Isabel and I get way too into Ghosthunters, the "reality" paranormal show on the Sci-fi channel.
Neither of us had cable, so we usually end up watching episodes strung together by Youtubers, and we also usually end up giving ourselves a bad case of the jeeblies (spelling?) afterwards.
Since I don't believe in ghosts, it's not as if I'm spooked about the undead pestering me in my sleep (although I do very much hate the undead). However, as a Catholic, I do believe that diabolic forces can do weird things. Anyway, all this is to clear the way for a skeptical question about ghosthunting.
These people like to tout the "scientific" evidence created by E.V.P. (electronic voice phenomenon). That is, people will wander through an empty building and ask spirits to speak into a microphone. Voices that were not heard during the investigation are sometimes heard when reviewing their recordings. First of all, this seems pretty much like playing with an ouija board sans the board, so I'm pretty sure it's of dubious moral practice. Secondly, the voices almost never sound clear, so people just kind of make-up what they think the voice is saying (which is always something creepy). Thirdly, with all of this wireless/cordless/radio technology (not to mention loud car radios passing by or neighbors' TVs), it seems a really specious method of operations. Who knows what your cheap microphone is picking up? Fourthly, you have to completely take the "investigators" on their honor that they didn't edit or modify the recording...and that no one simply spoke into the microphone. Fifthly (am I up to fifthly...I lost count), why would spirits almost always seem to WHISPER into the microphone? If a ghost were projecting their voice onto a recording, why wouldn't they project it as if they were speaking normally? Whispering is easier than speaking if you have a body because you are trying to push air through your throat and mouth. But why would whispering be easier for someone who didn't have a body? It would be more plausible to me if the voices were simply at a lower volume, as if they were further away, not as if a ghost were murmering into the mic.
Finally, and here's the real stumper, how come we never see paranormal investigators encountering a haunting situation during a prelimary tour or while they are setting up or taking down equipment? Whenever the investigators are record something, it always seems to be when they are looking for it. These ghosts seem awfully polite to let these people set up their equipment or leave without the least bit of bother. For that matter, you almost never see the professional camera crew have any kind of experience. You would think ghosts could start thinking outside the box once in a while? I mean, what else do they have to do all day except for find ways of scaring people...
Peter, I think you're right on with the comment on wireless phones, etc.
My old computer speakers recently started picking up a local radio station, even when they are not connected to anything at all.
It is admittedly a bit spooky.
Posted by: Alan | September 23, 2008 at 01:06 PM