The Paranormal Blog

Pseudo Sceptics and True Believers Opposite Sides Of The Same Coin

Sue — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:33:00 +0000

Science is a method, simple observation is often all that's necessary in most explanations ... critical thinking, regardless, is important.

Some people's "paranormal" experiences are absolutely explainable by natural (rather than "supernatural") causes... heck, when you think about it, if one was able to prove with absolute and replicable data (empirical) that some form of what we think of as a "ghost" existed, would that not now become a "natural" answer? All things are "supernatural" until they are qualified or quantified.

This said, I also do not have absolute and replicable data (empirical) that all ghostly experiences are explainable with the tools at hand... This does not necessarily mean they are "supernatural" (by popular definition) in origin, but simply "unknown".

Too many people knee-jerk to one answer or another... often without any investigation at all. So-called sceptics (or the American spelling, skeptics,) knee jerk to it's all bunk and find quick answers to resolve problems without investigation... or claim it's all nonsense... and seem incapable of saying they don't know why some things are experienced... conversely, the "true believers" knee jerk towards the idea that it must be supernatural and wonderfully ethereal...

Both are secure in their views and both feel they are the defenders of exactly what it is they have... their faith.

Rarely do both step back and say "Wait a minute, maybe it's something else..." and actually look into things case-by-case.

That's what we try to do. And that is what in my humble opinion all good investigators and researchers should do....... remain neutral, and look at all the evidence or lack thereof no matter how it might jibe or not with your own personal beliefs.

Oh, to address scepticism... Sceptics will often say they don't believe... or that they "doubt" and then poo-poo all things that don't fit their personal paradigms... this is not scepticism... that's non-belief. Scepticism is doubt, not denial. I am a sceptic as I doubt everything and want evidence... not only of an experience's existence, but if told that it's nonsense, of it's non-existence... and I want that data to be absolute or else I won't take a stand.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Site Updates April 24th 2012

Sue — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:29:00 +0000

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

Etobicoke Lakeshore Condo - New

Osgoode Hall - Updated

Fort York - Updated

Markham Private Home - New

Devlin Private Home - New

Chatham Private Home - New

The Cawthra Estate - New

The Adamson Estate - New

Enjoy!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Would You Buy a Used Ghost Detector From This Man?

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:24:00 +0000

Everyone knows the Super Deluxe Wobble-Wonder Ghost Detector works! Look at all the ghost hunters that use it and see amazing results! It's even being used regularly on reality-ish television programs! Just plug it in and it finds the tripherion particles in the atmosphere and everyone KNOWS that a heavy amount of tripherion means ghosts are about!

...so might say a ghost hunter store.

Of course, one might ask a few questions... like why do I know this works? Are there any studies or documents to show these statements to be true that aren't from either reality-ish television programs or ghost hunters who seem to be finding any port in a storm in terms of justifying why they feel "X" place they visit must be haunted? What is a tripherion particle and how do we know a deep concentration of them is indicative of ghosts? Again, is there any studies or the like to back this up?

The answer to the above, of course, is there is no such thing as the Wobble-Wonder Ghost Detector (either super or regular models), there are not studies that show anything (even if a ghost teevee show uses it,) and I made up tripherion particles while writing this article... they don't exist.

Easy!

...but what about EM meters?

FLIR cameras?

Various audio recording devices?

Do they work?

Well, according to ghost hunting stores and many "ghost hunters", amazingly well!

Obviously so, because this must be why ghosts are an absolute proven thing without a shadow of a doubt to everyone and RIGHT now, ghostilogical boards and committees forming at every university!

Oh, wait... that's not happening...

Why is that?

...because in order to make ghostly phenomena an empirical fact and study (outside of psychology and parapsychology,) you'd need to substantiate the existence of these events. Simply be able to capture, measure, quantify, and examine multiple instances of ghostly phenomena in both "natural" and controlled environments with neutral verification from an academic or accredited body.

To date, the total amount of data that has done the above perfectly is... zero.

