This is something that I have been asking myself a lot lately.
Two and a half years ago, I started searching the internet for information about the paranormal because of experiences I had as a child as well as some throughout my life. Without even really being sure what it was I was looking for at first, I began to look over some of the paranormal-related websites with people looking for the same kinds of answers. This in turn got me interested enough to join a couple, Debunk Paranormal being one of them. And somewhere in my interest of the paranormal and what might be 'out there', I gained a whole wealth of information and a brand new perspective. Now I examine the many causes for symptoms or activity that may seem paranormal. Debunking is now something that I automatically set out to do when I hear someone ask for advice or help about something 'weird' going on. I've learned a lot and I like to share what I learn. I'm by no means done, and yet I am feeling somewhat at a crossroads.
I see burnout happen to really good people who this field needs. I also see people who start out looking for the truth and end up selling out for the politics of television and media. I see people hawking 'paranormal unity' when all it means is unity among people who are like minded anyway...not about bridging differences or learning from one another. In an ideal world, there would be unity among people in all things, not just the paranormal..and a look around the world will show you how well THAT is working out.
I don't want to burn out, nor do I ever see myself selling out. I am not so naive to believe that paranormal unity can be achieved as long as people are going to present absolute bullshit and call it a demon or an 'energy ribbon' or whatever. In my opinion, data should be presented as 'we don't know what this is' and then be open to sharing EXIF information and other clearer pictures of the same area at different times. But that is often not what I see when I look around at what is presented as paranormal. I can't be okay with that, and I will speak out against it on any platform that lets me. I appreciate sites like this because truth is promoted rather than a bunch of BS.
Sooo....I guess I answered my own question. Where do I go? The answer is forward. I will continue to speak up. I will continue researching to find answers. I will not go along with the crowd to please others. I may not ever know things like where did we come from or why are we here in the first place. But I am finding answers and reasons for what causes people to think they have experienced something spiritual or paranormal. I have been able to put a lot of 'ghosts' to rest, so to speak. And I still believe after all of that, there are things that don't fit into an explainable box. But we are never going to get closer to finding out what those explanations might be if poor photography and claims of being 'warriors' or worse 'demon hunters' continue. Things like this are misleading, and just plain wrong.
And I for one am not going to shut up.
Two and a half years ago, I started searching the internet for information about the paranormal because of experiences I had as a child as well as some throughout my life. Without even really being sure what it was I was looking for at first, I began to look over some of the paranormal-related websites with people looking for the same kinds of answers. This in turn got me interested enough to join a couple, Debunk Paranormal being one of them. And somewhere in my interest of the paranormal and what might be 'out there', I gained a whole wealth of information and a brand new perspective. Now I examine the many causes for symptoms or activity that may seem paranormal. Debunking is now something that I automatically set out to do when I hear someone ask for advice or help about something 'weird' going on. I've learned a lot and I like to share what I learn. I'm by no means done, and yet I am feeling somewhat at a crossroads.
I see burnout happen to really good people who this field needs. I also see people who start out looking for the truth and end up selling out for the politics of television and media. I see people hawking 'paranormal unity' when all it means is unity among people who are like minded anyway...not about bridging differences or learning from one another. In an ideal world, there would be unity among people in all things, not just the paranormal..and a look around the world will show you how well THAT is working out.
I don't want to burn out, nor do I ever see myself selling out. I am not so naive to believe that paranormal unity can be achieved as long as people are going to present absolute bullshit and call it a demon or an 'energy ribbon' or whatever. In my opinion, data should be presented as 'we don't know what this is' and then be open to sharing EXIF information and other clearer pictures of the same area at different times. But that is often not what I see when I look around at what is presented as paranormal. I can't be okay with that, and I will speak out against it on any platform that lets me. I appreciate sites like this because truth is promoted rather than a bunch of BS.
