Woodrew Update - Vol 2 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: Update The WOODREW
Issue Date: March/April 1983
Volume: 2, No. 4
Publisher: A S.T.A.R. FOUNDATION publication
Country: U.S.A.
Language: English

This issue of Update The WOODREW, dated March/April 1983, presents a diverse range of articles touching upon environmental concerns, personal development, and societal issues. The publication, based in Waynesville, North Carolina, is presented as a project of the A.S.T.A.R. Foundation.

On Hearing Deprivation ... An Energy Event

This lead article explores the detrimental effects of excessive noise on human health and behavior. It references a November 16, 1982, New York Times article that highlighted noise as a growing threat, affecting hearing and behavior. The article details how loud sounds damage the inner ear, leading to stress reactions such as increased heart rate, blood pressure, constricted blood vessels, and psychological issues like tension and anxiety. The Swedish navy's difficulties in finding sailors who could hear operational devices in October 1982 is cited as an example of hearing loss concerns. Reports from cities in Taiwan, Japan, and India indicate that discotheques can reach dangerous levels of 110 decibels. Dr. Masaru Koyasu of the Acoustical Society of Japan notes that noise pollution is now a top priority, surpassing water and air pollution. The article explains the mechanism of hearing damage, where amplified sound waves vibrate the eardrum, are amplified by middle ear bones, and then converted to electrical signals in the inner ear. Damage to the hair cells in the inner ear can cause irreparable hearing loss. The piece credits Dr. Andrija Puharich for pioneering work on the 'electrical life' of the auditory sense and urges readers to consider loud noise as destructive energy, prompting thought about controlling one's sound environment.

Hard Core vs. Soft Core

This section provides an editorial update from Greta and Dick, noting their physical move to North Carolina. They express appreciation for subscriber participation and mention that their reference library is nearly in place. They are back to a daily work routine, though a computer is not yet installed. Greta's next lecture is scheduled for April 29th at the University of Virginia. They mention that a few 'Updaters' have visited and are excited about the prospects of the S.T.A.R. House. The section concludes with seasonal reflections on March winds and April showers, wishing readers well.

The Numbers Game

This article, introduced by an editor's note acknowledging a contribution from 'Stringer Ackerman' on numerology, delves into the significance of numbers in our lives. It posits that numbers are fundamental to organization, communication, and progress, and that some believe they play a role in another dimension of reality. Numerologists use number calculations for insight into future events, suggesting that recurrent circumstances are reflected in recurrent numbers. An example is presented from 1944, where a 'coincidence' was discovered based on the careers of national leaders (Churchill, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Roosevelt). Calculations involving their birth years, ages in 1944, and years in office allegedly resulted in the number 3888. The article explains that numbers above 9 are reduced to a single digit (e.g., 23 becomes 5) and that the number 3888 is presented as a 'glue' number. It also mentions that the number 45 (derived from 1+9+4+4+0) and 9/45 are significant, possibly relating to the end of World War II in September 1945. The article emphasizes working with ALL numbers and suggests that numerology relies on intuition and the operator's proficiency. It concludes by stating that numbers are a universal language, transcending man-made barriers.

A Different View

This section features insights from Dr. Edward de Bono of Oxford University on 'lateral thinking.' Greta's approach is described as aiming to open channels of thought rather than convince. De Bono explains that the human mind excels at pattern-making, which can lead to quick decisions but also limit creative thinking by trapping us in old patterns. Lateral thinking is presented as a way to escape these patterns and gain new perspectives. The article quotes Forbes magazine from December 20, 1982, where de Bono noted that American managers often use outdated idioms. The section encourages readers to be lateral thinkers when viewing events.

Catching On!

This article discusses the significant changes occurring on our planet, urging readers to recognize their impact. It references a U.S. News & World Report story, 'IS MOTHER NATURE GOING BERSERK?', which highlights predictions of powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that could shatter large areas of California and awaken slumbering volcanoes. The piece suggests that civilization may be drastically altered, with deserts replacing forests and populations needing to relocate. It also touches on the potential for vastly different food production and the difficulty in predicting when these shifts will occur. The article notes that scientists studying weather history have found examples of civilizations collapsing due to reshaped climates, citing cities that once prospered in deserts and areas that are now arctic tundra. It concludes by stating that the Earth is undergoing dramatic changes driven by forces not fully understood, leading to fears of unprecedented destruction from earthquakes and volcanoes.

