Sue St.Clair and Matthew Didier's Paranormal Blog

Many years ago, I heard something that made a lot of sense to me.

One of the Apollo astronauts, I've forgotten which one, was asked if NASA was hiding information pertaining to the existence of extra-terrestrial life. Without missing a beat, this fellow replied that he found that unlikely, because if they had found something, they'd trumpet it from the hilltops because it would mean a massive increase in funding.

This makes sense... whether you believe it or not... I will admit that I actually do believe that NASA is not hiding any evidence... but that is an opinion.

Now, allow me to move into what might seem like a non-sequitur...

Recently, I had a scare. One Thursday morning, very recently, I was en route to work when I felt a strange feeling in my chest. It wasn't painful, but more like a severe case of butterflies combined with a bit of light-headedness. I assume I treated it like anyone... ignored it... hoped it would pass... and pressed on with life. I worked my job that day, and the next day, all the time feeling "jittery" and feeling my pulse race... but again, I just thought it might be a "bug" or something.

Finally, on Sunday, I took my family to the Canadian National Exhibition... not for rides and games so much, but because they have a plethora of deep-discount warehouse shops during the event, and it saves a tonne in "back to school" expenses. While Sue and the young'un were shopping, I sat down... and became increasingly faint... started to sweat... and within a couple of hours and four "stores", I had the rather disconcerting experience of almost passing out and doing a "face plant" into a metal barrier outside one of these warehouse outlets... and asked Sue to help me to the doctor's at St. Joseph's Hospital in Toronto's West end.

Sue rushed me in to the hospital very concerned for me and despite my protestations of needing nothing more than a "once over" in a clinic, I was taken to the emergency room... and from there, quickly taken into the cardiac ward... and within minutes was hooked up to an electrocardiogram (ECG) with a blood pressure unit having full blood work done in the resuscitation room... it was almost bewildering, and rather quietly scary.

In the end, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation... which, thankfully, is a long way from fatal if caught and treated... but because of my stupid "working through it" for a few days, they cannot treat it as normal (for fear of blood clots in my heart,) so instead of those paddles you see on TV (which they use in these cases to stop then re-set the heart,) I was eased into a slower heart rate with medication. To sum up, I'm still fibrillating while writing this... and my doctor has wryly told me to "Not Play Hockey" for the next little while (must keep the blood pressure and heart rate down,) and make some serious changes to my lifestyle... which I have. I see the cardiologist for further treatment in nine days from today.

Like I said, a little scary... and very much like a formal dress rehearsal for an event that I'd sooner not take part in... at least not yet... and to be frank, being in a hospital, in a gown, lying in a bed near the forms for my loved ones to fill out, "just in case", for my organs to be donated should the worst happen while being mildly (very gently) verbally spanked by the nurse for not coming in earlier for treatment is bad... Having all these done while Sue and the kid are watching was worse in some ways... not for me, but for Sue.

Before diagnosis, my mind had little option than remembering me, at the age of seventeen, watching my father pass away from a massive heart attack... and as such, here I was... in a similar room to the last one I saw him in before the funeral. He was already gone, unhooked from the machines, the tube still in his mouth... and here I was...

...and looking at the foot of the bed, being very conscious and alert while these tragic memories streamed into my head, I was seeing Sue looking at me... visibly worried... and I kept thinking about how I could keep her from having that same vision save me instead of my dad... and how very much I felt like a slab of meat on that bed, not because of my treatment (which was fantastic and super-quick on the part of the hospital,) but because of the lack of control over my fate.

I tried to crack as many jokes as possible... and stay light-hearted... and make Sue aware of the wonderful science at work... and how the staff didn't seem all too worried once they were lowering my heart rate. For her part, she kept a brave face... often saying if bad things might come, I was in the best place for them to happen.

Thankfully, as stated, I never did lose consciousness... and I am okay... and my illness is not "terminal" by a long shot... and even now is simply mildly annoying (no stamina sucks!)... so all that drama above was for not... still experienced and "real", but the anguish over it was unneeded.

Moving forward, thanks to some family and friends, word had quickly spread that I was in the hospital for a heart problem... so, being a thoroughly modern guy, I updated my Facebook status to let everyone know that I was home and "okay"... and even did a post on the PSICAN message board... trying to be my traditional self cracking the joke that the event proved without doubt that I was human and, contrary to some beliefs, had a heart... and it occasionally misbehaved!

People were genuinely nice and messaging me wishing me well, offering their own stories, and generally being caring...

NOW, off on a another seeming non-sequitur...

A few months back I was cruising some "paranormal" message boards... now, I don't often brag, but I will say this... I am, if nothing else, often spoken of and quoted in and around the realm of paranormal investigation, which is really nice... well, most of the time... and in this one case, I had to giggle...

The person was complaining that I was thwarting their work in Ontario and "keeping back" information and contacts so they couldn't be wahoo ghost hunters. (Betwix me and thee, I have references that will back up what I'm about to say and if you haven't read my stuff, allow me to elucidate... I often give any information I can to those who ask within legal abilities... and have several documents on starting... and I do believe there's always room for new folks at the "paranormal table", so to speak... ALSO, looking through my back e-mail, I'd never received anything from this fellow... not one note... no e-mail... no posting to our message board... nothing. He had DECIDED that this was the case, without trying to ask... take this as you will.)

Well, after giggling a bit with Sue about this posting, I changed my Facebook status to something like...

Matthew James Didier has come to the sad realisation that if he were to die in the near future, there would be people in the paranormal community who'd be angry with him for withholding his new-found knowledge of what happens after death and blame him for his lack of papers, articles, and communication post-mortem on his selfish need to keep this information to himself for his own nefarious plans!

I'm guessing on reading this, you know where I'm heading with this post...

...because... cut back to the present day...

I had a "friend" on Facebook... which, to be honest, I really didn't know that well. I actually am pretty stingy with friend requests as I really use Facebook for family, good friend, and work communications only... Oh, there is a PSICAN Facebook group and if someone needed to pick my brain, that's the best location to do so... but when I first started, I was a little less discriminating and let bloggers and acquaintances "friend" me... not a horrible thing... but this "friend" I'm about to speak of was part of that first group.

Other than seeing her occasional Farmville posts and the like, I really hadn't heard from her (ever)... but after my run-in with the hospital, she sent me a message through Facebook asking about my hospital visit and more specifically, "What was it like?"

Now, this wasn't uncommon... many people were contacting me asking about things... so I took it as nothing more than somewhere between Are you okay? to I'm concerned because you're my age and... or the like... which was again, not out of the ordinary after all was said and done.

