What do you do to set your selves apart?

[Method]

Lets face it, this field is plagued with groups that more harm the field of paranormal research than help. What do you do to separate your selves from the "Scooby-Doos" (my term for groups that have no business in the field)?

[dwalters]

I wish I had an answer for you. I didn't know we have set ourselves apart from the others....that's good I guess. I like to think that we are all on the same team. I just think we handle ourselves professionally and we debunk a heck of a lot of claims.

[Method]

From my personal experiences, it is imperative to maintain a high degree of professionalism and maturity in the field. Some groups are in it for all the wrong reasons. One I briefly had contact with was of the mind set to get their own TV show, and it reflected in the way they conducted them selves. I've been with a group that brought on as a member a guy who stated he saw a zombie walking down his street one night...and was shooting red lasers from its eyes. Not to mention the time he claimed to have seen a pointy-hatted witch run through his driveway. And now he?s in the field interacting with people. I've had discussions with others in the field whose belief systems were so screwed up that they adamantly defended any claim no matter how outlandish...I asked him if he would task the group to setup on Christmas eve and try to catch Santa Claus if some one truly believed in him and wanted evidence...He said "absolutely"

So when I asked what you do to set your selves apart, I guess a little clarification might have been in order. As I said, you have groups with ulterior motives. Some already have firm convictions of which they mould the evidence around. They take fact and massage it to fit their agendas. Some groups, as I said are star-struck and are trying to be the next on Sci-Fi channel. Some groups use solely questionable and ridiculous methods for gathering their ?hard? evidence (Ouija boards, psychics, crystals and other nonsense). Some groups employ those of questionable psychological stability, which not only creates a dangerous environment but also exposes the group to lawsuits. Other groups are nothing but social clubs that use clients/victims as sources of entertainment under the guise of being "investigators". While a select few are of the purely scientific mind-set and motivation.

There are a lot of different types of groups and certainly motives, standards and maturity level all play a part in creating very obvious distinctions. We are definitely not all on the same team, that?s for sure.

So do you ?have? to set your selves apart? That?s up to you and your group, but word to the wise. It would be a good idea to be very clear on what is and isn?t acceptable, no matter whose toes you might step on. What your motivations and limitations are, no matter who you might offend or whose feelings you may hurt.

[PPI Karl]

Our highest priority as a paranormal investigative group is to help people.  That isn't to say that we are not interested in finding the elusive evidence of the paranormal, but it comes as a consequence of our efforts to help those families and individuals who are confused and desperate to explain what's going on in their homes--or, as is often the case, what's going on in their minds.  We have on many occasions presented the disappointing facts to clients who were hoping their homes were hot spots of paranormal activity.    In some instances, those facts were observations about family dynamics, cognitive defects, and metaphysical biases that created a climate of belief in ghosts and paranormal activity.  Those are not moments of popularity for PPI, but that degree of honesty runs part and parcel with our integrity.  We make it very clear to our prospective clients what type of investigative group we are, so that they're not disappointed when we're not setting up for a table-tipping session (ala Most Haunted). 

As for being starstruck, I'd say we're fairly long in the tooth for that sort of thing.  I won't deny that our work has sometimes put us under the same spotlight that TAPS enjoys, but being a TV ghost hunting group is far from our agenda.  All of us have productive careers outside of the paranormal field, and we have no pretensions of supplanting those with a life in front of the camera.  On the other hand, if a few of us wanted to do that, I would certainly give them my full support, and I would be pleased of any publicity it raised to showcase our group's non-profit endeavors to assist people and to research without any other agenda, and to inspire other groups to adopt our same goals.

In fact, our goals from the very beginning have been to set ourselves apart as the kind of group that eschews the trappings of "moulding the evidence around" our convictions.   [I like your pun.]   And, while we do not always respect the methodologies other groups use, neither do we consider ourselves to be their competitors, so there's no point to condemning them publicly or denouncing their techniques; that just makes for a bad vibe in the community.  People who are interested in our services either respect a greater degree of objectivity we bring to the investigation, or they're looking for a balanced, parallax view of the activity in their home, and so enlist us in addition to another group with more metaphysical methodologies. 

