Slidings - No 2 - 1991 01

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Slidings," titled "Street Lamp Interference Data Exchange," is the second bulletin from the SLIDE project, dated January 1991. Co-ordinated by Hilary Evans, the publication aims to collect and investigate accounts of individuals who seem to cause street lamps to go out or behave erratically. The bulletin highlights that the phenomenon, referred to as the "SLI effect," is real and experienced by many people, providing a sense of relief to those who discover they are not alone.

The SLI Effect: Witness Accounts

The core of the bulletin consists of numerous testimonies from individuals who have experienced SLI. These accounts, collected from respondents across North America and some from Europe, illustrate the varied nature of the phenomenon. Many express profound relief upon finding others with similar experiences, such as Don Inks from Michigan, who felt immense relief hearing about others' experiences, and Karen Parker from North Carolina, who was no longer disbelieved. Thomas Meketa of Plano, Texas, also felt less alone, and Bernard Lory from Paris was surprised to learn the phenomenon had a name and was being investigated.

What Happens?

The common thread is street lamps going out, but the variations are significant. Ronald Brown of Woodinville, Washington, described police observing lamps extinguishing as his car approached. Yvonne Bajwa of Ventura, California, noted lamps turning off after she passed, never turning on, and never more than one at a time. She also observed that the type of car or whether she was driving or a passenger did not matter. In contrast, Lester Lomax of Corona, California, reported lights going on when they were out, while Michael Freie of San Jose, California, sometimes turned them on and sometimes off. Jon Foy and Bruce Wilson of New York and California respectively, could turn lamps on or off with equal facility.

Frequency and Duration

Respondents are categorized by frequency: continuous, intermittent, or single-occurrence experiences. Gwen Mangan of Brooklyn, New York, has experienced SLI for 18 years, while Mary Anderson of Minneapolis experiences it several times a year. Joan Croft of Texas reported over 140 incidents in 1.5 years, and Joseph Langan of New York reported hundreds over 14 years. Bill Stack, an alarm response agent, noted countless occurrences. John Spencer of England and Richard Francis of Nevada reported only a few, widely-spaced incidents.

Lamp Types and Distance

Mary Anderson and Eric Warp noted SLI affecting mercury vapour lamps, while Richard Francis and Dean Slawson focused on sodium lamps. Phill Shaw of Virginia specified the orange (sodium-halide?) lights. The distance from the lamp varies, with most occurring beneath it, but some reports indicate effects from 50-100 yards away. Multiple lights can go out simultaneously.

Duration of Effect

While many SLIders do not stay to observe, lamps are generally functional the next day. Some lamps come back on quickly, as in Clayton Johnson's experience in Illinois. However, some effects last longer; Craig Patterson noted a lamp remaining off for about a week. Herbe Smith of Los Angeles sometimes dims lights, with some re-igniting shortly after, while others remain off.

Experiences with Other Appliances

Beyond street lamps, many SLIders report affecting other electrical devices. Gwen Mangan and Teri Mudey mentioned issues with watches. Renee Waters of California was known as "the Fuse Blower" for burning out lights. Mary Anderson experienced light interruptions in homes, and her car and computer were affected. Anne de Vore of Colorado claimed to affect electronically sophisticated cars and even aircraft systems, suggesting she could shield herself from electrical disturbances. Mike Monahan of Ohio reported extinguishing entire electrical systems. Phill Shaw noted radios going out of tune when he stepped away, earning him the nickname "radioactive." However, some, like Don Inks and Eric Warp, reported no issues with other devices, a discrepancy noted as a significant clue.

Can SLI Be Done to Order?

Most respondents state SLI cannot be induced at will. However, Eric Warp found he could turn off his neighbor's yard light by concentrating. He also reported turning off street lamps when feeling angry or frustrated. Teri Mudry consciously did it for her husband, and Ed Pietila found that giving up concentration sometimes led to the effect. This suggests a 'game-playing' dimension where the phenomenon might be linked to the witness's state of mind and focus.

What Causes SLI to Occur?

Several hypotheses are explored. The idea of light-sensing devices being accidentally triggered is largely dismissed due to inconsistencies. Ronald Brown's hypothesis suggests SLI affects the voltage of the current, likely causing a surge that triggers protective cut-outs. This force is theorized to be electro-magnetic, generated by the human biological system and externalized. Street lamps may be particularly sensitive due to operating within narrow margins and having less shielding. Robert McMorris of the Omaha World-Herald suggested aging sodium lamps blink off, but this is contradicted by the fact that lamps usually function the next day, indicating SLI affects the lamp's functioning, not its inherent state.

The 'How' and 'Why'

Ronald Brown's analysis points to an electro-magnetic force acting on vulnerable appliances. The bulletin suggests a convergence of three elements: the individual's ability, appropriate circumstances, and a suitable 'target' (the street lamp). The ability might be innate, psychological, or acquired. Circumstances often involve heightened emotion, stress, or specific states of mind, though some report random occurrences. The 'why' of SLI remains an enigma, though connections to 'psi' ability and psychic experiences like premonitions are noted. Some feel SLI is a natural human energy field, akin to healing power or psychic sensitivity.

Further Research and Conclusion

Lester Lomax suggests that SLI might be related to psychokinesis (PK) or synchronicity, rather than purely physical causes. The bulletin acknowledges that the collected reports are only a fraction of the material received, suggesting a vast number of people worldwide may have experienced SLI. The majority of reports at this time come from North America, prompted by an article in OMNI magazine. The publication emphasizes the human and psychological aspects of SLI, linking it to feelings and states of mind. The SLIDE project continues to seek input and aims to publish a more comprehensive report in the future. The co-ordinator, Hilary Evans, expresses gratitude to all respondents and notes the need for more input to fully understand the phenomenon.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes include the widespread nature of the SLI phenomenon, the sense of community and relief among those who experience it, the variety of manifestations, and the ongoing search for a scientific explanation. The editorial stance is one of cautious investigation, acknowledging the phenomenon's reality while admitting the current lack of definitive answers. The project emphasizes collecting data and encourages further input, recognizing the complex interplay between the physical event and the individual's psychological state. The 'why' of SLI is presented as the most significant unanswered question.