my rant on Paranormal State

[Mr Mehaha]

Edited at the request of the OP

Here it is people -- my long rant of "Paranormal State". Oh where to start? Where to start? I know! Let's start with the leader of the group Ryan Buell. In one of the on demand specials that introduces the group members, Ryan Buell states he is a expert in the field of paranormal research. This is not true. He is no expert in the field. He's a self-proclaimed expert in the paranormal. To be an expert in a field you first need to have special skills or knowledge and authority in some particular field. You also need to uncover new innovative findings or have substantial influence on the field. This kid has not done anything new or innovative. I have read a crapload of books on the paranormal and been in quite a few paranormal research groups, as well as followed other paranormal researchers and their log journals parers etc... From that I would not call myself an "expert", but if knowledge is all you need to be an expert, well then every person on this web site or that has watched one tv show on the paranormal is an expert! I would only say that I have a good knowledge base in the paranormal.

And I'm going to now use all of my talents to rip this show a new one! Ok Ryan, stop with all the "ooooo the devil is following me" crap. I love how he never says the name, but coincidently a psychic writes it down on a piece of paper and wow... it's the same OMG! I don't think so dude. If a demon had beef with you, you wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning. And a demon would never, I mean NEVER, tell you his name. If you have ever done a little bit of reading you would know that if you know the demon's name, you can control the demon. Or you can get rid of him. Man, Ryan... I think you like drama more than you like sex or breathing. Also they have an occult member performing rituals in the show. WOW how unscientific is that?Magic is an unproven practice in the world of science and if you are going to be a paranormal researcher, you really need to be scientific. That is what the field is all about. The point is to validate the evidence gathered to further the legitimacy of the paranormal field. You know, out of fantasy into reality.

I must say I do like watching the show, it's just so BAD like a Troma film. It's like watching a donkey show -- it's so horrible you can't take your eyes off it (I would like to thank Kevin Smith for that analogue!) The only show it's really competing with is Most Haunted for the most fictional reality-based paranormal research show. There is no debunking in the show. They don't even try to debunk anything! Oh I love their equipment "oooo fancy stuff". I really like the Walmart special motion detectors and how Ryan says "we calibrated them". LOL. You can't calibrate them, lol. By "calibrated" he means positioning them. Give me a break. I don't think this show is going to last too long at all. It's a slap in the face to real paranormal researchers. If any of you are really interested in a good paranormal researchers show, Ghost Hunters on Scifi is a much better show. I must say I did like the first episode of Paranormal State. It led me to believe the show was going to be good. They did good research in proving the little kid was seeing dead people. Sad to say, that was all the good research they have done so far.

And what is with the Director's log? MORE DRAMA!!!! I think the14u2cee said it best: "Director's log, date unknown: The Demon is again following me. Today we have George Bush and Osama bin Laden looking for EVPs at the White House, with special guests Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton investigating the white man....". It's like a bad Star Trek ripoff. And what is with Kelly dating Dillon Ops? Sorry, wrong show. With all the drama I get them a little mixed up. If I had more time I would love to stay up and rail on the show longer, but it is late now. So my final thought is with shows like Paranormal State on the air, it only hurts the validity of the paranormal research field. If people just go around believing any old thing the field will always have shadows of doubt on it, and will never be taken serious.

I'm The Spectacular Fred man, and that is my opinion.

Edited January 22, 2008 by Daughter of the Nine Moons

[Electra Rain]

Brovo versidus', well said...

[sub_x0ne]

Agreed. The show is over dramatic and isn't in the slightest a scientific investigation. Their accountability is zero to me but it is entertaining to watch.

[Veliska]

I didn't like it neither. I was too much of a wimp too say so...lol

[Mr Mehaha]

I didn't like it neither. I was too much of a wimp too say so...lol

hahahahahhahahahhahahah lol yeahhh.....

[gaia227]

Amen. I said very similar things about this show on another thread. Other than the obvious lack of critical thinking or rational thought is the idea they seem to be perpetrating that almost ALL spirits are demonic. The fact it is supposed to be a show about a paranormal investigative team but yet on the first episode they played one EVP and had zero evidence to back up their claims. The little boy was intriguing and I was very interested in him and his experiences but unfortunately we did not get to learn all that much about him because they were too busy holding seances to call up the demonic spirits they seemed so afraid are out to get them. I could go on and on about all the reasons why this show makes me want to puke but I won't because I don't want to have to think about it any more than I have to.

