I understand. My theory is, prior to scientific devices, teams performed just ole ghost hunting. So with that said, I feel thats what they do. The stories are detailed, the investigation lasts days, they perform a great deal of reasearch, then do what is best for the client. Even the DARK MAN was sad, but setting the Mom up with a grief counselor was so humane, and seemed to be exactly what the poor woman needed. Then when it came to the 14 year old medium, they gave her loads of literature and set her up with Chip to guide her thru it. All and all they are out to ghost hunt, and help people. I find it refreshing for a Ghost Hunting show to put so much effort into each case. Ghost hunters, stay the night, leave, go thru evidence and normally tell the people they could find any evidence and I have seen some people have a betrayed look on their face, because they KNOW what they hear and see. Each show is interesting and each on is different. JN

i do like the shows they do on the medium kids. but TAPS really helps a lot of people by pointing out really thing like bad paint fumes and carbon monoxide leaks in houses that are the real problems people are having. some people do look disappointed but some people are just looking for attention or to make money. but sorry no dice. i mean it's cool to help some one emotionally but if you don't fix the gas leak in the house well, match in the gas tank... boom boom! I'm not sure if you read my whole rent but if you do its not hard to see why this show is bad for the Paranormal field.

This is getting to be a rather old argument. From a researcher/investigator stand point it annoys me to no end to see ppl post this. Especially when they sit behind a computer and merely watch rather than do it themselves.

Hauntings do not occur 24/7. There is not a light switch we can turn on and off for paranormal activity. Even the most active place doesn't provide experiences every night.

I wouldn't say Paranormal State is there to ghost hunt, they obviously have their own agenda. Why do I say this? Well, prior to getting a show, Ryan was talking to producers about various other projects. So I can assure all you Paranormal State haters, that if Paranormal State only airs one season which more than likely after the last episode its over based on bad reviews that Ryan will be back with a different project. Notice on a few ads where casting is established, it has Ryans name and then "other staff". They are ghost hunting, but not the proper way as it should be done. Smoke and Mirrors, smoke and mirrors.

As I have said in the past, not everyone can ghost hunt for days on end. They do have to support themselves. So a team spending any longer than 2 days at a location is EXTREMELY rare and can only be done by supplemental income, or lets face it.. kids with rich parents that go to school. I do not care who you are, investigating the paranormal is a hobby that DOES NOT PAY. It isn't like a research firm hires a group to investigate said claims of paranormal activity and pays them. If I had my own TV show and in college where online courses can be done, I would spend a WEEK at a location. Trust me, their research methods are lack there of and BASIC at that. Sorry, but this is a meaningless argument. Its like comparing apples to pencil sharpeners.

Also, how many groups do you know that would investigate said haunted locations prior to technical investigations that would warrent "Good ol'e Ghost Hunting"? If you say The Warrens, I will gag.

well said 419, but i did not get the part about casting please tell me more *gives 419 a cherry covered warrens

I forgot where I was searching, but I was doing research on Paranormal State, I came across a few sites that would show ads for the show that would have a picture of Ryan and have this name in bold letters and then have "and others" As if they are unimportant.

That is piss poor leading on his part. If I was apart of the team it would be a slap in the face. If it was my group, I would put myself last which a leader should always do.

wow really what a dick!

oh and one more thing I'm am definitely with you on investigation length thing.
thats why me and some of my friends that are out casts from other Paranormal groups
are starting up a new group called L.A.U.G.H Lazy Ass Useless Ghost Hunters.
we do a good investigations but unlike the other groups we have been in we cant go out all the time we have live and need to pay bills. lol hence the name.

OK As 419 said, this topic is getting old. I mean when you look at the big picture, who cares? LOL..These are TV shows created for entertainment purposes only. For that matter, I happen to enjoy both the shows, and Most Haunted..::::running from critics::::::::: JN

That is hilarious!! Wish I would have thought of it!

Hello all, first post here.

Why not just plug the camera into a wall outlet and set the camera to SLP record mode? Virtually all DVR cameras have these functions. This will preclude battery failure and provide ample run time thusly eliminating causes/excuses for not capturing the evidence.

My digital camera is batteries only... The digital video camera is battries only it is one of these small compact ones and it only records for 1 hour, it is my sons he got it as a christmas present... If I could have plugged it in and ran it all night I would have done before now

I see... well perhaps you should check out Ebay and pick up a cheap DVR with said capabilities. I mean imagine what you could capture and share with the believers and skeptics alike. I've not been fortunate enough to have experienced anything paranormal to date; if I had I'd be sure to do whatever I could to document it.

We had one for years and it ended up hardly being usedby us my son used it a fair bit and it got broke... so I never bought another one. My main concern is how to deal with it, not catching it on camera.

I didn’t mean to be insensitive; I only read the most recent post regarding the camera problem. I entered the forums via a Google search about the the silly series “Paranormal State” and came across your camera post therein. I did not realize that you were experiencing problems with the paranormal. I’d love to know more about your experience; perhaps you could elaborate or provide a link to the posts you’ve already entered about this situation. Good luck with this - hope it works out!

