Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe

Buy This Item Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe by Bfs Entertainment  Available from Amazon  $14.98  on 9-22-2008     Clarke and his team of highly respected scientific experts travel the globe seeking the truth behind mythical creatures, ancient legends and hair-raising rituals. Is it possible for the soul to leave the body for a glimpse of Heaven - or Hell? Are crop circles hard evidence of extra-terrestrials, hoaxesor both? Is the "face" seen on new NASA photos of Mars a natural weather phenomenon or an indication that we are not alone? Reader Reviews Typically, you can spot a pseudoscience show when the narrator begins by asking questions: "Did so-and-so see a ghost at ... ?" "Are extraterrestrials abducting humans ...?" "Is it possible for people to see the future ... ?" etc., etc. The questions are raised, addressed vaguely, and then the conclusions are left utterly up to the viewers' prejudices. In short, such programs tend to be safe little vehicles for the mongering of nonsense. Well, this series of Clarke-introduced programs begins with questions, also, but with a different impact. The questions become hypotheses which then are tested. The questions are raised, challenged and - although never entirely dismissed - their details sometimes are debunked or discredited. That's in keeping with the scientific bent of Sir Arthur, whose work I've admired for 40 years, and whose views I generally share (although I still think the jury is out about life on Mars!). As far as TV production goes, this is all meant to be tantalizing and entertaining. But it's all several steps higher on the IQ ladder than the pandering programs that purport to "investigate" the paranormal but truly sell superstition to the masses. My only displeasure with this disc is that it is too short (despite 156 minutes), and offers little documentation in the "special features" area. I want more - but, as these were issued in 1995 and Sir Arthur is not as active as before, we're unlikely to see any more beyond this intriguing series.

Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe Available from Amazon Price: $14.98 Updated on 9-22-2008.

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