No topic in this day and age, other than religion, draws more opinions and theories than life after death. In all the latest polls 1 in every 3 Americans believes in ghosts. Considering our population that number is extremely high. Across the world I believe the number to be even higher with other countries passing down more ‘traditional’ beliefs and being more spiritual. With billions across the world choosing to believe in a spiritual realm, why is it that science tends to disagree with the masses? Many people reporting to have some sort of experience with the paranormal are considered to be delusional or mentally ill. So with science completely turning their back on the belief in ghosts, why is it that the field of the paranormal is being over-run by equipment deemed worthy of proving the existence of spirits scientifically?
Tune in to your favorite paranormal show and witness for yourself the latest breakthrough in technology to prove ghosts are in fact real. Each week, there seems to be some new piece of equipment more high-tech than its competition, to better document evidence with a scientific basis. My question is, am I the only one that thinks this is a little strange? As many of you know in the field of the paranormal, we all strive to catch the perfect full body apparition in a photograph. We all wish to carry on the most clear cut conversation with a spirit through an EVP session. I think most of all we desperately want to capture a ghost on video manifesting itself to be forever shown as the ultimate proof, “yes they do exist.”
Sadly, some of this technology, that once helped take paranormal investigating to the next level, is now taking its toll on the credibility of the evidence recorded. Look at the latest app on your phone that will place an apparition in any picture. With so many people unfortunately faking evidence it makes it harder for us that ACTUALLY try to document real evidence. For instance, say you are in a haunted location alone, and you witness the apparition of a small child and snap a picture. You just captured the full body of this spirit and now you have the proof that you need to shock the world. I will take it one step further. Say you are sitting in a room alone, just you and your camera. Suddenly a ghost makes its presence known by manifesting itself completely in front of you. You end up having an hour long conversation with this spirit that is documented on film. Surely that is enough proof to change everyone’s mind, right? Wrong! No matter what we do as investigators, no matter how many class ‘A’ EVPS we record, or pictures of apparitions that we take, or even perfect video evidence recorded, it will STILL be discredited by some. So, why do we do what we do if even perfect evidence, that cannot be debunked, will still be considered fake? My opinion, it’s all about the experience.
Anyone that has ever come in contact with a force from the other side will in fact admit there is nothing like it. You cannot prepare yourself for what you witnessed, no matter how hard you try or how many times you go over it in your head, it still leaves you speechless. The greatest evidence ever captured does not compare to an amazing personal experience with the unknown. I feel we all do this, not only to prove its existence, but somewhere deep down inside, we want to see more. Even if we are alone, on the third floor of a haunted hotel, with no equipment to document any evidence we might come across. A part of us wishes to glance up and see something out of this world. Even though most will immediately flee upon the sight, it does not cancel out the event. I truly believe every investigator strives, not for the perfect evidence, but the perfect experience that they never will forget.
No matter what proof we show scientists, most will still turn their nose up at us, refusing to accept the facts. It is oddly amusing that with so much controversy on the subject, you would think they would do a little more research. I do not mean from behind a desk with their nose in a book. No! Why not place themselves in the line of fire, why not prove us wrong? How easy is it for them to gain access to a haunted location for an evening of testing theories and myths? The reason they stay away is simple, they are afraid. Fear will humble even the loudest critic.
I am not saying stop trying to collect evidence. All I suggest is, we need to stop relying on science so much, especially when we are all labeled a bunch of ‘wackos’ for doing what we do. Never forget the greatest experiences are the most personal. And that is what we strive for. A personal experience that we can we can hold on to, that was shared with us from the other side. All the investigators I know would love to prove the unexplainable, scientifically, but until we can, we will continue to rely on our experiences to help us better understand, what is out there, and continue forging forward in this unknown field, trying to find answers.
By: Brandon Boston
The issue with the scientific method is that for a theory to be accepted, it must be subjected to a series of controlled experiments with repeatable outcomes. Unfortunately, going to hang out at a reputedly haunted location is a very uncontrolled environment compared to an actual lab. Science is not about keeping your nose in a book, but about research and experimentation. I would like to see more of the ghost hunting community have a stronger background in science rather than hear them complain about how scientists discount them. A better understanding of the scientific method and actual lab experience would give the field much more credibility. A good grounding in lab procedure, basic chemistry, biology and physics as well as passing understanding of the cutting edge fields of quantum physics would go a long ways in giving the ghost hunting field credibility.
ReplyDeleteLee, I agree that the scientific method is hard to use in this field, and that producing repeatable outcomes even more difficult. But I think that even were it so, there would still be nay-sayers in the world who chose not to believe, for what ever reason. The personal experience often gets discounted or ignored completely when it comes to a paranormal experience. I understand that human recollections are fallible and subject to emotional trauma, but a lot of the time a paranormal occurrence can not be planned or timed. I think what Brandon is trying to say is instead of snubbing the community, those with the degrees in quantum physics, and other fields, should consider applying those skills to help discover what is going on. The personal experience is all that we, as investigators, sometimes have to go on. Not saying it's proof or that it's enough, but Brandon is making the point that this is part of the reason why we do what we do. :-)
ReplyDeletePaul
I agree, but the scientific community is well established and the ghost hunting field as we have it today is relatively new. As a result it is the ghost hunting community that needs to be the ones to reach out. I agree that there are problems with the scientific method because not all events are repeatable and it is not always realistic to be in full control of an environment to do experiments. There are also cases of cultural bias within the scientific community which I have seen and pointed out in the past. (Stephen Jay Gould’s The Mismeasure of Man is a great work that discusses tragic bias in the scientific community.) I feel that in the case of the paranormal, there are forces in play that difficult to measure or control. I am just frustrated by some of the posts I am seeing from the ghost hunting community that shows a very poor understanding of science and how science is done.
DeleteI agree with a lot of what you say. I think that there is a communication problem between the scientific community and paranormal community. The problem doesn't lie with one, but with both. I would like to see a more collaborative effort on both sides. Maybe one day there will be a joining of the two that is beneficial to all involved.
ReplyDeletePaul