I hope this gives you a better sense of what we're about.  Actually, I'm fairly confident we're on the same page, but I completely understand your skepticism:  until you hear it from us directly, you have no reason to think we're anything but garden variety paranormal hobbyists.

Thanks for your thoughtful questions, Method!

[PPI Karl]

This is our Code of Ethics, which we delineate and explain at length in every one of our reports to our Clients.  This might actually address your concerns more effectively than my last post:


3.4                                                                                                                                           
ETHICAL ISSUES
While protocols help PPI to monitor the investigation as a safe and reliable process, other ethical issues are of concern insofar as they affect the way the organization (or one or more of its members) interacts with the client, acts upon the evidence, or biases the results.  Membership to Pacific Paranormal Investigations is a carefully screened process.  Clients, however, may feel further assured by the fact that PPI members take an oath to uphold and abide by strict ethical standards during all phases of an investigation.



Paranormal Investigator's Code of Ethics

i.	Physics before Metaphysics: members pledge to use the scientific method above all others in the collection, examination and analysis of data and evidence.
ii.	Substance Over Shadow: investigators will place greater value on the process of inquiry and reasoning than on their personal expression of faith, their belief system, their spiritual philosophy, or an avowed absence of these.
iii.	The Living before The Dead: members will at all times regard the needs and concerns of clients and colleagues as a greater priority than all other concerns of research and investigative practices.
iv.	Credibility and Character: members at all times during an investigation will safeguard the credibility of the organization by representing it with the highest standards of honesty, integrity and professionalism.
v.	Courtesy and Custom: while participating in any investigation, members will show sensitivity and respect for diversity in the client's culture, behaviors, ideologies, policies, rules, customs and personal wishes.
vi.	Law and Order:  members will never compromise the investigation, the client or the organization by flouting or bending the laws of a state or a community.
vii.	Comity and Compassion:  members will demonstrate collegiality with other team members and will respect the claims, doubts, concerns, fears and wishes of any client or other individual relevant to an investigation.
viii.	Privacy and Propriety:  investigators will safeguard the confidentiality of all personal information, sensitive or otherwise, divulged by colleagues, clients, and relevant witnesses.
ix.	Currency and Professionalism:  investigators will contribute meaningfully to the advancement of paranormal research by remaining current in the field and applying that knowledge to the methodologies of investigation and evidence assessment.
x.	Knowledge Before Profit:  members will pledge to disclose fully any significant discoveries germane to the field of paranormal research, and to refuse to profit financially either by publishing, or preventing from publication, such discoveries.

[Method]

That was a very thoughtful and insightful response, thank you Karl. Seems you guys have a very clear cut direction and good sense. As you can see by my experiences, the group dynamic is very important. Certain groups can be very damaging not only to the reputation of the field but also to client/victims. There are certain things that I have experienced that have caused harm to client/victims. In one instance the client/victim was obviously having psychological issues yet the group vigorously pursued this case. They in turn exacerbated her condition to a great extent which was quite sad.

The whole reason for me elaborating on my experiences is to hopefully expose others to what I feel are dangers in the field. Its not so much being in competition with each other as I feel information should be shared freely. Or trying to put some one down, as you notice I mention no names. But it is to bring to light the damage I've experienced first hand not to mention the high propensity to law suits. I mean imagine if some disturbed person reaches out for help and some one representing a group said "You are surrounded by demons!" and this person consequently kills them self. Well, you can just imagine how that would end up. That is the one of the biggest things I fear in this field.

