The Beyond Logic Network

LATEST

Aug.14.2008
Announcement
As part of the Beyond Logic Network’s attempts to renovate and improve its content and presentation, we are proud to announce the upload of our new “About Us” short film. We expect to further flush out the entire “About Us” sub-webpage over the next several months, as we add on and re-organize personal profile pages that’ll allow you, the viewership, to better know the people who make the Beyond Logic Network tick.

Some Photo Albums of "Festival of India" As It Travels Around the Continent
Aug.13.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.festivalofindia.org/?q=
image/tid/12
Some supplementary viewing to compliment Scene 5 of the Beyond Logic Network’s experimental film series. The featured cultural element of the scene was filmed at the traveling “Festival of India”, which was improperly referred to in the slang used by students walking through the event, “India Fest”. A NOTE: this is not the website’s homepage, this is a collection of photo albums that depict the festival’s travels to other cultures.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Getting To Know The Man Behind Carp-Sharp Pirate, Capt. William Mayhem
Aug.12.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=
21821142
Some supplementary reading for Scene 1 of the Beyond Logic Network’s experimental film series. Captain William Mayhem, whose legerdemain with cards was the featured dissonant element of the scene, can be found at an other URL. THIS URL, a MySpace profile, is meant to glean a little insight to the man that William Mayhem is when he’s NOT performing.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Red Light Magic, The Professional Side Of Meraux Dantes
Aug.11.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://redlightmagic.com/
Some supplementary reading for Scene 1 of the Beyond Logic Network’s experimental film series. Somewhere in there, it’s mentioned that Meraux Dantes was once a student of Ace Ashkuff’s but, since then, he had “branched out” and “went pro”. This website, while still under construction, offers an insight into Meraux’s budding professional career and personal philosophies on legerdemain.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Psycho-Cultural Influence On People's Fearful Perception Of Ghosts
Aug.10.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://paranormal.about.com/od/
ghosthuntinggeninfo/a/aa102405_2.htm
This is an interesting article, written by paranormal researcher and author, Stephen Wagner, exploring the fearful reactions that most people have to perceived presence of ghosts. While academically a little shallow, occasionally failing to cite sources or delve into deeper discussion on some of the concepts he seems to assume his readership is familiar with, the article still manages to mention some of the deeply rooted psycho-cultural influences connected to the “dissonant element” (any action or event that is perceived as impossible) as it manifests in the form of ghostly activity. Such influences include how popculture can condition people’s reactions to things they’ve never seriously looked into themselves and the fight-or-flight reaction that comes with the advent of the unknown.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Monolouge Demonstrates Frankenstein's Monster To Be An Example Of Science So Advanced, It Seems Supernatural Again
Aug.9.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
McEUmsMXUrg
While the remainder of the film is at least mildly entertaining, a montage of vintage film clips taken from a 1930’s rendition of Frankenstein accented by the Edgar Winter Band’s rock instrumental Frankenstein, my focus here centers on the first 38 seconds of monologue delivered at the very beginning of the film. It was a common practice in 1930’s theatre and film, to have some kind of introductory prologue directed at the audience, but this example is particularly telling of the cultural influences that come into play with the “dissonant element” (any action or event that is perceived as impossible). I’ve said it before in some of my earlier writings, but I’ll repeat myself here, the dissonant element is an entirely perceptual event, and it can manifest to anyone in almost any form; as such, scientific technology can be perceived as a form of the dissonant element to those who are not familiar with some of the things that science can achieve. In fact, in my work, I’ve come to label scientific technology that’s so far advanced that it’s perceived as indistinguishable from magic, “Clarkeian technology”. There is, perhaps, no better example of Clarkeian technology at work than the now-fabled story of Frankenstein’s monster. Authored in a time where religious dogma was most often used to determine the possibility of a given event, while the scientific community still existed as a largely alternative culture, the idea of a “man of science, who sought to create a man in his own image without reckoning upon God” seemed border-line miraculous in its own right. As such, even today, the story of Frankenstein is considered one of the great supernatural thrillers of all time, alongside the stories of Dracula, The Wolfman and The Mummy’s Curse.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Political Statement Urges Pagan Community to Unite and Stand Against the "Religious Right"
Aug.8.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://users.aol.com/HypatiaX/RBWlibrary/
brmclst.htm
