RR Podcast E34 David Metcalfe: ’Beyond the Stars’ Course, UAP Phenomena, Culture & Belief

David B. Metcalfe, Windbridge Institute Scholar in Virtual Residence, is a researcher, writer, and multimedia specialist focusing on areas where creativity, culture, and consciousness collide. 

In 2011 he established the Liminal Analytics: Applied Research Collaborative to focus on building multidisciplinary lines of communication through applied scholarship, digital media, and social network development. 

David’s work has appeared in Oxford University Press and other peer reviewed anthologies. He was a research assistant for the University of Chicago under Dr. Hussein Ali Agama focusing on archival research, and he is currently the Editor-in-Chief for the Windbridge Research Center’s Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies.

I originally had asked both Dr. Diana Pasulka and David to join me for this episode, but due to scheduling conflicts, Diana had to decline. (I am eager to talk with Diana at another time, however!) 

In this episode, David talks a bit about his background and his interest in the broader topic of ‘anomalous phenomena,’ and how this led him to meet Dr. Diana Pasulka and become involved in planning the course “Beyond the Stars” with her. This groundbreaking course explores the history of UFO/UAP phenomena, specific case studies, the main research traditions, and also how religion and esotericism are linked to this phenomena. The course also delves into the related areas of consciousness studies and theories of synchronicity/coincidence. 

David also shares his reflections/takeaways regarding the course and the participants, the gradual shift in attitudes surrounding this type of phenomena, and what he thinks is ‘the bigger picture’ regarding anomalous experiences. 

We also go on a few related tangents regarding memory, false memory syndrome, owls, and how popular culture absorbs and transmits ideas about high strangeness. Everything is connected. 

PROGRAM NOTES

David Metcalfe:

https://davidmetcalfe.wordpress.com/ 
https://uga.academia.edu/DavidMetcalfe/Papers 

https://www.academia.edu/92502645/Knowing_Others_The_New_UFO_Esotericism_of_D_W_Pasulkas_American_Cosmic_ 

Dr. Diana Pasulka:

https://dwpasulka.com/ 
https://www.academia.edu/89404115/Introduction_Believing_in_Bits_Digital_Media_and_the_Supernatural_ 

“Beyond the Stars” Course Information:
https://dwpasulka.com/courses/ 


Other References:

https://www.societyforuapstudies.org/ 

https://www.dukeupress.edu/in-and-out-of-this-world 

https://impossiblearchives.rice.edu/ 
https://impossiblearchives.rice.edu/ufo-and-impossible (It seems the registration is closed for this conference as the attendee limit has been reached.)
https://thesolfoundation.org/ 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzlWCeD3J0zVb4KSeaeDNdw 

Theme Music and Editing: Daniel P. Shea
End Production: Stephanie Shea