Skepticism

Seeking the supernatural: the Interactive Religious Experience Model

Although this paper applies to religious experiences, it can also be applied in a context to paranormal experiences. There is some very interesting stuff in here. The following is from the Abstract of the paper. We develop a new model of how human agency-detection capacities and other socio-cognitive biases are involved in forming religious beliefs. … Read moreSeeking the supernatural: the Interactive Religious Experience Model

How do you investigate a haunting? (Slides from Presentation)

The Southwest Ghost Hunter’s Association (SGHA) was created by five people. Two were very skeptical; two were hardcore believers and somewhere in between was me. The idea of this group was to utilize these different viewpoints, skeptic and believer, to investigate haunted places from a perspective that could lead to an unbiased conclusion. The believers … Read moreHow do you investigate a haunting? (Slides from Presentation)

Why T.J. Wright (the ghost of room 18) cannot be haunting the St. James hotel.

First of all, and most importantly, T.J. Wright did not die at the St. James Hotel as the legends have suggested. While the 1880 census does show that he was there, the 1920 census show him to be in Albuquerque, way after the date of his supposed demise in Cimarron. The first three articles are … Read moreWhy T.J. Wright (the ghost of room 18) cannot be haunting the St. James hotel.

Test Your Might, Analysis of voices v.s. Signal to noise ratio

Signal to noise ratio is a major consideration when analyzing audio. Are you really hearing a voice or is it actually the lower frequencies of another sound that resembles a voice? One simple way to see how SNR affects audio is to play around with it in the software you are using for analysis and … Read moreTest Your Might, Analysis of voices v.s. Signal to noise ratio

The truth about ghost hunting. Sorting the posers from the investigators!

Hobbies are practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. Engaging in a hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge, and experience. However, personal fulfillment is the aim. Almost no one can make a living at stamp collecting, but many people find it enjoyable; so it is commonly regarded as a hobby. While … Read moreThe truth about ghost hunting. Sorting the posers from the investigators!

The Haunted Palace Hotel, Cripple Creek, CO. (Investigation of paranormal claims)

This Old West hotel and casino has been featured on the History Channel. It is said that Miss Kitty, the wife of hotel owner Dr. Chambers, passed away in Room 3, but she still turns down the beds and lights the candles for the guests. Her ghost has been seen in the room, wearing a … Read moreThe Haunted Palace Hotel, Cripple Creek, CO. (Investigation of paranormal claims)

How to analyze ghost videos using critical thinking in 5 easy steps

The ever-present video camera is creating a new form of “paranormal” news. Anytime anything even slightly strange occurs on a video surveillance camera someone is likely to cry “ghost.” The local news media will swarm all over it and before you can say “WTF” they have chosen the most sensational nonsense to air. The video … Read moreHow to analyze ghost videos using critical thinking in 5 easy steps

Why it is easy to FAIL with Full Spectrum cameras.

As Inigo Montoya (of The Princess Bride, for you non-movie-geeks) might say, “Full Spectrum? You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” So, I will explain it. Full-spectrum photography is a subset of full spectral imaging, defined currently among photography enthusiasts as imaging with consumer cameras the … Read moreWhy it is easy to FAIL with Full Spectrum cameras.

Battery Drainage Phenomena…..BULLSHIT!!!!

The concept of Battery Drain phenomena comes from  a belief that is based solely in anecdotal statements by investigators in  the paranormal community. It is thought that equipment such as audio recorders, flashlights and other electronics will exhibit  a rapid drain in battery strength prior to the onset of paranormal activity. Although it has also … Read moreBattery Drainage Phenomena…..BULLSHIT!!!!

Scientific Method, Belief Systems and World View

The scientific method is the best way yet discovered for separating the truth from lies and delusion. The simple version looks something like this: Observe some aspect of the universe.  Create a tentative description, called a hypothesis, which is consistent with what you have observed.  Use the hypothesis to make predictions.  Test those predictions by … Read moreScientific Method, Belief Systems and World View