Paranormal Reality...Unplugged

 

Almost every time someone finds out that I am involved in paranormal investigation, they ask, “Oh, like on tv?” Hmmm.

I have to admit that I watch a few of the paranormal television shows myself, and I enjoy watching them. Honestly, I have to give them a lot of credit. They succeeded in bringing the paranormal into the mainstream, and in some cases, they have shown that there can be (and should be) a scientific approach to collecting and documenting evidence. Paranormal tv shows are scary, exciting, often funny, and definitely entertaining. However, that last word is key. They are entertainment, and anyone watching these shows, or anything else on tv for that matter, needs to keep that in mind. It is not uncommon for half-hour and hour-long shows to showcase multiple EVP’s, thrown objects, orbs, mists, shadow figures, and even physical attacks. The shows are highly-edited to produce a steady stream of jaw-dropping evidence to hold the viewersí attention. While the shows may be exciting, they donít always portray true paranormal research in the most accurate light.

So what’s the deal? In reality, most of an investigation is far from exciting. You start by hauling and setting up caseloads of equipment (ouch, my back!) followed by hour upon hour of sitting/standing motionless in the dark, straining to hear something, anything (Um, did you just cough?). You constantly scan your equipment, probing ‘hot spots’ and creepy, dark corners, searching for changes and unexplained readings (all while mentally willing the spiders from your immediate vicinity).  You change camera batteries, often at the most inopportune times. You ask question after question to the air hoping to hear or capture a response (Hello? Hello?). If you are lucky, you will see, hear, or experience some things that you canít readily explain. Those are the moments that cause you to catch your breath. At the end of the night, you pack up and leave the location. You may be done collecting evidence, but your investigation is far from over.

Now the hunker-down, roll up your sleeves hard work begins. The most important part of the investigation is the analysis. Hours and hours (and hours, oh my!) of audio and video review. Looping audio files over and over until your headphones become part of your head and your ears become so super-sensitive they hurt. Reviewing video footage, sometimes screen by screen, until your eyes are blurry and red. Finally, cross-referencing every piece of evidence to rule out any other possible explanations.

And that is the moment we live for the moment when you realize that you have ruled out every logical explanation and you have solid, truly inexplicable, and possibly paranormal evidence. That is the true excitement of paranormal research.

 

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