The Debunker Cult of the Paranormal Investigation Community

The Debunker Cult of the Paranormal Investigation Community


Hello all,

This post is basically a response to the debacle over the latest "Ghost Hunters" episode on the Sci-Fi Channel regarding the investigation at the Moss Beach Distillery.

This episode has really revealed alot about the current state of the Paranormal Investigation community. After watching the show and going onto the Myspace blogs of both Jason and Grant (The leaders of the TAPS crew on the show) and reading hundreds of comments of their fans, it is evident to me how influential this show has become in the minds and hearts of amateur ghost hunters and paranormal investigators. So much so that several things have been made very evident:

Firstly, that this show has invigorated and molded the majority of the Paranormal Investigation groups throughout the United States and even internationally is undeniable. With this being the case whatever mindset and methodologies this TAPS team displays on camera ultimately effects a majority of similar groups throughout the world, even if their mindset and methodologies are in error or unbalanced.

After reading the amazing amount of comments on Jason and Grant's blogs on the Moss Beach Distillery no one can deny that the vast majority of fans and supporters of the "Ghost Hunters" show follow the TAPS team's mindset of being first and foremost: DEBUNKERS.

You hear the term "debunk" and "debunking" frequently on this show as well as throughout the Paranormal Investigation community, as if being a debunker is being a solid or scientific paranormal investigator. This is totally NOT the case whatsoever, but Jason and Grant and the rest of the TAPS team consider "debunking" as something that they are supposed to be doing during every investigation. As if the Apparitions have to step up to the plate and prove the team wrong if they are really present.

Let me state this loud and clear: Being a debunker does NOT make you an investigator. The origination of this field (Psychical Research and Parapsychological Field Investigations) was, and still is, supposed to be centered on SCIENCE and the SCIENTIFIC METHOD not on an unbalanced focus of being a debunker of the paranormal. This mindset flows throughout the comments section of Jason and Grant's blogs. They set up an example for so many others to immolate and follow and most do not know any better, because they know nothing of the science of parapsychology. Parapsychology Field Investigators were the first "Paranormal Investigators" or "Ghost Hunters" LONG before this became a cultural phenomenon.

Secondly, the almost rabid devotion to this show and the TAPS team, and specifically to Jason and Grant in particular, reveals something that is extremely unhealthy, which most seem to be oblivious about. This show and its direct effect upon the Paranormal Investigation community has, in effect, created a CULT. Yes, I said that. A cult. Do just a little research on the marks of a cult and you will see the tell tail signs there. Read the blog comments on their pages. Go to the online forums. Present honest questions and respectful criticism on these blogs or in the online forums and see what kind of responses you receive. This show has created a community - a "church" - of ghost hunters that does not question why it does what it does and which does not allow for honest and open criticism of the movement or its leaders. Nothing is wrong. No one need to question. If one where to study the history of "ghost hunting" and understand the science of it, one would have to either bring up questions or bury their head in the sand and stop thinking for themselves.

I have mentioned this briefly on a previous blog called "Ghost Hunting and Parapsychology - Is there a difference?" though I believe it is time for those of us who know better to stand up and pronounce that the emperor has no clothes. Why are the leaders of Parapsychology silent? Sure, no one likes confrontation or to create dissension among the ranks of the Paranormal Investigation community, but Ghost Hunters has created a movement that is not based on Parapsychology but its own self-created terminology and methodology. We all want unity and peace together and that is completely understandable and noble, but not at the cost of ones conscience. The vast majority has very little understanding of parapsychology or why it is important and the majority of the leadership within the Ghost Hunting community, for their own purposes, either toss the science of parapsychology aside or are willfully ignorant. You have never heard Jason and Grant publicly discuss parapsychology or the works of respected Parapsychologists because it flies in the face of their mindset and what they are doing. And be honest, if they were to change their methods and adopt a more scientific investigative practice it would not make for exciting television and thus in the end would not make the Sci-Fi Channel much money. Solid parapsychological investigations are not overly rad and would not make for an exciting show most of the time.

Those of us who are more knowledgeable in the science of parapsychology have been quiet for too long. We haven't liked getting our heads chewed off by the rabid fans of Ghost Hunters. Once bitten, twice shy. But we shouldn't allow this any longer. I am calling for awareness. To spread the awareness that the "Ghost Hunters" show is neither scientific nor balanced. I have said it before and I will say it again, setting up tech and using tech in the dark is NOT scientific. Tech use is NOT science. Debunking a purported haunting is NOT scientific in and of itself, especially by the sole use of tech. But you will never hear that from the leadership of these ghost hunter groups.

Am I setting a line in the sand? I guess I am. I do realize that the Ghost Hunters show is a condensing of many hours into just 20 to 40 minutes of air time and that there is much that doesn't get shown, but after four seasons of shows you can get an honest and accurate picture of what TAPS does and what their thoughts and mindsets are.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.