This does not mean all things ghostly do not exist... it means they have not been empirically proven to exist. Effectively and correctly, this means ghosts might exist, and they may not.

Personally, I think one way or another, the answer will eventually be Yes, there is some form of measurable phenomena when it comes to things we consider "ghostly"... but that remains a "hope", not a theory, a hypothesis, and especially not a fact... but I believe we will eventually find something to show to the world.

...but this isn't about me... I was egotistical in my last blog entry... this is about ghostly gadgets and what to buy.

It seems many ghost hunters (I don't consider myself one of those really,) in an attempt to capture, measure, quantify, and examine things, fly off to ghost hunting stores, buy the gizmos the "best of the best" are using because they're wonderful and woo-hoo!

Too bad most of them are doing it very wrong.

I'm about to give EACH and EVERY ONE of you reading this some amazing advice... feel free (PLEASE!) to pass it along to others...

If you're intent is to capture, measure, quantify, and examine ghostly phenomena, pinpoint what phenomena you are trying to capture... and then learn the elements therein.

Although this works for pretty much anything, let's work on sound recording as a first example.

A good "ghost hunter" will immediately go out and buy tested, tried, and true recording equipment that's received RAVE reviews from fellow ghost hunters and use it as they've been shown (usually on teevee or through a handful of YouTubes and perhaps a website or two... all of which is otherwise described by many of these ghost hunters as "tonnes of documentation and information",) and begin capturing stuff.

...and yet, here's a thought... they don't even really understand how a recording happens in the first place.

Have they taken a few minutes to remind themselves of the basic principals of how sound is made? How it travels? This is important because, no word of a lie, if you don't, you won't understand how a sound wave/vibration makes a mic work and... well... how about that?

Do they understand how the microphone works... I'm not talking about the nuances of a model of microphone or what might have been written about it on the ghost hunter store's website, do they understand recording basics?

I bring this up because before you even contemplate making a recording as data, shouldn't you understand the very basics of how a recording is made?

I suppose you could ask the folks at the ghost hunting store...

...because, as stated, no one has succeeded yet in managing to make ghostly phenomena an "absolute" measurable fact...

...or maybe ask someone who is a "normal" record specialist who is very familiar with general recording...

...or heck, even an audio authority from a normal electronics stuff, because much as we don't have an absolute recording that is inarguably absolutely considered a "ghost" by even 90% of the planet, we have managed to record concerts, music, conversations (normal ones, not "ghostly" ones,) bird song, and many other things and perhaps, just maybe, in learning about the best ways to record those things, you could tailor your equipment and purchases the right stuff to do the job of making a recording properly from an audio engineer's (or even educated enthusiasts,) point of view.

Of course, there is always (instead) meeting the exacting standards of...

...who's happy to sell you... er, help you gather perfect ghostly stuff as PROVEN by ever so many other ghost hunters.

This scenario is unbelievably true for everything.

I've often pointed out that lab thermometers, if looking at a room or space's temperature, are vastly superior to the old (and once preferred by "ghost hunters",) laser and distance IR thermometers... because although the ghost hunting stores loved to crow about them (and had an easy sale as they look like Star Trek phasers and who DOESN'T like playing "I'm Not The Red Shirt on the Away Team"!) they weren't built to be absolutely accurate. They were built to take a series of measurements of hard-to-reach areas at a distance (like the top of an electrical pole as an example,) and then the user extrapolate an average temperature. Most of them also require a hard (or at least existing) surface to read the temperature from... in other words, it's not telling you the temperature of the air in a room, but the temperature of the surface of the wall it's aiming at.

You should ask me right now, if I didn't learn this information from a ghost hunter's store, where did I learn this?

Simple.

In 1998, I went to purchase a laser thermometer at a science shop. (There was no online "ghost hunter" stores back then and no bricks-and-mortar options either,) and I asked the guy at the counter about them. He asked me a question that, as a computer technician, I'd ask 99% of the people that have come to me asking me for a computer... "What are you going to use that for?"