My response was short, but succinct... "Scary." (with a "happy face" emoticon or smilie tacked on... as much as one can do with only text options available...)

She responded a day later asking me again what it was like... Now, I was STILL assuming this was the equivalent of I've gone through something similar and want to know what your experience was like? or that type of thought...

So I responded... very nuts and bolts about what happened. To be honest, you reading the above know more that I told her! I went through the "butterflies" in my chest, the fainting spell, being in the hospital, being cardioverted via drugs (medicated to slow my heart,) and that was it. Nuts and bolts... oh, and I let her know that I was awake, conscious, not in pain, a little frightened, and cracking jokes through the whole experience... That was all.

Well, I found out quickly what she meant...

...and remember the story about my Facebook status... about how if I died, people would be grumpy?

She let me know that she *knew* I was "holding back"... and that I was not "acknowledging the truth"... and then went on to tell me how bad I was for not being forthcoming about my NDE or "Near Death Experience" and letting people know that the beyond the veil was a wonderful place.

She wanted me to tell you all about the marvellous white light, seeing my loved ones to help me through it, and all those good things... and, to be honest, came across as rather cross with me that I had withheld and refused to let people know about my wonderful experience. I was, in essence, keeping you all in the dark and that made her wonder what my evil motives MIGHT be for holding back such glorious stuff...

...only one problem...

...as you now know...

My NDE she feels I had? The light? The tunnel? My ancestors and loved one's coming for me?

It never happened.

I never completely lost consciousness. I didn't "flat-line". I didn't temporarily die.

In honesty, despite my worries... despite my internal fears... despite seeing the word "IRREGULAR" flashing across the ECG monitor while I was on it right to the very end... there wasn't much to report... at least, in terms of "The Other Side" in any way, shape, or form.

Now, remember my story about the Apollo astronaut?

If you have read any of my work, you know that a big issue for me is the lack of respect, proper attention, and funding our studies get...

If I ever did have an NDE (classical or otherwise,) you may take my word... you'd know about it.

I'd try very hard to tell you all NOTHING more than what I experienced as "raw data"... Sort of like, I saw this. I experienced this sensation. I heard this. without hypothesis as to causation, without taint... and YES, I would be open to all possible hypothesis as to these event's causation... including it was all imaginary...

...because, honestly, that's what I am. I want the truth... hard facts... empirical answers... not conjecture.

I expect that from others, I expect that from myself, even to my own questions.

I do feel there's enough data to make the idea of something surviving bodily death worth examining... and genuine study... and if I thought I had relevant data on anything, I would share it with everyone... and let everybody poke at it.

I don't.

Not yet.

Anyway, there's another lesson here too... because I defriended this person on Facebook... not because of her zealous belief... not because of her distrust of my answers (God knows there's more than a few who still think I'm doing this for some sort of "angle" for personal gain or the like.)... but because it was a personal thing... and even *IF* I did have any experience, which I honestly didn't, shouldn't it be up to me to decide when/how I'd bring it to you?

As stated, the evidence is there to prove there isn't a "tale to tell" with this incident (re: my opening bit about NASA,) but if there was, and considering my family was involved... intimately... through all parts... is it anyone's right or even privilege to demand my absolute obedience in publicly telling all?

Here's a tip to anyone taking the Torontoghosts/Ontarioghosts exam... There's an "automatic fail" question... and it's about ethics and morality when dealing with a personal case... If you answer it with guns blazing demanding to "know more" or to immediately start investigating the case without pause to ensure everyone's ready to move forward with an examination of things (especially those intimately involved) and handling the whole situation (regardless) with tact and decorum, instant fail. I don't want you on my team. You will upset our witnesses and cause trouble.... and without witnesses, we're nothing.

If we can't work with people... or people feel they can't trust us with their information... what good are we?

It was interesting to be on the other end of that... having someone thumping ME for my information (faulty as they had it,) to be made very public... it made me glad of our strict stance.

Rule One in PSICAN... since day one... The safety, security, and general comfort level of a witness must come first.

...and sorry folks... I am still alive... and not under any major threat of "pining for the fjords" in the days to come... and no, I do not have any personal evidence of "life after death" that has been hidden away for any reason.

Worse yet for some people... I'm probably going to come out of this 100% okay... meaning, no, I won't be stopping my work and efforts anytime soon.

Addendum: Some people have promises made to loved ones or the like that we will try to come back après-mort and give some sort of message to let whoever's behind know that they're okay, (most famously, Harry Houdini is said to have expressed a message, "Rosabelle believe.", that he would deliver to his wife should he pre-decease her,) and history is replete with "ghosts" that have made some sort of contact...

Me... should I become a "disembodied spirit"?

Well...

I have a lot of dates to keep post-mortem personally thanks to my younger years... and if there was anything "recent", it would be strictly between Sue and myself... and probably not available for the masses... but when I die many, many years from now, if Sue suddenly kicks-up her efforts into ghosts and hauntings, that might be a clue.

So please, do not attempt to contact me... If I have something to say, I'll contact you...

...and Sue has promised that if I pre-decease her and she's pestered by anyone for an update on my life after death in any fashion, then she will become violent... with my personal blessing... pre, and I'm certain, post my demise!

On Saturday, I posted this on the PSICAN message board found via the Huffington Post...

STATESVILLE, N.C. — Authorities say a man who was waiting with several friends for a "ghost train" from a North Carolina legend was killed when a real train came down the tracks.

Now, I admit... I made comments about how I hate having to plead with would-be ghost hunters to "play it safe"...

...and how when people don't play it safe, it taints us all because one person's "ghost hunter" is another person's "ghost enthusiast" is another person's "paranormal investigator" to the masses... and when stupidity happens, it's seen as systemic rather than the act of the individual...

...and then I commented on the new danger of people who might want to see if a "new" ghost has happened because of this and in turn, put themselves in danger's path...

...and then Sue reminded me.

This person had parents. Possibly a significant other. Maybe a sibling... and now, they are gone for whatever reason.

She too sees the stupidity, but reminded me of one thing...

As much as I keep trying to tell would-be ghost hunters that their actions reflect on us all (as shown above,) perhaps I should remind them that they have loved ones... and their actions, if silly and especially unsafe, may have a profound affect on them.

...because as much as I do feel sorry for this person's parents and friends for their loss...

...I can only imagine how they feel, at the funeral, standing by the casket, thinking that they took a final and losing chance to see a ghost.

Was it worth it to the victim...?

...'cuz I think I can speak for those left behind...

It wasn't worth it to them.

