Carl%20Sagan%20-%20The%20Demon%20Haunted%20World

THE DEMON-HAUNTED WORLD
large and rare crystal, enters him and utters the wisdom of the
ages.
Included in the press kit was a list of major appearances in
American cities, a videotape of the tumultuous reception that
Alvarez/Carlos received at a Broadway theatre, his interview on
New York radio station WOOP, and other indications that here
was a formidable American New Age phenomenon. Two small
substantiating details: an article from a South Florida newspaper
read, 'THEATER NOTE: The three-day stay of channeler CAR­
LOS has been extended at the War Memorial Auditorium ... in
response to the requests for further appearances', and an excerpt
from a television programme guide listed a special on 'THE
ENTITY CARLOS: This in-depth study reveals the facts behind
one of today's most popular and controversial personalities'.
Alvarez and his manager arrived in Sydney first class on
Qantas. They travelled everywhere in an enormous white stretch
limousine. They occupied the Presidential Suite of one of the
city's most prestigious hotels. Alvarez was attired in an elegant
white gown with a golden medallion. In his first press conference,
Carlos quickly emerged. The entity was forceful, literate, commanding.
Australian television programmes quickly lined up for
appearances by Alvarez, his manager, and his nurse (to check his
pulse and announce the presence of Carlos).
On Australia's Today Show, they were interviewed by the host,
George Negus. When Negus posed a few reasonable and sceptical
questions, the New Agers exhibited very thin skins. Carlos laid a
curse on the anchorman. His manager doused Negus with a glass
of water. Both stalked off the set. It was a sensation in the tabloid
press, its significance rehashed on Australian television. 'TV
Outburst: Water Thrown at Negus', was the front-page headline
in the 16 February 1988 Daily Mirror. Television stations were
flooded with calls. One Sydney citizen advised taking the curse on
Negus very seriously: the army of Satan had already assumed
control of the United Nations, he said, and Australia might be
next.
Carlos's next appearance was on the Australian version of A
Current Affair. A sceptic was brought in who described a magician's
trick by which the pulse in one hand is made briefly to stop:
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