I am at rock bottom. I really am. I have seen pareidolia both subtle and gross, but nothing so incredibly obviously silly as this one (note: the video on that page has made my browser all wonky (maybe it needs to be blessed) so caveat emptor).
People are claiming a reflection of sunlight off a window is the Virgin Mary.
Yes, really.
One woman made a big deal (both quoted in the article and on the embedded video) of how the apparition moved: "And as the night progressed she goes up slowly, and she just kept going up."
Yeah, so as the Sun set, the reflection moved up. Here is the sun flare:
I keep thinking, this is the 21st century. Men have walked on the Moon. We have instantaneous communications across the planet. We’ve mapped the human genome.
Sigh.
October 9th, 2007 at 7:05 am
Oh, so you’re back!
October 9th, 2007 at 7:12 am
That doesn’t look like Mary at all.
Looks more like that one scene with Anakin on that lava planet in “Revenge of the Sith” (can you provide visual aid, Phil?).
Yes, the way people act today reminds me of a comment in the MST3K episode “Time Chasers”. Given that this is the 50th anniversary of the space age’s beginning, it seems to fit:
“So 50 years from now, it’ll be 3 years from now.”
October 9th, 2007 at 7:19 am
Hundreds had seen the ghostly white shadow that surrounded the outline of a woman in blue, flowing robes.
I guess I’m an unbeliever, then… I can’t see the blue flowing robes at all. Granted, it looks like there’s a shadow outlining the center of the reflection, but that’s all. The article itself – the writing style – is also pretty amusing. No hint of skepticism at all.
October 9th, 2007 at 7:26 am
…Is it just me or miracle apparitions just keep getting cheaper and cheaper? God needs to renew his idea bank.
Hey! If I poke my imagination enough, I can see a middle finger surrounded by a holy glow… Wow. I’m going to hell aren’t I.
October 9th, 2007 at 7:28 am
It amuses me that these are very devout people who honestly believe that God has got nothing better to do than go around making Mary reflections on garage doors and getting statues to weep milk. Standards have obviously slipped since those “parting the Red Sea” glory days. It seems NASA isn’t the only one with problems of spending cuts…
October 9th, 2007 at 7:31 am
Lol @ Michelle – great minds think alike, eh?
October 9th, 2007 at 7:34 am
The only comment that I can think of is Jesus H. Ke-rist
October 9th, 2007 at 7:40 am
I saw a piece about this online a few weeks ago. The people all gaping and awestruck about such a simple phenomenon made me shake my head in pity. What made me totally lose it though was the person interviewed saying that he had no idea where the light could be coming from as his reverently raised hand left a SHADOW. Willful ignorance …pffft!
Ruprect
October 9th, 2007 at 7:45 am
Some people have walked on the Moon. Some have made instantaneous communications across the planet possible. And some people mapped the human genome. Then why are you writing about the idiots that chase light reflections on the wall?
October 9th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Back in the long ago days, when society was still vainly trying to brain wash me with angels and demons, I recall one religious teacher saying there was no longer a “need” for miracles(since Jesus had come,,,), so that pretty much eliminated all these so-called “sightings” of religious icons. Of course, I’m a fan of that devilish Ambrose Bierce, he of the exaggerated satirical bent. It amazes me that some of the most talented writers of the late 19th century were quite aware of the human tendency to swallow garbage. I guess we have the Fox network to blame for much of the dumbing down of America,,,
I note that Uri Geller is on the tube again.
Bummer!
Seems that brown stuff really does float.
GAry 7
October 9th, 2007 at 7:55 am
If I owned the window across the street that was reflecting the light, I’d be sorely tempted to secretly alter the window in such a way as to change the reflection into a clear depction of Buddha.
October 9th, 2007 at 8:01 am
You know, the first photo looks more like Queen Emeraldas, the Other Space Pirate.
October 9th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Or maybe just open and shut it a few times. When someone goes up to touch it *gone*.
*back again*
*gone*
*back again*
Hours of fun.
October 9th, 2007 at 8:02 am
Remember when the Russians put up the sputnick? America responded by making sure their kids were educated and interested in science. The result, American got to the moon first.
Today The USA faces a terrorist threat from some ingorant, funadamentalist Muslims. So the USA is responding again by beating them in the game of becoming theocratic, ignorant and anti science. The USA can always win!
October 9th, 2007 at 8:05 am
In Italy we have Padre Pio, now Saint Pio from Pietralcina, who appears in the most different ways, as shadow or a mold stain on a wall.
I he would appear on my wall I could become rich, selling tickets to tourists. I’m astronomer, but my salary is smaller than that of the astrologists.
