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Ghost Lab

Started by PPI Brian, September 14, 2009, 05:07:04 PM

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PPI Tracy

Quote from: PPI Gary on October 28, 2009, 09:53:50 AM

But again.... NICE Freakin' equipment!!!!   ;D 

I bet you say that to all the investigators.   {8I

PPI Tracy

Quote from: PPI Karl on October 22, 2009, 11:15:41 AM
Quote from: ravenmunin on October 21, 2009, 08:00:23 PM


Cue voice-over:
Next time, on Ghost Lab . . . The crew hot dog it with Tiffany "New York" Pollard and go to work at a paranormally active Wienerschnitzel . . . blah blah blah.

:D  oh....my sides....ouch...   :D

PPI Karl

I'm envious of y'all.  Sadly, I just haven't had that much time this semester to watch these programs, and, I confess, once I do, there's something better on Bravo I'd rather watch that allows me to spend that time with Max (who doesn't want to watch the ghost reality shows).  I did, however, catch the first few minutes of <cue uproarious, farting laughter> Extreme Paranormal two nights ago.  Two high-serious guys who look into the camera from under their brows interviewed a singing voodoo priestess.  Needless to say, I pulled the plug before the first note chortled out of her.
If you want to end your misery, start enjoying it, because there's nothing the universe begrudges more than our enjoyment.

Gary

Quote from: TAPS Tracy on October 28, 2009, 11:39:33 AM
Quote from: PPI Gary on October 28, 2009, 09:53:50 AM

But again.... NICE Freakin' equipment!!!!   ;D 

I bet you say that to all the investigators.   {8I

I just laughed soo hard, everyone in my work bay just looked at me in confusiuon!!!
Gary \m/
An idea, like a ghost, must be spoken to a little before it will explain itself!

PPI Brian

#34
I fear these shows signal the death of paranormal "reality" shows as we know them. Time to cue Fonzie.  :)

http://www.youtube.com/v/MDthMGtZKa4&hl=en_US&fs=1&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDthMGtZKa4&feature=related
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."--Carl Sagan

PPI Tim

Will our fearless paranormal crew discover the Neilson ratings to continue?

TUNE IN NEXT WEEK ANOTHER EXCITING EPISODE OF GHOST SHARK!
Sounds interesting...Go on.

PPI Brian

Did anybody catch last night's episode of Ghost Lab? I have to admit I was intrigued by their experiments. When they started spouting off their "theory" that bodies of water generate EMF I found myself saying "prove it". To my utter astonishment, they tested the Mississippi river water for electrical conductivity, then set up a series of EMF data loggers to determine whether or not a measurable EM Field was being generated by the river. They even used the geography of the location to pose a possible explanation why paranormal activity only occured on the third floor of this location. Must give credit where credit is due. :)
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."--Carl Sagan

PPI Tracy

Quote from: PPI Brian M on November 04, 2009, 01:50:17 PM
Did anybody catch last night's episode of Ghost Lab? I have to admit I was intrigued by their experiments. When they started spouting off their "theory" that bodies of water generate EMF I found myself saying "prove it". To my utter astonishment, they tested the Mississippi river water for electrical conductivity, then set up a series of EMF data loggers to determine whether or not a measurable EM Field was being generated by the river. They even used the geography of the location to pose a possible explanation why paranormal activity only occured on the third floor of this location. Must give credit where credit is due. :)

Well...all I have to say to that is .....um.....WOW?  Maybe I should give it a look-see.   P^/

PPI Brian

#38
Quote from: TAPS Tracy on November 04, 2009, 04:41:17 PM
Quote from: PPI Brian M on November 04, 2009, 01:50:17 PM
Did anybody catch last night's episode of Ghost Lab? I have to admit I was intrigued by their experiments. When they started spouting off their "theory" that bodies of water generate EMF I found myself saying "prove it". To my utter astonishment, they tested the Mississippi river water for electrical conductivity, then set up a series of EMF data loggers to determine whether or not a measurable EM Field was being generated by the river. They even used the geography of the location to pose a possible explanation why paranormal activity only occured on the third floor of this location. Must give credit where credit is due. :)

Well...all I have to say to that is .....um.....WOW?  Maybe I should give it a look-see.   P^/

Look no further:  ;D

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/v/a8i2nR-dub0

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/v/WUBVCYWk5z4

Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/v/xKbUGbt3vkk

Part 4:
http://www.youtube.com/v/YDwsksIrzJo

Part 5:
http://www.youtube.com/v/-AprIyCa_9U
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."--Carl Sagan

ljiljanac

I have watched a few episodes of "Ghost Lab", and I am not impressed with their tactics of "getting the ghosts to come out."  It is one thing to try and antagonize a spirit, but all they do is yell.  I think that, in some cases, it is appropriate to challenge them to show themselves or give signs.  But not all the time the way they do it.  I believe in respect for the dead and respect in someone else's house.  I wonder how they would make a resident feel after hearing them yelling at whatever they believe is in their house.  People want to be comforted in some way and have answers, if not make the activity stop.  I wonder if the residents freak out and think their ghosts are going to come out when the "Ghost Lab" guys leave and torment them in retaliation.  I actually cannot watch that show anymore.  Hell, if I were a spirit, I would not come out either!  I'll stick to "Ghost Hunters".    :)


PPI Jason

Lily,

You should read my article on provoking. I made some of the very points you brought up.

