Paranormal Survey/Ghost Hunters

[Foster Zygote]

Gee, I had one of those "saw someone out of the corner of my eye" moments just a few weeks ago. It startled the hell out of me as I was sure I was alone in the house. Of course the instant I turned my head the offending spook vanished. I had a thought and moved my head around a bit in the position it was in just before I saw the image, sure enough I was able to replicate the image again. It was a reflection on the inside of my eye glasses. It "moved" because my head had moved slightly and my brain obviously interpreted it as someone walking by.

Steven

 

[CLD]

Yeah but Dan Blocker didn't dress up like "Hoss" offstage. These Ghost Hunter guys are in character 24/7. They give lectures and host events.

Reminds me of the time when I used to post on the TAPS forums (masochism? yes, I may be guilty of it in this case). True story. I was subjected to a thousand insults and belittlements from the faithful due to my skeptical views. When that treatment failed to either drive me off or convert me, I was approached by a kindly fan who offered to try and help me see the light. "PM me" she said coquettishly, "I think skeptics make the best ghost hunters". OK. Well, I thought, perhaps the phrase "the woo you do" will take on an exciting double entrendre here. She started off by telling me that a little skepticism is good, but I had to approach "Ghost Hunters" with an open mind, free from negativity. "Let's find something you like about the show", she said. "Well," I offered, "I like it when they use the IR contact thermometers to measure air temperature. I always laugh my ass off at that". It was obvious this approach wasn't working too well, so she shifted gears a bit. "Once you have a paranormal experience, you will start believing in Jason and Grant. (Apparently the key to being less negative is to believe in Jason and Grant) "Is there any chance you could find a group to go ghost hunting with?" She told me about the TAPS-sponsored paranormal weekend at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. Needless to say, I didn't sign up, but I did investigate this scam a little. For $100 per person plus room and meals one can attend a stand up presentation by Jason and Grant, followed by 2 guys promoting their paranormal radio show, followed by 2 psychics who will tell your fortune for $30 each --- and wrapping up with a big group "ghost hunt" of the hotel led by the TAPS gang. (One could imagine the 90 minute "season finale" episode of "Ghost Hunters" featuring the exciting paranormal experiences of the TAPS team while at the Stanley Hotel was one big commercial. But that would be crass, wouldn't it?)

So that's it. It's a TV show. It's a cult. It's a booming business. When your Grandma shaves a TAPS logo into her scalp and signs her stock portfolio over to the Ghost Hunters, don't say I didn't warn you.

 

[Miss Whiplash]

I had a mysterious footprint in paint on the carpet not long ago. I think my stepping in a tray of ceiling white had something to do with the apparition, though.

 

[politas]

On threat of being lynched with my very first post here... and reading many posts in many areas first and finally seeing an intelligent, verbose community that are actually talking and not fighting, maybe I won't be hung too high.

Class 3: A person who has no choice but to believe in ghosts because of a true, up close and undenialble personal encounter(s), as in seeing is to believe. Not shadows, not a simple moving object, not an orb, but a true apparition.
For those who may be wondering, I fit in the Class 3 catagory.

Shame you aren't interested in convincing people. I'd like to hear the details of your encounter.

I find many people who are convinced they have had an encounter are quite resistant to attempts to examine their experience critically.

Personally, I have a quite clear memory from my childhood, completely indistinguishable from my other childhood memories, of a large wardrobe with shelves full of identical stuffed animals. Now, I know that such a cupboard never existed, but my "memory" of it is very clear and realistic.

As a result, I know that human memory can be faulty.

 

[fuelair]

Shame you aren't interested in convincing people. I'd like to hear the details of your encounter.

I find many people who are convinced they have had an encounter are quite resistant to attempts to examine their experience critically.

Personally, I have a quite clear memory from my childhood, completely indistinguishable from my other childhood memories, of a large wardrobe with shelves full of identical stuffed animals. Now, I know that such a cupboard never existed, but my "memory" of it is very clear and realistic.

As a result, I know that human memory can be faulty.

We're really sorry you remembered - we'll be coming for you now.

 

[ExitDose]

Took the survey. My only problem with it is that some of the questions assume an explanation. The "have you experienced poltergeist activity(moving objects, noises, etc.)?" question assumes that if you answer yes you also accept that this is a sign of a poltergeist. It seems like splitting it into two questions would be more beneficial for accuracy. For example, "Have you witnessed an object moving on its own without a known cause?" Followed by, "Do you think that this was caused by a poltergeist?"

 

[Miss Whiplash]

Took the survey. My only problem with it is that some of the questions assume an explanation. The "have you experienced poltergeist activity(moving objects, noises, etc.)?" question assumes that if you answer yes you also accept that this is a sign of a poltergeist. It seems like splitting it into two questions would be more beneficial for accuracy. For example, "Have you witnessed an object moving on its own without a known cause?" Followed by, "Do you think that this was caused by a poltergeist?"

It would have been more beneficial, I'm sure. However, as the surevy is asked for beleif in such things in question two, and this part delt with viewers experiences after watching Ghost Hunters. I felt it was redundant. Besides, I was limited to 20 questions and would have had to pay more. No one should pay more than a few $ for anything connected with Ghost Hunters.

I'm sure many could have come up with a more accurate survey. One person objected to listing CT as they exist. Ouija boards exist too, but this deals with the belief mechanism behind them both. Also the word "factual" in one question was not understood. Perhaps this word has fallen out of the current lexicon and I'm behind the times. All in all, I tried to write a KISS based survey because Ghost Hunters is targeted for the teenaged & 18-24 male viewership. Complete accuracy is impossible as TAPS and the Ghost Hunters forum (the "official" forum and the largest collection of viewers on the internet) refuse to allow members to participate.

As it stands now, though, the majority of results echo previous Gallup polls on the paranormal. I have found some unexpected answers that are interesting. I wonder if the trend will hold for 30 days.

 

[Foster Zygote]

One (of many) serious blow to the TAPS credibility is that they are ignorant of how their equipment works and the limitations of the equipment.

The "Ghosthunters" point an IR Thermometer into the air and claim to have found a temp. difference....An IR Thermometer measures SURFACE temp. NOT air temp. Did they not even read the instructions that came with the device?

Sure they did. They need to know where to put the battery don't they? But to them I doubt that it's so much an instrument as a prop. "Tricorder readings indicate ectoplasm Captain." "Dammit Jason, I'm a plumber not a scriptwriter!"

That IR thermometer bit killed me too when I saw it. I've used an IR pyrometer to measure racing tire temps before and it don't do jack if you just wave it around in the air.

Steven

 

[RemieV]

Sure they did. They need to know where to put the battery don't they? But to them I doubt that it's so much an instrument as a prop. "Tricorder readings indicate ectoplasm Captain." "Dammit Jason, I'm a plumber not a scriptwriter!"

That IR thermometer bit killed me too when I saw it. I've used an IR pyrometer to measure racing tire temps before and it don't do jack if you just wave it around in the air.

Steven

This absolutely cracked me up. I think I'm tired...

 

[OccamsRzr]

I took the survey several days ago. I am very interested in hearing about your results.

Where will the results be published/posted??

 

[Miss Whiplash]

After the data is sifted at the end of 30 days and it all written up, I will most certainly post the link here for everyone to see the results. You (and others) may always send a PM if you like and I'll forward the link.