Now, I'm going to admit something that I can already hear the shout going up from some quarters... WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL HIM YOU WERE GOING TO BLAST GHOSTS WITH THE LASER THERMOMETER!?!?! ARE YOU ASHAMED!?! CHICKEN!?! WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM!?!?!?!?

First of all, I did tell him the truth... I said I wanted to take the ambient air temperature of a room and monitor it for potentially quick variations.

Secondly, had I told him what I was going to do with this with a full explanation, as it was NOT a ghost hunting store, there was the chance he would not have taken me seriously and kinda blown me off happily selling me what I wanted as opposed to what I needed... Sorry to say, probably 4 out of 10 people on the planet still are affected by the giggle factor with these studies and see it as a bit of a joke... and YES, you can thank things like Scooby Doo and the like, but bumbling idiots on teevee trying to give the audience a cheap scare and overusing the words, "What the hell was that?" have a LOT to do with this now-a-days.

That salesperson took the time to explain the various options I had, and sold me the best item... not for "ghost hunting", but information gathering in general.

Let's face it, the ghost hunting stores are THRILLED to sell expensive toys of dubious quality (in terms of effectiveness,) because they make money ONLY from happy ghost hunters... and PLEASE be honest with yourself, most of them are happy with what they want, especially the latter day paracelebrity cosplayers ("costume players"... click here for information on them...) and thrill seekers, and not what someone who is serious in trying to find legitimate data needs if they're in the field...

A science store makes money from effective equipment in general use. People will only be return customers if they get what they need that's effective, not what they want.

Before closing down, let's look at something that of late has reared it's ugly head again... and that's misconceptions about photography.

POP QUIZ! Can you take a photographic image with no light source?

ANSWER: No. Even "night vision" uses IR emitters which is a type of light. Basically, if the IR emitter and filter of a night vision camera or gizmo can "see" it, turn on a white light (normal light) and you'll see it to. It's not magic.

You can see something because the light of whatever flavour is either reflected from an object (think white paper) or slightly reflected or refracted from it (think those prisms you played with in school that made rainbows) or absorbed by it (black stuff)... Shadows are cast because something solid which breaks the rays of light (of any sort) are stopped by something solid... no light on something, you can't see it...

This is true for any camera.

"But Matthew!", I hear some cry, "Orbs! I can't see orbs! Sure, I accept they might be airborne particles, but I don't see them... my lens and camera does though!"

Well, have you ever watched dust float around in a sunbeam? Orbs.

Your optic nerve is a real interesting thing... Have you noticed if you focus on something far away, in your peripheral (or "side" vision) things go out of focus? If you focus on one thing, the others, by the necessity of the design of your eyes, will go out of focus... the lens of your eye is pretty specialised to pay attention only to what your brain tells it to... just google "optical illusions" or "slight of hand" if you doubt this.

The particles caught by your camera that make orbs are close to the lens and flash... the flash illuminates the dust, the dust reflects the light, the camera catches the light (like a "sparkly" thing... though any reflective colour or surface will do,) and shows a ball of light but it's focusing on the main item in the frame of the picture... be that a person, chair, wall, whatever... so you see a "glowing ball" (which, like that prism effect, can be of any colour, shade, or brightness because of how the light plays on it and what it's made up of and it's surface,) and the main item in the photo's frame... because the flash is a "sudden" sunbeam... and the camera is like your eye, staring into the sunbeam for only a millisecond or so. Imagine the sunbeam and dust standing still... and being right up next to it with your face...

So, again, a basic understanding of how light works, how we see things, and how a camera works could save a lot of trouble... and this is information you will only learn at school, through a photographer (not a ghost photographer, but a normal photographer who spends time doing way more things that are "absolute" with cameras than a ghost photographer,) potentially through books, or through someone familiar with optometry or ophthalmology. This said, even a trained sales person at a camera store could tell you the most important things and how to take good photos in various situations.

A good photographic salesperson will sell and tell you what you need because they know cameras.

A ghost hunting store is more likely to sell you what you "want" because they sell generic merchandise and a "lifestyle".

