The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched a balloon

into the upper atmosphere and discovered three strange new species of bacteria far more resistant to UV radiation than previously known strains. According to the ISRO, sufficient precautionary measures were used to make sure that the species were, in fact, picked up by the balloon in the stratosphere and not closer to earth. This PDF, from the International Journal of Astrobiology, states that “very small, bacteria-like particles” have been found as high as 41 kilometers into the atmosphere. The paper concludes with the suggestion that these particles, “too large to have originated from Earth” (since there is no viable way for them to reach such heights) may have originated from space. Imagine a gentle rain of alien invaders…

Last Tuesday I discovered unurthed while googling thoughtforms, and was too distracted to post anything, my apologies. Unurthed is a collection of fascinating hermetic images, such as this sasquatch

Mask carved by the Dorset Culture of the Point Barrow region in Alaska.

from an article on Szukalski’s science of Zermatism, this diagrammatic sand painting

The Shock Painting by Miguelito.

alongside an explication, and this illustration of life energy by Malcolm Thurnburn

from a discussion of Baron Fersen’s Science of Being.

Over the past week I’ve found two images that I’d like to share with y’all that exemplify the folk sci fi aesthetic that I’m trying to track here.

from lp lovers via ben aqua.

Folk sci fi happens when sci fi memes acquire new meanings in folk culture (outer space as salvation).

from mount olympus.

Folk sci fi is when images of modern technology manifest themselves in traditional crafts.