D. Scott Rogo

D. Scott Rogo (1950-1990) was an American writer, journalist, and researcher who focused on parapsychology. He authored or co-authored twenty books and over one hundred articles, with some of his works being reissued posthumously. Rogo was associated with organizations like the Psychical Research Foundation and Maimonides Medical Center.

Educated in music and graduating summa cum laude in 1972, Rogo also had a professional music career before dedicating himself to his parapsychological studies. He served as a consulting editor for Fate Magazine, where he called for greater engagement from both researchers and skeptics in the field. His notable works include "Phone Calls From The Dead" (with Raymond Bayless), which explored alleged paranormal communication via telephones, and "The Haunted Universe," where he proposed that phenomena like UFOs and Bigfoot might be psychic projections from observers' minds.

Rogo's life ended prematurely when he was murdered in 1990 at the age of 40. The case remains unsolved, despite an initial conviction that was later overturned. In his memory, the Parapsychology Foundation established an award for parapsychological literature. While recognized by some as a leading authority on the history of psychical research, Rogo also faced criticism from peers and skeptics for perceived poor scholarship, credulity, and advocacy of nonfalsifiable hypotheses.

D. Scott Rogo dedicated his prolific writing career to exploring the vast landscape of parapsychology. He investigated a wide array of phenomena, from alleged spirit communications through telephone calls, as detailed in his book "Phone Calls From The Dead," to more unconventional theories. In "The Haunted Universe," Rogo posited a fascinating hypothesis that seemingly external paranormal events, such as sightings of UFOs or cryptids like Bigfoot, could originate as psychic projections emanating from the minds of the individuals experiencing them. This perspective suggested a profound connection between consciousness and the manifestation of the unexplained, blurring the lines between subjective experience and objective reality. His work often delved into areas like astral projection, psychokinesis, and survival of death, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the field's inquiries.

Throughout his career, Rogo authored or co-authored twenty books and contributed over one hundred articles to various magazines and journals, solidifying his presence in the parapsychological community. His active involvement with institutions such as the Psychical Research Foundation and Maimonides Medical Center underscored his commitment to empirical investigation. Rogo also served as a consulting editor for Fate Magazine, where he actively promoted a more inclusive approach to parapsychological research, encouraging both dedicated investigators and skeptical minds to participate. His academic background, including a summa cum laude graduation in music, provided a unique lens through which he approached his later esoteric studies, occasionally drawing parallels between the structure of music and the patterns of consciousness.

Despite his significant output and dedication, D. Scott Rogo's work was not without its critics. Some within the parapsychology establishment faulted his scholarship, suggesting it led to inaccurate conclusions. Skeptics, like Joe Nickell, characterized Rogo as overly credulous, pointing out instances where he allegedly overlooked naturalistic explanations for phenomena he presented as evidence for miracles or paranormal events. Science writer Terence Hines also noted Rogo's advocacy for nonfalsifiable hypotheses, a characteristic often associated with pseudoscience. Nevertheless, Rogo is remembered by some, such as George P. Hansen, as a leading authority on the history of psychical research, possessing unparalleled breadth of historical knowledge. The Parapsychology Foundation established an award in his name to honor authors in the field, acknowledging his enduring impact.