No problem... Lets just say I have a very active bedroom!!!

That doesn't sound to good does it?

LOL Lucky you...Seriously, whats going on Angel? JN

If you could, make a seperate topic so we don't derail this topic, done it enough.

One day...

You're not the boss of us LOL

no, but its about someones rant on paranormal state, not about someones experiences with light anomalies

Ok... this just about sums it up... Paranormal State is in no way meant to be taken seriously. Lets Consider the "Source"... The Producer ... Ryan Buell. This is an exerpt from his biography....

Buell attends Penn State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism. At 19, he formed the prestigious Paranormal Research Society which has become known throughout the nation. Paranormal Research Society also has its own show which is being produced by Go Go Luckey Productions for the A&E network, to which Buell is a consulting producer for.

Buell, now 25, just finished writing his first novel and is also helping to develop another paranormal-related show, this one a scripted drama. He is re-enrolled in Penn State to earn a degree in Anthropology and has plans for grad school.


From what I gather, its all about entertainment, making a buck, and getting his name out there as far as journalism goes...

As For TAPS... leave those men alone, they do a better job than most I have seen. Going in with a skeptic mind is actually a good thing...

I think a open mind is more beneficial when dealing with the paranormal especially when your a 'Paranormal Investigator!' and dealing with people who have paranormal events.

Being skeptic is OK when you are just hunting in grave yards etc... but when dealing with people who have paranormal phenomena happening to them you need a open mind... otherwise your in the wrong job.

Just my opinion.

well said Dredimus! AngelXVI why don't you get it???? why why why! i get you like the show, that is fine. you really need to think of the repercussions this show will take on the paranormal field . you get mad right now at nonbelievers, just wait, no one will take the paranormal serious by the time this show is over!

I agree, an open mind is a good thing to have, but, with all due respect, if your going to help someone who claims to be having problems with the paranormal, wouldn't it be a good idea to make sure that they aren't yanking your paranormal chain first? And for that, you have to have a little of both, an open mind but a skeptical stance, IMO. Don't forget how many people there are in the world who are just looking for attention or they're 15 mins. of fame.

I would be interested in seeing how many cases these shows like TAPS and Paranormal State turn down beacuse they either think the situation isn't legitimate or just plain wouldn't be entertaining television.

I don't get mad at the none believers!!! Each to their own.. To be a priest you have to believe in god... to be a good PI you have to believe there is something more out there than meets the eye.

It is just my opinion which I am quite entitled to...

you are right, you are entitled to your opinion. i would never say your not that would be wrong to do.

Most people seek PI because they are having encounters with the paranormal... akin to going to the doctors when your in pain. The doctor doesn't say prove to me your in pain does he? He will listen and examine and find the cause... even if you can't see the pain doesn't mean to say it is not real. PI should be the same when they are doing a service to the public... kind of a bedside manner so to speak.

With all due respect, unless you actually do investigate how do you know what an investigator has to be in order to be successful? I have had members who were 100% skeptic. That when most groups would suggest a certain place has activity based on certain circumstances, they would put a logical explanation to it. I think a lot of these die hard believers have skeptics all wrong. They think they wake up, eat their frosted skeptic flakes, drink, piss, sleep skeptic. Being skeptic isn't a bad thing. I dont see why ppl think it is, oh thats right, its because it challenges their beliefs.

I think its good if a group is evenly balanced. I have had members who believed everything was paranormal. Definately not a good thing. An open minded skeptic is probably the best route to go. I would always take a complete skeptic over a complete believer. I would rather have sense I guess...but thats just me.

I guess its one thing to state ones opinion when they are a couch potato, watch these shows and see the crap they produce and be like oooooo. Its another to actually get out there, investigate, research and get in the thick of things. Put it this way...all these urban legends in your state or country...I bet you can disprove 80% of it through research alone.

But oh well, ppl will be ppl and believe just about anything. Before ppl start thinking I am a die hard skeptic, think again, I just know better.

No but in a lot of cases, a doctor misdiagnoses a patient. You tell them the symptoms you are feeling, even if they can't find a diagnosis, they will state what they thing is going on even if its not.

I went to one doctor when I had a strep throat. After 45 minutes of review his diagnosis was I had strep throat. My GF who is attending nursing school said I had better go get a second opinion. I went to the VA who did another examination, they listened to my symptoms, they did a few extra tests and walahh...MONO.

Big difference between strep throat and mono. So basically, its just like any other field. A doctor vs another you will sometimes get diffferent results. One will simply believe and give a diagnosis, the other will find the cause and get to the bottom of it.

Did I say your a die hard skeptic? I think not.... What I probably meant to say was you can't go into an investigation with people having paranormal problems being a complete skeptic, it is not the right road to be in my opinion. You have a client who is experiencing paranormal events (I'm not talking about creaky floorboards etc.) the last thing they want to feel is that they are imagining things and its all a natural occurance. They want it sorting out and answers.