[Mr Mehaha]

Amen. I said very similar things about this show on another thread. Other than the obvious lack of critical thinking or rational thought is the idea they seem to be perpetrating that almost ALL spirits are demonic. The fact it is supposed to be a show about a paranormal investigative team but yet on the first episode they played one EVP and had zero evidence to back up their claims. The little boy was intriguing and I was very interested in him and his experiences but unfortunately we did not get to learn all that much about him because they were too busy holding seances to call up the demonic spirits they seemed so afraid are out to get them. I could go on and on about all the reasons why this show makes me want to puke but I won't because I don't want to have to think about it any more than I have to.

i whent and read your post on the other thread it was good glad to see we think alike. and i think most people that are in to paranormal research find this show to be pretty bad.

Edited December 20, 2007 by versidus

[NoahJaymes]

I am one of them. This show will probably weaken many future investigations as far as residences are concerned. Show won't last but a few more episodes.

[The Skeptic Eric Raven]

i whent and read your post on the other thread it was good glad to see we think alike. and i think most people that are in to paranormal research find this show to be pretty bad.

This show is horrific. They come into each situation expecting a paranromal occurence. There is no rationality in the whole show.

[gaia227]

RATIONALITY. What a novel concept unfortunately severely underused. These are the types of people who skew their think enough as to allow them to believe every little thing is a paranormal event and because of that they have no business trying to investigate anything - it is not investigation at that point it is VALIDATING. I believe someone said on the other topic about this show that debunking (AKA trying to find LOGICAL explanations for things before declaring them paranormal) is secondary on this show, where it belongs. I'm sorry - what? Isn't the whole point of an investigation to investigate all options and explore all avenues. Obviously as they are there with the equipment, psychic, mediums, etc they are looking for paranormal activity but shouldn't they also be looking to find logical answers for whatever some of the claims are because, sorry folks, most of the time it can be explained. It is the minute amount of time when it can't which holds the fascination. For some reason, logical, rational thought employed by people who will also readily admit they are also believers are found to be SO, SO annoying and offensive because they actually have some critical thinking skills and don't just believe everything they hear. I just don't understand that train of thought of I hate that person because they tried to find out if that banging noise was actually that one door that didn't latch correctly. I guess maybe we are just considered party poopers and most people consider paranormal investigating one big party.

[chaoszerg]

I do like watching the show it's just so BAD like a Troma film.

Come on now lets not knock Troma Film's

Edited December 20, 2007 by chaoszerg

[Mr Mehaha]

Come on now lets not knock Troma Film's

lol i do like a good Troma film! lol

[Veliska]

hahahahahhahahahhahahah lol yeahhh.....

Hee Hee

[JustNormal]

Hee Hee

You are just too sweet Veliska, you really are..JN

[~Cheese~]

I have some issues with the show but it's entertaining..

[Electra Rain]

There are no degrees in the study of the paranormal, there is in psychology, medical, science, history, etc, but none in ghost, and thoes who investage ghost have to use more than just fancy equipment and assumption, you would have to be a bit of a psychic and a firm believer before even attempting to help someone who may be a bit of a psychic themselves, most accounts of the paranormal are from everday people who have picked up, felt, smelt, heard or seen a ghost, and thoes who call themselves professionals in the field of the paranormal are spiritualist not religious set or based people, religion debunks psychics, so why would Ryan drag a priest into his investigation, and did you notice that A&E holds no responabilty to the teams investgations, it's on the disclaimer and it's there for a reason,

[Mr Mehaha]

There are no degrees in the study of the paranormal, there is in psychology, medical, science, history, etc, but none in ghost, and thoes who investage ghost have to use more than just fancy equipment and assumption, you would have to be a bit of a psychic and a firm believer before even attempting to help someone who may be a bit of a psychic themselves, most accounts of the paranormal are from everday people who have picked up, felt, smelt, heard or seen a ghost, and thoes who call themselves professionals in the field of the paranormal are spiritualist not religious set or based people, religion debunks psychics, so why would Ryan drag a priest into his investigation, and did you notice that A&E holds no responabilty to the teams investgations, it's on the disclaimer and it's there for a reason,

Hey Electra Rain i agree with a lot of what you have to say. but their is a degree you can get in the paranormal and it's a degree in Parapsychology witch is defined as " Parapsychology (from the Greek: παρά para, "alongside" + psychology) is the study of ostensibly paranormal psychological phenomena. Phenomena studied include extra-sensory perception, psychokinesis, and survival of Consciousness after death or in other words ghost's; parapsychologists call these phenomena psi, a neutral term non-suggestive of what causes the phenomena or experiences." me personally i think every buddy is a little bit of a psychic.

but i don't know what you mean by religion debunks psychic. i have read a few post on um where people say religions and religious people don't believe in ghost or psychic's etc. i have found that most religion are bast on spirituality and ghost and all the religious people i know ara spiritualist and believe in ghost's not all believe in psychic's but lot's of people don't not just religious people. yeah Ryan should not be dragging priest's psychic or occultist on investigations it's not professional or scientific. and i did notice the disclaimer very funny stuff!

