I'm no expert, but it seems that certain types of electro-magnetic fields have the interesting side-effect of creating that "I'm being watched" feeling among other stuff.  I've seen the term "fear cage" bandied about…

He might consider getting his co-workers to kick in on a "spy-cam" to see if they can figure out what's going on…  The sort of stuff you describe is most likely to be kids messing around – or even one of his co-workers trying to be funny…

Little cams can be had surprisingly cheap – not to mention it's probably just good insurance for "the boss."

Always eliminate all the "normal" options before considering the para-

HTH…

DD

Oubliette said:

…

The debate over whether EMFs even have any effect on humans, either phyically or mentally, has been raging for quite a while now.  For a while some folks had been warning about the use of cell phones causing various brain illnesses.    I really think that, despite some paranormal non-scientists wholeheartedly believing that the effects do indeed exist, the jury is still out and will probably be for some time yet.  Keep in mind that there is a difference between ionizing and non-ionizing electro-magnetic radiations.  The latter is the type that is usually found in our normal environments, and so far at least seems to have very little effect on living beings.

…

I'm no expert, and make no claims to be anything of the sort.  I deliberately tried to make clear that I'm not convinced about the whole "fear cage" hypothesis, though I think it logical that electromagnetic energy could have undocumented effects on a human brain.  I've seen simple magnets cause computer systems to go haywire, thus have no problem with the possibility that stronger fields could affect the brain's weaker signals. 

Still, I didn't mean to give the impression the matter was in any way settled.  Sorry if I gave a wrong impression – I'll try to be more clear in the future…

That said,Sweden declared "electro-sensitivity" a "physical impairment" in 2000 and Britain followed suit in 2005 (POPS).

A simple Google search for "electromagnetic radiation neurobiology (POPS)" produces a gazillion results.  I had a detailed scholarly article wherein a study found exposure to high EMF produced paranoia as well as some auditory and visual hallucinations – but I lost it in a computer crash.  If anyone knows what I am referring to I would deeply appreciate a link.

I'm not convinced either way – you're absolutely correct that "the jury is still out" – but I think there's more than enough evidence to consider it plausible.  Put another way, high EMF in a location is something that can be relatively easily tested, and thus eliminated as a possibility.  Obviously "anecdotes do not equal data" but OTOH where there is smoke one can often find fire….

I doubt this matter will EVER be considered "settled" – as we all know, almost any outcome can be achieved with sufficient funding.  I'll lay odds that any future study finding a firm link will be matched by one which denies any such link exists.  Personally, I tend to expect that too much money is involved to allow a damaging study to go unchallenged, but then I'm a "follow-the-money" cynic of the most vile sort…

Respectfully,

DD

PS:  As an interesting aside, our soldiers and .gov have used "hardened" displays in the field and for "classified" info for years because it has been proven possible to reconstruct monitor images at several hundred yards distance – with easily available equipment – based only on the EMF given off by an old-school CRT.  Standard building construction proved no obstacle.  Even current LCD displays can be reconstructed at great distances though this requires much more high-end processing equipment.

Stephen said:

The "fear cage" is another term for electromagnetic (or EMF) sensitivity. I wrote up an article about ES here.

Neat stuff – thanks for sharing!

There really is so much pure CRAP out there, and unfortunately so many people convinced it is true.  I could easily go to any number of sites and post this:

One great example is the recent discovery of Orgone Blasters.  I have orgone blasters around my house and I've never seen any demons, nor aliens, and have never been abducted in my sleep — this is 100% positive PROOF that orgone blasters WORK! – plus, they even "neutralize the evilness of the chemtrails and ELF towers!!"

My spirit guide told me to put sea salt in all the corners of all the rooms in my house because "Hot, sticky, electrical cobwebs and congealed clumps of static energy accumulate in all the corners".  After doing this, adding a spiritually-infused crystal to my medicine bag, and smudging my pillows with faery faeces, I rarely need to wear my AFDB any more! 

I'll lay odds that if I did, I'd get a dozen posts agreeing with me before I got one asking me when I stopped taking my meds.

I can't decide if that is funny, sad, scary, or some combination of these and more.

There's so much we just don't understand.  I've had personal experiences that defy explanation – by which I mean we don't have the technology to quantify them – not that they will never be explained but rather that we haven't yet figured them out. 

To me, the biggest problem we have is that there seems to be too fine a line between "if it can't be reproduced in a lab it doesn't exist" and the sort of wackiness I linked above.

Just a short 1.5 centuries ago, the finest medical minds in the world believed "bad air" caused disease and bathing would make people sick by exposing too much skin to the "vapors."  If we'd tried to tell them that little tiny organisms too small to see were responsible, most would have considered us certifiably insane.

Today, the finest medical minds are discovering that stone-age remedies known to the Amazon tribes a millenium ago may not only have some use, but may even hold the cure for until-now incurable diseases!

IMHO, truth unquestionably lies somewhere between the staunchest-imaginable "scientific" atheist and people like THIS GUY.  Just because we can't currently "prove" something doesn't make it false, and just because it seems "right" doesn't mean it is true.

All that said – coming full circle – I think it's worthwhile to consider EMF as a possible partial explanation for otherwise unexplained coincidences. 

Getting back "on topic" I also think that any site – especially those undergoing remodeling – where "paranormal" activity seems to occur should also be checked for mold spores, carbon monoxide, radon and other organic and artificial toxins and pollutants – all of these could produce mild hallucinations, and I'm inclined to believe some combination of the above account for a majority of "remodel-hauntings."

Lastly, I'd like to again thank our hosts and my fellow posters for making this such a great place.  It's really nice to be able to correspond with intelligent and open-minded people who also have a healthy dose of skepticism…  Every other forum seems to be filled with either true-believers or abrasive deniers, both of whom will immediately pile on any dissenting voice like buzzards on ripe 'possum.

As you may have noticed, I enjoy a good "debate", love to learn from others, and hope to never become so arrogant and egotistical as to think I have it all figured out.

Thanks again!!

DD