Now, this has been a lengthy article, but I hope the point is made... which is (oddly enough) NOT that ghost hunting stores are bad or wrong... they can be... most of the ones we've seen aren't too wahoo... but to suggest something more important.

If you want to do things properly and get data that's acceptable to pretty much most folks, ghostly or not... and it's the "or not"s that are the important ones for the advancement of this study...

#1: Figure out what you're looking for and why.

#2: Figure out what that thing is in a "non-ghostly" sense by reading about it in general. (Sound? Visual? Tactile? Anything else?)

#3: Ask knowledgeable people that are not swerving towards a particular belief or hypothesis, but being honest about what things are and in terms of equipment, what an items capabilities and uses in the "normal" (as opposed to "paranormal") world would be.

#4: Become your own authority based on what you've learned and show us NOT ONLY what you're doing and what you've found, but WHY you're doing it...

#5: Be open to constructive criticism... which doesn't only mean kudos or suggestions of a really shallow level, but people that MIGHT have some knowledge that are pointing out flaws perhaps in your entire collection process.

#6: If someone is critical, make them prove their points with something more than they're own "gut" or a reality-ish television program as their citation. They might be right and if so, you can adjust your methods and thoughts, but if they're wrong, don't change to make them happy.... just be honest if it's a good point that's made.

#7: Let all of us know how things are working out... Successful or not successful, all the data is important... and NO ONE should come down on you if you find that something really doesn't work. That information could help lead someone to save time and money and they would have you to thank... and if it is working, perhaps we should all be looking into what you're up to. The more data and sources, the better for everyone! (We will cite you, I promise!)

All of this out of the way, allow me to point out something that's oft said by many... including myself...

The best tools for an investigation are pen and paper... ears, eyes, and a brain capable of critical thinking.

"Ghostly" iPhone apps, gizmos with LED lights that go "ping", and night vision nose cameras that detect EM frequencies and count the number of times someone says, "What the hell was that?" are, to date, not all that effective as far as we know... even when they're used by a paracelebrity or two on a teevee show or recommended by professional ghost hunters online.

Further Reading about gadgetry and gizmos with an emphasis on EM meters...

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Thoughts On Paranormal Unity

Sue — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:06:00 +0000

Recently the topic of "paranormal unity" has reared its ugly head online again. Perhaps it was always there, but I had learned to tune it out. Elvis Podvorac has shared his thoughts on the matter with his article ‘Paranormal Social Media-ism and The Unification of Idiocy’ The title of his article sounds rather harsh, but overall I do agree with his sentiments.

The fact of the matter is we are not all the same, nor do we all share the same beliefs, methods, nor goals. And that is cool, provided each individual, or group is being upfront, and honest with their agenda when it comes to "the paranormal." Not everyone is, but that is a different matter.

I think it would be far more beneficial to strive for proper peer review, which is actually far more accepting of different ideas, and methodologies than some false sense of "unity" that only exists provided no one ever asks hard questions and everyone conforms to vox populi. That is exactly what I have personally found the concept of "paranormal unity" to be when put in practice, no matter how well wrapped up in good intentions and altrustic sounding words...........the cry for "unity" is no more than a desire for an echo chamber where no one nor idea is ever challenged, and where we all just nod in lockstep and agreement.

I am certain there will be people who will loathe Elvis' article simply based on the first few sentences, but for those who read through it completely you may just come to realise there is much merit in what he is saying. And be thankful that most of us got past any great hue and cry for "flat earth unity." We are better off for it, and so will be any meaningful examination of the "paranormal."

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

A Ghost Story for the Minimum Wage

Sue — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:03:00 +0000

This past weekend Matthew and I had the opportunity of viewing The Innkeepers a ghostly/horror film that was released in 2011. Normally I do not review films on this blog, but since the primary characters represent modern day "ghost hunters" I thought it might be appropriate to share a few of my thoughts about this movie.

