Ghost Hunting VS Paranormal Investigating… Part #2

 

       I think what most people seem to forget is to, “Keep things simple!” Keeping in mind that if the common belief is true, that spirits were once people. Then this being the case, I would conservatively estimate that 99% of spirits are of normal people. Like Mom & Dad or maybe kindly old Aunt Tilley or Uncle Joe. Although they may be initially confused after death, I don’t believe that they would become any less (or more) intelligent. 

 

First lets start with the majority of sightings and experiences. Most all occur within daylight hours or at night with lights on. So the basics I speak of in keeping things simple, is paramount when looking. I mean, why look for ghosts in places that they were never experienced? Why look for a spirit in a place (as a living human) they didn’t want to be or were trying to leave. Logically it doesn’t make sense for an intelligent spirit to occupy these places when they may go where they please. I have found no evidence of spirits being forced to stay anywhere. 

If they were normal people then in all likelyhood they would haunt normal places they would have frequented or loved in life. So too, the majority of humans live and are active during the day. Most of the sightings are had during the day as well. Think about what you have heard or the historic places you visit, etc. Visitors have experiences during normal business hours for the most part. So why do so many people, wait for darkness and then turn off the lights to check for something that wasn’t experienced like that? You see this all the time on TV. Example; If a detective is investigating bank robberies that occur during the day, I wouldn’t think they would stake out a bank in the middle of the night. So why do ghost hunters do it if they are truly looking for the truth? Maybe they aren’t?

 

       I too wonder why people use all these gadgets that you see on TV? All these meters, boxes, etc. I wonder if they research what their equipment is intended for? Personally, I tell people to learn their equipment before they use it. Know what it will do and what it won’t do. For instance, what does an EMF or KII meter actually tell you that you can apply it to an investigation? Oh sure, they beep or light up and they look cool and interrupt the boredom but what do they tell people? I always hear people say that they detect ghosts…, they don’t! Nowhere is there any proof of this. They indicate the presence of present or residual electric current. Well, simple grade school science tells us that the whole planet is surrounded by an Electro Magnetic Field. These meters detect the EMF caused by flowing current whether it is currently on or off. Now if the common belief is that ghosts were people and are of the same energy as they were when alive. Then holding an EMF meter up to a living person should register the same as a ghost and it won't. If it did, then that is something you can work with. Other than that I would just leave them for the electricians to use for what they were intended.

Now I guess it is time to move on to the next blog and take a walk through what I think a paranormal investigation is. It is just a preliminary investigation as a full investigation runs through conclusion and reports findings over a long period. Not a few hours sitting in the dark. 

Time for change? Standardization?

Ghost Hunting VS Paranormal Investigating… Part #1

I am asked many times to speak or write something about what I do as far as the paranormal and have always found myself declining. My reasons for the most part have been because my ideas and methods don’t seem to fit in with the main stream and people in this field seem to have thin skins for the most part and get offended when people don’t agree with what they have learned. People also tend to forget that when you follow someone blindly, you are limited to that persons way of thinking. Blind Faith should be reserved for religion. I always keep in mind this quote when I feel stagnated. 

 

Any intelligent person can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius --- and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. Einstein

 

Also remembering a theory called "Occam's razor".  In a nutshell it says: The simpler version, will explain it to more people. Always remember, simpler is better...  So, I try not to over complicate things with gadgets or theory. Do you remember the KISS method? (keep it simple stupid) Well I changed the last word to Sherlock since people want to be investigators.

 

It also seems that most everyone these days, that has either read the books, watched the TV shows or both, has started a group of their own. Now on the surface a lot of people see this as nothing more than people parroting what they have learned from what they have seen. This is fine if they are approaching it as a hobby or social event to have fun. However, everywhere you look people are getting away from the term Ghost Hunter and labeling themselves as Paranormal Investigators, researchers or dare I say… Parapsychologists, which I have explained earlier.

 

I guess this is to be expected as they do have a more professional ring to them.  However, like with anything, if you don’t or can’t live up to your label, it can backfire on you and will undermine or destroy your credibility. Like calling yourself a Parapsychologist without a degree in Psychology. Sure you may impress the novice but what happens when the people with Psychology degrees question your background? I could call myself Dr. but I can assure you, one day it will come back to bite me you know where as it has with others recently. 

 

So, I have classified those in the Paranormal field into 4 major categories for my own personal reasons. Just what I label people, you may call yourself what you like.