Sooo....I guess I answered my own question. Where do I go? The answer is forward. I will continue to speak up. I will continue researching to find answers. I will not go along with the crowd to please others. I may not ever know things like where did we come from or why are we here in the first place. But I am finding answers and reasons for what causes people to think they have experienced something spiritual or paranormal. I have been able to put a lot of 'ghosts' to rest, so to speak. And I still believe after all of that, there are things that don't fit into an explainable box. But we are never going to get closer to finding out what those explanations might be if poor photography and claims of being 'warriors' or worse 'demon hunters' continue. Things like this are misleading, and just plain wrong.
And I for one am not going to shut up.
Lately, I have been seeing a lot of teams talk about the dangers of some type
of spirit or entity attaching themselves and following an investigator home
from a location. Now I try not to be too cynical about things,
especially when I am a researcher, not a hands-on investigator. Personal
beliefs about the whole idea of something following a person home and causing
negative activity aside, I do think there are some very real risks in
paranormal investigating. Not of a spiritual or paranormal nature,
but rather very explainable and real issues that need to be cause for
concern.
Asbestos, mold, and other building toxins are issues that all investigators should educate themselves about, especially if it is a team that does a lot of historic or previously abandoned locations. Many old buildings and homes built before 1970 had asbestos in the insulation. Its fire-resistant properties made it popular for use in building structures but it was later discovered that once the fibers start to fall apart and become airborne, the risk for lung cancer and other serious respiratory diseases increased.
While the real danger in asbestos comes from long-term exposure, it is important to note that many older dilapidated structures have friable asbestos which means it is falling out of the walls and ceilings. This is always a concern for health risks. The same is true of mold in the structure that gets disturbed. It is a good idea to wear some type of mask or covering when spending time in these locations, and make sure the area is as ventilated as possible. Better yet, avoid locations that are in need of serious repair. Collapsing floorboards, nails sticking through, feral animals foraging around, and even the possibility of someone hiding there from a break-in are real concerns.
If your team is going to one of these older places, first make sure it has been cleared by the state's chapter of the Environmental Protection Agency for people to be there. Make sure there is a first aid kit on hand for any minor injuries. Visit the location during the day if there is going to be an investigation at night. This way, you and your team will be aware of any structural issues and what spots need to be avoided for safety's sake. And of course, it goes without saying, (but I'll say it anyway) that a team should NEVER go to a location without express written permission from the owner with law enforcement having been contacted prior if the location is otherwise abandoned.
Clients that give cause for concern are another issue that should be addressed. The pre-investigation screening and interviews of the clients should weed out any potential problems, but there is always the possibility of dealing with someone that is mentally unstable. This can lead to problems that are simply annoying to downright dangerous. For this reason, investigators should never be left alone by themselves in any part of the property. This will deter an unbalanced person from trying to accuse the team of theft or inappropriate behavior. There should also be a password that will alert all team members to pack up and leave a location immediately if an emergency situation arises because of a client.
Again, I want to stress that I am not putting down people who take measures to protect against the possibilities of negative spirits. There is nothing in the world wrong with having a protection prayer before investigating or whatever ritual brings peace of mind. I'm not going to say that the possibility of negative spirits is complete bullshit simply because I am not going to presume to know everything. In my opinion though, there needs to be more of an emphasis on the real risks rather than the possibilities of spirits attaching themselves.
For the love of Pete, we are NOT warriors! We are researchers. We are learning every day, or at least we're supposed to be. Enough of the "you don't know what you're messing with!!" attitude. Just be smart, be aware, and be careful. And always be more wary of the living than fearful of the dead.
Asbestos, mold, and other building toxins are issues that all investigators should educate themselves about, especially if it is a team that does a lot of historic or previously abandoned locations. Many old buildings and homes built before 1970 had asbestos in the insulation. Its fire-resistant properties made it popular for use in building structures but it was later discovered that once the fibers start to fall apart and become airborne, the risk for lung cancer and other serious respiratory diseases increased.