I think I’ll open my commentary up with a quote on this one, “Unfortunately, our people are often viewed by society at large as a group of `kooks', because, as a group, we are so rarely visible. We do not back our spokespeople when they address the public, and we do not publicly come out in support of other Pagans when they are threatened. Most of us hide what we are, and thus the public continues to consider Pagans as people who worship the devil and sacrifice babies. Anti-abortionists have even claimed that witches view abortion as a form of child sacrifice! When no one publicly challenges such assertions, should we be surprised that the public at large mistrusts us?” This article, authored by Sophia X. Pharou, is nothing less than a political statement urging the pagan community to “come out of the broom closet” and take a firm and united stand against the perceived oppression of fundamentalist Christianity, also referred to by the popular colloquialism, “the religious right”. For the most part, the author’s arguments are sound and coherent on many levels (though perhaps a little prone to disasterizing) and offer an important glance at the nature of paganism in America, which still is very much forced by intolerant social pressure to exist as an underground element in many parts. As a political courtesy, however, the author makes note that there are many Christians that exist outside of the religious right and makes a valiant attempt at not generalizing all Christians as inherently intolerant. However, there is at least one point that draws special attention, as it does not seem to mesh with the overall tone of the article… the author’s repeated outcry against the recital of Christian prayers in public places, a staple cultural behavior among many Christian sects. In light of all of the author’s talk against religious oppression, the idea that s/he would so avidly disapprove of members of another religion actively engaging in one of their most time-honored cultural behaviors seems counterintuitive at best. Although, to be fair, her disapproval does seem to oscillate between general disapproval and disapproval at an institutionalized level. Also, the author’s reference to “Judeo-Christian” morality makes me think that her issue is not just with Christianity, but with its Abrahamic roots. As such, I am surprised to hear no mention of the recital of Islamic prayer that has become legally protected in so many schools. But I am, quite possibly, picking nits here. Of personal interest to me is this article’s specific reference to the Church of Iron Oak, its battle with the city of Palm Bay, and the comparisons that evangelical writer Jay Rogers has drawn between abortion and child sacrifice... all of which I had done some basic-level work on in Scene 3 of the Beyond Logic Network’s experimental film series.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Banned Animated Film Meant for Children Depicts Satan Creating Life and Then Crushing It, Proves To Be a Cybercultural Hit on YouTube
Aug.7.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
cqi5F5MqqTQ&NR=1
Historically speaking, it seems counterintuitive that any work of art would involve Mark Twain riding around in a magical elevator, meeting fallen angels. Mark Twain was, after all, a proud and convicted atheist. Although, there is a tell-tale quote at the beginning of the film, “Welcome to the mysterious stranger!” This quote makes me think that this scene is a commentary on one of Mark Twain’s unfinished works, The Mysterious Stranger, a story that involves a young boy named Satan that claims to be related to the mythic fallen angel of the same name, performs ominous magical feats, and whose presence eventually inspires witch hunts and hysteria. In my opinion, Twain’s The Mysterious Stranger was a criticism of the mayhem that can ensue when people believe in the ethereal and collectively become frightened of it, which would fall in line with Twain’s enthusiastic atheist sentiment. This clip, apparently pirated from a larger animated film meant for children, is claimed to have been banned from television by YouTube’s second-hand content provider, AC101. In terms of its impact on YouTube’s immediate cyber culture, the clip has received numerous awards and honors over the years, including “most discussed” and “most viewed”, having garnered over five million views. Artistically speaking, this clip is an interesting interpretation of the theo-supernatural being, Satan, who describes himself as an “angel”, as opposed to the traditionally accepted label of “fallen angel”. Also interesting to note is the artistic license taken, not only with the nature of the original prose story but, with the traditionally accepted degree of Satan’s supernatural power, ignoring his traditionally suggestive influence in favor of more dramatic, even God-like, capacities such as the spontaneous generation of matter from nothing, and the capacity to create life. A particularly interesting cultural reference was Satan’s offering of fruit to the children, likely a reference to the apple in the garden of Eden, and the children’s absolute lack of hesitation to eat that fruit. Also worthy of note was the character progression of Satan, which transitioned between a suspiciously friendly personage to the destructive and inhuman force of lore, and how this progression was represented by cultural symbols like the handle bar mustache and cigar, and later on, horns and harshly ridged facial features.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Evangelical Yeti, Part 3
Aug.6.2008
Film
Having gone days without sleep, while frenetically filming and studying for exams, Ace Ashkuff wraps up his analysis of the campus preachers with a brief account of their histories, finding that many of them came from origins that directly conflict with their current status, originally hailing from Catholicism (often criticized by evangelical protestants as having polytheistic elements), Judaism, and even homosexuality.