But those thoughts aren't original. The idea of provoking has been thrown about quite a bit and it is still quite controversial. In our group, I think we have a philosophy very similar to the view that you expressed. We basically consider it a tool among many tools that we keep in mind when conducting an investigation. We don't do it all the time, and honestly, when I have used it I didn't really get any results.

Others, however, have gotten results from provoking. But like everything else in life, as you pointed out, you just have to ........ [cue the Kenny Roger's music]

know when to hold 'em,

know when to show 'em,

know when to piss 'em off,

know when to run.


[PPI offers its apologies to Kenny Rogers and the fans of Kenny Rogers.....as well as Barona Casino]
Probably the earliest flyswatters were nothing more than some sort of striking surface attached to the end of a long stick.
-Jack Handey

ljiljanac

Jason...I'd be interested in reading your article.  And, I will never hear Kenny Rogers' "Gambler" the same way again.   :D

PPI Brian

Hi Lilly,

I agree; the Klinge brother's approach to EVP is not likely to produce results. As Jason said, we use a variety of approaches, based on many factors, but we are always respectful. There is no need to be gruff and abusive, unless you're on TV and you're trying to show everybody how "tough" you are.  :D

Here's a link to the PPI Article section, which includes the article Jason wrote entitled: "Provoking, or How To Lose Friends and Influence Ghosts in the Paranormal World" --
http://www.pacificparanormal.com/joomla/content/blogcategory/6/15/
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."--Carl Sagan

ljiljanac

Hey Brian..thanks for the link.  :)   

Nice article, Jason.   :)   #3 made the same points that I had in my head regarding provoking and who you are trying to provoke.  As in investigations involving living people, we know that in many cases, in order to get the confession, admission, or reaction, we have to know about who our person is and speak their language.  To me, "Provocation" is like an Inside Joke they would like to forget....it is saying something specific to them in a manner in which they understand in order to rile them up to whatever degree and cause them to respond.  I agree that speaking English to a Spanish-speaking ghost, etc. probably won't get one far. 

You pretty much covered that topic to the point that I have no questions about it!  Thank you for that!  Furthermore, I have nothing intelligent to add to it.    ;D

PPI Tracy

NEWSFLASH:  "The paratainment axe has swung. It's officially cancelled"



PPI Karl

Maybe, with a little necromancy, they'll "resurrect" it on Animal Planet as a canine showcase.  I might watch it then.
If you want to end your misery, start enjoying it, because there's nothing the universe begrudges more than our enjoyment.

PPI Brian

I was actually kind of bummed to hear they cancelled the show. Jason Hawes popped out some comment about it on FB the other day. Although I didn't really warm up to their aggressive approach, they were doing some very interesting things -- such as proving that polluted river water is electrically conductive, and can cause natural EMF in a reputed haunted location. Other TV shows just blurt out "facts"; these guys did simple field experiments to prove some of the physical aspects of their theories. Personally, I would have rather seen GAC cancelled.  ;D
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."--Carl Sagan

PPI Tracy

From what I gathered, fans of the show (or cast?) verbally attacked Jason, et al..........stating that it was GH/GHI's fault that their show was cancelled.  I never got the full story.

PPI Brian

#48
Quote from: PPI Tracy on January 20, 2011, 03:38:40 PM
From what I gathered, fans of the show (or cast?) verbally attacked Jason, et al..........stating that it was GH/GHI's fault that their show was cancelled.  I never got the full story.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was both the fans and the cast. I really enjoyed watching the show, but then again I watch enjoy watching almost anything paranormal. Still love those episodes of Scariest Places narrated by Zelda Rubenstein.
"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."--Carl Sagan

PPI Tracy

Oh Zelda. My sweet Zelda.  Yeah, I miss her and the show.

I swear though, my new FAAAAAAV show has to be:  Celebrity Ghost Stories.  I swear.....(oh, i already did that...sorry).  I TELL ya....it's like Justin Bieber's music:  I can't get enough of it.  (yeah...that was a joke).

Seriously though, it is an awesome show!  I love it, love it, love it!

PPI Tim

AH MAN! That show was cool.
I don't know how they did it but they even had a black guy that looked like the white guys in the show.
Just wondering, Does anyone know what they are going to do with the Ghost lab Trailor? We could buy it and call it the PPI LAB!
;D
Sounds interesting...Go on.