So thinking back on all those that have come to harm by "dabbling" in this hobby of ours... PLEASE be smart... Be safe... Think ahead... and if there's any doubt, DON'T.

This planet needs no help in the creation of new ghostly lore because of a stupid or reckless act.

We love to hear your personal experiences with ghosts, and hauntings in the province of Ontario so please do keep sending them in. Your privacy will be protected, and witness comfort is our primary concern.

You may email us directly at submissions AT torontoghosts.org or submissions AT ontarioghosts.org

Hope Island Lighthouse - New with photos

Meaford Tank Range - Updated with new photos of "blue eyes" grave site.

Darlington Provincial Park - New and looking for further information.

King Edward Hotel - Updated

Jester's Court - Updated

Enjoy!

We've often said that one of the truly annoying things about many (thankfully not all) in the "paranormal community" is the intense focus on effect rather than cause... the over-concentration on recording 'spooky sounds' or snapping the photo that shows a blurry shadow that shouldn't be there, and when they have something, the work stops. They present and then dislocate their shoulders patting themselves on the back for the "good work" they've done...

In our eyes, this isn't half the work that needs to be done...

...and this post is not another rant...

...well, save that first bit.

No, what needs to be done now is to find out why and how.

Why is there a strange sound caught on my tape or recorder? How did it get there since I didn't hear it when I was recording and/or I can't account for it because no one or no thing should have made the sound that I recorded?

Why is there a strange shadow in my picture? How did it get there since I can't account for it in any way to the best of my abilities?

You see, the photo and recording are the effect... it's the cause, if discovered, that will actually move the understanding of these things forward.

It's simple to display things and say, "Wowee!" and stop... it is much more difficult to look into the real mystery and find answers... it's even more difficult to look into those possibilities if they don't jive with a cherished belief or faith...

...but that's science... or, more appropriately, that's what science should be. Ignoring personal preference to find the patterns in things and then explain them with a neutral or "agnostic" eye.

This really should be vital... because if we are all trying to get close to the same goals in the paranormal, (a better understanding of events considered paranormal in nature,) then we need a predictive model.

Here's how that works... it's really about "Step Three" below...

Step One: Odd event occurs.

Step Two: Odd event happens in a way that it can be captured in some way or measured.

Step Three: Odd events can be predicted (as to when they're happening) to allow for continued and third-party measurements and observations.

Step Four: Through predictive models, the root cause for the events can be examined and hypothesis/experiments worked up to move from hypothesis to (possibly) genuine theory.

So, going back to "Step Three" above, we really need to be able to predict when and how things will happen in order to find those patterns and move forward into possible "accepted" explanations for certain kinds of paranormal events.

I hated putting accepted above in quotes, but I do know there's a large portion of the interested populace who feel no explanation is needed because it's already determined... Sadly, the one's that are firm in their belief that UFOs are all aliens and/or ghosts are the spirits of the dead as examples are blissfully unaware that there's an equal number that feel all UFOs are wind-caught plastic bags and/or all ghosts are hallucinations... Neither is right... and neither are wrong... unless it's proven... but still, they feel that they don't need to work towards a greater acceptance and understanding of their own point for that massive majority of people, those that need substantiated evidence, to make a decision...

Sorry, I digressed into a semi-rant there... I'm back now...

In order to gain access to equipment and resources, we need to be able to say to certain communities (especially academia) that we have found a predictive model, we are starting to measure the events, and we do have a working hypothesis and experiment to find out if we're on the right track... and we need to be able to reproduce these events for anyone... especially for peers to work with for possible other hypothesis and efforts.

The predictive model is essential... because no one with an IQ better than a treat one might find in an unclean cat box doubts that people do experience things they feel are paranormal... it's truly the causation of these experiences where there is discord amongst most.

Is it all hallucinations or worse? Is it mistaken identities? Is it wishful thinking? Is it "supernatural"? Is it something else?

Once we can predict things, we can start to unravel the mystery and examine it properly.

It with this in mind why I do keep going on about Dr. Barrie Colvin's recent work...

If you're really, Really, REALLY interested in the field of ghosts, hauntings, and poltergeists... or even anomalous sounds... his work should really be at the top of your "Interest List" at the moment.

This could not only "prove" (empirically) that recorded poltergeist rappings are not "natural" in causation as we currently understand it, but looking at the overall possibilities, it may allow us to start looking into sound and how sound travels (environmental variables, etc.) and possibly help build that elusive predictive model for recording these things...

That's exciting to me personally... and might be to you... and should be to serious investigators and researchers.

So, to anyone out there "looking into things"... remember...

Look for patterns. Try to figure out a way to predict events. Document all you can...

...and please share when possible so we can all work together.

Let me start off today with something decidedly not paranormal... of which, perhaps I should warn the gentle reader, I will need to often tread outside the realm of the paranormal several times during this entry.

Sue and I are avid documentary watchers. We love anything we can watch on other cultures, history, physics, criminology, medicine, psychology, and of course, the paranormal... but the paranormal, as stated, is not where I'm starting here.

We were excited when we heard Dr. Zahi Hawass, head of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, was involved in a show called "Chasing Mummies", a "reality" program about looking into Egyptian archeology.

We eagerly waited and thanks to a friend "in the industry", received a DVD of the first episode... and watched... or tried to...

Sue and I are not regular watchers of "reality teevee" at all of any sort... We do like documentaries to be certain, but we found out during this show just how far the idea of a documentary was from "reality television".

Before continuing, if us not knowing this in some way makes some people think we're slow on the uptake, I would remind... other than occasional "Idol" viewing and rare "Survivor" viewing,... the latter of which we knew to be somewhat directed... we don't watch much television at all... and stay pretty much to news and docs... so this was indeed new to us. We're not up on our modern pop-culture.

"Chasing Mummies" was very obviously scripted... or poorly ad-libbed at best. It was painfully directed (micro-directed even,) and had all the genuine look and feel as a bowl full of dollar-store plastic bananas. It was so bad that, indeed, the things Sue and I have read about Dr. Hawass before (and his exploits) now seem more likely to be possibly... "played up"? "Exaggerated"? Even possibly outright un-truths?

It was insulting... not only to the subject and possibly Dr. Hawass in hind-sight... but to the viewer as well.

Yes, it was THAT bad.

On Friday, the same friend shared with me a relatively new paranormal reality teevee show... well, it didn't SEEM to be a reality teevee show based on the write-up... and my friend hadn't watched it before giving it to me.

The show is called, "Fact or Fake: The Paranormal Files" and here's what the write-up said...