Evangelical Yeti, Part 2
Aug.6.2008
Film
Elaborating on his findings from the previous day, Ace Ashkuff explores the campus preachers themselves, the often derogatory and occasionally violent effects of the STUDENTS on THE PREACHERS, the effects of the preachers on each other, and the surprisingly varied and nuanced strategies the preachers take to accomplish their goals that extend well beond their banners and shouts.

Evangelical Yeti, Part 1
Aug.6.2008
Film
Driven by the need to reconcile a childhood trauma, and the need to find a socially relevant subject to film, Ace Ashkuff explores the contrasting and often dramatic impact of UF's sign-wielding campus preachers on the students must walk alongside them, as well as the theo-supernatural roots of their craft.

Evangelical Yeti
Aug.6.2008
Film Series
Might as well admit upfront, Evangelical Yeti is my first attempt at making a film. I suppose I was lucky on this one. Many filmmakers, from what I understand, often have to struggle and search to find a subject compelling or socially relevant enough to invest their time in. I, on the other hand, had my subjects approach me, screaming and wielding ten-foot banners overhead.

Vampires Make Small Town a Tourist Trap for Teenage Girls
Aug.5.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/
popup/index.php?cl=9160840
The dissonant element (any action or event that is perceived as “impossible”) manifests itself in countless different ways across the world stage’s many cultures. One popular manifestation is the concept of the “supernatural creature”, such as incarnated angels, sea monsters, unicorns and vampires. Often times, supernatural creatures are dismissed as imaginary, mythological, and the stuff of fiction. However, even as a decidedly fictional device, the supernatural creature can have a significant impact on a culture’s economic system. In this case, the otherwise rarely-thought-of town of Forks, Washington, experiences a major tourism boom brought on by teenage girls visiting the setting of Twilight, a popular romance/fantasy/thriller novel series featuring vampires as a central element. While the series of novels are of course fictional, the town of Forks is not, and neither are the various landmarks in the town that the novels reference. As such, the novels and their vampires have not only made the town notable amongst the teenage mainstream, but it has also brought to the town a new wash of financial opportunity, as native bookstores have lines of customers flowing out into the streets, native residents develop tours of their town based on the novels, and a movie based on the novels has been scheduled to be shot there. Now a central question raised here may be, “Was it the fictional vampires that made the town famous? Or was it the novels?” In all honesty, it was the fame of the novels that made the town famous. However, by that same standard, the novels themselves were made famous by their narrative elements, which include plot and character. After all, with rise in popularity of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Tru Blood, Blade, the works of Anne Rice and countless others, vampire fiction is becoming an autonomous subgenre in its own right. So to say that the novel series, and by extension the town of Forks, would have became famous without its supernatural creatures would be like saying that Star Wars would have become famous without its Jedi, aliens and other sci-fi elements. Although, it does bear to mention that the novel series portrays the “vampire” character archetype in a very different light than does most other vampire fiction, making them practically invincible to steaks, crosses, holy water, garlic, silver and even sunlight. Although, that said, sunlight has admittedly been said to give the vampire’s skin an esthetically pleasing glittery sparkle.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

The Procession of St. Costanzo of the Isle of Capri
Aug.4.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.capri.com/en/san-costanzo
Some supplementary reading to compliment the Beyond Logic Network Experimental Film, Scene 8. This website offers a description and photographs of the Procession of St. Costanzo, a major and particularly colorful cultural behavior shared among many of the inhabitants of the isle of Capri; notably, the procession involves the theo-supernatural practice of veneration while parading around an icon of the saint (here taking the form of a large statue) which contains an actual relic of the saint himself. Sadly, I ventured to the island at the wrong time of year to experience and film the event firsthand. Also, this website helps illustrate the flaws in respondent (question-and-answer based) anthropology, and the need for follow up research, live in observation and long term informants. During my stay, the priest I had interviewed gave me some English-language literature to read about his church, which the literature said was named after St. Stephen. Online, however, I found nearly nothing about the church of St. Stephen on the isle of Capri. HOWEVER, the name “St. Stephen” in an anglicized translation used almost exclusively in that literature. On this website, the name “ex Cathedral of St. Stefano” is used to describe the same place, and the internet has much more to offer about this.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Personal Website of Shidoshi (ninja master) Dick Severence
Aug.4.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.n-i-n.com/
Some supplementary reading to compliment the Beyond Logic Network Experimental Film, Scene 2. A simple but straight-forward, HTML based, website, the Ninpo Intelligence Network, ran by Shidoshi Dick Severence, offers a number of links related to the shinobi (ninja) arts. Of particular note is the set of cultural artifacts he crafts and sells from his personal workshop, custom made training tools such as the “kute” (talon-like device nestled in the inside palm, at the base of the fingers) and his “specialty walking sticks” (complete with concealable blades). Not exactly the large-scale societal commentary I usually like to look for in second-hand content, this website nontheless provides an interesting glimpse into the Shidoshi’s individual personage, provided by the personally authored articles regarding the nature of Budo Taijutsu, training in Japan, and Matsakki Hatsumi himself.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Pagan Church Approached By City to Halt Outdoor Worship
Aug.3.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.ironoak.org/articles/articles.html
Some supplementary reading to compliment the Beyond Logic Network Experimental Film, Scene 3, providing a detailed list of one of the social and political struggles experienced by the pagans of the Church of Iron Oak. An interesting example of how the dissonant element can find its way into our politics and legal system, the aforementioned struggle came to be when one of the Church of Iron Oak’s neighbors filed complaints, and later legal action, against the church’s shared cultural behavior of outdoor, theo-supernatural worship. Eventually, the city itself came to press the church to stop this behavior, leading to a protracted legal battle. My only concern here is the potential bias the church may have had in their selection of articles.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Evangelical Writer Draws Connection Between Abortion and the Theo-Supernatural Practice of Ritual Child Sacrifice
Aug.2.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://forerunner.com/champion/X0039_
Child_Sacrifice_in_t.html
Some supplementary reading to compliment the Beyond Logic Network Experimental Film, Scene 3, in which evangelical writer, Jay Rogers, describes the Church of Iron Oak’s shared cultural history and behaviors through his own cultural perspective leading him to make a connection between abortion and the theo-supernatural practice of ritual child sacrifice and Satan worship.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Aug.1.2008
Announcement
IMPORTANT NOTE
Due to a misquote in the field, the international directior of the evangelical Forerunner.com was referred to as “Jay Roberts” in Scene 3 of the Beyond Logic Network’s experimental film series. The correct spelling of his name is “Jay Rogers.” We apologize for any misrepresentation or confusion this may have caused.

