I have nothing against stories of the paranormal and the dark gothic, which most mainstream broadcast media seem to spew out during the Halloween and All-Souls season, massively to the point of surfeit and silliness.
But these days I’d rather wallow in the opposite direction of speculative science about alien civilizations and visitations. Maybe I’m even prepared to dabble in Roswell and Hopkinsville conspiracy theories if need be. This is for two reasons:
(1) because at least five million more synapses inside my brain are exercised by the rigors of weighing the available evidence for intelligent alien life, compared to the puerile shallowness of most ghost stories; and
(2) because as we get closer and closer to the truth about alien intelligence and alien civilizations, we can more hopefully close the gap between science fiction and science reality—with all that that implies for our own worldview and civilization.
SF provides intelligent inspiration and expansive horizons to the age-old human effort to bridge heaven and earth. Compared to that, what solid social values can ghost-vampire-zombie-goblin stories contribute?
Having said all that, I hereby declare Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 as my personal “Orion’s Armchair Days”. Meanwhile, you go ahead and enjoy your ghost stories. Walang basagan ng trip.
P.S. And while we’re on this topic:
A typical Filipino morsel of street wisdom is this: You really need to visit the tombs of loved ones on Nov. 1 or 2 (or thereabouts). Otherwise, expect them to pay you a visit instead. Now I’ve been thinking: Hmm, departed kin paying your homes a visit. Why not indeed?
I sort of welcome the idea. After all, dead kin have certain advantages that you don’t have. First, they have all the free time in the world to visit everyone. Second, they can travel through the air, even easily hitchhike for free. And third (and most importantly), they can induce the scent of flowers and candles in the room without having to buy costly ones at the cemetery shops. How nifty is that? #
(Originally posted on my FB page, 30 Oct 2017.)