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The Fourth Wall
By Ashley Rowe
Layout Editor
Penn State alumnus Ryan Buell
knows something about the
paranormal. When Buell was a
child, he was haunted by a “dark,
troll-like figure.” In later years,
when Buell began attending the
Pennsylvania State University, he
wanted to give others a chance to
learn more about paranormal
phenomena and to research its
existence. Thus was born the
Paranormal Research Society (or
PRS) in 2001, founded by Buell. The
members of the group consist of
many other individuals who also
claim to have experienced the
paranormal. Since its inception, the
PRS has been successfully
operating for over 7 years and is
comprised of both graduate and
undergraduate students. Though
Buell has since graduated from
Penn State and is now pursuing an
advanced degree, he is still the
director of the PRS. Buell also
teaches a class at Penn State for
members of the PRS.
Recently, the Paranormal
Research Society has gained some
notoriety through the A&E
Channel television show
“Paranormal State”, which follows
Buell and other members of the
PRS as they research reported
phenomena. The show is a half-
hour investigation into the
paranormal activity that is being
brought to the group’s attention
by fellow citizens. Buell’s mission
statement is to “scientifically and
spiritually explore the
supernatural.” However, one
cannot help but feel that Buell and
company transcend this self-
proposed designation. Indeed,
while watching the show the
viewer cannot help but recognize
that the group genuinely cares
about the subjects they are trying
to help. After all, the group’s main
purpose is to help those in need,
not necessarily to solve anything.
By Andrew Lynn
Staff Writer
“There’s something in the air,”
said Apple CEO Steve Jobs, as he
introduced a revolutionary
notebook in mid-January at
Macworld 2008. Jobs began the
keynote presentation by
comparing the notebook to a
competitive model of the Sony
series notebook. The thickest part
of Apple’s new model is thinner
than the compact Sony’s thinnest
part. The Macbook Air, the world’s
thinnest notebook, can be stored
in a manila envelope, as shown by
Jobs.
Made of Apple’s iconic
recyclable aluminum casing, the
new notebook weighs only three
pounds. One would think with
such thinness and mobility its
usable size would be compromised.
Yet Apple still offers a widescreen
13.3 inch display unlike its rival,
Sony. Macbook Air comes with a
full size keyboard and a built in
ambient light sensor that adjusts
to the amount of light to ensure
that the user can see the keyboard.
Jobs eagerly announced the
lack of an optical drive which limits
the features of the new notebook.
However, with this announcement
came a solution. “Well, we’re
going to do that [install software]
wirelessly too, we innovated in a
way only Apple can,” said Jobs.
The introduction of Remote Disk
is the first of its kind. It is software
that allows Macbook Air
consumers to use a Mac or PC to
Apple has
also built an external USB-run
optical drive for consumers without
a remote PC or Mac; available for
an additional $99.
Apple remains true to its
standards including a built-in
iSight camera, lithium-polymer
battery with approximately five
hours of life, MagSafe adaptor,
wireless-N and Bluetooth
technologies, and video out-put
components that are relevant to the
Nevertheless, the way that the
investigative material is presented
diminishes its credibility. Like any
reality show on television—or any
other show for that matter—there
is a certain amount of interest that
needs to be created to keep the
show engaging. For example, Buell
and company frequently describe
hearing noises or sensing auras
around them during their
investigations. But how can we
really measure these sensations
when there is no evidence to
support them? Indeed, no
evidence is shown that any activity
is happening during the supposed
investigations. Though it may be
difficult for the investigators to
prove there are any sensations
occurring, it seems reasonable that
any noises that the group hears
should be broadcast audibly over
the air. The show’s main goal,
however, is to “help people who
are having experiences...not
provide evidence.” But how can a
person really investigate
something that he or she will never
be able to prove?
To further complicate the issue,
the show is presented in a
deliberately and artificially spooky
manner. Eerie music gives the
show a somewhat silly demeanor.
The over-dramatized dialogue
adds to the “chilling” effect that
the viewer is supposed to receive.
This leaves the audience
wondering if the supposed
validity of the show should be
questioned. Could the show
possibly be scripted? It seems
plausible. Considering the
fantastic abundance of mediocre
reality shows these days, anything
is possible.
Quite possibly, the events that
are happening during the
investigations are real. However,
the editing of the show limits the
amount of truth being delivered to
the viewers, leaving them with
only an incomplete understanding
of what was just investigated. But
is it really Buell’s fault that his
time. Apple updated to the newest
version of wireless, wireless-N,
which eliminates the need to
purchase the upgrade from the
online store like other Macbook
and Macbook Pro users. Newly
added is a Micro-DVI port which
is compatible with other video out-
puts ranging from DVI to S-video,
explained Jobs.
Intel has yet again paired up
with Apple, cutting down on the
size of the processor, though
limiting its speed. Standard is a
1.6GHz Intel Core 2 duo processor
with an optional upgrade to
1.8GHz, both of which cannot
compare to other iMac and
Macbook speeds. Apple also
reduced the amount of hard drive
message isn’t getting across? Is
A&E just out to make a quick buck?
To be sure, it is difficult to tell how
and why the show deviates from
the intended message. But despite
the glaring disconnect, Buell and
his team remain resolute in their
journey.
Despite any pitfalls,
something obviously interested
viewers in ”Paranormal State,” as
the show brought in 2.5 million
viewers for its opening night, the
largest for any television show
broadcast on A&E. Though many
folks are skeptical about the show,
base—which, to be fair, is mostly
contrived of Penn State students.
Whether or not they prove any
paranormal activity, Buell and
company have done a good job at
keeping the masses entertained.
After all, that’s what show business
is all about.
“Paranormal State” is shown
Mondays at 10 PM Eastern on
A&E.
available compared to other
Macbooks. Macbook Air comes
standard with an 80GB hard drive
and an option to reduce moving
parts by swapping to a solid state
64GB hard drive.
Macbook Air remains ultra-
portable even in environmental
aspects. All of features of the
Macbook are more recyclable than
before and all packed in low-volume
packaging as reported by Steve
Jobs.: Apple maintains its values
with mercury-free LCD display. All
the glass is arsenic-free. The new
notebook meets ENERGY STAR
requirements to ensure that after
purchasing the notebook for about
$1799, its consumers can maintain
alow electricity bill while charging
it. ;
As Jobs stated, there truly was
something in the air for Apple.
Consumers will soon make the
decision to accept or reject the
compromise of reduced storage and
features. The Macbook Air is due
to ship in early-February.
-— oes at’ RL