Ex-FBI agent Ben Hansen and his team attempt to debunk or authenticate Web videos and photos involving supernatural activities.

Well, other than realising at best, most people would only be able to claim something was a "Likely Fraud", "Mistaken Situation", or "Unknown Causation" at best (that is, without a declaration of intentional hoaxery by the person who put forward the photo or video -OR- with hard evidence to support a fraud,) the show still sounded okay... and I suspected it would be about looking at videos or photos, dissecting them, and then giving a "likely hypothesis" as to authenticity.

I was wrong.

It's another Hawass-Like reality program... and I managed to watch about six minutes or so of it before needing to switch it off and walk away.

The opening was not like a serious documentary or even a serious show about educating the public... no... it was a cheap music-video style opening specifically designed for those with severe attention deficiencies.

During this montage of loud, we're introduced to the team...

We have, the team lead... who's more than a bit young to be a former FBI investigator... and upon investigation, there's a chance that he may not have been a full-time member of the Bureau as is... his biography, as one person pointed out, simply states he worked with the FBI... not for the FBI... and is currently a systems analyst for a non-profit company... so there's some doubt there. Oh, and as a bonus, he's another one of that rare breed of investigators... someone most of us have never heard of (no publications, no papers, no known body of work,) who has been doing this for almost his whole life... not adult life... almost his WHOLE life. According to himself on the show, he's been investigating the paranormal since he "was ten years old". Imagine that... So he was an apparent child protege.

The rest of the team is either an amazing stroke of casting... or something's a little odd. Basically, two attractive young women and two fit young guys. If these folks have serious credits to their abilities and skills, they weren't made clear... and upon watching this, I did seriously wonder... was this a legit team... or someone finding work for some attractive friends?

The latter seemed more likely as the show rolled on in train-wreck fashion...

Within seconds, it became painfully clear, like the Hawass show, that the entire program was directed and scripted... and rather poorly acted.

Where the train wreck FLEW off the rails for me as a serious investigator and researcher was the team "viewing" their first video...

It was one I've seen before... a video of some woods that, suddenly, features a shadow of some sort seemingly move (at a distance... on a guess, twenty or more feet from the camera,) between the photographer/camera and the trees. As it passes, it does distort the trees... and moves off from right to left... possibly taking a second or two.

As the image rolls full screen for us on our television (after a lame-duck scripted introduction that's presented to us as "fly-on-the-wall" real,) we hear gasps and almost shouts of interest and... yeah... fear.

They re-run the image and we hear and through some camera-cuts, eventually see the team talking loudly and excitedly as if they'd just witnessed the first successful attempt at cold fusion... semi-shouts from being scared to one of the young ladies getting up from her chair and asking everyone to "Go back! Go back!" in an almost semi-comical, badly acted fashion... because it was just that compelling.

It was at this point, I made the decision to switch it off... because I had to ask myself... If this is how the director is telling them how to act in a closed space environment watching a YouTube video, how bad WILL it be when they're supposedly in the field?

Wishing to avoid further anger and frustration... not to mention losing an hour of my life... I stopped the playback.

Now, I am aware the ratings for all the big "paranormal reality" shows are swirling the proverbial bowl (probably because of the over-dramatic acting/situations they're scripted and directed into and the over saturation of the market with these programs,) and that if we go by the official numbers, many of these horror shows ("horror shows" for the wrong reasons, I might add,) will soon be gone... unless the networks like bleeding cash and viewers.

Still, after all this, I got to thinking... Is it possible to do a good and meaningful show on the paranormal?

I used to continuously cite the original "In Search Of..." as a good example as it tended to tell the story, interview those involved, present the information, and allow the viewer to come to any conclusions with very few bells, whistles, or the crap that modern production teams FEEL (or "think") is necessary to reach viewers.

Right now, personally, I'm re-watching "The Day The Universe Changed" with James Burke... which is not about the paranormal (although occasionally, Mr. Burke ends up commenting on the Victorian interest in spiritualism,) but is expertly presented, entertaining, insightful, educational, and most importantly, interesting.

The show treats the viewer with respect... and the presentation has moments of humour and occasional bells and whistles, but stays to it's narrative... and if you're interested in science and technology and have not seen any of James Burke's programs, you're missing out!

Sue and I also watched recently a documentary called "Beautiful Minds", the first episode being about Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, an astrophysicist... and as an example of how something like these "not related to the paranormal" shows indeed enhance the thinking of those interested, here's a quote from Professor Bell Burnell from the program in question...

Science is a quest for understanding. A search for truth seems to me to be full of pitfalls. We all have different understandings of what 'truth' is and we are in danger of each believing that our truth is the one and only absolute truth... which is why I say it's full of pitfalls. I think a search for understanding is much more serviceable to humankind and is a sufficiently ambitious goal of itself.

If anyone read the above quote and does not see the very plausible connection to studying the paranormal, I'm kind of shocked.

With the examples of "In Search Of...", "The Day The Universe Changed", and even "Beautiful Minds", (and I'm only scratching a surface,) it seems to me that STILL, someone with vision might see something rather important...

Although there is no doubt that pretty looking people with night-vision cameras lodged in shots directly up their nose appeals to some, are they not missing another demographic?

That demographic being those who genuinely want to know more about these experiences... to learn about the phenomena... to actually hear things that, perhaps, they didn't know before?

Looking at the ratings (which I oddly enough do,) from BBM (in Canada) and Nielsen (in America) I do see the sincere waning of interest the fare placed before the viewing public... and yet, the interest IS there.

Most real paranormal investigators know that if you truly did follow us about on our work, it would hardly be compelling... I've often likened it to how I heard the job of airline pilot described... Hours and hours of endless tedium and boredom broken by seconds of excitement. Let's face it, following someone around for three hours in an old building while they check temperatures, snap photos, and take other readings is not exactly wah-hoo stuff... and even the rather obviously scripted and directed (to make it "...more interesting for you, the viewer!") reality shows can only do so much...

...but what about really TRYING to push the actual subject ahead of the experience or reaction?

I bet some of you didn't know this, but it's true... My experience has taught me that people are interested in the paranormal itself, not just the reaction of talent-challenged demi-actors under cheap direction.

There are a lot of people that want information... they want ideas... they want knowledge... ESPECIALLY about something that could be about the idea of what comes after one passes on. (Most of us, sadly, will die at some point in the future... and the idea of what might come after that moment interests some... and that's only ONE possible aspect of ghosts!)

Now, Sue and I have never hid the fact... we're not interested in being media stars. We actively avoid a lot of media... but to those people out there who are happy to deal with the media... consider this...