Warning Spoilers Posted Below

The basic storyline of the film revolves around the last days of an old hotel named The Yankee Pedlar that is reportedly haunted. Conveniently the two remaining staff members of the inn are also ghost hunters out to capture evidence of the paranormal before the once grand hotel is demolished and turned into a parking lot.

The two best things this film has going for it is the wonderfully atmospheric location, and that the acting for the most part is above average for a standard horror movie. Beyond that there is little to recommend the film, the suspense is very slow to build with no real pay-off, the cheap scares are predictable, and not scary and the effects used lacked any credibility.

The portrayal of the two ghost hunters was well done by the actors, but their characters were rather disappointing. The head ghost hunter turns out to be a drunken phoney, who admits he has created his ghost hunting website complete with tacky cartoonish ghosts in order to gain money, and that everything he claims to have experienced is a lie. His partner Claire, the lead character shows much bravado, but when she encounters anything even slightly unnerving is reduced to a shrieking ninny. In all honesty, we actively avoid people like this within our own investigations.

The "famous actress" turned psychic healer guest that is played very well by Kelly McGillis is an interesting character in her own right, that was in my opinion under utilised in shaping what could have been a very interesting story.

The EVP collection methods in this film are not very accurate. The way these ghost hunters were able to use their recording devices could be constituted as criminal because it breaks known laws of physics to the point where it is impossible to suspend disbelief.

After a very long build-up our ghost hunters are drunk before any real ghostly action occurs. Add to this that their sketchy, rumoured to be an alcoholic, has-been actress turned psychic is also heavily drinking at the time the ghosts show up, and one is left to wonder what the script writer actually thinks of people who investigate or experience ghosts? This film is in no way flattering to ghost hunting nor psychics in general, and in my opinion further fuels the giggle factor that dogs ghost research and study.

The moral of the story appears to be don't drink and ghost hunt as you are apt to die due to your own stupidity or something to that effect. This is probably the only point to which we wholeheartedly agree with the film.

Worth a watch, but overall disappointing.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Recommended courses, classes, and the like... well... not really... have a look.

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:29:00 +0000

I'm going to sound rather egotistical here, (saying that on a blog seems redundant,) and say that although I'm 100% certain I did not say this first, I am, to my knowledge, the first person in the ghostly online realm to scream that I am not an expert on the subject... nor is anyone else for that matter... because, as I did originally (I believe?) say, how can one be an expert in the unknown?

I've pointed out you can be "learned" or "well read" and the best of the lot are able to understand with a reasonable amount of comprehension several hypothesis of what potentially causes people to experience the "paranormal"... but beyond that, until we can measure, accurately capture, and thoroughly examine these things in a controlled environment, the word expert should not enter the lexicon to describe a person looking into paranormal experiences... well, save for perhaps specialised non-paranormal skill sets such as general photography, historical research, or sound engineering.

This all said, I am honoured that many people *seem* to respect my thoughts and abilities within the study and do seem to look at myself (as well as Sue and the entire PSICAN team. but remember, this is an act of ego, this article is!) as reasonable authorities on these subjects and we're often asked, as such, about courses, seminars, classes, and all that.

First, allow me to drone out something I've said before... There are currently no known (or "find-able") courses, major classes, or degrees in "the paranormal" or even parapsychology offered by any accredited, not-for-profit, post-secondary institution in Canada at all.

...but here's a thought... To some people reading this, do you really, Really, REALLY want to become a parapsychologist? (You know, like Venkman, Stantz, and Spengler were in Ghostbusters?) If so, there's a few things you should know...

First, there are indeed PROPER and accredited degrees in this field available in The United States and Europe. Best advice to find one is to go through The Parapsychological Association and ask.

Second is if you're hoping parapsychology is your ticket to hunting ghosts... You are sadly Wrong with a capital "W".