While the real danger in asbestos comes from long-term exposure, it is important to note that many older dilapidated structures have friable asbestos which means it is falling out of the walls and ceilings. This is always a concern for health risks. The same is true of mold in the structure that gets disturbed. It is a good idea to wear some type of mask or covering when spending time in these locations, and make sure the area is as ventilated as possible. Better yet, avoid locations that are in need of serious repair. Collapsing floorboards, nails sticking through, feral animals foraging around, and even the possibility of someone hiding there from a break-in are real concerns.
If your team is going to one of these older places, first make sure it has been cleared by the state's chapter of the Environmental Protection Agency for people to be there. Make sure there is a first aid kit on hand for any minor injuries. Visit the location during the day if there is going to be an investigation at night. This way, you and your team will be aware of any structural issues and what spots need to be avoided for safety's sake. And of course, it goes without saying, (but I'll say it anyway) that a team should NEVER go to a location without express written permission from the owner with law enforcement having been contacted prior if the location is otherwise abandoned.
Clients that give cause for concern are another issue that should be addressed. The pre-investigation screening and interviews of the clients should weed out any potential problems, but there is always the possibility of dealing with someone that is mentally unstable. This can lead to problems that are simply annoying to downright dangerous. For this reason, investigators should never be left alone by themselves in any part of the property. This will deter an unbalanced person from trying to accuse the team of theft or inappropriate behavior. There should also be a password that will alert all team members to pack up and leave a location immediately if an emergency situation arises because of a client.
Again, I want to stress that I am not putting down people who take measures to protect against the possibilities of negative spirits. There is nothing in the world wrong with having a protection prayer before investigating or whatever ritual brings peace of mind. I'm not going to say that the possibility of negative spirits is complete bullshit simply because I am not going to presume to know everything. In my opinion though, there needs to be more of an emphasis on the real risks rather than the possibilities of spirits attaching themselves.
For the love of Pete, we are NOT warriors! We are researchers. We are learning every day, or at least we're supposed to be. Enough of the "you don't know what you're messing with!!" attitude. Just be smart, be aware, and be careful. And always be more wary of the living than fearful of the dead.
I apologize if this topic has been covered. I would like to focus on physical
symptoms of toxins that can occur which may feel paranormal to someone.
It is part of why it is so important to pull an EPA report on the area of a
client investigation.
I read people talking about skin rashes or welts that seem to appear out of nowhere and with no definitive cause. What is bothering me is how often I see someone pop up claiming to be a "demon doctor" or a "banishing expert" or God help us all..a "certified demonologist", and will say that these welts are the result of a demonic attack. Now granted, anyone who is going to buy that load of crap may need a serious reality check, but the beef I have is with those who take advantage of people that are afraid of what is happening to them. As investigators, we have to educate ourselves on all possible causes for symptoms. We are not doctors, nor should we try to diagnose. After all, there are many other things besides toxins that can cause a skin rash, such as stress and allergies. These are simply things to keep in mind and to check for if this comes up in a client's questionnaire.
Unfortunately, toxins cannot be completely avoided, which is why it is important to learn what is in our air, water, land, and in our homes. In a client case, it is important to find out what they do for a living and what toxins they may be exposed to in their work environment. If it does indeed turn out to be a physical reaction to an environmental toxin, steps can be taken to avoid the problem. Doctors (not the demon kind..I mean the ones who actually went to medical school) can be seen for treatment. And best of all..you don't have to stink up the house with sage or fling one drop of holy water!
Some of the toxins that should be looked for if a client includes bizarre skin irritations as part of their paranormal claims are:
1) Formaldehyde; Found in a variety of products such as glues, wood resins and preservatives, insulation, particleboard, nail polish, paints, enamels, and many other things in the home. It is also found in maple syrup made in the U.S. and toothpaste. Check for any changes in use of these items or if there has been recent remodeling or any reason that insulation or wood exterior is being disturbed. Also check to see if anyone has recently gotten a job exposing them to this chemical.