There is a lot of really good information out there... and it could be presented in an entertaining and educational format... and faux reality teevee is not that medium.

Perhaps you might suggest... Hey! The night-vision up my nose is great, but why not consider presenting the information in an educational way and make it entertaining and interesting! Maybe watch a good documentary or three and use those ideas and formats on this topic! We could find a NEW audience and the old audience will most likely hang about too!

It's a thought... but a good one...

...and yes, television CAN do good things with paranormal subjects... but not until they get off the merry-go-round of stupid false reality shows and think outside the "paranormal media" box.

I think, one day, they will.

Addendum of sorts... I'm making a big assumption here... but if you've stuck with me this far and read this whole missive, you'll understand this...

We're doing a one-day Micro-Conference next year... on October 1st... and it will be concentrating on the more educational aspects of these studies. It will be about the nuts-and-bolts physical aspects of the paranormal as well as a look into the philosophical, anthropological, and sociological sciences within the realms of these topics.

Now, for the truly interested, this will be an exciting and most interesting event!

For those that really do enjoy *only* the "reactions" of those on the paranormal reality teevee shows, it may not be to your liking... because it won't feature night-vision videos of us at work and I guarantee I won't be screaming into anything much less a camera... well, unless I slam my finger in a door, in which case, all bets are off!

We're doing an afternoon/evening thing where the focus will be on the serious aspects and thoughts of the paranormal... and we do think that's a great thing.

...but if you're hoping for YouTube like mashups featuring stills from "The Exorcist" to pop up with a loud scary sound to frighten you, you may be a little disappointed with us!

Note: If you don't read the following with the knowledge that it's somewhat of a parody and tinged with more than a little bit of truth combined with snark and humour, you will be missing the point. (The mere fact that I need to include this prelude is rather telling about some of the people discussed below... but experience has taught me that this is a necessary evil.)

In the field of discussions of paranormal topics it's can be important if not vital to know the fauna that may be encountered while navigating the internet and other areas where these creatures can be viewed "in the wild", as it were.

Although there could be volumes about the differing species one might encounter, this entry is specific to the genus Hominis Scepticus or the American variation of the species, the Hominis Skepticus or common sceptic.

The sceptic comes in many variations and cross-genera, but the basic categories remain visible and easy to detect.

This guide will allow the user to identify the common varieties of sceptic they may encounter within the discussion of the paranormal.

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Pseudo-Sceptic
Fraudulous Representatious

This sceptic is one of the most common varieties found in almost all corners of human habitat. Claiming to practice "scepticism", this variety is actually almost another species, the Non-Believerious Incapabolous Accepticus Hypothesisous or common non-believer that does not understand that scepticism means to doubt rather than knee-jerk deny things. They are easily spotted by their cry which is always similar and sounds like, "I don't believe any of that bunk. I'm a sceptic."

This variety uses the cloaking ability of the word "scepticism" to make themselves feel better about their absolute faith in the non-existence of things they don't wish to acknowledge a possibility of. Like many sceptics listed in this guide, they really are not a sceptic as such, but popular vernacular has forced them into the genus category.

This variation feels that science is on their "side"... when it is not... as science, as a method, is "undecided" about things without empirical evidence to substantiate a stance. Also, this variation usually can't cite any scientific studies or papers to substantiate it's point.

This variety occasionally displays a sincere sense, albeit false, of persecution over their stance and how it is viewed by others. More often than not, they are so snug within their viewpoints that really, it doesn't matter all that much what anyone thinks or discusses with them... They'd rather be somewhere else discussing other things anyway.

Evangelical Sceptic
Compulsionious Preachus

Often found in groups or as rogue (and often unwanted) individuals, this variation is closely related to the Fraudulous Representatious above, but takes more pro-active measures and works to feather it's nest by trying to rid the planet of what it considers the work of Hominis Woowooiticus.

Sadly, it often mistakes literally most (if not every) piece of writing, study, literature, and experience that does not fit it's self-built paradigm (regardless if it is truly the work of the Hominis Woowooiticus or not,) and feels compelled to shred said work or loudly disavow it usually in a public forum.

This species is often incapable of looking at any data or even entertaining an alternative hypothesis that may allow for differing ideas to what it feels is 'acceptable' or even allowing the concept of hypothesis or speculation within any field that might distress it's own safe view of it's habitat. (Closely related to Non-Believerious Incapabolous Accepticus Hypothesisous, but more likely to attack without legitimate provocation and usually without full argument as to why the attack is taking place.)

When confronted by uncomfortable things, the Compulsionious Preachus will most often secrete it's foul cry of "WOO!" accompanied by a finger point, and then it will change the subject to allow for easier mockery of any subject it feels is "questionable", regardless of relation to the original points it took offence to.

Active within the general community it inhabits, Compulsionious Preachus feels it's life's work is to "assist" all other hominid life away from what it considers dangerous matter.

This vitriolic variation of sceptic is often considered, even within some of scepticism's general group habitats, to be problematic at best, annoying and pointless at worst.

This variation feels that science is on their "side"... when it is not... as science, as a method, is "undecided" about things without empirical evidence to substantiate a stance (including a negative one) and because of this, true science allows for speculation and hypothesis where this version of sceptic will not and really, can not.

This variety often displays a sincere sense, albeit false, of persecution over their stance and how they are viewed by others which they feel justifies their behaviour and actions. (Realistically, people don't like them because of their zealotry in general, but this truism is dismissed by the Preachus as they are so so certain of their own paths or action. "Exitus acta probat" is effectively their mantra.)

Fake Sceptics
Scepticus Falsus Woowoous

This variation is often located within the field of the paranormal studies (of a sort) and often displays the word "sceptic" to describe itself, but then does something to ensure that the keen observer understands that it is not actually a pure bred sceptic.

For example, there are things that are self-named "Sceptical Demonologists", which in itself proves that the "sceptic" part in this group is probably not apt as they have already pre-determined the cause for what they're looking into... again, removing doubt or questioning which, again, doesn't truly make them appropriate for the genus "sceptic", but they are still self-labeled thusly.

This variation feels that science is on their "side" because they occasionally utilise "scientific" equipment... again, "science" is not on their side as using scientific equipment without proper controls or even a truly complete understanding of the measurements taken (and why they are being taken) makes one a "scientist" much the same way as using a cranial saw to slice cheese for a sandwich makes one a neurosurgeon.

This variety often displays a sincere sense, albeit false, of persecution over their stance and how they are viewed by others.

