I have read Don Riefler's comments on the "Ghost Hunters" show (dated 2004 on JREF at [link removed]) but feel he has only scratched the surface. Riefler's review does not take the show or its potential impact seriously. Yet tens of thousands of hard-core fans DO take it seriously. Two years after Riefler's review, the show has achieved some of the highest prime-time ratings ever recorded for its network, and the dedication of TAPS fans approaches cult-like proportions. I have been on the TAPS official website, and after asking some reasonable questions, was angrily told to leave by dozens of posters and moderators because it was unacceptable to "question the TAPS team's integrity". Several others I know had similar experiences.
The behavior seems odd, given that many of the devotees of the show are not what one would normally classify as "woos". They are just average folks curious about the supernatural. What seems to gain these folks unwavering trust is the 'skepticism and debunking' approach of TAPS investigations on the TV show. (The reasoning goes, "Why would someone who is trying to debunk the paranormal lie or falsify evidence?) Indeed, it appears that many average people think 'Ghost Hunters' is a paranormal version of 'Myth Busters'.
However, I believe the show is intentionally misleading. It cleverly mixes real debunking with false debunking in order to gain the audience's trust. After watching a dozen episodes, one can see the pattern: (1) The TAPS leaders begin the investigations with a lecture to the audience about the value of skepticism, and promptly debunk one or two obvious examples [wind moving a door, etc.] (2) Later, the team discovers they have captured "startling evidence" on video [shadowy hooded figures running by the cameras, etc.]. (3) After a half-hearted analysis laced with scientific-sounding mumbo-jumbo, they totally fail to debunk the "startling evidence" and pronounce it 'paranormal', (4) They play the video containing the "startling evidence" to the site occupants, and soberly advise them that "the place is definitely haunted".
A big problem I have with 'Ghost Hunters' is that their 'evidence' consists largely of pre-edited video sequences. (The un-edited footage, as well as any detailed "investigation records", are sealed by TAPS) In the show, they often claim to be hard-nosed skeptics. A few moments later in the same show, they claim that demonic and paranormal entities exist, and "EVP's" are voices from beyond the grave.
Also in the show, they claim their evidence is not proof of haunting. A few moments later in the same show, they claim their evidence has convinced them a site is haunted. One moment they're skeptics, the next moment they're believers. One moment their evidence is inconclusive, the next moment it's conclusive.
It's the kind of shell-game of misdirection/suggestion often employed by magicians and illusionists. I have nothing against magic and illusion as entertainment. But 'Ghost Hunters' purports to be REAL. The growing perception is that Sylvia Browne's antics and shows like "Most Haunted" are fake -- but "Ghost Hunters" presents factual reality.
There are several links to independent skeptical web pages which analyze some of the show's 'evidence' listed in the external links at [link to Wikipedia 'Ghost Hunters' article removed]. These links will shortly be stricken from Wikipedia because they do not meet the online encyclopedia's criteria for accepted sources. There currently is no mainstream criticism of the 'Ghost Hunters' show. In my opinion, Mr. Randi could be of service to the community at large and the television viewing public by devoting some critical attention to TAPS and 'Ghost Hunters'.
*Note: since this is my first post, JREF forums do not allow me to include links.
The behavior seems odd, given that many of the devotees of the show are not what one would normally classify as "woos". They are just average folks curious about the supernatural. What seems to gain these folks unwavering trust is the 'skepticism and debunking' approach of TAPS investigations on the TV show. (The reasoning goes, "Why would someone who is trying to debunk the paranormal lie or falsify evidence?) Indeed, it appears that many average people think 'Ghost Hunters' is a paranormal version of 'Myth Busters'.
However, I believe the show is intentionally misleading. It cleverly mixes real debunking with false debunking in order to gain the audience's trust. After watching a dozen episodes, one can see the pattern: (1) The TAPS leaders begin the investigations with a lecture to the audience about the value of skepticism, and promptly debunk one or two obvious examples [wind moving a door, etc.] (2) Later, the team discovers they have captured "startling evidence" on video [shadowy hooded figures running by the cameras, etc.]. (3) After a half-hearted analysis laced with scientific-sounding mumbo-jumbo, they totally fail to debunk the "startling evidence" and pronounce it 'paranormal', (4) They play the video containing the "startling evidence" to the site occupants, and soberly advise them that "the place is definitely haunted".
A big problem I have with 'Ghost Hunters' is that their 'evidence' consists largely of pre-edited video sequences. (The un-edited footage, as well as any detailed "investigation records", are sealed by TAPS) In the show, they often claim to be hard-nosed skeptics. A few moments later in the same show, they claim that demonic and paranormal entities exist, and "EVP's" are voices from beyond the grave.
Also in the show, they claim their evidence is not proof of haunting. A few moments later in the same show, they claim their evidence has convinced them a site is haunted. One moment they're skeptics, the next moment they're believers. One moment their evidence is inconclusive, the next moment it's conclusive.
It's the kind of shell-game of misdirection/suggestion often employed by magicians and illusionists. I have nothing against magic and illusion as entertainment. But 'Ghost Hunters' purports to be REAL. The growing perception is that Sylvia Browne's antics and shows like "Most Haunted" are fake -- but "Ghost Hunters" presents factual reality.
There are several links to independent skeptical web pages which analyze some of the show's 'evidence' listed in the external links at [link to Wikipedia 'Ghost Hunters' article removed]. These links will shortly be stricken from Wikipedia because they do not meet the online encyclopedia's criteria for accepted sources. There currently is no mainstream criticism of the 'Ghost Hunters' show. In my opinion, Mr. Randi could be of service to the community at large and the television viewing public by devoting some critical attention to TAPS and 'Ghost Hunters'.
*Note: since this is my first post, JREF forums do not allow me to include links.
