Around Halloween I was interviewed by Ty Bannerman on KUNM's program "Let's Talk New Mexico" about NM ghost stories and folklore. I discussed my KiMo theater ghost investigation, and a bit about the St. James hotel... check it out HERE! You can...
Skepticism
Truths and Myths Behind Halloween Scares
Halloween is coming up soon, and amid the make-believe witches, ghouls, and goblins, there are supposedly real-life villains who hope to harm on children October 31. News reports and scary stories on social media leave many parents concerned about protecting children...
Squaring the Strange #102: Alienstock, Joker Fears, Homicidal Dwarves, and the Ica Stones
In case you missed it, our recent episode of Squaring the Strange has all sorts of weirdness! From Celestia: Ben recounts his latest TV appearance and chupacabra follow-up. The AlienStock / Storm Area 51 thing happened, or tried to happen. And two movies...
The Real Stories Behind Classic Horror Films…
I’m quoted in a new article on the true stories behind many classic horror films... How do you make a horror tale scarier? Just say it’s “based on a true story.” That’s a technique book publishers and movie producers have been using for decades, whether or not...
“Ghosts of New Mexico” Talk: Oct. 28, La Farge Library, Santa Fe
I'll be giving a talk at the La Farge library in Santa Fe on "Ghosts of New Mexico," so if you're free stop by and learn about some Land of Enchantment folklore and spookiness! You can find more information HERE! ...
“Malling While Muslim” Update
Earlier this year a West Virginia mother called 911 to report that an Arab man tried to abduct her five-year-old daughter at a mall. Police and mall security arrested the man (an engineer from Egypt who spoke little English), but surveillance footage showed no...
Fear Of The ‘Joker’ Copycats
Late last month police and parents expressed concern over the film Joker, and its possible influence on unhinged people. As ABC News reported, “The soon-to-be released psychological thriller Joker starring Oscar-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix has...
Rumors of Halloween THC Candy Threats
I'm quoted in a new Rolling Stone article on rumors of THC-laden candy threats this Halloween... You can read it HERE.
Why Old News is Often Fake News
We’ve all seen it on social media, especially Facebook. Some friend, or “friend,” or friend of a “friend,” posts a news story. Because it’s social media, the story is often selected (by human nature and algorithms) for its outrage factor. Amid the kitten videos and...
Joining Josh Gates For Chupacabra Research on ‘Expedition Unknown’
I was recently on “Expedition Unknown" with Josh Gates on the Discovery Channel, talking about my chupacabra research in Puerto Rico. Watch for dead fowl, vampire legends, and roaches! You can find it HERE! You can find more on me and my work with a search for...