Experimental Film Series
(the collective whole, and where it's taking the Beyond Logic Network)
Jul.31.2008
Film Series
The Beyond Logic Network Experimental Film Series...represents the end result of several months of work from the Network’s central filmmaker, Ace Ashkuff. Meant to be a testing ground for Ashkuff to experiment with new techniques for other projects, the series has become something of a complete work in itself. The action of the series picks up on UF’s Spring Break of 08’, as Ashkuff travels to St. Augustine to reconnect with two of his closest friends, with whom he had a major and painful falling-out with nearly two years earlier. Throughout the rest of the series, Ashkuff’s travels take him through much of Florida (meeting ninja masters, Wicca high-priests, and magical pirates), much of Italy (home of Catholic mysticism), and the action finally ends in Las Vegas (the legerdemain capital of the world).

Jul.31.2008
Announcement
As part of the Beyond Logic Network’s ongoing effort to renovate and improve its content and presentation, we are currently in the processes of updating our video player to be more compatible with the 16:9 widescreen-ratio films we expect to be producing in the future. We apologize for any inconsistencies this might make between films as we recompile our content.

Animated Cartoon About a Savant Provides Insight Into the "Paranatural"
Jul.30.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.superdeluxe.com/sd/content
Detail.do?id=D81F2344BF5AC7BBDF3A
8DC84390E1C8A37522396D79F3D2
The protagonist of this short animation, Baby Cakes, appears to be afflicted with a rare and often unacknowledged developmental disorder, called “savant syndrome”, associated with an overall degree of mental disability that is contrasted by a degree of brilliance in at least one specific field of study or art. In other installments of this series, it is suggested that Baby Cakes is a brilliant rapper (though this suggestion is made toung-in-cheek). Originally meant to be a comedy, this particular episode actually illustrates an important and valid socio-psychological point… The “dissonant element”, main theme of the Beyond Logic Network, can be described as any action or event that seems impossible. As such, however, the dissonant element is an entirely perceptual concept, for what seems impossible to one person may seem entirely doable to someone else. In this animated short, because the protagonist perceives and interprets the world in such a radically different way than does the mainstream viewership, he therefore perceives the dissonant element in places that the viewership generally may not and he labels these perceived dissonant elements as “paranatural” events.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Jul.29.2008
Second-Hand Content
" When the doctor
.............gives up, the tengu
.....is called. "
.............................Kawabata Ryu

-Issai Chozanshi
(translated by William Scott Wilson),
The Demon's Sermon on the Martial Arts

Experimental Film, Scene 8
Jul.27.2008
Film
Ace Ashkuff explores the island city of Capri, from its unique road system to its theo-supernatural practices. And, while Ashkuff can only find vestiges of “hyperdulia” or the special kind of veneration reserved for St. Mary, he hears tell of other practices at work that range from the veneration of St. Costanzo to the presence of Islam and Buddhism.

Harvard Gazette Gives a Nod-of-the-Head to Scientifically Observed Chi Masters
Jul.26.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2002/
04.18/09-tummo.html
This article, posted by second-hand content provider username ShadowKnight1313, is an extension of the pirated film clip we linked to on Jul 23^rd, 2008. The credibility of the source, the Harvard Gazette, is what makes this article particularly worthy of note. Contrary to the documentary we posted a link to on Jul 25^th, 2008, the chi masters of this study were able to produce readily, and regularly, observable results under standardized conditions. The three central differences between the chi masters of this study and the chi master of the documentary we posted a link to on Jul 25^th, 2008, is (1) the chi masters of this study were using their skills for medicinal and self-care purposes, as opposed to martial purposes, (2) the masters of this study were taken from a variety of different disciplines, from Kundalini meditation, to Sikkim, to g Tum-mo, and (3) ethnic heritage, as much as I hate to say it. According to cardiologist Herbert Benson, who spearheaded much of the study, most Westerners observed were found to be “fraudulent”.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Original Documentary--- Self Proclaimed, Western Chi Masters Perform Seemingly Superhuman Feats and Slap Female Reporter Around In Debunking-Expose-Genre Documentary
Jul.25.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
YdvYXIwa0Ow
This film, an original documentary by second-hand content provider username 2xRDA, is a compilation of news reels and other assorted media meant to “expose” the physio-spiritual force of chi. In my estimation, this film’s credibility is hurt by the assumption that one practitioner’s failure is used to discredit the entire practice of chi mastery. However, the visuals that this film offers, of superhuman feats and a female reporter getting slapped across the face, make it an entertaining view regardless of credibility.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Experimental Film, Scene 7
Jul.24.2008
Film
Having arrived in Rome, Italy, Ace Ashkuff has difficulty finding any still-living vestiges of any non-catholic theo-supernatural sentiment. However, he observes the catholic practice of veneration on a level much deeper rooted than anything seen back in his native Florida, with saintly iconography chiseled above street corners and communal street altars standing alongside common graffiti. Eventually, at a Roman glass store, Ashkuff finds vestiges of at least one religion that managed to poke through the catholicizing influence, in the theo-supernatural iconography of Islam. At the end of his stay, the mayor of Rome commissions the Capitolini Museum to stay open late for a private viewing, providing a fun peek at some of the artistic artifacts of ancient Roman pantheology.