Angry Sceptics
Furious Scepticus

This variety of sceptic is often related to the Compulsionious Preachus above, but unlike Preachus, it's usual form of attack is not tangible articles, but debates and usually devolves to online "internet trolling" (see the Urban Dictionary for definition of "Internet Troll" for more information,) of anyone it feels is "opposed" or even humouing an opposing view of things than it holds to be true.

This variation feels that science is on their "side" and they are "fighting the good fight" without actual action or even data to prop up their case... they are, of course, wrong as science requires empirical data, not simply being the "loudest voice" to be accepted as fact.

This variety often displays a sincere sense, albeit false, of persecution over their stance and how they are viewed by others which they feel justifies their behaviour.

Fan Sceptics
Lustivus Scientisticus Scepticus

Like many other species that is of the Lustivus variation, (such as the Apple Fanboius, the Beiber Feverous, and the ever present Astra Trekkieus,) this variation of sceptic latches on to a favourite aspect of their adoration and flogs it almost completely to death much to the irritation of others.

In Lustivus Scientisticus Scepticus, this often is a quote from a scientist or noted intellectual and is little more than a sound byte which completely defines their stance.

Usually, the Lustivus Scientisticus Scepticus doesn't understand the quote completely or is unaware of the origins.

The two most common that are bandied about as the call of the Lustivus Scientisticus Scepticus are "Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence" which is cited as coming from the late Dr. Carl Sagan. Sagan did not coin the term, the late Dr. Marcello Truzzi did, and when Truzzi noted that scepticism had been taken over by non-believers rather than doubters, he left the sceptical organisation he helped found... and also, on noting that evidence is evidence and/or truth is truth and things either can be or "not be", he changed his stance and wished he'd simply said, "Claim Require Evidence"... and that meant all claims including claims of non-existence in the face or overwhelming reported experiences.

The other oft used phrase is "The Simplest Answer is Usually the Correct One" or "Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem" to be correct. This is Occam's Razor... which was "coined" by William of Ockham, a 14th century monk who did utilise this logic more than a few times to say that simply "God Made It So" (the simplest answer) to "answer" things that seemed (at the time) to defy simplistic observational (scientific) answers.

With these examples known, this variation of sceptic often worships these words and their (often incorrectly attributed) original creators and all "arguments" end up with these words being parroted back to the opposing number... usually to the point of extreme redundancy.

This variety assumes "science" is on their side because they cite "scientists" so it must be right.

This variety does not usually display a sincere sense of persecution... only misplaced smugness in support of their own 'intelligence'.

(See also: Fallback Position to Randi's Million-Dollar "Challenge" as Proof of Non-Existence.)

Actual Sceptics
Thinkerus Learningus Educati Scepticus

The rarest of all sceptics and within the realm of the garden variety "popular" sceptic, these are often mocked or called a "soft-sceptic", because they actually use scientific logic and thought and don't make sweeping generalisations but work from a case-by-case scenario when presented with things.

They "doubt" and do not "deny out of hand" which also makes them targets of the "harder" variations of the sceptic species. They understand that there are no true limits to our knowledge and understanding of the universe regardless of any stand one takes and that some "laws" may not apply as more information comes into play.

They demand empirical evidence before supporting any position on things, but do not dismiss ideas until evidence if brought to the fore to show an idea may or may not be correct.

Science (as a method) is on their side as indeed, they only work from the empirical and will accept possible hypothesis and even speculation provided it's presented as such.

Unlike all of the above, this variety will not resort to ad hominem attacks when presented with questionable things, but instead question the data itself.

This variety is persecuted by the above variations of sceptic and also by Hominis Woowooiticus (true believers who don't wish to have their faith questioned,) as they refuse to take any stand without, again, empirical evidence and as such, are not viewed as being "one of the faithful" by any of these camps.

They are also soundly loathed by the not-common, but oft seen Fraudulous Conmanicus Woowooator or predatory hominid that prey on Hominis Woowooiticus for money and whatnot as the findings and presentation of facts and data by Thinkerus Learningus Educati Scepticus are far more difficult to "contradict" which the Conmanicus must do in order to entice prey continue to feed.

Thinkerus Learningus Educati Scepticus is truly the more successful and discreet variant of Compulsionious Preachus... making the Preachus usually very jealous.

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All of the above mentioned, with the exception of Thinkerus Learningus Educati Scepticus, when presented with empirical evidence that forces them to re-think their stance on any subject they originally held near-and-dear, (say the original "sceptical" view on panspermia,) will show that they are indeed of the same genus as they resort to one of the two common wild calls of 'correction'... "Well, that was self-evident and I knew it all along. You just didn't understand me!" or "That wasn't my point..." which is a pseudo-intellectual variation of "Exitus acta probat" in a way.

Again, save the Thinkerus Learningus Educati Scepticus, the common sceptic is never wrong and as such, must be truly "God like" in their infallibility.

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I do hope this guide has been helpful... and yes, I do understand that one could do many differing guides to all sorts of types of species found in the realm of these studies, and this article is a little one-sided... but when one reads things such as...
TheSkeptoidZone - Uber-skeptoid with way too much time on his hands gets libx warning
...one might understand why I believe that it's important for all to know or be able to figure out what type of sceptic they are dealing with in the wild.

Thank you for reading...