 

1.              Ghost Hunter – A person or persons who, for reasons of curiosity of the existence of spirits, pursues proof of the possibility by random means. i.e. Taking random photos, recordings, etc., in the hope of obtaining an anomaly by accident anywhere they go. Mostly in abandoned buildings, cemeteries, and popular places frequented by persons with the same curiosity.  

 

2.              Paranormal Examiner – Pretty much the same description as a Ghost Hunter with the exception of having a serious interest in all things paranormal. (UFO’s, Crypto zoology, Ghosts, etc.) Many of whom will document their findings in case there is something found to investigate.  

 

 

3.              Paranormal Investigator – Here is where a big gap in procedure occurs. Paranormal Investigators follow a set procedure and guidelines and who set standards for themselves. This involves a lot of interviews, paperwork, and follow up all of which is physically recorded in a case file. They do not investigate for one evening or night by taking photos in the dark hoping to catch something. Investigations take a long time and do not stop with the obtaining of an EVP or questionable photo. Those are not necessarily evidence anyway but clues to be followed up on. The investigator will evaluate what others do before investing time for a formal investigation.

 

4.                   Paranormal Researcher –  The simple definition being :  The search for knowledge or in general, any systematic investigation to establish FACTS.  A Paranormal Researcher researches everything, not just ghosts! They interview people, research all the gadgets, people, etc., out there past & present. 

Now this is one label that a lot of people use because people think it really makes them look like they know what they are doing. However, in truth, Einstein had it correct when he said; If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? 

 

I will admit that I took Einstein’s quote into account when naming my group as a Paranormal Research Organization. I find no shame in being truthful and will be the first to admit that we do not know what is happening on the other side or if there even is another side. I also have begun refraining from using the word “investigation” in exchange for the term “Examination”. There is a lot of wasted time investigating nothing, so now we examine until we find something and is why we mostly investigate documented paranormal activity.

 

However, I do call myself a Paranormal Investigator. Not because I investigate reports of paranormal activity but because I have years experience as a detective and formal education in Criminal investigations. This has given me a certain discipline in being able to set up and perform investigations that I have adapted to the paranormal. 

 

       With all that said, I would like to share some of my ideologies, methods of investigation and beliefs of how I think things really are in the paranormal world based on many years of Paranormal Study & Research. Now, take what I say with a grain of salt as anything I may say is meant as what I have found or believe and not to be confused as saying that anyone else is wrong in whatever they may believe or that what I say is fact. If it IS FACT I will make that clear.

Ghost Hunting is just what it says and the key word is hunting. Just going somewhere and waiting for something to happen. Just like any hunter. You look for a place that might harbor your quarry and then go look for it. It is very simple and anyone can do it but it is NOT investigating.

Paranormal Investigations IS an exact science if you (as you should) follow investigative procedure. There are procedures, methods and protocols to be followed to do it right not unlike investigating anything. Everyone who labels themselves as such should all be following the same procedures if their work is to ever be accepted by the masses and taken as serious to show proof of their efforts. The problem herein is that most people don’t want to share nor do they want to follow rules.

So, next blog, I will go through an investigation step by step but not too detailed. No this is not a 101 class. lol Just to give people an idea of what is done in an investigation and why I feel it is important for everyone to follow the same methods. It’s not that hard and many already do it. Just for those who are interested.

Parapsychologists

1. “Parapsychology" is a pseudoscience. 
   
   

   pseu·do·sci·ence

   ˌso͞odōˈsīəns/

   noun

   1. a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method.
    “Parapsychologists" study telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, near-death experiences, reincarnation, apparitional experiences, and other paranormal claims. 
   
   
   None of which are credible unless you hold degrees in Psychology. Regardless of what the people on TV tell you. Many of which have made a nice living by telling people they are Parapsychologists with no degree or training in psychology. Now you wouldn't go to someone who called themselves a Doctor without an MD, would you? So why would you believe what someone was telling you because they said they were a parapsychologist? In short, most everyone who calls themselves a Parapsychologist is nothing more than a Ghost Hunter just like you. 
   
   Now keep in mind that some people early in the last century were in the field of Psychology and delved into the paranormal field and called themselves Parapsychologists and rightly so. That is quite a different story and acceptable but I take pause when I hear the term these days. 
   
   So too unfortunately in this field of study, people feel titles make them look credible and more important than they actually are. However, the truth will eventually come out.

    However, there is actually continuing higher education in the field of Psychology correctly labeled Parapsychology. Surprised? Don’t be. Most of us who have lived several decades probably have done it without the education. 

