When I was first exposed to the world of
the paranormal, I was lucky enough to
watch and study two incredibly insightful
investigators, Loyd Auerbach and Kerry
Gaynor, and, at the time, the only shows
documenting this type of study were
“Sightings” and “Unexplained Mysteries”
(produced by many of the same individuals
as the former). “Sightings”, in the 1990s,
was hosted by Tim White, an ex-military
General who was fascinated by the subject
of the paranormal science. The original
Concept Creator and Supervising Producer
of that show, produced by Paramount
for Fox TV, was Linda Moulton Howe, an
Emmy Award-winning TV producer and
documentary filmmaker of TV specials
about science and the environment.The journalistic approach that “Sightings”
took with this enticing and engaging subject
matter has been all but lost on the current
majority of paranormal reporting. This is
one of the reasons I am a huge supporter of
the television shows who dare to document
human experiences, rather than creating
false ones. My time will always be available
to support those willing to risk ridicule to
tell their stories, and to the producers who
step into that crucial role. Where shows like
“Sightings” allowed educated researchers
to explain evidence and demonstrate
the many hats they wear, which include
empowering families, positive psychology,
and explaining natural causes, many of
the manufactured “ghost hunting” shows
of today are not interested in an accurate
reporting of this very real phenomenon.
Often, they misuse equipment and the
teams consist of people who don’t have the
patience to bring a resume of education
to the field they claim they are trying to
advance. When engineers, physicists,
medical professionals, and psychologistsare needed, these teams are often made
up of the blind leading the blind: People
whose education often stems from other
misinformation on the internet. It’s such
a strange paradigm considering that psi
research in itself is steeped in mystery and
science, but the need to create the events
rather than observe or document the “real
magic” seems to have become a far greater
priority in the minds of many corporations
looking for a return on their dime. This
model makes sense when you’re developing
a show for pure entertainment and thrills,
but it takes a different turn when the public
begins to believe they are observing an
accurate depiction of the reality of psi
research, or twist the genuine experiences
of people who need a voice.What is striking to me about the situation
that we now reside in as investigators, is
that much of the public fails to understand
and realize how the shows developed for
entertainment purposes also drive home
a dangerous misconception about how
horrifying this phenomenon truly is. As a
teacher and educator in this field, I often
get surprised responses when I tell them
that the phenomenon, more often than not,
inspires hope and joy and a reason to go
on. Specifically, this is the case in grief and
bereavement where studies have shown
that people find great comfort in perceived
paranormal experiences occurring around
them (see the works of Dr. Callum Cooper).
Can these unexplained events be terrifying?
Absolutely. But it is not the core of where
this research truly lies, nor does it represent
the majority of human experiences.The other fallout from television programs
where ghost hunting groups are sent into
allegedly haunted places to “investigate”,
is that skeptics begin to believe that thisPARANORMAL:
ENTERTAINMENT?
BY MORGAN KNUDSEN,
Entityseeker Paranormal Research & TeachingsI
have had the privilege
of being a part of
paranormal research
for my entire life, and
actively participating for
nearly twenty years. I am the
descendant of a man who is
a staple in Canadian history,
Albert Durrant Watson, and
an influential member of the
scientific community as both
a physician and astronomer.
He prided himself on founding
the first paranormal research
association in Canada
(Association for Psychical
Research of Canada), and I do
not take that legacy lightly.
It is one of the reasons this
particular subject of education
is so important to me.