Strange Frequencies: The Extraordinary Story of the Technological Quest for the Supernatural

by Peter Bebergal

A journey through the attempts artists, scientists, and tinkerers have made to imagine and communicate with the otherworldly using various technologies, from cameras to radiowaves.

Strange Frequencies takes readers on an extraordinary narrative and historical journey to discover how people have used technology in an effort to search for our own immortality. Bebergal builds his own ghostly gadgets to reach the other side, too, and follows the path of famous inventors, engineers, seekers, and seers who attempted to answer life's ultimate mysteries. He finds that not only are technological innovations potent metaphors keeping our spiritual explorations alive, but literal tools through which to experiment the boundaries of the physical world and our own psyches.

Peter takes the reader alongside as he explores:
* the legend of the golem and the strange history of automata;
* a photographer who is trying to capture the physical manifestation of spirits;
* a homemaker who has recorded voicemails from the dead;
* a stage magician who combines magic and technology to alter his audience's consciousness;
* and more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, History, Paranormal, Horror, Supernatural, Spirituality

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2018

About the author

Peter Bebergal is the author of Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll, Too Much to Dream: A Psychedelic American Boyhood and The Faith between Us: A Jew and a Catholic Search for the Meaning of God (with Scott Korb). He writes widely on music and books, with special emphasis on the speculative and slightly fringe. His recent essays and reviews have appeared in The Times Literary Supplement, The Quietus, BoingBoing, and The Believer. Bebergal studied religion and culture at Harvard Divinity School, and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Shalini singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ordered this book with - excitement and curiosity in my mind. My heart knew it was the right decision because I really am an aficionado when it comes to the supernatural and the unknown.

Those of you who follow me and know me, you know how crazy batshit I am about mysteries! Don't you?

This book- Strange Frequencies is absolutely a power house of experiments, undiluted observations and a book for every nerd who loves speculations and fringe.

@peter_bebergal says in his bio, as I stalk him that he is a failed mystic, I sincerely digress. He writes so well. I want a friend like him. The technological ascendancy and evidentiary science when mingled with religion can produce more questions than answers but gadgets intended to harness divine power attuned to unused frequencies has unendingly struggled to define the limits of consciousness and our mortality.

Thr functionality of magic, virtual sortileges, occult, ghosts which aren't dumb, voices, fear and soldering, ample references, none of which I had heard of before (And that's what makes this book important for me) make me squirm with comfort if you know what I mean.... This book is for those who believe in something more.

If you want to read about supernatural communications and the sciences behind the same, this book is for you.

#strangerthings #strangefrequencies #scienceexperiment #magicmoments #girlwithbooks #penguinrandomhouse #bookstawithintent

[Peter A. Lio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

This book was recommended by one of my paranormal podcasts. It is not a bad book by any means, but I was surprised at how basic this was. It read more like a New Yorker article (not necessarily a bad thing!) and seemed overlong. I almost never skim or skip, but boy I had to skim through some areas. The writing is good and the author is intelligent, clearly, but what was the point? By the last part of the book, I felt it had better hit its stride, but the sort of cheesy and very personal ending (sorry!) didn’t speak to me. There are so many great introductions to this concept or ones like it, and the sort of non-scholarly almost journalistic approach really hinders this, I think. For an amazing start, read Authors of the Impossible by Kripal. For a much deeper exploration, check out The Occult by Wilson.

I wanted to like this, I really did! And the idea is cool, but I just didn’t learn much or take away much from this beyond the idea itself. I think we need to have a higher standard going forward so that we do not simply rehash what has been stated over and over, but to push into new areas and deeper understanding.

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I most admit I misunderstood what this book was about. I thought it focused on radio waves from outer space but it's about mysticism and spiritualism. There is one reference to Tesla's work, and anecdotal evidence that he was cognizant of things before they happened. I appreciate the author's Jewish perspective and his tales about Jewish mysticism including Kabbalah and the relationship to the Golem folklore. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it focused on one topic rather trying to provide a historical overview.