The Sky's the Limit

This section offers a perspective on natural science and astronomy. It begins with a quote from R. D. Laing regarding the limitations of natural science in addressing values like love, hate, joy, and sorrow. The article then shifts to astronomy, discussing the basics of star-gazing, including concepts like twinkling (caused by atmospheric distortion), double stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and supernovae. It explains that star colors indicate temperature, with blue stars being the hottest and red being the coolest. Meteors are described as interplanetary debris that burn up in the atmosphere, and meteor showers occur when Earth passes through the debris trail of a comet. The section also mentions upcoming meteor showers from April 15-25 and the need to 'move clouds' to see them.

An Order to "Nature's Plan"

This article discusses the vital importance of natural events like earthquakes and volcanoes. It explains that these phenomena recycle critical elements and minerals necessary for life. The sun's energy warms the Earth, evaporates water, and creates climatic conditions. Weathering of land masses and erosion move trace elements into oceans, forming oceanic sediment. Geological forces, such as continental plates sliding, drive this sediment below the crust, where it becomes part of the molten magma. Earthquakes and volcanoes then return this nutrient-rich magma to the surface, recycling elements and minerals lost through erosion. The article suggests that the environment and living organisms are part of a unified system of planetary processes, some of which are cataclysmic.

A 1982 Recap

This section summarizes the perceived irrationality of 1982, quoting Donald J. Hoppe, who described it as a year of 'terminal departure from reality.' Hoppe noted wild swings in the stock market, excessive federal budgets, and an escalating arms race, suggesting a potential for colossal bankruptcy if history is a guide. The New York Times is also cited for its May 4, 1982, statement about the harshness of the Mesozoic Era, with its upheavals, climate changes, and volcanic activity, suggesting that extinction was possible.

A Primer on Volcanoes

Following the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, this article focuses on volcanic activity, particularly in the Cascade Range, which has 15 major volcanoes, including Mt. St. Helens. These volcanoes stretch from British Columbia to Lassen Peak in California, forming part of the 'Ring of Fire' around the Pacific Ocean. The article explains that volcanic activity stems from the sliding of one continental plate beneath another, causing the descending plate to melt due to high temperatures and pressures. This melt, called magma, contains compressed gases, water, and silica, giving it a violent nature.

Comet Collisions and the Sun

This brief section references a previous report (Update 3) about satellite photos showing a comet's collision with the Sun. It notes that a military satellite has recorded the paths of two more comets on collision courses with the Sun, with some either hitting the surface or disintegrating before impact. The elliptical orbits of comets make them prime perpetrators of 'cosmic catastrophes,' lending credence to predictions of a comet striking Earth before the turn of the century.

On Sensing Other Energy Events

This article discusses the use of animal observation in predicting earthquakes, a practice led by Chinese geologists and seismologists. It reiterates that electromagnetic signals preceding quakes are within the sensory range of animals but not humans. Demonstrable clues from animal behavior before a quake include dogs barking incessantly, chickens refusing to roost, cattle and sheep avoiding corrals, seagulls flocking inland, rabbits raising their ears, and horses refusing to eat. Homo Sapiens, the most dangerous species, is described as playing ostrich.

Electrified ... and ... RE-FUSED

This article explores the electrical nature of human beings and cells. A scientific conference in Ottawa highlighted that each cell possesses a sensitive receiving apparatus and developed the ability to communicate electrically, enabling signal storage, response, and growth. The article posits that 'normal reality' is a result of electrical impulses processed by the brain, which functions electrically and emits measurable EM radiation when muscles move. Emotions are linked to electrical bursts that can influence objects, and these bursts can be picked up by telepathy and psychometry. Western medicine has not yet located the 'fuse box' regulating these energies. A 1950s study by Dr. Leonard Ravitz found that schizophrenics exhibited high millivoltmeter readings during syzygy (full and new moons), times of heightened tidal activity. Ravitz termed this a 'faulty electrical power fuse,' leading to excessive electromagnetic radiation entering the brain. Police have also noted increased agitation and violence during syzygy. For New Age thinkers, the concept of 'finding the fuse-box' and heightened vibrations is presented as a path to tomorrow. The article quotes authors Hill and Playfair, who describe humans as electromagnetic systems responding to EM environments, and that events in the universe can be connected to events in our brains, suggesting a universe of interconnected forces.