Although I respect their bravery, I fear that doing so is going to prove bad for business for them.
- Quoted from a posting on Ghost Village's Message Board about my publishing the "Final Orb" article.

~~~~

The quote above was brought back to my attention yesterday evening... and it spurred many thoughts...

It's not been a mystery that life (fiscally) for Sue and myself has been hard... and we are most certainly not alone.

Often, we think of two examples... both Ufologists... we have been privileged to know. Both men have an unbelievable body of work and excellent standing and respect within their field... and yet, one died rather recently having basically gone bankrupt and losing everything... to the point of trying to sell his library and notes just a couple of years before his passing. The other fellow is still trying to eek out any funds he can as he can... even selling off many of his personal possessions to make ends meet.

The people we know legitimately working with ghosts and hauntings also tend to be in a bad spot. Many of the "big name" ghost folks of the past came into the study as people of leisure... money wasn't an issue for them... but thousands of not-as-wealthy people who are legitimately serious about the study literally go hand-to-mouth in order to do what is their passion.

The same is true for Cryptozoologists and psychical researchers and investigators... If you didn't come to the table with funds or were hired by a wealthy patron or group, you must be prepared to starve for your passion... because, although there are ways to "make your living" in the paranormal, the majority of those vocations mean having to usually be very flexible in your ethics and morals.

"...bad for business..." the quote above said. Writing an article and truly making my point in a valid and testable way was bad for business.

What this says, and she was right, was telling the truth and being honest would mean less people would send me photos that I knew were 99.9999% natural in origin to post on my website as "Jenn-You-Whine" ghostly images... and in today's world, no pics means no flash and no sizzle... and lower hit rates... less traffic... less chance to make "business" happen with "customers" seeing our "wares".

One COULD say that this lack of "business" also means less reports and visitors who might talk to us about their experience and we could lose valuable data for our work... but honestly, other than a few bumps when I initially published that paper, we've grown... and reports have increased year over year...

...but it's that word... "business"... Are we a business? We aren't making a dime on this... and to be truthful, we know we probably never will... but obviously, it would be grand to do what we have a genuine thirst and passion for as a "living".

How could someone like us make business?

Well, we could write books... Not as profitable as one might think and we'd be in an over-glutted market... plus Sue and I have discussed it and if we did write something, we'd want it to offer you, a reader, something really new... and honestly, so far, the best stuff we have is right here... free... and we're cool with that.

Okay, no book... yet... and none on the immediate horizon.

There are "ghost tours" and the like... and we actually see a LOT of value in these. They're fun, entertaining, and often educational. Really, a good "ghost tour" is often great value for the money... but there are many really excellent tours in our neck of the woods... and we never set out to be a tour operator and very happily promote the ones that are out there. Also, we would never set up a long-term operation that might run competitively against those that have been around a long while...

So, no tours.

There are classes, lectures, and the like... but these have a limited appeal and shelf-life with the masses. Doing this might leak in a coin or two to the coffers... we did even try this once or twice... but overall, sadly, in order to look after our daughters and ourselves, the "day jobs" must be first and foremost in the financial gathering department... that, and we really don't have the space or facilities to use either... Top that off with the fact that we would not and could not "fib" about what these would entail... and not having "extreme videos", "amazing pictures", or other "proof" of the existence of the paranormal is not a crowd-grabber... even when you do report to have these, people get bored unless they're new ones available every time they come out... and although we work this way anyway, many people (especially "down South",) are not terribly interested in having their evidence scrutinized by any recognised authorities like a university, professional photographers, or audio engineers.

So, no regular full-time gigs doing lectures or classes.

The three ideas above would really be the only ways we could "Self-Start" a business of sorts using our field of study... and we'd be okay with them... but have had to discount them for ourselves.

Of course, there would be "Find a Wealthy Patron" who'd pay us to continue our work... or be hired by a school to become full-time paranormal researchers and investigators... but those are pipe-dreams.

Then, there's the more common routes people DO try to make coins from this... and they are most certainly not for us...

#1: Charge for work or investigations. Why? How would you justify this fee? Also, the information gathered helps us find answers and leads to a greater understanding of the paranormal in general... the thought of putting one's hand out and saying, "Money or no work!" for this study is just horrible to us. Also, in terms of charging for "house clearing" or the like... again, our own honesty would be our undoing. First, most house clearings don't work. Second, how can anyone give any sort of guarantee that they've successfully removed something that no one has absolutely proven to exist AND even if you have a belief or faith in the existence of these things (and honestly, we do believe these things are experienced ourselves,) how do you quantify their existence so you can measure that they are gone when absolute no one before you has?

...so that ain't happening with us.

#2: Hope for a media gig. Fantastic... except... I have daughters... and need every penny I have... Would I be guaranteed a paycheque for "X" amount of years to ensure their needs are met? What if this lasted only one year or less? Would I be out on my bum and jobless? We've worked with media before... and one large multinational company told us Do things our way or we don't work together... we didn't work together... and my fabled story about being asked to dance to the "Ghostbusters Theme" for a camera? It happened... it was a major news organisation in the city I live in. Basically, our overwhelming experience with media has been they're more than willing to not guarantee any pay, ask you to tank your ethics and principals for their "version" of how things should be, and after all is said and done, you usually lose the respect of authorities and people who can help the study... but you MIGHT gain a "TeeVee" fan base... which in the long run, is counter to what we would like to achieve. We need the universities, museums, and historic sites... and we've seen how the quest for fame by some ruin those contacts and people not only for themselves, but others. Most importantly, Sue and I have never claimed to be entertainers and are not actors or the like in either an amateur or professional sense.

...so that ain't happening in the near future either.

#3: Try to sell "stuff". Again, in a glutted "ghost hunter store" market, this isn't a winner in many respects... and the competition from what we've seen is brutal. Worse yet, many of the gadgets at these stores are available, often much cheaper, in legitimate science shops... they just don't have a "ghost sticker" on them or claim to capture UFO's in flight 80% of the time. Some things have a proven negative track record in terms of finding evidence of the paranormal, and yet are still peddled as "real" investigative equipment... Some people have even taken items that are free or could be built cheaply and marketed them as their own creation with a huge price mark-up. Again, we just can't do that... This is counter to what we want to accomplish and in some cases, even criminal.

...no go on that.

I could continue... there are other ways to make coin... many of them in the "unscrupulous" category.

Perhaps I should add something... to be clearer... for those new to Sue and I and our groups, and that is lay out what *is* driving us in our efforts...

Sue and I have had our own experiences. We have also heard far too many other people with similar and different experiences. We are both people who want to understand those experiences. We believe the understanding of these things benefits everyone. We think of ourselves as investigators, researchers, thinkers, and educators. We are pleased that we are not alone in these thoughts.

So, seeing that above, you can see how we really will never be able to properly set aside our ethics or morals... and that, indeed, this is a passion... an obsession... and we know it will be a money-losing proposition.

I recently updated the "PSICAN Help Us" page which lays out what we do with any gifts people toss our way... and what we'd do with larger gifts... and the ultimate dream of a PSICAN learning centre...

...but will some of the larger goals be a reality?

Perhaps.

...are we willing to do what best for "business"?

Y'know what?

No.

We won't.

What you see is what you get... and we won't sell out our vision, our ideals, or our ethics for anything.

We're like you.

...and as such, we cannot and will not bend our ways or possibly corrupt our vision just for money's sake.

If the funds come, they come.

If they don't, oh well... it's been a great experience and learning adventure...

...and maybe we will never own our dream home or make our other wishes come true... but we'll build a decent life for our family, we will continue as we can, and we really - in the long run - will have few regrets.

"Business" may be bad... but our self worth is quite amazing... and that's the important thing in the long run.

Of course, if that wealthy patron is out there, we WOULD love that learning centre and think other's would love it too!

There's a dreadful little website that takes things way too far by the same name as this blog entry...

It has topics like "What's the harm in believing in psychics?" and then goes on to list major news stories about victims of fraudulent psychics and the like... Now, I say the site in question is "dreadful" because in making it's point, it often makes some leaps and tries to connect dots... for example, "Belief in Ghosts" is apparently tantamount to wishing for an exorcism and so the site lists a lot of rather horrible bad exorcism stories...

Now, this is valid information and I agree there should be caveats to folks who wish to dive into any belief (especially if they wish to act on it,) to do some homework... but that's not why I'm writing this post.

My point is the other "What's the harm?" things... things I've either heard people ask about or must assume people ask about... because indeed these things happen, and one has to assume the people that acted on them felt there'd be no harm... and yet...

For example...

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What's the harm in fibbing a little to make a ghost story more interesting?

I mean, after all, it might even put a few coins in the "fibber's" wallet and entertain the kids, right?

Well, I did cover some aspects off in this blog post a few days back... about how lying once taints everything the "fibbers" then produce no matter how valid it might be... and how their "fibs" then cast everyone in a bad light because, indeed, we all do get painted with the same brush by the masses (one "ghost hunter" is another "ghost investigator" is another "paranormal researcher" with no big differences between them all to most people...) and that ends up hurting us all...

...but what about the ethics of that "fib"?

Historical inaccuracies is one thing (and usually the most common event when "ghost hunters" fib,) but what happens when their new tales of haunts (and usually the darker aspects of a history that lead to the "haunting",) contain problems for those who are a little more attached to things then the story tellers is? What if it stigmatizes a home, a parcel of land, or worse yet, a family's good name? We've even had complaints (I know, like we're a complaints department!!! ...but such is life...) when ghost stories told by guides take a decidedly nastier and historically inaccurate tone in terms of the people (post mortem,) supposedly involved... with everything from racism, sexism, implied murders, backroom abortions, and various other treacherous acts all desperately chucked into a "good ghost story" to thrill and chill... with zero proof, zero evidence, and zero substance. Such acts of modern folklore have closed off more than twenty sites to us (even though we were not involved with the "new" stories,) and other ghost enthusiasts... just so a handful could have a sexy story to light up their cold lives.

...and what was the harm?

Ask us... who are now shut out of possibly valuable investigative research.

Ask the families involved... who now live with the stigma of lies about their ancestors.

Ask anyone with a sense of decency... who has to hear someone mock their ancestry... or lifestyle...

...just because someone needed a "good story".

Not just "ghost hunters" can be blamed for this, however... look how deftly things of this nature are handled by the mainstream media by reading this old post.

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What's the harm in watching a lot of reality paranormal television programs?

Nothing... provided you understand that a good 75% (or more) of what you're seeing is not all that real.

No, I don't mean they're "faking stuff" that's ghostly or demonic and offering it to you, the viewing audience, as absolute evidence of weird stuff...

...not only that...

They're faking most conversations, story lines, and a lot more in most cases.

The minute you see a creative person in the credits... or a "story editor"... or anything involving a script, it stopped being "real".

There is no "best time" to see or experience things, as an example. Paranormal events happen night or day... it's just hard to freak out teenagers on a couch with a bowl of popcorn in front of their big screen with a show shot at noon.

More and more, the truth seems to be there's not much truth in any of these programs... They are entertainment... and the people in them are entertainers... and provided you understand that... and you know that the majority of what they're doing and saying is really for your viewing benefit to make the popcorn extra-tasty, there's no harm at all.

...but you should be aware of how some of them truly see you... like this interview points out from a writer hired by The Warren's to work on a book for them...

I found that the accounts of the individual Snedekers didn’t quite mesh. They just couldn’t keep their stories straight. I went to Ed with this problem. "Oh, they’re crazy," he said. "Everybody who comes to us is crazy. Otherwise why would they come to us? You’ve got some of the story – just use what works and make the rest up. And make it scary. You write scary books, right? That’s why we hired you. So just make it up and make it scary."

Lorraine Warren is a staple on one of the "reality" TV shows... and there's more about these folks... a LOT more...

...and, off the record, one person involved with the show Mrs. Warren is on admitted to us that, indeed, they don't buy into the "demon" thing... and they want to return to working on strictly ghosts sans "demons". (Good luck with that... I'm sure it'll happen when it's time to renew contracts.)

Again, if you realise that these programs are borderline absolute fiction and ONLY for your "scary pleasure", enjoy!

...but it ain't really what happens when those of us who are in the field do our work.

What is the harm then?

Try working (key word that... "working"...) with anyone who has seen these shows and expects the same "results" and happenings. It's often not pretty.

Also, the antics of the teevee paracelebrities are often so embarrassing, it also closes doors for us to places that don't want that sort of thing in, on, or near their site. This sounds like hyperbole... but sadly, experience has taught us it isn't.

The only good thing here is that in Canada, the ratings for "paranormal television programs" have slipped rather hard in the last few months... and continue to lose ground. Hopefully, most of the shows will be off the air soon... and the misconceptions will eventually leave with them.