October 9th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Sindri-
I know it is a huge leap here, but the men that walked on the moon, the instantaneous communications, and the mapping of the human genome all had to fight against these types of idiots. They need weeded out. We still have to fight against these idiots, I’m from Kansas.
Also, it is Phil’s Blog, he can write about any dang thing he wants too, sheesh. I don’t understand some people. Why do people read a blog and then complain about it’s contents? Just don’t read it, that simple.
Rift
October 9th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Ooo, look closely at the photo of the window itself, with the sun flare. There’s (a statue of) the Virgin Mary herself in the window next to the flare! It must be real!
(Roll eyes.) I hate these people. Really, I do. And I don’t say something like that lightly.
Time to cull the herd…
October 9th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Just to clarify: even though I hate people this willfully stupid, I’m not advocating killing anyone. I realise that my ‘cull the herd’ comment might be taken that way. I meant it as a “Hey, you, out of the gene pool!” type of sarcasm, but after how serious I was about hatred, I’m sure the sarcasm was lost.
Sorry. This story just really has me depressed about humanity ever getting out of the Dark Ages, let alone living into the next century. Or decade.
Sigh, indeed…
October 9th, 2007 at 8:43 am
>CR
The Dark Ages weren’t that bad for science… they gave us universities, the agricultural revolution (one of ‘em anyway), and quite a bit of good mathematicians. Fibonacci comes to mind, as well as Tartaglia and Cordono IIRC.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:04 am
The gene pool simply needs a filter.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Mary? Mary? Quite the contrary, actually.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:35 am
>>> The gene pool needs a filter.
It has one… death. As much as these poltergeistians deny evolution, they can’t stop it.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:38 am
sarcasm modeThe first one is obviously the “Face on Mars(tm)” proving that the updated hi-res pictures from all the recent Mars orbiters are all fake!/sarcasm
rolls eyes that there are people who probably will actually believe that!
October 9th, 2007 at 9:43 am
The reason the human race isn’t as advanced as it should is because of people like this, people that are still living in the ‘dark ages’. Decades have passed since man set foot on the moon, but there is no moon base; only projects like the ISS keeps the hopes for space exporation and habitation alive for people like us. I rekon religion slowed down the technological advancement of humans, maybe leading to our demise in the distant future…
October 9th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Personally, I think it looks like Emperor Palpatine.
The video didn’t make my browser go wonky, it just refused to load it. Maybe it’s smarter than I am.
From the article:
“The letter said there could be a miracle in your house,†said Wasser, who clutched a rosary and wore an Our Lady of Fatima medal around her neck. “Well, it happened on my street, that’s close enough.â€
Oh, it is, huh? What, miracles have error bars now?
October 9th, 2007 at 10:01 am
At first glance I saw Jim Morrison. Then I noticed the windows.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Are you sure it’s not Betty Crocker?
October 9th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Living in a Global Village means that every village idiot on the planet gets a turn at the mike.
Once upon a time,if an idiot lived five miles away,or on the other side of a body of water,you never had to deal with them. Now it’s all idiots all the time.
But we’re still winning,honest.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:21 am
So, Phil, are you referencing The Monkees, The Butterfield Blues Band or Run DMC?
j. D.
October 9th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Another article on the matter stated, “psychic researchers report spikes of electromagnetic radiation in the area”. I look forward to their publications
Here is a photo.
October 9th, 2007 at 11:54 am
What’s really pitiful is that anyone should get upset by this. These people are just trying to make sense of their world and never have absorbed the information that show these “apparitions” to be completely natural phenomena. Each person starts from scratch and has to sort out a huge amount of information over a lifetime, little of which comes with “true” or “false” stickers on it.
If you know better than them, then you should be more patient and forgiving of their ignorance (while respectfully trying to educate them). Or is your reaction a response to something other than somebody being less intelligent, knowledgeable, or wise than yourself? As momma used to say, “when you point the finger at somebody else, three are pointing back at you.”
October 9th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Phonetically, how do you pronounce PAREIDOLIA ?
October 9th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Another article on the matter stated, “psychic researchers report spikes of electromagnetic radiation in the areaâ€. I look forward to their publications
I predict that if there are any publications, they’ll be long on bollocks and short on evidence and supportable conclusions.
October 9th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
This is just sad. At least when they had a similar case of pareidolia in Nova Scotia some years ago (a shadow cast by aging flourescent tubes against the wall of a Tim Horton’s), the business dealt with it by simply replacing the bulbs. Shadow gone, nonsense over.
Mmmm, Timmy’s coffee…..