2) Chromium: Chromium III naturally occurs in many foods such as fruits, vegetables, yeasts, and grains. Our bodies need a certain amount of it, but as with anything else, too much can be toxic and cause skin rashes. Storing grains in bins for long periods of time can concentrate the levels of chromium III. Chromium is also used in alloy metals such as steel to resist damage and give a mirrored finish. Chromium IV is used in the manufacture of magentic tape and is much more toxic.
3)Pesticides: The effects from dermal exposure to DEET can cause skin irritation, although it is a small number in relation to the many people who use it. Pesticides used in farming end up in the drinking water and food that we eat, and depending on the person's sensitivity and amount of exposure, can cause skin irritations even in short term use.
4)Food and cosmetic colors: D & C Red 30 Lake, D & C Violet 2, Direct Black 38, Ext. D & C Violet 2, FD & C Blue 1, FD & C Green 3, FD & C Yellow 5, FD & D Yellow 5 Aluminium Lake, FD & C Yellow 6, are all skin irritants.found in many cosmetics, bath and beauty products, and foods.
As in all things, look at each explainable possibility for an answer to a client's concerns. Keep in mind that by the time a client calls in a paranormal team, they often believe that they have tried everything else and are at their wits end. As investigators we need to be objective and help them rule out all explainable causes to see if they have missed anything. A good idea would be for a client to take documented inventory of recent changes in cosmetics or foods as well as a check of household cleaning products. If anyone in the home has recently gotten a job that exposes them to a toxic chemical, it should be noted. The investigators can pull a toxicology report from the Environmental Protection Agency to see what might be in the air, water, or ground of the area.
But what if only one person in a family or living arrangement is suffering mysterious rashes or welts? Quite simply, everyone has different sensitivities to chemicals and not everyone who is exposed is going to have a physical reaction.
In my opinion, the last thing a client needs to hear is a testimonial of how great someone is at removing a demon when a claim such as skin rashes or welts is made. The FIRST thing on our minds should be the client and their health..not a half-assed theory of how "demons always make themselves known by scratching or biting their victims". Really now? THAT'S moving this field forward? No! The truth will. And the truth is that a skin rash or welts that appear suddenly are most likely caused by something environmental and it needs to be found and addressed.
Information for this blog was obtained from the following links.
http://www.invisiblekillers.
http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/riskassess.htm
http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cr.htm
I read people talking about skin rashes or welts that seem to appear out of nowhere and with no definitive cause. What is bothering me is how often I see someone pop up claiming to be a "demon doctor" or a "banishing expert" or God help us all..a "certified demonologist", and will say that these welts are the result of a demonic attack. Now granted, anyone who is going to buy that load of crap may need a serious reality check, but the beef I have is with those who take advantage of people that are afraid of what is happening to them. As investigators, we have to educate ourselves on all possible causes for symptoms. We are not doctors, nor should we try to diagnose. After all, there are many other things besides toxins that can cause a skin rash, such as stress and allergies. These are simply things to keep in mind and to check for if this comes up in a client's questionnaire.
Unfortunately, toxins cannot be completely avoided, which is why it is important to learn what is in our air, water, land, and in our homes. In a client case, it is important to find out what they do for a living and what toxins they may be exposed to in their work environment. If it does indeed turn out to be a physical reaction to an environmental toxin, steps can be taken to avoid the problem. Doctors (not the demon kind..I mean the ones who actually went to medical school) can be seen for treatment. And best of all..you don't have to stink up the house with sage or fling one drop of holy water!
Some of the toxins that should be looked for if a client includes bizarre skin irritations as part of their paranormal claims are:
1) Formaldehyde; Found in a variety of products such as glues, wood resins and preservatives, insulation, particleboard, nail polish, paints, enamels, and many other things in the home. It is also found in maple syrup made in the U.S. and toothpaste. Check for any changes in use of these items or if there has been recent remodeling or any reason that insulation or wood exterior is being disturbed. Also check to see if anyone has recently gotten a job exposing them to this chemical.