"Ghost hunting" and parapsychology only really share one thing in common... ghostly experiences... but parapsychology focuses on the idea of psi as the cause of these things... the idea that poltergeists and other "ghostly" manifestations are from your own mind and then projected into the environment through psychical abilities... rare is the parapsychologist that entertains (heavily) the "DPH" or "dead person hypothesis" (that cute acronym coined by Dr. Eric Oullet of our own PSICAN who also happens to be the Canadian Liaison for The Parapsychological Association,) or, in simpler terms, the idea that ghosts are the spirits of the dead. I suppose, one could say, a parapsychologist believes that opposed to it all being "in your head", it's all "out of your head"... or that's at least the most likely cause of the experience or event.

Granted, obviously, parapsychologists are, by nature, both psychologists and interested in psychic abilities... it's why a lot of parapsychologist avoid tagging their names or work with anything that contains the word "ghost" as a title.

Also, to be VERY honest, the evidence to show psi is the likely cause for a great majority of potential experiences far outweighs that of the "DPH" or any other hypothesis... take this as you will.

So, is that cool with you? If so, parapsychology is for you and a quick note to The Parapsychological Association would definitely be in order... and realistically, it's about the only vein of these studies where you can earn a legitimate (not phony baloney) degree from a respected institution to your honest credit.

Needless to say, those who are now saying, "Wait! Whoa there! That's not exactly what I wanted... I was thinking... um..."

Ghost hunting as seen on teevee?

I'm not going to mince words here... I hate cosplayers... well, let me specify... people who are effectively cosplaying ghost hunters they've seen in the media... BUT... I'm not here to judge (at least in this post!) and for those who want only to strap a flashlight to their head, wander about with an EM meter in their hands, and people who look their best in "night vision", allow me to honestly say...

I got nothing... save some honest and genuine advice...

I have nothing because, in all honesty, I've seen nothing I would ever, Ever, EVER recommend to you that doesn't smell like a complete and total rip-off. Many former (and some current!) reality-ish television types offer courses, seminars, and even certifications and diplomas... for a fee... and they, in my opinion, really offer you zip save being in their presence... and in the "real world", a certificate or diploma from a television performer who charges for whatever... considering, TO DATE, the total amount of usable and legitimate data that's helped our study via these teevee types is nothing, is (sadly) laughable... in fact, I speak from experience when I say that those rare times that someone has "corrected" not only us, but other colleagues, brandishing a photograph of them with a paracelebrity and a "certificate" as the reason we or they should be "in awe" of these certified/diploma'd/friendly with the "famous"... well...

...imagine someone saying they knew all about parenting because they watched one of those family-based reality television shows religiously and went to a seminar with one of the "stars" and got a certificate. What would your response be?

Okay, so parapsychology isn't really "ghost hunting", you can't really trust the so-called famous and professional "ghost hunters" (or their kith and kin) to train you... and while I'm here...

Wanna know about demons proper? Only ONE legit source with schooling available (but not easily obtained)... the Catholic church... although some variations of other religions offer information and even seminaries on demons, the classic one presented in most media is really the realm of the Catholics.

Wanna work on your psychic abilities? There's really only The Spiritualist Church that we know of (and trust... but some people even question that!) The Spiritualist Church do have a spiritual (or religious) take on things in terms that they see their "gifts" as a gift from God... but in essence, what they really are is a group of psychics and sensitives who do help people with their own abilities and the like... but again, it's not for everyone... and it may not be for you. In Ontario, the other opportunities(?) we've seen from people offering to help hone psychical gifts range from the "well-meaning but..." to the outright fraudulent. No one's rung our chimes yet.

Want to know about honest scientific examinations of haunted (or generally "paranormal") sites? well...

...hang on, I can help with this one!

Speak to...

#1: Yourself!

What kind of science? What were you hoping to find out? What's your hypothesis? Let's take the idea that you want to photograph ghosts or ghostly stuff... Okay, then you should figure out where ghost photos have been taken before and how much faith do you have in those photos? What equipment was used? Why was the photo taken... was it intentionally taken to show a ghost? What did the photographer or any of the witnesses see? Has anyone debunked it? Have they tried? What was the hypothesis for the debunking? Does that explanation make sense? Could you (or anyone) reproduce the same image in some way? When you have a rough idea of the "where" and "what"

...then speak to...