If you are one of the lucky ones that started off with a group of sound individuals then I wouldn't really expect you to know all these things (and I envy you). Maybe you've had suspicions and ponderings about it, but let me tell you...Its out there. But for others like me, its a crap shoot on who you'll end up with and to date my efforts have been quite disappointing to say the least. Again I have not mentioned names or pointed fingers at any one. Thats not for me to do, I'm not out to get anyone. This is more for people with groups; to use as knowledge and apply as they see fit. And this is also for people thinking of joining groups; things to look out for, knowing when to walk away...in some cases run! When I was green I was so excited to be accepted into my first group that it really didn't matter what or how they went about their business, I was "in" thats all that mattered. Now, after years of research and interactions with people and the such, I realize how important it is to really know what and who you are getting your self involved with. That the recruitment and interview process has to be both ways.

*You're code of ethics was posted as I wrote this, bravo! Not that it really matters, but you have my respect.

[dwalters]

*You're code of ethics was posted as I wrote this, bravo! Not that it really matters, but you have my respect.

Gaining respect from complete strangers really does matter! Thank you for your respect.

[PPI Brian]

*You're code of ethics was posted as I wrote this, bravo! Not that it really matters, but you have my respect.

Gaining respect from complete strangers really does matter! Thank you for your respect.

Agreed; Thank you for your comments, Method. As Karl and Dave so eloquently explained, we take pride in our investigative approach, and we strive to find rational explanations for claims of paranormal activity.

Regards,

Brian Miller

[PPI Karl]

If you are one of the lucky ones that started off with a group of sound individuals then I wouldn't really expect you to know all these things (and I envy you).

Method, it sounds like you've become a little bitter about the "paranormalists."  I don't blame you, either.  It is very difficult sometimes to find a core group of people who have enough respect for critical thinking and an open mind to the subject matter, and who know how to keep the two in check.  Honestly, I feel this is the most frequent problem that occurs with two types of paranormalist. 

The inveterate skeptic sees herself as a hard-nosed critical thinker, but refuses to follow through all the way to probable conclusions, no matter how unlikely they may be.  Her M.O. is that she enjoys being skeptical; she sentimentalizes the role of skeptical inquiry and sheds her skeptical exterior for a patently cynical one.  Every paranormal investigative group needs skeptics, but cynics love and live to close people's minds to the possibility as well as the certainty.  They're the sad result of over-confidence and eventually cultivate a view of themselves as the persecuted heretics of reason.  In almost all cases, remaining the lone voice, rather than building consensus, is their main agenda.

The paranormal fundamentalist believes himself to be the paradox of open-mindedness but refuses to close the lid, even when conclusions have already been reliably drawn and the truth has outed itself.  Like the cynic's M.O., the paranormal fundamentalist enjoys being considered open-minded more than he wants to find the truth.  Consequently, he invents more and more scenarios to keep the rest of us optimistically open to the possibility (not probability) of extra- and post-mortal realms:  elaborate tales of hierarchical order among angels; or warnings about demon possession; or literal-minded descriptions of "psychic vibrations"; or "tales from the dark side"; or whatever other folklore it might take to keep the faith alive--at the expense of truth.

Balance between skepticism and hope--or between cynicism and optimism--is a tough challenge for any individual, never mind an entire paranormal investigative group; and when we add our clients' attitudes to the mix, it sometimes takes the delicate power of diplomacy to distract them from the scalpel of reality.  One of the goals of our group is to keep that ideological see-saw aloft on both ends.

Okay . . . Like a losing triathlete's march from the Olympic stadium, I have run out of mixed metaphors.

[Method]

Excellent feedback, it is quite paradoxical isn't it? I never really thought of it that way. Thanks for taking that time write that out Karl.

[PPI Brian]

Okay . . . Like a losing triathlete's march from the Olympic stadium, I have run out of mixed metaphors.

I'm sure you are bound to find a few laying on the ground on the way out of the stadium. You might even have a metaphor or two stuck to your shoe! 

[Method]

Hehehehe

[CACPIR_Dave]

I think that just by answering the way you guys have helps set you apart from other groups.