2) Chromium: Chromium III naturally occurs in many foods such as fruits, vegetables, yeasts, and grains. Our bodies need a certain amount of it, but as with anything else, too much can be toxic and cause skin rashes. Storing grains in bins for long periods of time can concentrate the levels of chromium III. Chromium is also used in alloy metals such as steel to resist damage and give a mirrored finish. Chromium IV is used in the manufacture of magentic tape and is much more toxic.
3)Pesticides: The effects from dermal exposure to DEET can cause skin irritation, although it is a small number in relation to the many people who use it. Pesticides used in farming end up in the drinking water and food that we eat, and depending on the person's sensitivity and amount of exposure, can cause skin irritations even in short term use.
4)Food and cosmetic colors: D & C Red 30 Lake, D & C Violet 2, Direct Black 38, Ext. D & C Violet 2, FD & C Blue 1, FD & C Green 3, FD & C Yellow 5, FD & D Yellow 5 Aluminium Lake, FD & C Yellow 6, are all skin irritants.found in many cosmetics, bath and beauty products, and foods.
As in all things, look at each explainable possibility for an answer to a client's concerns. Keep in mind that by the time a client calls in a paranormal team, they often believe that they have tried everything else and are at their wits end. As investigators we need to be objective and help them rule out all explainable causes to see if they have missed anything. A good idea would be for a client to take documented inventory of recent changes in cosmetics or foods as well as a check of household cleaning products. If anyone in the home has recently gotten a job that exposes them to a toxic chemical, it should be noted. The investigators can pull a toxicology report from the Environmental Protection Agency to see what might be in the air, water, or ground of the area.
But what if only one person in a family or living arrangement is suffering mysterious rashes or welts? Quite simply, everyone has different sensitivities to chemicals and not everyone who is exposed is going to have a physical reaction.
In my opinion, the last thing a client needs to hear is a testimonial of how great someone is at removing a demon when a claim such as skin rashes or welts is made. The FIRST thing on our minds should be the client and their health..not a half-assed theory of how "demons always make themselves known by scratching or biting their victims". Really now? THAT'S moving this field forward? No! The truth will. And the truth is that a skin rash or welts that appear suddenly are most likely caused by something environmental and it needs to be found and addressed.
Information for this blog was obtained from the following links.
http://www.invisiblekillers.
http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/riskassess.htm
http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cr.htm
First of all, I would like to say that I fully support the efforts of Debunk
Paranormal to get the truth out there, and this is not directed at anyone here
at all.
I am all for calling out fraud. My personal approach is to call it like I see it, however there are some cases where I feel discretion is the better way to handle it. I mean, who gets anything out of a pissing contest other than some mild entertainment? But I digress. My point here today is about those who call out frauds who have other agendas than exposing lies.
Let's just say, for a moment, that one of the guys from the ghost hunting shows comes out and says "okay you got us..we acknowledge there is editing and faking done to keep the show going". Will that take away from the many years of presenting paranormal investigation in a false light? Will they all of a sudden become the good guy for saying aloud what we already know? Frankly, my first thought would be what is in it for them to speak up.
I have been rather amused watching all of the reporters from "News of the World" scramble around with "Yes, we were told to do this!" and "We were made do things that were unethical!" Hoping...PRAYING that other news outlets will see that they are honest enough to admit their knowledge of what was done and get hired somewhere else. Are they beacons for the truth? Well, maybe the ones that left when they were asked to do these things and are now coming forward..but what of those who went along with it? I'm not judging people for doing what they feel they need to do at the time..that's between them and their conscious. But coming out with the truth to save your own ass is nothing to be impressed with, in my opinion.
