In moments of survival, people have claimed to sense a mysterious presence that helps them through hard times and leads them to safety. From expeditions through the Arctic, to escaping the World Trade Center during 9/11, what’s come to be known as the Third Man Factor has reportedly saved dozens if not hundreds of lives. The question is – is it our own survival mechanism or some supernatural force?
Photo of Sir Ernest Shackleton (second from left) and his team who all claimed to experience the Third Man Factor on their Arctic Expedition. Courtesy of DailyMail.co.uk
Image of Ron DiFrancesco who claimed to experience the Third Man Factor in escaping the World Trade Center during 9/11. Photo courtesy of Heidi Ulrichsen and Subury.com
Jerry Linenger, doctor and astronaut who claimed to experience the Third Man Factor while on the Mir Space Station. Photo courtesy of NASA and Wikipedia.com
Episode Source Material
BOOKS
ACADEMIC PAPERS
WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA/MESSAGE BOARDS
- Third man syndrome. (website).
- Third man syndrome: spiritual phenomenon or survival mechanism? (online article).
- I just learned about “third man syndrome” and can’t stop thinking about it, so here are 23 stories from people who experienced it themselves. (online article).
- Guardian angels or “the third man factor”? (online article).
- Is “the third man” phenomena proof of guardian angels? (online article).
- Largest study of prayer to date finds it has now power to heal. (online article).
- As fewer profess faith, research shows religion and spirituality improve well-being, mental health. (online article).
- Grytviken. (Wikipedia entry).
- John Geiger. (online profile).
- Angel and demon. (Encyclopedia entry).
- Humans who become angels. (blog entry).
- Ernest H. Shackleton. (website).
- Distance from Weddell Sea to Elephant Island (Google auto-generated answer).
- Timeline: the September 11 terrorist attacks. (website).
- Ann Bancroft. (online encyclopedia entry).