Sorry Everyone

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on October 29, 2009 at 9:16pm

As a fairly seasoned investigator myself, and having known people who know people, here's my take on some of your questions. Also, for the record, I have personally met the guys from Ghost Hunters, who actually have a pretty well-recognized organization called TAPS--the Atlantic Paranormal Society, and I've met members from their spin-off show, Ghost Hunters International. For anyone not familiar, the difference is that GH/TAPS investigates here in the states and occasionally Canada, and GHI goes all over the rest of the world.

Also, the guys from Paranormal State have an organization called PRS--I can't remember exactly what it stands for, but it may simply be Paranormal Research Society? And they are gaining some major respect. There are a lot of things you need to understand about the different shows when you try to compare them because that will help you understand more about what each show attempts to do, and how to figure out who is "legit," and who is out for a buck.

First and foremost, Most Haunted is out for a buck! They are so not legit, and just about anybody out there who attempts to do any real investigation will tell you the same thing. They are trying to prove that everything is real, and anyone who is serous about this should go in it trying to debunk as much as possible. The thing about debunking is that you want to debunk what you can so that anything you can't is out there as potential evidence. If you go into an investigation and say OMG! This is for REAL! everytime you go there, you will be laughed at after a while. You simply can't do that.

Ghost Adventures is sorta "kiddie," IMHO. I think they are really just pretty childish, from what I've seen, and I haven't watched much. I'm not very interested, to tell the truth. I don't see any real investigaqtive techniques, and they appear to be very childish and want to run away. The whole point in investigating is to attempt to investigate, not run away. That OMG! and running away thing gets really old really fast! And, if you're telling me that they go about provoking, please see my comments on the post "Extremely Haunted," or whatever the post was. I think I said quite enough there! ;)

Neither of those shows has any real orgnization that I'm aware of as far as investigative groups go, either, which IMHO is also worth something when you go to compare groups and shows.

Paranormal State is very clear in that they go into an investigation to debunk what they can, but usually a family has already been there and done that. They handle investigations that are extremely serious and that most other gropus won't touch with a 10-foot pole. They handle the ones that may point toward demons and religious issues. They aren't afraid to say it, and they don't care how others feel about it. I think that is what people find off-putting about them, but sometimes that is what people need, and there is a market for them. People believe in these things, and let's face it, we're a big groups of people who do! PS is a great group, and while they don't claim to know everything about everything, and they've screwed up a time or two, they do a good job on most investigations, and they can put people in touch with the right people. They may also be a TAPS-family member--you can check out TAPS's site to learn more about that. And they do have a lot of respect in the investigative community. It's on A&E, BTW...

GH and GHI are both excellent shows, and they are very well-done. The biggest problem with them is that they don't have any control over the editing process, so it's hard to know exactly what goes on on every investigation. And they will tell you that if and when you meet them. They are very open about their opinions on that, but the show is a job. The investigations aren't, and they don't get paid for that part of it. They only get paid for the actual shows. So... That's an issue, yes, but it's an issue with anything that goes onto a network, and that's how it works. Period. If they could control it, they would. But unfortunately, when you spend 10 days on a ninvestigation and then only have 1 episode to encompass the material in, what can you do?

So, try to remember that debunking is a GOOD thing for us in this community. You don't want junk to get out there and parade around as "evidence," so we have to weed out the crap to get to the good stuff! Cuz when you DO get the good stuff, that's the topping on the cake!!

Hugs and BB,
jen :)

Permalink Reply by Wendy L Buckner on October 30, 2009 at 3:43am

Thank you for letting me know the difference, I just wanted to know if the show are for real or just trying to mislead people. Now i'll know which ones to watch and the not evern worry about the others again thank you so much.

Blessed Be
Winnie

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on October 30, 2009 at 8:14pm

NP, and don't get me wrong--watch whatever you want, of course, but go into it knowing what you're getting. That's really all I'm saying! If what you want is sensationalism and not reality, then you know where to go. ;) But if you want the truth, then you also know where to go! And compare the techniques and see the differences. You'll quickly learn what's trickery and who is serious in this field.
Hugs and BB,
jen :)

Permalink Reply by Rev Michelle on November 3, 2009 at 4:25pm

That is awesome you've had a chance to meet with some of those folks Jen.

Most Haunted seems really ridiculous to me. Ended up watching that one night because they advertised being in Louisiana and I am missing the South right now. That's how I got roped into watching Extreme Paranormal one night too LOL. Haven't tried to watch Ghost Lab yet. They will probably get my attention for a night when they advertise a show taking place in the South LOL>

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Surdam on November 4, 2009 at 4:45pm

I can't praise them enough. They're really neat guys--very nice and down-to-Earth. I have had a chance to talk with the majority of the GH/TAPS team that you see on TV, and they're very humble, and they seem to enjoy talking with you. They're much like us--not like a bunch of TV "stars"!! I've also had a chance to meet a majority of the folk from GHI, and they are also just as kind. I would LOVE to meet with the guys from PS, as I know people who've met them and say they are also a great bunch of "kids"--they're much younger than me, so they seem like kids! LOL ;)

I've met and worked with Patrick Burns of the Ghost Hunters and of "Haunting Evidence" fame. On a professional level, I think he's a great investigator, and I got a chance to learn a lot while working with him and his group/team--I won't talk personally about my feelings about him. I'd LOVE to meet Carla and John who worked with him on the show, and I'm sorry that the show is no longer going to be filming.

I've also worked with a number of locally-known and very well-respected psychics and paranormal investigators. While they aren't TV famous, they have their own level of fame... I guess you could say I've been very lucky! :) And don't get me wrong, I totally know it. I'm not bragging at all--it's a luck and timing thing as far as I'm concerned. But I've learned a ton from it, and I don't mind sharing what I've learned--that's where I get to say, hey, I got this from my experience, so here you go!

Hugs and BB,
jen :)

Permalink Reply by Robin Winterberg on October 29, 2009 at 9:58pm

I will have to agree with Jennifer .
every dot that shows up in a picture or every curtain that blows in the wind can get offered up by some of these shows as proof of the paranormal . But I don't think a team is always going to pick up on a haunting all the time even if there is one. Still people want spirits to show up on cue or they arent going to watch ,as some people are expecting more so things are blown over the top. its tv

Permalink Reply by Nina J. Jankowski on October 30, 2009 at 1:30am

I don't have that channel and I don't have cable. Anyway, I do believe that the ghost do exist. Because I am a ghost hunter. We still study for that situation, to find approve or disappove. That it is all. Thank you!

Permalink Reply by Robin Winterberg on October 31, 2009 at 1:24pm

I used to be an abandoned house/abandoned cemetery explorer sometimes the locations that the shows go to are more interesting then the investigation to me so I will watch for that reason .

Permalink Reply by Nina J. Jankowski on October 31, 2009 at 5:30pm

I agree and depend. Happy SamHain and Happy Halloween !