Harry Price is a name I come across often in paranormal research. I used to actually think there was something to his observations because I had also noted the many frauds he called out. He had been a magician and saw some of the tricks that spiritualists used, and called them on it..much as Harry Houdini did in the 1920's. However the difference between Price and Houdini was this...Houdini wanted to call them out because he saw their faking and felt it needed exposed. Price called them out because, in my opinion, he was setting the stage for his greatest show of all..his own fraud and deception, the Borely Rectory being the biggest example. After all..if someone is calling out the BS, wouldn't it stand to reason that their word would have some credibility if there truly was something unexplained going on?
If someone is calling out fraud to get the lies out of the way for the truth to shine through ..excellent! More power to you and you have my full support. But...if someone who calls out fraud and is only doing so to save themselves, it is nothing more than a rat abandoning a sinking ship. And if someone is calling out fraud so their BS will be taken seriously...then any step forward from the exposure will be an automatic five steps back for true researchers. Because those of us looking for the truth have to weed through all of that. It makes us suspicious, it makes us cynical, and sometimes it makes me wonder why I ever started in the first place.
And then I remember..because I AM looking for the truth. And the truth is out there..but so are the lies. And I will be wary of all, including those who expose fraud, because I never want my objectivity to fall victim to someone else's agenda.
I am all for calling out fraud. My personal approach is to call it like I see it, however there are some cases where I feel discretion is the better way to handle it. I mean, who gets anything out of a pissing contest other than some mild entertainment? But I digress. My point here today is about those who call out frauds who have other agendas than exposing lies.
Let's just say, for a moment, that one of the guys from the ghost hunting shows comes out and says "okay you got us..we acknowledge there is editing and faking done to keep the show going". Will that take away from the many years of presenting paranormal investigation in a false light? Will they all of a sudden become the good guy for saying aloud what we already know? Frankly, my first thought would be what is in it for them to speak up.
I have been rather amused watching all of the reporters from "News of the World" scramble around with "Yes, we were told to do this!" and "We were made do things that were unethical!" Hoping...PRAYING that other news outlets will see that they are honest enough to admit their knowledge of what was done and get hired somewhere else. Are they beacons for the truth? Well, maybe the ones that left when they were asked to do these things and are now coming forward..but what of those who went along with it? I'm not judging people for doing what they feel they need to do at the time..that's between them and their conscious. But coming out with the truth to save your own ass is nothing to be impressed with, in my opinion.
Harry Price is a name I come across often in paranormal research. I used to actually think there was something to his observations because I had also noted the many frauds he called out. He had been a magician and saw some of the tricks that spiritualists used, and called them on it..much as Harry Houdini did in the 1920's. However the difference between Price and Houdini was this...Houdini wanted to call them out because he saw their faking and felt it needed exposed. Price called them out because, in my opinion, he was setting the stage for his greatest show of all..his own fraud and deception, the Borely Rectory being the biggest example. After all..if someone is calling out the BS, wouldn't it stand to reason that their word would have some credibility if there truly was something unexplained going on?
If someone is calling out fraud to get the lies out of the way for the truth to shine through ..excellent! More power to you and you have my full support. But...if someone who calls out fraud and is only doing so to save themselves, it is nothing more than a rat abandoning a sinking ship. And if someone is calling out fraud so their BS will be taken seriously...then any step forward from the exposure will be an automatic five steps back for true researchers. Because those of us looking for the truth have to weed through all of that. It makes us suspicious, it makes us cynical, and sometimes it makes me wonder why I ever started in the first place.
And then I remember..because I AM looking for the truth. And the truth is out there..but so are the lies. And I will be wary of all, including those who expose fraud, because I never want my objectivity to fall victim to someone else's agenda.
I am finding two extremes in my search for answers on the paranormal.
One: The goombahs. The ones that call a long exposure a ghost
or who are too quick to assume haunted. They often have loud, flashy
websites that play annoying music that is supposed to sound spooky (hasn't
anyone ever thought of using "Dark Side of the Moon" just ONCE? Okay I
digress) They have a lot of woo and flash but very little true substance.