October 9th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
My favorite apparition was the time where a crowd gathered to pray over the image of jebus on the side of a soybean tank. I still get a chuckle over that one.
October 9th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
This video should make it painfully obvious as to what it is.
October 9th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Not only “Reading Eagle Newspaper” finds that bunch of dolts worth of public attention, but does it so in the most credulous and unquestioning fashion, practically endorsing the myth.
Unbelievable.
October 9th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
I see a penguin. Granted, it’s a cute penguin, but not much to get worked up over.
October 9th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
A little late on this one, aren’t we? I actually tried to let you know about it via the Forum back when it first hit the local news on August 30, but I don’t think my post ever took. Here’s what was being said way back then:
http://anothermonkey.blogspot.com/2007/08/mary-of-minersville.html
(Warning: Some harsh language included in linked post.)
This wasn’t just a case of gullible “believers” worshiping a reflection – it was also a case of actual mystery-mongering by local news anchors.
October 9th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Another article on the matter stated, “psychic researchers report spikes of electromagnetic radiation in the areaâ€.
—–
Researchers in the paranormal reveal that cell-phone traffic in the vicinity of an apparition mysteriously peaks during such occasions. If you look closely at the image, you can see the Virgin Mary herself wielding a Blackberry.
October 9th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
I’ll quote Seal: “In a world full of people, only some want to fly. Isn’t that crazy?”
October 9th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I predict that by Christmas she will be gone, and panic will ensue amongst the faithful! Why do I know this? The image appeared near the autumnal equinox. By the time we get to the winter solstice the angle of sunlight will likely be such that the reflection won’t be anywhere near the garage.
October 9th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
I think it looks like a penguin, and dangit penguins are cute!
Hmm… perhaps the statue of Mary right next to the window has something to do with the reflection?
October 9th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Sorry, strike that last comment, I hadn’t finished reading the article yet
However, my reference to the solar calendar is useful.
Does anyone know if the image lasted until Sept. 8th as they were predicting? Using the solar calendar we should be able to predict when the image will reappear. If it first appeared on August 15th like they claim, then that would be roughly 36 days before the autumnal equinox. Lets say it did last until Sept. 8 then that would be only 12 days before the autumnal equinox. Therefore, it would reappear 12 days AFTER the vernal equinox, or roughly April 2nd?
I’m hoping the image lasted until the equinox, because that would make it all set to return on GOOD FRIDAY!! (March 21st) Hehe…
October 9th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
I believe it was Voltaire who said: “Religion began when the first fool met the first charlatian.”
On a slightly connected note, have you been following Mother Goose and Grimm, the comic strip by Mike Peters?
Last week and this, the dog Grimm has been dealing with a friend’s holy relic: The outiline of Lassie on a piece of toast.
Check it out!
http://www.grimmy.com/
October 9th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
BlondeReb3, I believe the Mary statue in the window is a red herring. The reflection would be formed from the surface of the glass, and would not be influenced by objects behind it, unless the objects are between the window and some other reflecting surface in the room – say, a large mirror.
I think the shape of the reflection is due to stresses in the window glass. See M.G.J. Minnaert’s excellent Light and Color in the Outdoors, chapter 12, “Freak Reflections”.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
“God was tired. St. Peter asked him why he didn’t take a vacation and go somewhere else in the cosmos and rest.
‘Why not Earth’, he said. God grinned and
said ‘No, not there. I was there 2000 or so
years ago, had an affair with a jewish woman, and they are still talking about it’ “
October 10th, 2007 at 2:06 am
TAMU Student, re Dark Ages.
Just to be a bit picky here, but Fibonacci was Middle Ages (13th century or thereabouts?) and Tartaglia was, i think, 16th century and so Renaissance.
The Dark Ages generally cover the 5th to somewhere around the 9th/10th century? Something along those lines anyway. Generally covering a period with fewer written records than the earlier Roman period or the later Middle Ages.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:24 am
I second John Kennell’s response regarding self preservation. These are the kind of people who make a theocracy a possibility. And theocracys tend to have severe punishments for atheists & skeptics.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:47 am
One of God’s greatest miracles is Common Sense. It’s occurance is sometimes so rare as to also appear to be a miracle.
Yes, sunlight shapes move. The builders of Chaco Canyon knew this- and have a pictograph that is hit at a certain angle at noon on the Summer Solstice- as did many, many ancient peoples who put features like this into their sacred sites.