 

     It is nothing more than the study of Death, the dying, what people believe and how people deal with it. The dealing with people who believe in the hereafter, Heaven, Hell, Spirits and so on. These people, (of which most of us in the paranormal community are) are the ones that psychologists deal with each and every day. They help these people cope with the death of loved ones. Help them understand their own feelings and beliefs, etc. 

     Oh, it is obviously much more involved on an educational level but you see, there really is a subfield considered Parapsychology. Unfortunately, most of those who are self described Parapsychologists (past and present) are nothing more than ghost hunters…  

GHOST HUNTING 101

I guess if you are going to start a blog it is always good to start at the beginning. So I thought I would talk about all the Ghost Hunting 101 classes that so many feel they are qualified to teach.

Well, here is what I believe to be the truth about that. 

Ghost Hunting 101 requirements.

1. Curiosity

2. Camera

3. Tape recorder

Now you are all set. Go wherever you feel there may be a Ghost and see for yourself. You are now a Ghost Hunter. (Certificate is in the mail)

Sounds silly doesn’t it but that is all there is to it. Hunt is the key word here. You need no expertise. Just a desire to get something and an idea of where to look. Oh there should be protocols to follow but without Standardization in the field that is out the window as well. Hence the tens of thousands of Ghost Hunting Groups in this country alone, just running around willy nilly. 

Oh yes, you will hear all kinds of people tell you the gadgets you must have to Ghost Hunt as well but that is just not true and I will talk about Gadgets in another blog. 

So the next time you see somewhere a Ghost Hunting 101 class, your first question should be why? Ask yourself, do you really need a common sense class? Most can answer, probably not and any real questions can be googled for hundreds of answers and you can choose the best one for you.

Standardizing Paranormal Investigation

I already feel the tension brewing, the teeth grinding and smell the fear by those who really don’t understand what it means. In fact with the tens of thousands of ghost hunters out there these days there is an extremely small number of people who do. This is not the first time nor site this topic has reared its ugly head and each time it is met with the same reactions. People seem to think that standardizing the field of paranormal investigation means that they will be controlled and monitored and somehow stripped of their right to do as they please. There is nothing farther from the truth. Standardization is not for everyone and no one wants to force it on anyone. It is only for those who want it and be part of a group that can share and compare information by all being on the same page. Besides, people could do both. Be part of the standard and do their own thing separately.Regardless of what people would like to believe, to date there is no official recognized field of Paranormal study except in the eyes of some in the “paranormal community” and I use that term loosely also. There are some European institutions and others that do studies but no official field. Oh, and no offense but institutions like some of those internet "College's” and people who throw out certifications for profit and other paper mills don’t make it an official field of study.Right now we see thousands of people and groups labeling themselves as whatever they choose. Everyone, you and I included are lumped into that group that was coined “The Paranormal Community.” Regardless of peoples experience, interest, etc., the general public still sees us as all in the same boat. A bunch of unorganized people and groups trying to get noticed. Standardization, would for the first time, steer Paranormal Investigation and splinter fields, towards being recognized fields of study and make it much easier for those serious about what they are doing to have their information, ideas, methods and findings, scrutinized and recognized as legitimate work in the field.The next point that so many have heartburn with is who would make up this entity that would set down the standards and protocols. Well, the general comment you will always see from people is, “There are no experts of the Paranormal.” A very safe statement to protect us all in our personal endeavors but not completely accurate. Maybe not many paranormal experts but there are experts in what all people and groups say they do. There are experts in photography, audio/visual, lighting, educators, psychology, investigating, the collection of evidence and I could go on and on. These type people would be needed to form that entity. People not necessarily even interested in the paranormal but experts in their respective fields to separate the wheat from the chaff so to speak. Standardization is nothing more than organizing people and groups who want to be part of it and educating them in a standard way of collecting information so it all can be officially documented for all to use. Only if the field is seriously recognized by the main stream can it become a recognized field of study. There are really more pros than cons for those serious about what they do. The real problem is getting people on board and getting someone to champion the cause. There is a lot more to it than this and I am sure it will take a long time to hash out. It also seems that not only those in the general paranormal community but even those who profess to be experts in the field do not want this to ever happen. I can only wonder why…Now for those who have and will voice an opinion. Please remember the rules of testing arguments and the most important one. "You should attack the argument, not the arguer."

A New Beginning!

I have had this blog for about 7 years and just lost touch with doing it because of Facebook. So I have decided to post my personal Paranormal things here. Ideas, theories, stories, etc. 

Not sure this blog will catch on but it will give me a place to get my thoughts down in print yet not get lost in a revolving news feed.

So I will soon begin. Hang in there.