Simply perpetuating legends and going on "feelings".
And then there are the ones on the other end of the spectrum. The ones who use quantum physics and the string theory to theorize about paranormal activity. Do I respect this research? Of course I do. Have I ever met anyone who could explain it to me in layman's terms? Hell no! I have had to do some serious refreshers in physics to even understand the equations..and since it is trying to relate quantum mechanics to relativity, these equations themselves are ones that are questionable. And since many of the people who promote this theory are able to speak the language of physics, it all sounds very brilliant..but could they indeed be saying anything and it would sound good to someone who isn't versed in scientific equations? And indeed, would someone feel so overwhelmed by all of that stuff that they would despair of ever understanding it all and stop searching for the truth?
I know I need to search for answers outside of my comfort zone, and that would definitely be physics.....ugh, I hated it in school. But I also know that this science that may well explain some of the activity that people have experienced, so I am willing to learn as much as my brain cells are capable of. But please for the love of Pete...somebody dumb it down for some of the rest of us! Because if it truly is a sound theory, it will be able to be explained without all of the fancy footwork. After all, I'm just a Midwestern gal whose only experience with wormholes is digging for night crawlers!
And then there are the ones on the other end of the spectrum. The ones who use quantum physics and the string theory to theorize about paranormal activity. Do I respect this research? Of course I do. Have I ever met anyone who could explain it to me in layman's terms? Hell no! I have had to do some serious refreshers in physics to even understand the equations..and since it is trying to relate quantum mechanics to relativity, these equations themselves are ones that are questionable. And since many of the people who promote this theory are able to speak the language of physics, it all sounds very brilliant..but could they indeed be saying anything and it would sound good to someone who isn't versed in scientific equations? And indeed, would someone feel so overwhelmed by all of that stuff that they would despair of ever understanding it all and stop searching for the truth?
I know I need to search for answers outside of my comfort zone, and that would definitely be physics.....ugh, I hated it in school. But I also know that this science that may well explain some of the activity that people have experienced, so I am willing to learn as much as my brain cells are capable of. But please for the love of Pete...somebody dumb it down for some of the rest of us! Because if it truly is a sound theory, it will be able to be explained without all of the fancy footwork. After all, I'm just a Midwestern gal whose only experience with wormholes is digging for night crawlers!
I'm new to investigation, although I have been looking for answers for a long
time. I am finding in my search for the truth about what might be going
on "out there" I am finding instead a whole mass of people who are just plain
"out there". This is probably the only paranormal site on the internet
that won't take down what I am about to say, and I would rather share it in a
place that I know is about finding answers.
So forgive me as I proceed to spew my rant.
First..photographs. I am finding, thanks to Debunk Paranormal, the many things about camera settings that will cause photographic anomolies. Now when someone has a picture that looks strange and says "what happened here?"...that is someone I have noticed who will take the analysis much better. However, I am encountering paranormal teams...not enthusiasts, but TEAMS..who will claim, "ghost" or worse yet "demon", and proceed to scare the crap out of the client. Then when they are called out, it can become a cyber bloodbath. All over wrong camera settings, pareidolia, and the like. Are these teams looking for the truth or do they just want the "wow" factor? Are they really that uneducated? Or do they know damn good and well that the picture is explainable and are out to find woo and not actual data?
Second, equipment. The equipment that is used in investigating, for the most part, was never designed to "hunt ghosts". The controversial KII meter can be used as a debunking tool if used correctly, but it is not a cell phone to the dead or to a haunted item. I actually saw a member of a paranormal team say that a KII went off in front of an item...and that item was declared "haunted" and destroyed. A childhood heirloom was thrown away because a team said it was haunted. Worse yet these people were supposedly "grateful". Grateful for a lie????
