Ghosts and TV

[Grand Lunar]

That had to be fun to see.

I tell you, I get a kick over the opening of "A Haunting".

"In this world, there is real evil."
Each time I hear that, I think "And as this show demostrates, there is also real ignorance/stupidity."

I recall one episode, a child had problems breathing (this occured after a string of "events").
A clergy man was present, and when he saw it, he exclaimed "Demon attack!"

I had to keep myself from laughing.

[tedward]

Jan 10, 2009 10:10:45 GMT -4 Al Johnston said:

I think this story was from Peter Jones, the biologist, but I may be mistaken. In one of his books he describes vividly how he found himself running for his life from a polar bear, absolutely convinced that at any second he would be caught and torn apart. When this hadn't happened for an improbably long time, he risked a look over his shoulder, and realised he had been fleeing a shadow on the ice.

The brain plays a much bigger role in the seeing process than we generally give it credit for...

You don't have to see it or think you saw it. In me yoof, a friend and myself were out after mushrooms. Farmer was a family friend so access no problem but we knew he had just bought a bull at market recently. Said friend decides to wait until I am getting a huge one (mushroom!) and nudges me and legs it yelling BULL! I passed him and noticed he was laughing but I still did not stop until I had cleared the fence in a single bound (superman, me). No bull in the field, it was all bull.

ETA meant to add, the triggers are already there. I think some have more than others and depending of life experiences or what you are expecting. For example, your example, polar bears very dangerous and you are in their territory. My example with the bull and my mate playing on it. Or if you go on a show hoping to see something, etc.

[Ginnie]

Mar 19, 2009 4:33:48 GMT -4 tedward said:

Jan 10, 2009 10:10:45 GMT -4 Al Johnston said:

I think this story was from Peter Jones, the biologist, but I may be mistaken. In one of his books he describes vividly how he found himself running for his life from a polar bear, absolutely convinced that at any second he would be caught and torn apart. When this hadn't happened for an improbably long time, he risked a look over his shoulder, and realised he had been fleeing a shadow on the ice.

The brain plays a much bigger role in the seeing process than we generally give it credit for...

You don't have to see it or think you saw it. In me yoof, a friend and myself were out after mushrooms. Farmer was a family friend so access no problem but we knew he had just bought a bull at market recently. Said friend decides to wait until I am getting a huge one (mushroom!) and nudges me and legs it yelling BULL! I passed him and noticed he was laughing but I still did not stop until I had cleared the fence in a single bound (superman, me). No bull in the field, it was all bull.

ETA meant to add, the triggers are already there. I think some have more than others and depending of life experiences or what you are expecting. For example, your example, polar bears very dangerous and you are in their territory. My example with the bull and my mate playing on it. Or if you go on a show hoping to see something, etc.

Yeah, those magic mushrooms used to make me think I was superman too...

[Grand Lunar]

Yeah, those magic mushrooms used to make me think I was superman too...

You old guys got to have all the fun!

Most mushrooms of any sort do for me is calm my digestive tract.

[rick]

it is all good harmless fun until the "ghost" starts scratching and hurting people.
people do anything to get on TV, I guess.

[Topher]

I personally find paranormal stories and parapsychology fun and interesting. Not so much in a "All this must be true" kind of way, I just think it's a cool subject, once you get past some of the bull clogging everything up.

Take the show "Haunted History" for example. At first glance, it seems like your average ghost story show, but it's interesting point is how it talks a lot about the history of certain places, and how these ghost stories might have come to be. It's just fun to watch, even if you don't really believe.

But I can see how people can be turned away by these kinds of shows. The ghost hunters like to claim they have this "scientific" way of looking at their cases, when they are just as bias and unscientific as any other guy that does this.

[laurel]

I like paranormal stories too (if they're told well) because I have a vivid imagination. Kind of a temporary suspension of disbelief maybe. Also I confess that years ago I had a summer job in a museum and a fellow employee and I told some ghost stories to tourists, so it might be hypocritical for me to complain about this subject.

Welcome to the board, Tidesofeuropa. Cool name.

[echnaton]

Welcome to the board, tidesofeuropa.

The difficulty with the supernatural tales shows is that if they are willing present such a credulous story as ghosts and haunting, there is little reason to believe anything else they say about the history of the place. One can reasonably surmise that any history is slanted to give credence to the ghost stories. My time is just too limited to spend it on that kind of show. If I want fictional entertainment, then I'll choose good acting over breathless narration.

[Jason]

As far as I can tell, Ghosthunters just consists of some would-be scientists letting their imaginations get the better of them.

[archer17]

Apr 27, 2010 11:20:46 GMT -4 Jason said:

As far as I can tell, Ghosthunters just consists of some would-be scientists letting their imaginations get the better of them.

I agree. There's not one bonafide "smoking gun"... not one. The IR & EM toys, tape recorders, and [name your gizmo] are just more modern props to an age-old superstition and don't make sense if you put any thought into it. I chuckle when it's taken for granted that "lights out" is a prerequisite for one's dear departed Uncle Fred to pay a visit.

[echnaton]

Apr 27, 2010 11:20:46 GMT -4 Jason said:

As far as I can tell, Ghosthunters just consists of some would-be scientists letting their imaginations get the better of them.

You are very generous with your characterization.

[gillianren]

I will say that an episode of Haunted History made me regret, at least a little, not having gone to my prom. I could have lurked in the bathroom of the hotel it was held in and looked for the ghost of Marilyn Monroe. Certainly it would have been better than listening to the music they would have been playing.

[Topher]

Apr 27, 2010 10:02:39 GMT -4 echnaton said:

Welcome to the board, tidesofeuropa.

The difficulty with the supernatural tales shows is that if they are willing present such a credulous story as ghosts and haunting, there is little reason to believe anything else they say about the history of the place. One can reasonably surmise that any history is slanted to give credence to the ghost stories. My time is just too limited to spend it on that kind of show. If I want fictional entertainment, then I'll choose good acting over breathless narration.

Thanks.
And I think that's just a matter of personal taste, really.
I enjoy the show, although, I don't believe everything they come up with. Sure, the show is built up to give more suspense to the stories, and they do tend to play it off like they're real, but it's all in good fun for me. I can find enjoyment in it.

But TAPS (The Ghost hunters) tend to think that if you can't explain something, it's evidence of a haunting. There's a lot of facepalming moments in Ghost Hunters, to say the least.

[echnaton]

tidesofeuropa,

Yes it is ultimately a matter of personal tastes.


gillianren,

Any bodies ghost would have been more fun than a High School prom.

[gillianren]

People kept telling me I'd regret it if I didn't go. I haven't yet!