~~~~

What's the harm in hanging out and goofin' around in the haunted places?

Lessee... does the person in question have permission to be there? Might they be arrested for trespassing or break-and-enter?

...and if they are, what's the harm there, right? It's ONLY them!

...nope...

Again, in this case, one person's thrill seeking criminal is all about ghosts... and therefore is one person's "ghost hunter" is one person's "ghost investigator" is one person's...

...are you starting to see a trend?

It really is like this... and can take weeks, months, sometimes years... sometimes never... to regain the trust of an owner, tenant, site manager, or the like to allow someone to do some actual investigation and observation on a site when these things happen.

For some recent examples, see ParaResearcher's report on #1 Spadina Cres. in Toronto and more recently, the sad events relayed on The Haunted Hamilton website about the legend of Mary Rutherford.

There are many, many, sadly many more similar news items... all sad... and all stupid...

I could also list the people that mistake "abandoned" for "haunted" and end up doing poorly planned urban exploration and getting hurt and worse... but hopefully, you get the idea...

~~~~

I could go one with one's like "What's the harm of paying for psychical help?" and talking about the SEVERAL cases where we know people that lost literally thousands to would-be psychics and the like in fees and such... or "What's the harm in knowing (without any other examination,) what's happening and acting on it?" and discuss the deaths of hundreds of people in relatively modern times who were mentally ill, but "cured" (to death) by botched "exorcisms" or worse...

...but I'll stop here.

Suffice to say, when doing anything... LITERALLY anything... ask the question...

"What IS the worst that can happen?"

...and be honest with your answers.

It may save everyone, including yourself, a lot of heart ache and pain.