Bad Archeoastronomy.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:21 am
I want to know what the heck you are all smoking. (though not you penguin people – your stuff isn’t worth beans). Anybody with a lick of sense can tell this isn’t the Virgin Mary – or even her sister Romping Retta. It’s plainly the One True God: Picachu
In answer to A Question: I too have no patience with these people. Ignorance is a fact of life, and can be corrected. As such it is to be deplored. *Willful* ignorance, such as is being displayed here is insane and a primary sign of a gene pool with pond scum. All gene pools have pond scum, but evidence is mounting that the human gene pool has more scum than water.
I suggest that these are the first of the Eloi…
October 10th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Good replies John Kendall and bassmanpete. Remember though that any Establishment (scientific, secular, industrial-military, etc.) can be just as repressive as a theocracy. My critique is of the condescending attitude some “skeptics” seem to have toward people who idolize these ephemera. It borders on obsession. Being vigilant against suppression of your freedoms is one thing, mocking the benighted is a step beyond. Better to concentrate on refuting the demagogues than the people they victimize.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Lurchgs, you’ve got it just backwards. These are just the people TO have patience with. I think many are NOT willfully ignorant, just afraid to learn or repelled by the mocking of those who claim to know better. If we all are interested in knowing the truth, then bad behavior has to be left outside the conversation. Calling them “Eloi” – while perhaps an apt description in some cases – doesn’t help matters. And it just might make you a Morlock…
October 10th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Hey, at least it looks kind of person-like.
October 10th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
>Tolls
Okay, with that definition of dark ages, I can see the claim that it was bad for science.
But that’s only in Europe.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
A question – I think the remarks in the comments are just individuals having some fun with the less fortunate in the brain department. We can’t be politically correct all the time, ya know?
October 11th, 2007 at 4:42 am
To be fair, there is no way of proving that God isn’t behind this sort of thing.
I used to amuse myself with our cats and the reflection of light from my watch face. Cats are convinced that anything small that moves away from them is prey. Some people are convinced that anything that looks vaguely like a religious icon is a miraculous sign.
You could probably make a lot of money sorting broken rocks for suitably “iconic” shapes. Write up a shape recognition program and scan the waste flow from a mining operation, perhaps? This would provide a revenue stream and also, eventually, people will come to realise that this stuff isn’t particularly miraculous.
October 11th, 2007 at 5:08 am
Edward: it’s pronounced pair-eye-DOLL-ee-uh.
October 11th, 2007 at 6:17 am
I once saw a 3/4 profile of jesus on the cross above my mom’s kitchen window in startling detail. Thorny crown and all. It was discovered pretty quickly that the shadow was cast by some ruffly curtains in the window. Which was fun because we could gently tug on one end of a ruffle and make him sing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”
October 11th, 2007 at 6:54 am
My critique is of the condescending attitude some “skeptics†seem to have toward people who idolize these ephemera. It borders on obsession. Being vigilant against suppression of your freedoms is one thing, mocking the benighted is a step beyond. Better to concentrate on refuting the demagogues than the people they victimize.
If you tell me that you honestly believe the earth is flat, I will mock your silly idea that is quite obviously irrational and wrong.
If you tell me that you honestly believe the earth is a cube that rotates four times in a day, I will mock your silly idea that is quite obviously irrational and wrong.
If you tell me that I better not pout, cry, or shout because you honestly believe some invisible, intangible superman watches me when I am sleeping and when I’m awake and knows if I’ve been bad or good, and will give me presents if he likes what he sees but will barbecue me forever if he doesn’t like what he sees, I will mock your silly idea that is quite obviously irrational and wrong.
If you tell me that you honestly believe Jesus came to you in the potato salad in your refrigerator, I will not only mock your silly, irrational idea, I will suggest you seek professional medical help.
The real issue is that the irrational ideas of the benighted are simply not respectable and should not be respected. It’s not just a matter of shouting down those who would restrict freedoms based on those ideas. And the mocking DOES work… if it didn’t, I don’t think you’d see so much pressure to suppress the mocking. What the benighted want is for everyone else to shut up and go away. That’s their vision of “respect”.
October 15th, 2007 at 8:35 am
… found on another blog : “look like God’s gonna have to go old school”… Was Moses wrong (Ex.III,2) ?
ALL PIECES CHURCH
… let’s bend and pick up the wreckage, on Lewis street, Minersville, PA, (near-by rear “All Pieces Church”…)
… let’s gather together these pieces, so as to build anew…(all the wretched, church squatters, taggers, street sleepers first concerned ?)
…and … let’s open up this “garage” door… For once, let’s start for a “merry” ride in a New Church …
[ [ ... are you upset ? Check it out first, and come back to explain to us "black holes", or how the twin towers weren't torn down to street level ] ]
francisbatt
October 15th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Church name : “Church of Broken Pieces”