Pirated Film Segment, Accomplished Western Anesthesiologist Visits Qigong Master, Who Demonstrates Qi as a Physio-Spiritual Force With Medicinal Application
Jul.23.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
T6UTGkC73GE&feature=related
The fact that this film was pirated from a production of “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”, in my mind, makes me think that its portrayal of the physio-spiritual force Qi may have been sensationalized. However, the thought that an accomplished doctor, who has a doctoral degree in the loosely related, mainstream-acceptable practice of anesthesiology, could take a practice such as Qigong seriously to the point of becoming a regular patron is… well… a behavioral phenomenon worthy of note in itself. Also worth noting is that username “Shadowknight1313”, who posted the pirated video clip, likens this use of Qi to pyrokinesis (which is commonly restricted to the manipulation of open flames), claims that all materials used in the Qigong master’s demonstration were checked for traces of potentially exothermic reactants (chemicals that could produce heat), and offers the URL, http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/
2002/04.18/09-tummo.html, to help support this claim.
[commentary by Ace Ascough]

Experimental Film, Scene 6
Jul.22.2008
Film
Ace Ashkuff makes a new friend, Ashley Valdes; reconnects with some old friends; gets tricked into watching a clip from Two Girls, One Cup; gets called out as a “liar and hustler”; and falls for a new girl… all before having to dash off to Rome, Italy.

A Brief Commentary from Ace Ashkuff on the Beyond Logic Network’s Second Set of Experimental Films
Jul.22.2008
Extended Film Project

Vintage Film--- 19th Century Filmmaker, Georges Melies, Performs More Stage Magic in Conjunction With Early Trick Photography
Jul.21.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BhBEFdTo0ZU

Pirated BBC Documentary--- Supernatural Science, Explores Various Means of Levitation
Jul.20.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z06c
5k6kKH4&feature=related
Arthur C. Clarke, famed science fiction author responsible for giving us 2001: A Space Odyssey, once stated that “any sufficiently advanced technology should be indistinguishable from magic.” From the early era of Frankenstein’s monster, to recent works such as the television series Fringe, we now see vestiges of this sentiment in almost every other science fiction film created in robots with souls, entire virtual worlds with neigh-omnipotent rebels and overseers, machines that can “create planets and fill them with life”, time machines and more of the like I cannot fully describe in this humble list. In my own writings, I have come to label the concept of scientific technology so far advanced it seems like magic as “Clarkeian Technology.” And now, YouTube’s second-hand content provider, username “XPloreMagic”, has provided us with a pirated documentary film originally aired by the BBC, Supernatural Science, which seems to wholly embody the essence of Clarkeian Technology as it occurs in the real world. Username “XploreMagic” has broken this episode, which deals with levitation, into six easily downloadable parts. The first part, linked to here, opens with a true example of Clarkeian Technology and uses physics to achieve levitation, before moving onto exploring “the Indian rope trick” as either a form of legitimate supernatural phenomena, legerdemain (illusion), and even an early form of trick photography in much the same vein as the work of Georges Melies.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Jul.19.2008
Announcement
On the advice of a potential advertiser, the Beyond Logic Network is currently retconing one of its projects as an “experimental” film series, as opposed to a “conceptual” film series, but it should be stated that this project is fundamentally the same in every way but name.

Pirated Documentary Segment--- Chi Master Agrees to Reasonably Standardized Observation, Demonstrates Pyrokinesis and Illuminates a LED
Jul.18.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Aos0hnwiHt8
YouTube second-hand content provider, username “therion616”, seems to be developing a penchant for posting pirated film segments that involve the physio-spiritual concept of “chi” (also known as "ki" and "qi"). In addition to the videos we posted links to on July 16^th and July 15^th, where chi was used for martial purposes, this film segment shows the same force being used for medicinal purposes. In the earlier posted films, because the martial chi master was only shown to demonstrate the effects of chi on his own students under un-standardized conditions, some of YouTube’s cybercommunity rationalized on the film’s dedicated comment board that the demonstrated effects of chi may have merely been the result of normative social influence, or some other conforming psychological mechanism. However, in this film segment, the medicinal chi master is shown to demonstrate his skills on (relatively) impartial third parties from the western world, and is also shown to demonstrate his skills under additional, reasonably standardized, scientific conditions… at least until culture clash prompts him to back out and swear off taking on anymore students. After having poked around some more, I found that the chi master did not stay wholly faithful to his word, however, and took on a modest-sized following of students years later, one of whom wrote a book about him called, The Magus of Java: Teachings of an Authentic Taoist Immortal.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Telecast of Japanese Street Performer Using Legerdemain to Forcibly Pull Food Out of a Fast Food Menu
Jul.17.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W1W84
KhifQ

