With pandemic restrictions easing in some communities, I see that at least one other local investigative group in my neck of the woods is stirring again. This group is one of those "social clubs" that host parties at known haunted restaurants and other locations, with a ghost hunt afterwards. Of course they charge an entry fee of anywhere from $20 to $40 and the hunt itself is only two or three hours.
I have watched their "hunt" videos and am disturbed at what I see. Roomfuls of people all waiving their various gadgets around, everyone talking at once. It's not a real investigation, it's an investigation-themed party. Some of the "evidence" they showed for the camera was pretty thin soup, in my opinion. Too much contamination.
Our little team prefers a low-key approach, no unnecessary noise, and a respectful attitude is expected from our members. We fit the number of team members to the size of the venue, we don't tag investigations onto a dinner (though breakfast afterwards is a tradition, lol) or other activities that same evening.
I have nothing against paranormal-themed social clubs, but I think that these party-style investigations are certainly departing from any claim of scientific rigor, not that the scientific method is always strictly adhered-to during investigations, but doing one's best to stay on the path always yields better data, from my experience. Data contamination is always present and the more there is, the harder it is to find the evidence buried in it.
Now, the organization I'm referring to has some excellent good traits; they do perform public-service cleanups of old graveyards and monuments, usually in return for permission to investigate. You can't fault that at all, public service is always laudable.
I think what drives some of these is the desire to monetize the paranormal, make money from it. That's OK, but I would caution people that if not done right, they risk giving the industry a black eye, as well as possibly ruining some locations for future investigators.
Two questions for all of you:
1. What is your opinion on investigative styles? Large vs. small, provoking vs. passive, social vs. serious, etc.
2. Does the social club investigation really reflect the values of the paranormal community-at-large?
I have watched their "hunt" videos and am disturbed at what I see. Roomfuls of people all waiving their various gadgets around, everyone talking at once. It's not a real investigation, it's an investigation-themed party. Some of the "evidence" they showed for the camera was pretty thin soup, in my opinion. Too much contamination.
Our little team prefers a low-key approach, no unnecessary noise, and a respectful attitude is expected from our members. We fit the number of team members to the size of the venue, we don't tag investigations onto a dinner (though breakfast afterwards is a tradition, lol) or other activities that same evening.
I have nothing against paranormal-themed social clubs, but I think that these party-style investigations are certainly departing from any claim of scientific rigor, not that the scientific method is always strictly adhered-to during investigations, but doing one's best to stay on the path always yields better data, from my experience. Data contamination is always present and the more there is, the harder it is to find the evidence buried in it.
Now, the organization I'm referring to has some excellent good traits; they do perform public-service cleanups of old graveyards and monuments, usually in return for permission to investigate. You can't fault that at all, public service is always laudable.
I think what drives some of these is the desire to monetize the paranormal, make money from it. That's OK, but I would caution people that if not done right, they risk giving the industry a black eye, as well as possibly ruining some locations for future investigators.
Two questions for all of you:
1. What is your opinion on investigative styles? Large vs. small, provoking vs. passive, social vs. serious, etc.
2. Does the social club investigation really reflect the values of the paranormal community-at-large?
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