On Graduation

This section addresses the theme of loss and remembrance. The author acknowledges that several 'Updaters' have experienced recent deaths in their families. While sending condolences, the author expresses difficulty in finding evidence for death, suggesting that life continues in different forms. Near-death and clinical-death experiences are described as involving a tunnel, a light, and a feeling of peace. The author believes that those who have 'graduated' appear to be more loving and exist on a plane more beautiful than Earth. The piece offers comfort to those experiencing physical loss while focusing on the spiritual continuation of life.

The Balance Sheet

This article critically examines hospital care and medical practices. It states that for every 50 hospitalizations at Boston University Medical Center, there is one death due to 'complications,' which are often a result of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. On a nationwide scale, this could translate to half a million fatalities annually. Public health officials estimate these adverse patient-care costs Americans over a billion dollars. Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, former Chairman of the Illinois Medical Committee, is quoted as saying, 'A hospital is like a war. You should try your best to stay out of it.' The article highlights that 80% of medical malpractice suits involve injuries allegedly occurring in hospitals. 'Iatrogenic illnesses,' inadvertently produced by physicians, are discussed, with adverse drug reactions accounting for half of these. Hospital-acquired infections are a major hazard, with 150,000 fewer deaths occurring annually if infection rates were halved. Other hazards include falls, surgical errors, inaccurate lab testing, and anesthetic explosions. The authors express horror at much of the nursing home and hospital care, advising readers to have a family member act as a watchdog during hospitalization.

The Right To Die

This section discusses the concept of 'death with dignity.' The author, having moved from Connecticut to North Carolina, which passed a 'death with dignity' law in 1978, expresses a desire to live and die with dignity. The author has made out a 'living will' to ensure that heroic measures are not used if terminally ill. The article defines a 'living will' as a directive to physicians expressing one's desires if terminally ill, made when of sound mind and body. It notes that doctors privately agree with the concept, but the possibility of prosecution or suits from relatives can be a deterrent. A May 1981 Harris poll found that 78% of Americans support 'death with dignity.' The author views this not as a religious issue and shares their own actions regarding the living/dying process.

Our Change of Life ... A Male View

This article reflects on a personal transition, the physical move to a new house and the process of making it a home. The author contrasts a 'house' with a 'home' and discusses a shift in lifestyle. The author has lived by society's established rules, commuting long hours for corporate life. Now, they are taking full responsibility for their time and looking to the future, anticipating changes within two decades. While specific goals are not fully defined, they seek water independence, isolation from potentially angry mobs (if cities fail), and a facility for gathering and learning skills for 'tomorrow.' They aim to accommodate those with ideas outside the current paradigm. The author expresses hope to enlarge their activities with the Ogatta group and point towards a 'brighter tomorrow.' The piece concludes with the author and Greta settling into their new home in Waynesville, embracing a 'honeymooner' phase after three decades together.

Our Justification

This section features a quote from Eugene O'Neill, emphasizing the pursuit of the unattainable as the source of hope worth living and dying for. It suggests that those who settle for mere attainability are spiritually 'middle classers' whose dreams are insignificant. The quote inspires the idea of striving for something beyond the ordinary to achieve true fulfillment.

Just "Singin' In The Rain"

This lighthearted piece describes the authors settling into their new home at 448 Rabbit Skin Road. Despite the lack of modern amenities like computers or televisions, they are enjoying the process of getting to know their home and surroundings. The phone is ringing, and they are embracing the change. The author reflects on the past and wonders about the future, but is filled with excitement about their new transitions, comparing it to being a 'honeymooner.' The section ends with a playful call to 'PHONE HOME!' and a concluding remark, "Oh what the hell it's Spring!"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the impact of environmental factors (noise, geological changes) on human well-being and the planet, the exploration of alternative or non-mainstream belief systems (numerology, electrical nature of humans, lateral thinking), and critical examination of societal structures (medical practices, the concept of death). The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging critical thinking, personal responsibility, and an open-minded approach to understanding complex phenomena, often through a lens of New Age philosophy and personal experience. There is a consistent emphasis on seeking deeper meaning beyond conventional explanations and embracing change and personal growth.