in what's happened to other folks too. It's easy to discount something like the Amityville Horror but it's the inconsequential odd things that happen that interest me more, I don't have the expertise to figure it out.

 

[Howie Felterbush]

Three exploded batteries? On the same day, in the same family? That's a tough one. I assume this means holes blown in the side/top.

I've never heard of a frozen battery exploding.

They usually just swell up. The sides bulge out and occasionally the caps will push out. Jodie said the batteries were hard to get out of the battery compartments and that's one of the things I thought of.