[Laura Jayne Tricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and did gain information from it, especially if I want to dig deeper on the topics. Therein lies the problem: I didn’t get enough from the text that was there. It has a weird flow and it felt a bit choppy, so choppy I think there was a lot left out that could have been explored. But all in all a broad look at supernatural technologies and it’s history.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as part of a book club - fascinating discussion of the ways technology has been used to explore the paranormal throughout history. The author is able to strongly explore the topics with both openness and an ability to maintain a critical mindset.

[Justin A Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind blowing

What a great book! Incredibly interesting and thoroughly readable. This makes you look at the world and technology with a new, even magical perspective.

[Janaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A both fascinating and personal exploration of how technology and the supernatural have interacted for centuries, STRANGE FREQUENCIES is a deserving follow-up to Bebergals' previous book, SEASON OF THE WITCH: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll. I highly recommend this to artists, thinkers, and extra-dimensional enthusiasts of all kinds, whether or not you believe in any Great Beyond.

[Vipsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s an ok book. Just nothing I’m truly interested in. It seemed like a summary of everything I already know.

[Crista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read; I didn't realize that I went into it with certain expectations until I found myself surprised by the topics covered. The author is building a narrative with the technologies he explores and, while unexpected, it elevated the book from more than a straightforward explanation of the topics to a metaphysical study of the relationship between technology and the supernatural. For example, the first chapter covers golems, which wasn't on my radar in the slightest when I picked up the book. This was kind of the trend: the book isn't interested in reinforcing information fans of the supernatural already know, but asking them to rethink what they consider as tools in these kinds of pursuits.

The author's tone is almost that of a hopeful skeptic; when he says that he genuinely tried to build some of the devices that he described, I believe him. When he says he went into a seance with an open mind, I believe that too, just as much so when he points out explanations or more traditionally logical theories. I think this is a book that's reasonably easy to get through no matter how much credence you actually give to the topic, because the observations are relatively balanced. That being said, I'd probably recommend it only to those who are already familiar with some of the more well-known ways of communicating with the unknown, since it encourages thinking outside the box a little better if you have a basis to build on.

All in all, this feels like a solid addition to my supernatural book collection. Definitely give it a look if you're a fan of connecting the dots!

[Rebecca Elson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 11/14/2018.

Can you build a golem such as the ones found in Jewish folklore? That’s the question that launches Peter Bebergal’s new book “Strange Frequencies: The Extraordinary Story of the Technological Quest for the Supernatural”.

“Strange Frequencies” follows Bebergal as he travels to Seattle to learn about and build automatons. He spends time in Cambridge to discuss stage magic with actor/magician Nate Dendy who plays Ariel in the American Repertory Theater’s production of “The Tempest”. He attends a traditional Spiritualist séance in Lily Dale, NY with photographer Shannon Taggart. Bebergal explores EVP (electronic voice phenomena) and experiences machines designed to facilitate enlightenment. Throughout these adventures Bebergal explores the origins of the DIY/Maker movement and the effect it has had on the exploration of the spiritual.

“Strange Frequencies” is an amazing exploration of the technological influencing the spiritual and the spiritual inspiring the technological. This is a must read.

[Steve Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short book covering the overlap between the paranormal (though Bebergal dislikes that word) and technology. Whole books have been written about its chapters, but this author distinguishes himself by a stance that suggests the impact of the subjects he studies (such as EVP) without making a case that he knows they're supernatural. One key sentence says that altered states of consciousness have a real impact on the people who they experience them, whatever their source (his chapter on Brian Gysin's "dream machines" keeps mentioning psychedelic drugs, but is more interested in the former as a means of invoking similar experiences.) But it feels like it could've been twice as long and delved far further, especially into the political implications of technology. Bebergal gives too easy a pass to the hippie-libertarian side of Silicon Valley to my taste. Still, it's worth reading.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe closer to 2.5 stars? I really don't know how I feel about this book. Most of the people Bebergal discusses I find exasperating; many of them I have no time for as their "searches" into paranormal experiences feel more to me like a desperate search for validation and self-aggrandizement (not to mention the exoticization of the spiritual practices of people of color). I was also fairly familiar with many of the devices discussed, and I have firm opinions about them -- as I do about many things! That said, I like Bebergal's writing, and I admire his dedication to being open to the possibilities of paranormal experiences. I enjoyed the first and final chapters the most; the first chapter in particular. It explores the creation of golems and automata, and within that the intricacies of what it is to be "alive."

