Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Jenny Haniver
A term for an artificial monster made out of the remains of certain fishes, especially skates or rays. The nostrils, mouths, and gills of these fishes in their natural state look rather like an evil, grimacing face. With judicious cutting, partially separating the pectoral fins from the body, they can be made to resemble monsters:…
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St miracle of januarius
Miracle attributed to the blood of the bishop of Benevento and patron saint of Naples, believed to have been martyred in 305 C.E. januarius’s exact identity is unknown; in fact, there is no evidence that he was an historical person. His fame rests solely on a relic: a vial of what is alleged to be…
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William James (1842-1910)
Outstanding philosopher and psychologist, who was also a pioneer in psychical research in the United States. James began his long and distinguished career following his graduation from Harvard Medical School in 1869. Two years later, he became an instructor in anatomy and physiology at Harvard College, where he was deeply involved in the emergence of…
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IQ tests
Ratio of a person’s “mental age” to their physical age. In 1904 Alfred Binet, director of the psychology laboratory at the Universite de Sorbonne, devised a series of tests for the French government. The tests were intended to identify students who might require special attention because they were not performing well in regular classrooms. Originally…
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Ivy league posture photographs
Nude or seminude photographs, in front, side, and rear positions, required of freshman students at most Ivy League and Seven Sisters schools from the 1940s through the 1960s. At Harvard the practice started as early as 1880. While students were told that the photos were taken to assess posture, some participating schools and an archive…
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Invisibility
The process through which a person or a thing can be rendered unseen. Science fiction has long offered the idea that invisibility is viable. One of the most famous works of British science fiction writer H. G. Wells is The Invisible Man (1897). The book tells of the adventures of a misanthropic scientist who discovers…
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International society of cryptozoology
An organization founded in 1982 (one of its founders was Roy Mackal) to promote the study of cryptozoology. It publishes Cryptozoology and ISC Newsletter and acts as the discipline’s professional body. Its president is Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans, recognized as the founder of the discipline, a professor of zoology and the author of On the Track…
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International Fortean Organization (INFO)
An organization, founded in 1965 by Ronald J. Willis, devoted to research and study of unexplained natural phenomena. INFO filled the vacuum left by the demise of the Fortean society five year previously. The books of Charles Hoy Fort and the efforts of the society had created a community interested in exploring strange, anomalous phenomena.…
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Institute for creation research
The primary organization presenting scientific creationism. In 1970, Dr. Henry Morris left his career in electrical engineering to help found and become academic dean of Christian Heritage College; the college was to be built on an understanding of creationism, biblical authority, and a conservative Protestant, but transdenomenational, Christianity. At the same time, Morris founded the…
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Incubus and succubus
A male spirit or demon that visits a sleeping woman for purposes of having sexual intercourse with her; a female demon who likewise visits a sleeping man. This is a particularly vivid manifestation of two very basic and common ideas in human history: The first is that sexual intercourse can take place between mortals and…
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