Artful Video Rendering of Qigong Master Demonstrating Qi's Purportedly Superhuman Martial Applications
Jul.16.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGaWh
P4lbys
This second-hand content provider, username “therion616”, is the same content provider that provided the film we posted a link to on July 15^th, and claims that the Qigong master featured in this film is the same master featured in the earlier film.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Pirated Documentary Segment--- Western Filmmakers Observe Qigong Master Training Students and Demonstrating Seemingly Superhuman Martial Feats
Jul.15.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu99
GRUUN6Y
According to traditional bodies of eastern folk knowledge, “chi” (also spelled “ki” and “qi”) is a physio-spiritual energy that is thought to flow through human beings. According to some schools of thought, chi flows along certain paths and hubs in the human body (such as “chakras”) and, with practice, it is believed possible to consciously manipulate that flow to achieve superhuman feats. Various philosophical approaches to chi have led it to be applied to culturally pertinent activities, such as the martial and medicinal arts, and has thusly led some eastern cultures into a degree of culture clash with western cultures that do not recognize chi. This pirated film segment, provided by second-hand content provider username “therion616”, demonstrates said culture clash when a western documentary filmmaker visits an eastern Qi-gong master. More such culture clash can also be found on the film’s dedicated comment board, upon which YouTube’s international cybercommunity has posted well over a thousand responses.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Essay Comparing Legerdemain (illusion-based magic) and Aikido
Jul.14.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.leirpoll.com/martialart.htm

Supplementary Wikipedia Article Detailing the Kirpan, Holy Short Sword of the Sikhs
Jul.13.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirpan

Legislation on the Carriage of Kirpans, Holy Short Swords of the Sikhs
Jul.12.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/LegalUS6.asp
…on the legality of the open carry of the kirpan, the holy sword of the Sikhs. While the sword is, in itself, largely considered without theo-supernatural significance, its mandatory carriage by all baptized Sikhs was commissioned by their tenth guru-prophet, Gobind Singh, and has since then placed Sikhs at odds with legal restrictions all around the world.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

MSNBC Article Detailing Culture Clash as Sikhs are Banned From Global Inter-Faith Meeting Due to Their Mandatory Carry of Holy Short Swords
Jul.11.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23499948/
...an example of the impact that sanctified religious artifacts can still have on modern socio-politics. Also interesting to note is that these aren’t even vintage archeological artifacts (such as the antiquated Greek pantheological statues that Italy and Greece have fought so bitterly over), but relatively recently created or heir-loomed artifacts that are mainly representative of vintage beliefs (such as a rosary). The problem? These are holy short swords… and their carriers plan to meet with world leaders.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Wikipedia Artice Detailing Classical Mystic, Edward Kelley
Jul.10.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kelley

Wikipedia Article Detailing Classical Mystic, John Dee
Jul.9.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dee_%
28mathematician%29

Supplementary Wikipedia Article About St. Bridget of Sweden
Jul.8.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bridget_of
_Sweden
Some supplementary reading on St. Bridget of Sweden, who seems to have influenced the second-hand content provider we posted a link to on July 6^th, username "saintbirgittadotcom". The majority of this article’s sources are tangible books, as opposed to other websites, which at least superficially lends a sense of reliability. A interesting connection to note, an external link to saintbirgitta.com (the website who provided the film we posted a link to on July 6^th) can be found at the bottom of this article, but the website itself is not cited as a source.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Cryptic Website Written in Foreign Tongue, Supposedly Details a Film Clip Included in St. Birgitta.com's Promotional as Fiction
Jul.7.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.acurva.net/index2.php
This link was provided by YouTube content-provider, username “milkjosh”, as evidence that a segment included in the film we linked to on July 6^th was fictitious. However, while this seems to be an author’s note of some kind and it includes still shots from the film-in-question, it is written in a tongue I am unfamiliar with.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Original Montage Film, Claims to Show "Paranormal Ghost Spirits Killing People"
Jul.6.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdzU_dhfg
AY&NR=1
It seems this film was meant to provide a collection of videoed evidence asserting the existence of a supernatural spirit that can exist independently of the naturally occurring physiological body. At first unclear, it is revealed that this assertion is not meant to stand alone, but is also meant to help validate the importance of the “great commission”, the duty felt by some Christians to convert as many non-believers to their faith as possible in order to save their spirits from the tortures of the ethereal, post-mortem plane of existence widely called “Hell”. It is interesting to note, however, that the overwhelming majority of the filmed “evidence” provided by this film illustrates spirits that behave in violent and destructive patterns that are, according to folk knowledge, more descriptive of a poltergeist or demonic force, as opposed to a Hell-bound human soul. Also interesting to note is that at least one of the included pieces of “evidence” (spliced into the film at 8min36sec) has been pirated from another standalone film previously posted by many content-providers on YouTube, a film that has officially been declared a fake by at least one of those content-providers, username “milkjosh”. My first instinct is to assume that username “saintbirgittadotcom”, the content-provider of the main film-in-question, meant for this film to be a work of representative drama meant to illustrate an idea, as opposed to a work of necessary truth; however, the content-provider’s annotated comments suggest something more serious than just representative drama. Also interesting to note is how the content provider made the decision to isolate his/her +300,000 viewers from communication with each other by disabling the dedicated comment board. The only follow-up contact the viewer can make here is to follow the superimposed link, www.saintbirgitta.com, which seems to be a colloquial reference to the 14^th century Swedish saint, St. Bridget, who was made notable for her revelatory visions and founding the monastic Bridgettine Order.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