#2: A photographer... not a "ghostly" one, just a photographer... or even a learned guy from the photography store.

To date, in over fifteen years of spending almost every moment of my free time in this study, I have yet to meet a "ghost photographer" (and only a "ghost photographer") that is not more than a little skewed in his or her interpretations of their own images THEY capture... so speak to someone who knows photos and cameras in general instead! What equipment would you need? Outside their thoughts on the paranormal, what do they feel is the chance for "false positives" (or photographic errors)? What would they recommend for "foolproof" trustworthy images in the line that you wish to take them?

...then you need to speak to...

#3: An optometrist, ophthalmologist, physicist, or photographic expert (like a teacher or high-end camera technician) to learn only one thing...

...which I will cheat and tell you here so you don't have to chat with one of the above professionals if you don't wish to...

No matter what anyone thinks... No matter what anyone believes... No matter what you may have heard... If you can't "see" it with your eyes, you can't photograph it.

But what about dust particle orbs!?! I can't see them!!!... Actually, you can. Your brain/optic nerve/eye focuses them out... but if you've ever sat near a window on a sunny day and saw the dust in the sunbeam... guess what? All potential orbs... just instead of a sunbeam, you give them a flash... and a lens instead of a human eye/optic nerve/brain to sort them out. You could see 'em too, just with a light as bright as a flash and as opposed to focusing on a "target" of a photo, focus on not much... like you were looking through a sunbeam...

But infrared! Night vision! Heck, IR cameras!!!!... Think about it... IR and infrared are beams that need to bounce off "something" to photograph it... the same way white light bounces off the same objects to let you see them. What shows up on IR can be seen with a flashlight or white light... besides, I thought everyone knew that to date, there's been no correlation to being "sightless" in the dark and ghostly experiences... these experiences don't seem to care about time of day or illumination.

Gotcha now! Thermo cams!... Nope. No surface temp, no image. Surface means something for the beam to bounce off of... So again, if it's seen on the thermo cam, it's seen by your eyes in the right light. So remember that... if your camera sees it, so will your eye... and honestly, vice versa... There! Now you don't need to speak to an expert... just crack a book and find out how you see things... or colours... or shades... it will all make sense.

...after you understand these mechanics, the only thing left is...

#4: Read. Study. Discuss. Be open to ideas and alternative hypothesis. Be respectful and expect respect!

Once you're done, you'll have an amazing understanding of the mechanics of these things and at a VERY low cost... and, best of all, you'll be smarter then pretty much every self-proclaimed "ghost photo" expert out there.

NOW, that was about photos... but I could do a similar thing for sound recording, temperature variations, and all sorts of things.

The only thing I offer outside of this is AVOID GHOST HUNTING STORES for "scientific equipment"... go to a proper science shop and tell them what you want. You don't HAVE to tell them it's for the paranormal if you're not comfortable, you can say something like, "I'm looking to measure precise air temperatures at a distance if possible..." or, if you still hold out hope for EM meters (which honestly, please read this if you do...) "I'm looking to measure ambient changes to electro-magnetic fields in fairly open areas." and nothing more. Those people will tell you what's best and why properly without any "hocus pocus" for a sales pitch... and isn't that better really?

I hate to plug, and I don't get any favour or money for this, but in Ontario (and Canada by mail order,) we've had Efston Science for seemingly ever... which, wherever you are, hopefully there's something similar...

To sum up, however, here's the thing...

If I was offering a class, it would cover parapsychology, the DPH, history and why it's important, history and why it's not at all important and can screw you up fairly well, scientific data collection and why you haven't seen it on a ghost hunting teevee show yet (and maybe ever), agnosticism and neutrality even in the face of faith, trying not to correct sceptics too much, trying not to correct true believers too much, maintaining composure in the company or frauds and idiots, mythology of the ghost hunter in general (Lights out? Why?)... and speaking of that last one, HOW TO ASK WHY AND WAIT FOR AN ANSWER OR BETTER YET, WORK FOR AN ANSWER!