Edited December 21, 2007 by versidus

[Electra Rain]

Hey Electra Rain i agree with a lot of what you have to say. but their is a degree you can get in the paranormal and it's a degree in Parapsychology witch is defined as " Parapsychology (from the Greek: παρά para, "alongside" + psychology) is the study of ostensibly paranormal psychological phenomena. Phenomena studied include extra-sensory perception, psychokinesis, and survival of Consciousness after death or in other words ghost's; parapsychologists call these phenomena psi, a neutral term non-suggestive of what causes the phenomena or experiences." me personally i think every buddy is a little bit of a psychic.

but i don't know what you mean by religion debunks psychic. i have read a few post on um where people say religions and religious people don't believe in ghost or psychic's etc. i have found that most religion are bast on spirituality, ghost and all the religious people i know and spiritualist and believe in ghost's not all believe in psychic's but lot's of people don't not just religious people. yeah Ryan should not be dragging priest's psychic or occultist on investigations it's not professional or scientific. and i did notice the disclaimer very funny stuff!

I must be looking in all the wrong places for courses, I'll have to broaden my scope and see if I can find a course in Parapsychology, yes religious people may be into spirituality, but some see psychics as Witches and that leads them to the Devil, not all religious people think that way, but some do. Everyone is psychic, if they opened their minds to exp it....Thanks for the info on Parapsychology.

Edited December 21, 2007 by Electra Rain

[JustNormal]

There are no degrees in the study of the paranormal, there is in psychology, medical, science, history, etc, but none in ghost, and thoes who investage ghost have to use more than just fancy equipment and assumption, you would have to be a bit of a psychic and a firm believer before even attempting to help someone who may be a bit of a psychic themselves, most accounts of the paranormal are from everday people who have picked up, felt, smelt, heard or seen a ghost, and thoes who call themselves professionals in the field of the paranormal are spiritualist not religious set or based people, religion debunks psychics, so why would Ryan drag a priest into his investigation, and did you notice that A&E holds no responabilty to the teams investgations, it's on the disclaimer and it's there for a reason,

Well, everyone laughs at Most Haunted, however David Wells is a very well known highly respected medium and Dr. Ciaran O'Keefe is Parapsychologist, so in many cases there ghost hunters hiring professionals with degrees. BTW A&E has that disclaimer before every show. JN

[The Skeptic Eric Raven]

There are no degrees in the study of the paranormal, there is in psychology, medical, science, history, etc, but none in ghost, and thoes who investage ghost have to use more than just fancy equipment and assumption, you would have to be a bit of a psychic and a firm believer before even attempting to help someone who may be a bit of a psychic themselves, most accounts of the paranormal are from everday people who have picked up, felt, smelt, heard or seen a ghost, and thoes who call themselves professionals in the field of the paranormal are spiritualist not religious set or based people, religion debunks psychics, so why would Ryan drag a priest into his investigation, and did you notice that A&E holds no responabilty to the teams investgations, it's on the disclaimer and it's there for a reason,

The point is they assume every situation is paranormal. The whole show appears set up. The acting is horrible. How anyone could take this show seriously is beyond me. I gurantee that they will air what is left and that will be it.

[~Cheese~]

The point is they assume every situation is paranormal. The whole show appears set up. The acting is horrible. How anyone could take this show seriously is beyond me. I gurantee that they will air what is left and that will be it.

Exactly.. That's why the next show will air Dec. 31

[The Skeptic Eric Raven]

Exactly.. That's why the next show will air Dec. 31

Can you not read? Duh. I said they will air what is left(however many episodes that are already filmed) and not renew it for another season.

[JustNormal]

Exactly.. That's why the next show will air Dec. 31

The next show airs on that date because the true date would have fallen on Christmas Eve..JN

[NoahJaymes]

Well, it appears this show is getting bashed on all levels not just here. This show wont last past its 13 episodes.

[rezna]

It's crap. It's on A&E, 'nuff said. Look at Ryan's face on this website, LOLS! http://www.aetv.com/allshows.jsp

A serious show about Ghosts shouldn't be on a channel called Arts and Entertainment, which has shows such as

"Criss Angel: Mindfreak" a magician,

Intervention where people do interventions on TV (omg, who came up with this?!),

at least 10 of their shows they broadcast are crime dramas,

the list can go on and on.