International Herald Tribune Article--- Americanized Gypsy Clans Engage in Turf War Over Fortune Telling Business
Jul.5.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/12/05/
america/NA-GEN-US-Gypsy-Turf-War.php

ReligionFacts.com Article Includes Blurb About Sadhu Cultural Artifacts and Theo-Supernatural Practices
Jul.4.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/
practices/sadhu.htm
One of the works cited by the Wikipedia article we linked to on July 3^rd, this particular second-hand content source is of particular importance in regards to the Sadhu practice as it includes a short, but precious, passage explaining some of the cultural artifacts and symbols used in their theo-supernatural practices
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Supplementary Wikipedia Article Detailing the Sadhu, Reclusive Holy Men With Theo-Supernatural Cultural Behaviors, Closely Related to the Yogi
Jul.3.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhu
“Sadhus” are often associated with, and occasionally considered synonymous with, the miracle-working “yogis” discussed in the pirated BBC film clip we linked to on July 2^nd. While today’s second-hand content source has been nominated to be checked for its neutrality by Wikipedia’s cybercommunity, and its cited sources are less-than-extensive, it still provides an interesting perspective on the theo-supernatural aspect of their work (blessings, curses, removal of the evil eye, cure-working, etc.), and the varied social reactions to that work and their general lifestyle, as well.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Pirated Documentary Clip--- Professional Skeptics Travel and Street Perform to Dispel Faith in the Theo-Supernatural Practices of the Yogi, or "God Men"
Jul.2.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2Kz8Fzru
vQ&NR=1
As someone with a foundation in legerdemain (sleight-of-hand, gimmicks, stage magic, etc.), I find it necessary to say upfront that, given enough time and resources, we can create the illusion of nearly anything... including things that are entirely too complicated for us to perform without trickery, but still technically possible for others to do without said trickery. So, while this man may be able to create the illusion of a genuine supernatural feat, it does not negate the possibility that other men may be able to perform said supernatural feat in earnest. An example that jumps to mind comes from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, an age in which the mechanical “iceless” refrigerators of today did not yet exist, and most refrigerators were kept cool with a large block of ice that had to be regularly replaced; this was an age that abounded with charlatans claiming to have invented the “iceless” refrigerator (a premise that seemed border-line supernatural in itself), which could save the household family a great deal of money on ice deliveries, but actually just hid the ice in secret compartments to give the illusion of artificial refrigeration. The point? Just because these charlatans could create the illusion of artificial refrigeration, didn’t actually negate the fact that the technology existed. In fact, the technology of artificial refrigeration had been developed and demonstrated (albeit impractically) as early as 1748, anno domini, by inventor William Cullen and, as we all know, would become streamlined and popular throughout the world by the mid twentieth century…… More on topic to the Beyond Logic Network’s human oriented feel, however, I don’t just suggest taking note of the psycho-cultural reactions of the villagers to the perceived presence of a “god man”, but taking note of the nuanced and contrasting psycho-cybercultural reaction that YouTube’s viewers had to the pirated film clip on the dedicated comment board. For instance, username “AEmylia24” commented that, “Interesting he's a banker, the ones who control society and governments. What they really want to do is crush cultural wisdom that heals and is in touch with the earth so they can control the population. The BBC are like the rest of the media - very controlled in what they put out.” And, in contrast, username “deshpanu” commented that, “…this is a street drama in Kannada language (south India - Bangalore). This troop go around educating village folks from getting cheated by any quaks…”
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Vintage Film Clip--- 19th Century Filmmaker, Georges Melies, Combines Stage Magic, Early Trick Photography and Legitimate Theo-Supernatural Lore
Jul.1.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du0FihLO
mwg&feature=related
Geroges Melies was one of the first filmmakers to discover and advance the art of "trick photography" in motion film and, as a stage seasoned magician, Melies saw opportunity. In this earlier era, the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the mainstream culture was largely unaware that trick photography was even possible, and therefore perceived the art the same way they perceived stage magic and other versions of legerdemain. For some reason, I have a vague memory from my youth of being told that this particular film, Le Cakewalk Infernal, was used in theo-supernatrual ritual ceremonies. This assertion is only strengthened by the fact that Satan (as he is portrayed here) takes the form of a trickster and partying reveler, and not a tormentor… in much the same vein as the voodoo lwa, Baron Samedi. Plus, taking into account that the “cakewalk” dance/music genre is of decidedly slave-era African-American origin, that voodoo is also of decidedly slave-era African American decent, that Baron Samedi is often said to come from the French-influenced variant of voodoo (as opposed to the Hispanic-influenced variants), and that Georges Melies was of French nationality… one is left wondering if there is a connection here. Of course this may all just be conjecture and illusory correlation but, even if it is, the overtones of dissonant element found in this film (with its legerdemain and theo-supernatural overtones) makes it worthy of remembrance.
[commentary by Ace Ashkuff]