(Sorry, had to shout that bit... because that's what it all comes down to.)

Here's the truth... The reason, outside of parapsychology proper and only if you are okay with psi as the main thing, I can't recommend a (current) class or course is because none exist that would do.

I want all of the above... and more!

I want to be given tools, but the freedom to not only use them in other ways, but to question them... and I want a promise that I'll be okay if the evidence turns on any hypothesis I was hoping would be true after a time.

As much as some people don't believe it, I want truth.

Truth does not come from a narrow vision... and it won't come from thrill seeking cosplayers... and it certain wilts in the presence of frauds and liars...

Want a great class like that right now? Simple...

Start by simply asking a question that right now doesn't have an answer.

Come up with an idea that might explain it. (A hypothesis)

Study your question and your hypothesis at good sources that are neutral and cite their own sources... and look through those. (There's ZERO harm in citing sources and quoting others... it shows you can read an comprehend things... it's startling how many "ghost hunters" feel it will rob them of faux originality to do this and yet, again, it just makes them look like they can't or won't read and aren't able to comprehend others...)

See if your hypothesis holds water in light of all this information.

Posit it in a proper (gentle and academic) forums and banter with colleagues to refine it if needed. (Of course I honestly recommend ourselves for this, but also look into folks like The Society for Psychical Research and similar forums and groups.)Do your thoughts stand up to scrutiny? Be gentle in brave and allow criticism... respond to that which is constructive or at least trying to be... ignore that which is just poopwits not wanting to be challenged in their faith or only wishing to silence you for whatever reason. Understand that other people can be mistaken... people can be ignoring things in favour of a faith or belief... and accept that, no matter how you feel or think, you could be wrong... and accept that if the evidence is strong.

Present your idea in writing as an article or paper and see what happens...

TRUST ME, very quickly you'll earn respect and get respect from those that matter... and yeah, in all the sourcing and whatnot, you'll end up being quite learned... well read... an authority...

...hopefully WAY better than egotistical old me! (I MEAN THAT because I love colleagues who talk to me about good stuff! I'm still VERY much learning!!!)

Best part is, it'll all feel like it was simply looking into your interest because... well... think about it!

THAT... right now and for the foreseeable future... is the best classroom and course going on here in Canada... potentially in other places too. I could be wrong... but please, when you find a class, Google them and look for critiques... and make sure it's not from "fans and friends" only... or, as is the case of several courses out there, fake positive critiques from the course runners themselves.

Next, see if they know their rear ends from their elbows in the paranormal... do they actually know the difference between ghost hunting and parapsychology? Do they know the dictionary definition of what a poltergeist is? Do they admit there's no one who knows why they are different or if they're even related to each other at all? Are they resting on bad accreditation themselves?

...and of course, "Caveat Emptor"... always!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Flashlight Vigils Examined

Sue — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:05:00 +0000

Our colleague Justin Wiswell has written about these flashlight vigils as well. These techniques that are popularised by paranormal reality-sh tv shows are often enthusiastically adopted by fans, but rarely questioned as to the how and why they supposedly work or are appropriate as investigative tools. Both the video, and Justin's article provide good examples of sorting the wheat from the chaff when applying these techniques to investigations. Thanks to Heather from BCGHRS for letting us know about this video experiment.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

BCGHRS Featured On Ghost Hunters International

Sue — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:35:00 +0000

Our sister group in British Columbia the BCGHRS is being featured in an upcoming episode of the paranormal realty-ish tv show Ghost Hunters International, which is a spin-off of the US Ghost Hunters show. The location being investigated is the Hells Gate Airtram.

Heather and crew have spent a great deal of time investigating and researching the hauntings at Hells Gate, and it has become very dear to their hearts. For more information you can read the press release here. And check out thier brand new logo designed by Justin Wiswell of Maritime Paranormal, and PSICAN.

Air dates for the Hells Gate episode are TBA, check your local listings.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.