[Evelyn Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read, covering the subject of how technology (or ingenuity in general) to some degree is essentially a religious experience for human beings. From the earliest stories of sorcerers trying to make golems from dirt and mud, to clockwork automatons; the early days of electric radio serving as a means of divination; and right up to modern Transhumanism's quest to transcend human limitations not unlike alchemists of yesteryear...this book touches on a great deal of these subjects. While it never really goes deep enough (in my opinion) into any one subject, it does an excellent job of giving the inquisitive reader plenty of leads to follow if diving into these topics further is what one desires.

[Pepe Pesante · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This book was a bit of a frustrating read/listen. Mr. Bebergal clearly did his (apparently massive) research, and he’s tackling a subject I’m interested in. Why was it such a slog to get through? I think the issue lies with the writing, as it’s very journalistic and a bit cold.
I won’t discount the whole endeavor though: it’s a good introduction to a topic that can be overwhelming for some, with each chapter giving good examples of different supernatural/paranormal phenomena and the technologies in use both old and new.
If you, however, are knowledgeable about the spiritual and the occult and phenomena like golems, séances, EVP, etc, you won’t find deeper insights here.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author gives a thoughtful first-person look at the technological quest for the supernatural. If you are not interested in the supernatural, this book is not for you. However, in this time of ghost hunters and demon slayers, this book might be right for you. Peter Bebergal tries to duplicate and investigate many supernatural occurrences--spoiler alert, unable to create Golem.

However, he gives a good short history of many spiritual practices--table tapping, ghost photographs, electronic voice phenomenon. Well written and thought out.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this audiobook after attending Peter Bebergal's Miskatonic Institute lecture. While I clearly enjoyed the lecture enough to pursue the source book, I must say I found it a little like a high school geometry problem where you instantly know the solution, and yet need to laboriously show your work anyhow. Perhaps it's a deficiency in my occult imagination (perish the thought!), but I think I fundamentally understood the thesis, and therefore found the additional "work" a bit tedious.

[Thomm Quackenbush · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book only loses a star because I feel it could have been much longer with more experiments and I would have eagerly read it all. I appreciate his blend of skepticism and willingness. He has a compelling written voice and this provided some useful leads for a future book I am writing (have written).

[Allison Thurman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly what I expected it to be. I was looking for something about the hacked audio equipment used to listen to "ghost voices" back in the 1970s, and while it does contain this there's also discussion of nineteenth-century mediumship as technology and hacking as spirituality. Hard for me to hammer out in to words, but it's definitely given me some other avenues to research.

[Alison L · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is like the annoying person at a magic show who loudly claims to know how everything is done when they clearly don't. It's very long and wordy and not extremely original. It does introduce a broad variety of subjects pertaining to Spiritualism, but never goes in depth. Had a hard time finishing it.

[Niraj Khandwala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I picked thinking this to talk about some extraterrestrial beings contacted etc... but this turned out to be very different and all about mystics and spiritual. in most parts I never understood what is it that the author really wanted the reader to know ... may be I was the one who didn't get it ...

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly good book! Peter takes the reader on a truly magical journey as the roles of hacker and shaman mix. Exceptionally good because it takes a skeptical/scientific view to these phenomena and teases out the true value to be gained by these various forms of technomancy. Highly recommended.

[Giorgio · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is informative... but a bit "shallow", if you know more about the book´s subject.
I gave 4 stars - instead of 3 - because is formally well-written and the writer put some real work in the pursuit of the theme.

[Michelle Pulignani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of good information.

[Steve Hardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine? I'm sure it's very interesting to the right audience but for me I didn't see the appeal in it

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a solid overview of the intersection between technology and spirituality. My one gripe is it is a bit too short and is repetitive at times. Still it is well worth reading.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well researched and organized.