Jun.30.2008
Announcement
In order to better serve you, the Beyond Logic Network will be undergoing renovations throughout the month of July. As such, however, content updates are expected be become infrequent until the 15th of August. Until then, we invite you to explore the current website and send any comments, questions or suggestions to YourInput@BeyondLogicNetwork.com

Experimental Film, Scene 5
June.29.2008
Film
Ace Ashkuff and some of the guys road trip to the state gun & knife show in Jacksonville. Additionally, Ashkuff finds himself poking around the Krishnas' "India Fest" event, meeting a new girl, and checking up on an unconcious pirate passed out on the side of the road.

Experimental Film, Scene 4
June.28.2008
Film
Finally returning home from his spring break, Ace Ashkuff and his friends find themselves made de facto announcers at a state-wide Judo tournament, witness an old-school breakdance fight, and stage a fist fight in a cinema parking lot.

Experimental Film, Scene 3
June.27.2008
Film
Following yet another lead he had picked up during his work with the preachers in Turlington Plaza, Ace Ashkuff investigates a so-called "witch cult" that has taken root in Palm Bay, and visits the private residence of their high priest.

Experimental Film, Scene 2
June.26.2008
Film
Following a lead he picked up at the Brevard county gun & knife show, Ace Ashkuff visits the home of one of the last shidoshi (ninja master) in the state for an interview.

Experimental Film, Scene 1
June.25.2008
Film
After completing his filming in Turlington Plaza, Ashkuff goes on spring break to St. Augustine to reconnect with two of his best friends. Along the way, he makes a new aquaintence in card-sharp pirate, Capt. William Mayhem.

Interview with Ace Ashkuff Regarding the Beyond Logic Network's Latest Set of Experimental Films
June.24.2008
Extended Film Project
Recently, the Beyond Logic Network released a number of experimental films exploring the possibility of a regular series documenting the exploits of Network executive partner, Ace Ashkuff. We sat down with him for an interview about it...

19th Century Filmmaker, Georges Melies, Combines Stage Magic and Early Trick Photography to Tear Off His Own Head Without the Use of a Gaffed Box or Cloth
Jun.23.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bLoStiQLBJI

Cellular Phone Company Builds Antenna in Church Tower
Jun.22.2008
Second-Hand Content
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/
04/24/church.cell.tower.wdtn?iref=
videosearch

Jun.21.2008
Second-Hand Content
"Ghosts dont keep their promises."
[traditional North Indian cultural knowledge, in reference to an exorcism conducted upon Taraka, a young bride who was violently possessed by the ghost of a deceased childhood firend in the late 1950's]

-Stanley & Ruth Freed, "Taraka's Ghost",
Conformity and Conflict

Jun.20.2007
Second-Hand Content
"Nevertheless, I had come at an opportune time, some said, for Jesus himself was due to arrive and usher in a new age in November."

-Stephen C. Leavitt, "Cargo Beliefs
and Religious Experience",
Conformity and Conflict

Jun.19.2008
Announcement
As of today, the Beyond Logic Network beta-version is officially online. Within the next four weeks, we hope to activate progressively more and more links in our navigation bar, likely starting with the |Films & Animation| section. Until then, we encourage you to check back with us daily, as we add second-hand content to supplement our current, though only temporary, lack of original content. As our Network website continues to grow, we'd also like to encourage you to send us feedback and suggestions at YourInput@BeyondLogicNetwork.com.

BackAlley Magïcs
June.14.2006
Network Event
By the evening of July 14th, 2006, the normally sleepy side streets of Historic Downtown Melbourne had swelled with a clamoring mob of nearly three thousand... a mob that collectively formed an audience intent on partaking in the merriment of the "Night of Music and Magic" promised by the headline of this month's convention of the Melbourne Friday Fest...

"Performing Magic on the Street and Stage"
Apr.9.2006
Network Event
Once every year, the immediate population of Tampa, Florida, spikes by roughly three to six thousand people... and then abruptly drops again four days later. This influx can be accredited to (or blamed on) the simultaneous pilgrimage of thousands of drama students into the area; all of whom are intent on participating in the annual Florida State Thespians Festival... and this year, the Beyond Logic Network is offering them a little extra surprise...

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