Travis Walton

[RonCollins]

So, I am not sure what to think of the Travis Walton story as he tells it on his site. How does this compare with other credible stories?

[Siani]

I'm also undecided re: Travis Walton. It could be a bona fide abduction, complete with witnesses, or it could just be an elaborate hoax. Did anyone other than Walton and his work colleagues report anything anomalous in the area at the time? If so, did they report it before knowing about the alleged abduction? Something like that would lend some credence to the whole story for me. Otherwise, I remain interested in the story, but also, somewhat sceptical or cautious.

[Aaron LeClair]

Originally Posted by Siani

I'm also undecided re: Travis Walton. It could be a bona fide abduction, complete with witnesses, or it could just be an elaborate hoax. Did anyone other than Walton and his work colleagues report anything anomalous in the area at the time? If so, did they report it before knowing about the alleged abduction? Something like that would lend some credence to the whole story for me. Otherwise, I remain interested in the story, but also, somewhat sceptical or cautious.

Some outsiders have been reported to have come forward. I heard this from Travis' mouth though and haven't confirmed it to my satisfaction.

I recall some interesting tree anomalies being reported in the area of his "abduction".

The Travis case is better than most cases. Only a few possible dents in it.

[TerraX]

Having read the story of Travis Walton in various books I was quite surprised to see a somewhat different account in the movie 'Fire In The Sky'. I guess that's Hollywood for you but nonetheless Walton could have taken steps. Anyone know why there's such a difference?
In my book the Walton case is one of the best out there. Many witnesses who claim the same thing, who took lie detector tests. Think 4 passed, 1 failed (second test he passed if my memory serves me right).

[Aaron LeClair]

Originally Posted by TerraX

Having read the story of Travis Walton in various books I was quite surprised to see a somewhat different account in the movie 'Fire In The Sky'. I guess that's Hollywood for you but nonetheless Walton could have taken steps. Anyone know why there's such a difference?
In my book the Walton case is one of the best out there. Many witnesses who claim the same thing, who took lie detector tests. Think 4 passed, 1 failed (second test he passed if my memory serves me right).

5 past initially I think, though Travis failed the first time due to getting angry. One person's was inconclusive. Some say due to shock, others say the test got interrupted or canceled due to other legal matters.

Travis says the reason for the difference was due to the director (i think it was the director at least) saying everyone is sick of greys. He wanted something different. Travis wasn't pleased with the movie.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

[Flatwoods]

The Travis Walton story is one of my favorite abduction cases, because it's so hard to explain away. That being said, I've come up with my own hypothesis:

Travis Walton and his friends witnessed a hovering disk of plasma that was caused by a localized electrostatic discharge. This sometimes happens when rainwater percolates downward through crystal formations within the bedrock. Anyway, unfortunate Travis walked into the plasma field and received a massive electrocution, which knocked him unconscious and terrified is associates. The electroshock may have induced hallucinations as well. After a few days, Travis awoke confused, scared, and barely able to recollect what had happened aside from a few, assorted hallucinations. His unconscious mind fabricated the rest.

[Aaron LeClair]

Originally Posted by Flatwoods

The Travis Walton story is one of my favorite abduction cases, because it's so hard to explain away. That being said, I've come up with my own hypothesis:

Travis Walton and his friends witnessed a hovering disk of plasma that was caused by a localized electrostatic discharge. This sometimes happens when rainwater percolates downward through crystal formations within the bedrock. Anyway, unfortunate Travis walked into the plasma field and received a massive electrocution, which knocked him unconscious and terrified is associates. The electroshock may have induced hallucinations as well. After a few days, Travis awoke confused, scared, and barely able to recollect what had happened aside from a few, assorted hallucinations. His unconscious mind fabricated the rest.

My "hypothesis" is he and others are lying, or he got fukin abducted by some things that we might as well call alien. I have a little less evidence for that than you and your plasma frisbee thingy though.

[Flatwoods]

I should say that my hypothesis is really just an idea; I've got no scientific data to back it up. To prove any of it, I would need to find a way to generate such a plasma field in the woods(maybe with a giant electrical coil or something), then convince a slightly buzzed lumberjack to walk over and touch it on a dare. I'll put in a request to Mythbusters.

[Aaron LeClair]

Originally Posted by Flatwoods

I should say that my hypothesis is really just an idea; I've got no scientific data to back it up. To prove any of it, I would need to find a way to generate such a plasma field in the woods(maybe with a giant electrical coil or something), then convince a slightly buzzed lumberjack to walk over and touch it on a dare. I'll put in a request to Mythbusters.

Tough to bust. Mythbusters are cool though.

Prob is, the witnesses saw a craft. Not just lights. And Travis was gone for days. He coulda been hidin out at his mommas, but who knows.

[fitzbew88]

Originally Posted by Flatwoods

I should say that my hypothesis is really just an idea; I've got no scientific data to back it up. To prove any of it, I would need to find a way to generate such a plasma field in the woods(maybe with a giant electrical coil or something), then convince a slightly buzzed lumberjack to walk over and touch it on a dare. I'll put in a request to Mythbusters.

Don't worry yet about "proving" that the Walton event was a natural phenomena.

Instead, try to determine if your theory has "legs".

- Is there a sound reason to believe that "...hovering disk[s] of plasma ...caused by a localized electrostatic discharge..[due to] rainwater percolat[ing] downward through crystal formations within the bedrock..." really do occur in nature? Or is this phenomena also just theoretical?

And if such plasmas really do occurr, could one be big enough to account for the witness descriptions?

And could the plasma stay extant long enough to account for the sighting?

Does the geology in the area support the theory?

- Is "electroshock" [electrocution] known to ever induce temporary amnesia? And keep Walton in a state that he could still find water but otherwise be oblivious for days? He definitely left the site of the event, and "escaped" folks that were searching for him in the area.

- Walton spent some time in medical care after the event. Should an entry point for such a discharge been visible? As far as I can remember, he was evaluated as merely slightly dehydrated.

I think it is wise to consider possible natural phenomena as a cause of this event. Although I don't think we could ever prove "electroshock" at this late date, we could possibly rule it out. That would be helpful.

We just have to be careful to make sure our "normal" explanation does not get more bizarre than our "paranormal" explanation (unknown intelligence).