PPI Tracy

Quote from: PPI Tim on January 20, 2011, 04:25:08 PM
Just wondering, Does anyone know what they are going to do with the Ghost lab Trailor?  ;D

They're probably going to live in it.....down by the river

Mark.Yates

I like watching GAC however, I don't like how the majority of the time they provoke. Also, some of the equipment they use like the Tesla Coil, EMF pumps, ghost boxes, the little device that sits on the floor that changes colors(like a Simon Says), and many others. 

GH at times can be boring however, GHI on their European investigations are interesting.  Did anyone watch last nights episode? I wanted to but I had to work. I am glad however that Barry is running the crew rather than that other guy that first started it.

I tried to watch Ghost Labs but, found them quite borrrrinnnngggg. Although they did anounce time stamps for later review. 
It is what it is.

PPI Tracy

#53
Well, here's the thing Mark; by and large, paranormal investigating is boring.  It's not like an episode of CSI where the suspense keeps coming and people have perfect hair as they run around in their Armani suits. (but we do have quick wit and clever conversation).  ;D  We spend more hours just sitting in the dark, staring at each other and talking to the walls.  The real excitement (and work) begins when you review your evidence.  

What I enjoy about certain paranormal shows is not how fast people run in the dark (dumb move...don't EVER do that) but the techniques they use....or misuse and actually how they approach something makes me think if I would do it the same way.  It gives me ideas of how else I would try to figure out...ohhhh....saaay... a hit on the thermal which could totally be a crew member.  What would I do?  Would I stand there and go, "wow....it's paranormal" or would I use the two legs that God gave me, and haul my ass down there to figure out WHO it was?  (I'll give you three guesses).  

Anyway, it's not all shoot em up.  "Paratainment" as we call it, has turned paranormal investigation into something where people want that instant gratification.  Trouble is, it's not like that in reality.  The investigation part is only about 40% of the work.  Again, the evidence review is where it really begins.  It does take a lot of hard work.  For every hour of audio you have, prepare to spend two hours reviewing it...minimum.  Capturing, documenting, compiling......it's not "edge of your seat stuff" but if you are interested in this field for that reason, you might be disappointed.  It's the research.....long term.  That's what makes most of us stay in this field, year after year.  It's not for the "thrill of it".  Although, it is thrilling when you truly get an anomaly on video or audio.  It's a lot of work, but well worth it in the long run...evidence or no evidence

PPI Tim

Tracy is right in the ballpark. It reminds me of fishing but you will rarely find out what is in the net until you go home and dump out on the floor...computer. Almost everything I have ever captured has been discovered after the investigation was finished. The idea that I could catch a whale of evidence keeps me searching.
Sounds interesting...Go on.

PPI Jason

These comments represent a huge dichotomy in paranormal investigation right now. It seems like more and more there are two distinct camps forming on either side of a growing paranormal rift. The "fun" camp v. the "science" camp. I don't think the two have to be mutually exclusive, but they are sometimes. For example, if you like fun then you probably want to run around a graveyard and shout at demons to come and chase you.  Personally I think that might be fun. But you'll never be able to collect evidence that isn't contaminated by someone shouting, "DUDE RUN!!!" in the background.

Now a scientific approach allows you to approach every investigation in a methodical quantitative manner. You take yourself and your investigation seriously. But this is not always ideal either. It's possible to make an investigation so boring that it becomes like a second job.

I personally like to hear ideas of how to make paranormal investigation fun while still maintaining the same objectivity and integrity that science demands. I personally like to chase down meth induced vandals who babble non-sense and then help the police take them into custody during investigations.

What are some of your ideas on how to make science more fun?  :)
Probably the earliest flyswatters were nothing more than some sort of striking surface attached to the end of a long stick.
-Jack Handey

PPI Karl

Although sometimes they hit far afield from the mark, Penn and Teller always did a fun job of delivering practical explanations and revealing outrageously manipulative or exploitative people.  Mythbusters often accomplished the same effect.  I certainly don't propose that paranormal investigative practices become abrasive, or that we start getting all Ricky Gervaise on people's asses.  (You go, Ricky!  Love ya.)  However, investigators not taking THEMSELVES quite as seriously as their investigations might be a good start:  bring to bear a more playful but intelligent personality to the field of investigating.  Personally, I'm so sick of the cult of machismo into which paratainment has descended, whether it's among the demon chasers or the brainiacs.  Shows have used practically every hypermasculine cliche there is to portray paranormal investigating as, not only an alpha-male extreme "sport," but also filled with the villainous unknown and the heroic saviors of either faith or reason.   Personally, restoring a little humility to these television depictions of what we do might be a good way to make them fun and accessible again.  However, maybe I'm just coming from an outdated point of view on this.  :)
If you want to end your misery, start enjoying it, because there's nothing the universe begrudges more than our enjoyment.