Third, claimed psychics. With very scant few exceptions, they are people who are scamming those who are vulnerable. They are usually only gifted at "fishing" for information and giving shotgun readings. Some out and out search for information on people, especially on the internet, to make them think they "know" them.and then proceed to scare them with utter BS. Better yet are the ones who claim to help the police. Yes, police have taken tips from psychics. Check the records on how many times those tips panned out. Check even further to see how many hours of manpower was wasted on a tip from someone who had a "feeling".
I want the truth. I have critically examined my own experiences that I once believed were paranormal in nature and found most to have an explanation. Not all..but most. Enough to keep me searching, but what I am finding is many people don't want to look any further but to say "ghost". Never mind that carbon monoxide poisoning can be subtle enough not to be immediately recognized and can cause a person to believe they're experiencing paranormal. Never mind the many neurotoxins that are released into the environment that if a person is exposed to for a period of time, their perception might be altered. Never mind the fact that hallucinations occur IN NORMAL PEOPLE because of brain misfires. Never mind that the orb in that photo is dust, but give it a face, a name, and an emotion. Tell a frightened family who moved from out of state that a childhood toy is causing their child to see a ghost rather than research the facts about "new house effect".
It makes me sick sometimes, and other times it makes me laugh. And it makes me that much more determined to weed through it and look for the truth. I would rather see one example of something truly unexplained than a hundred examples of paracrap.
As investigators, shouldn't the truth matter above all else?
So forgive me as I proceed to spew my rant.
First..photographs. I am finding, thanks to Debunk Paranormal, the many things about camera settings that will cause photographic anomolies. Now when someone has a picture that looks strange and says "what happened here?"...that is someone I have noticed who will take the analysis much better. However, I am encountering paranormal teams...not enthusiasts, but TEAMS..who will claim, "ghost" or worse yet "demon", and proceed to scare the crap out of the client. Then when they are called out, it can become a cyber bloodbath. All over wrong camera settings, pareidolia, and the like. Are these teams looking for the truth or do they just want the "wow" factor? Are they really that uneducated? Or do they know damn good and well that the picture is explainable and are out to find woo and not actual data?
Second, equipment. The equipment that is used in investigating, for the most part, was never designed to "hunt ghosts". The controversial KII meter can be used as a debunking tool if used correctly, but it is not a cell phone to the dead or to a haunted item. I actually saw a member of a paranormal team say that a KII went off in front of an item...and that item was declared "haunted" and destroyed. A childhood heirloom was thrown away because a team said it was haunted. Worse yet these people were supposedly "grateful". Grateful for a lie????
Third, claimed psychics. With very scant few exceptions, they are people who are scamming those who are vulnerable. They are usually only gifted at "fishing" for information and giving shotgun readings. Some out and out search for information on people, especially on the internet, to make them think they "know" them.and then proceed to scare them with utter BS. Better yet are the ones who claim to help the police. Yes, police have taken tips from psychics. Check the records on how many times those tips panned out. Check even further to see how many hours of manpower was wasted on a tip from someone who had a "feeling".
I want the truth. I have critically examined my own experiences that I once believed were paranormal in nature and found most to have an explanation. Not all..but most. Enough to keep me searching, but what I am finding is many people don't want to look any further but to say "ghost". Never mind that carbon monoxide poisoning can be subtle enough not to be immediately recognized and can cause a person to believe they're experiencing paranormal. Never mind the many neurotoxins that are released into the environment that if a person is exposed to for a period of time, their perception might be altered. Never mind the fact that hallucinations occur IN NORMAL PEOPLE because of brain misfires. Never mind that the orb in that photo is dust, but give it a face, a name, and an emotion. Tell a frightened family who moved from out of state that a childhood toy is causing their child to see a ghost rather than research the facts about "new house effect".
It makes me sick sometimes, and other times it makes me laugh. And it makes me that much more determined to weed through it and look for the truth. I would rather see one example of something truly unexplained than a hundred examples of paracrap.
As investigators, shouldn't the truth matter above all else?
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