Congratulations on lowering the bar on scientific education.

I agree with you on the “theory” related on most paranormal shows about spirits needed some type of energy to manifest. I always wonder who the “they” are when they say “they say…” . I don’t know if it’s just been repeated instances of drained batteries and then someone seeing a shape begin to form or the fact that people claim to feel a cold chill before hearing or seeing something. I have always wondered how that theory came about and who started it. There really hasn’t been any official or proven experiments supporting that, just experiences from different investigators that have collectively formed this theory that everyone has come to take as almost fact. I’ve also wondered, “what are they??” many times. Is it actually old Aunt Martha that is still in her room and talking to you or is it just a bumping of time planes that are overlapping for a short moment or is it, like you said, actually extra-terrestrials making things move and making noises and voices. Some might think the ET theory is way over the top but isn’t believing Aunt Martha is still talking to you just as believable? Any of these theories could be true. Yet none, or any other, has been even remotely and positively proven. Everything is based on experiences, recordings, and beliefs by every paranormal investigator everywhere.

There are actually brainiac groups of “scientists” that study quantum theories and parapsychology in an effort to not only explain the whole ghost thing but the unexplainable that can’t be answered. The everyday investigator, like most everyone in paranormal groups, provide root-level “evidence” that can possibly help one day to prove one way or another about ghosts existing.

Like you, I’ve wondered how people who believe in a god can look for answers that could contradict what they believe religiously. What if a spirit actually appeared publicly and stated “God?, what God?” . Imagine the consequences if that happened?

Being a skeptic like you said is a good thing. Makes for a better arguement if or when a good recording or image is captured. Especially when the voice or image cannot be explained. For example, when a female voice is recorded when there were only men around. Or vice versa. Or maybe when the voice heard is spoken in a different language than English. Even skeptics have to scratch their heads and wonder ” where the hell DID that come from??”

I have no axe to grind one way or the other as far as shows like GH or EP is concerned. On the other hand, Most Haunted has shown just how much money can be made out of public interest in the whole paranormal subject. Despite blatant fakery and downright skulduggery to obtain “incidents”, their ability to keep a large loyal following buying DVDs and merchandise is amazing. Perhaps they’ve just tapped into the deep-rooted desire of humanity to understand where we came from and where we’re going ? But it seems to be a loyal following who don’t ask too many questions – or maybe entertainemnt is more important to them than knowledge.

Jason and Grant (and other shows) keep explaining to the camera – ” Some people believe spirits manifest themselves by drawing energy from the air or surroundings” OK – seems sort of logical. But wait a minute – aren’t they making a basic assumption that spirits EXIST in the first place ? And just HOW do they convert heat energy into noise or light ? And actually … just what are THEY (the “spirits”) in the first place ? Where is the official science that even suggests THEY exist ? Where is the official science that says THEY are the continuing energy of dead people ?

Is it any less likely that THEY could be some extra-terrestrial intelligence ? Can’t prove that … or disprove it. But in the same way, science has been unable to prove or disprove the spirit theories either.

Just think – an invisible energy that can switch TVs on and off , and move stuff around ? Wow – wouldn’t the power companies want to get their hands on that kind of knowledge ?

So humanity is really no further forward, despite the interesting claims of Lisa here. Let’s hope EP can contribute something worthwhile to the science – but TV money and science don’t mix well.

If such science existed – and it showed just HOW some aspect of dead people can still exist on this physical planet – it would turn the whole existence of HUMANITY on its head. Not only would it mean that people’s soul COULD lived on, it would likely lead to the possibility of re-incarnation (adopting the soul of someone who lived previously).

What would that do to religion and the concept of God ?

As a skeptic, I’d love to see science makes RFEAL advances in proving the existence of intelligent entities that we cannot see. So I say – its great that we get some EVP noises and the occasional IR shape… but all it proves is that the “experience” could be shared, and can’t be dismissed as one person having imagined it. But having caught these things on tape, why is there no REAL science then investigating them further. Even just to explain how it is possible to get noise on a blank tape/disc ?

Who can really take this stuff forward ?

Lisa, per your last paragraph, if I have done a review of data and found nothing, it means I found nothing that met my standards and you saying you could find so much more in it just proves my point.

And for the record, my expectatons are quite high, higher than most. And I don’t go bashing other investigators, when I don’t know a thing about them or their technique. It is when I see ‘evidence’ fabricated for entertainemnt purposes, is when I might speak up.

We are all here to learn from each other, not outdo one another, Joe. I can 100% guarantee however, that if you were to send me a recording you may have done at an investigation, and you thought there was nothing captured, I’d find that there was a lot more there than you ever could have realized was there. I say this with having 100% confidence at what I do , and the results I get.

Taking that approach I can look at the jolietparanormal.com web site and see the Cryptozoology page and dismiss your group as a bunch of “big foot loonies”.

Be prepared to back up what you say.