Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters are the bane of my life, not the cracking blockbusting Hollywood 'Ghostbusters', they're fantastic, I am talking about the general haven't got a clue but will pretend I am doing scientific investigation, type Ghostbusters.

They bring all the scientific Ghostbusting 'tools' of the trade and try to bust some Ghosts, theyre a real hoot to watch which is probably why series such as 'most haunted' etc have such high viewer ratings.

Now before you feel I am being cynical, there are two types of ghostbuster, one uses the scientific method approach to their investigations, the other makes a false premise that ghosts exist and the building is haunted and they are going to find a ghost.

The former I have respect for:

Joe Nickell

Joe Nickell

Professional paranormal investigator Joe Nickell is a senior research fellow for the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), a non-profit organization that applies scientific methods to claims of paranormal or supernatural phenomena. He has investigated hundreds, if not thousands, of haunted houses and other paranormal phenomena. He has worked as a detective, a stage magician and a journalist and is now a full-time, salaried paranormal investigator.

He has published several books and many articles and is also an expert in forgery detection and document authentication.

Now I know I am slipping in to argument from authority, but most of the latter type ghostbusters call themselves an authority any way.

Joe Nickell is someone I respect as an authority on investigations of the paranormal for the simple reason he does not have preconceived ideas. He approaches every case with the scientific method in mind and is scrupulous in his methodology.

Now the latter type Ghostbusters that I absolutely disdain, as mentioned earlier approach cases of Ghosts and hauntings as true before they even ask the first question. They hold the false premise that Ghosts do exist, the person absolutely saw a ghost and the building is definately haunted, they are simply there to log the incident and cash in by writing an article for the paper or inclusion in yet another credulous book about ghosts.

I have lots of respect for Joe Nickell types and love hollywood Ghostbusters, but unfortunately for every Joe Nickell, there are a thousand credulous 'Ghostbuster' types that honestly do not have the first clue.

Be sceptical,

Den.