I didnt say you thought i was a die hard skeptic, so don't put words in my mouth, I said before ppl start thinking I am. See, you are looking at it from a different perspective which is the basis of your argument. I don't know of ANY group that is formed on the sole purpose of being SKEPTIC. PPL dont just wake up saying, damn I dont believe in ghosts, I think I will form a group of Anti-Ghost hunters. There is a belief structure no matter how limited. However a group is formed of different backgrounds included hardcore skeptics which in my opinion IS NEEDED. PPL who do not believe can find a cause, it may not be what it is, but it will open the believers eyes to what COULD BE happening.

There is a difference between podunk investigators and good investigators..podunk are believers, good investigators are neutral.

I'm not argueing... I just state what I thought, I don't automatically assume that everything is paranormal I look at it logically first, but there are certain events with the paranormal that you can't put down to logic and that is talking from experience!!!

Never say Can't

Wrong. Otherwise you are feeding delusions. Thats dangerous. You have to go in as a skeptic.If its real you will see that.Never assume. Come on.

Then they should rename PI's psychiatrists and spend their years getting a degree

I pretty much agree. Being open to all possibilities allows one to see things that may not come to light if otherwise. After all if you don't seek, you shall never find, and in order to seek you must believe.

Good point.

OR if you seek with no proof you will find the wrong conclusion.Skepticism does not mean closed mind. It means don't be a sucker.

I agree with Angel and 419!!!!

You both make really good points you know. IMO, If a paranormal group goes into a home to investigate and finds that there is a haunting and the client wants to be rid of it, there should be some sort of follow-up. You agree with that, don't you 419?
Don't you Angel?

If all PI's were believers, everything would be paranormal and if all PI's were skeptics, nothing would be.

IMO, open-minded means, that you haven't made up your mind yet, or you are willing to change your mind given the right circumstances. Being open-minded has nothing to do with being a believer or a skeptic IMO. It's more of a personality trait and it's one that I think all paranormal investigators should have. Otherwise, what is the point?

I agree, but when it comes to PI's I agree with Angel. If a team has the mindset of skepticism, and out to debunk everything they see or hear, I think they could miss some valid evidence while relying simply on scientific equipment..I feel they should always listen to the client, and any other witnessess, investigate and try and resolve the problem. Many times on TAPS, I believe they ignore things that are valid evidence, because Jay debunks it, immediately even EVP's..I personally dont see how any team can be productive without a medium or psychic involved, cause they can stay in a location all night, checking their equipment and getting nothing, then if they had someone to communcate with spirits, and then the spirits do surface..Thats just my opinion. JN

Since I believe mediums and/or psychics are liars or nuts, I think they should be left out. I think real evidence will be proof in and of itself. Hopefully, when my wife and I do the documentry at the end of the year, we can bring some real evidence to see. My wife is a skeptical believer. You know what I am. I think that will be a good combo. Throw in my 15 year old so I can watch her scream when she gets scared and it should be fun.
Boo ya.

If it can be debunked, then it is not valid evidence. IMO
If the team stays there all night with equipment and their own instincts running and get nothing, while a psychic or medium runs around telling everybody what spirits they see and hear, true or not, that is not proof IMO. Proof, is what they are looking for.

Wow Eric! I can't wait!

Me either. Of course, I might be the one screaming like a girl.

Now that would be priceless!!

I agree jennie I dont think mediums should be on investigations . If i were to call a pi team i would be doing so because i wanted some kind of recorded data backing up my idea that i had a haunting . mediums do not provide that . and it isnt proof . all though i'm not saying there aren't some good mediums i just dont think they have a place on an investigation of this nature . IMO if the homeowner wishes to bring one in after the investigation to get other opinions that would be fair enough .

The troube is some people do want to be told they have a haunting and no other answer will suffice .so a pi team comes in says they can't find anything and that person will just move onto the next one untill they get told what they want to hear . it happens all the time . for those who believe everything is paranormal you will have a tough time convinving them it isnt . even if you show where the noise comes from and how its created they will stilll say NO and make something else up that happens or change their story to make it sound more credible .some people just want to be haunted . beats me why though lol .

On the other hand you have those who dont believe anything . those who are out to prove otherwise . their judgement can also be skewed IMO they can look so hard for other explanations that they fail too see anything that IS going on and even then you have a hard time convinving them . It prett ymuch would would have to be a full blown apparition to get these sorts to believe and even then i think they would find some way to discredit it .

For me the perfect PIs are those who are open minded to the fact that this phenomena exists and are willing to look for it objectively and with no bias . but will look for rational answers first and foremost . those who want it too be possible but not too the point they want it so badly all logic flies out the window .

Eric i too can't wait to see your investigation .

SS79 xx

Totally disagree. Obviously you only pay attention to what is on TV rather than doing an ample amount of research on paranormal groups abroad. After all, all your agruments are TAPS related. We know you dislike their methods and the way they do things. TAPS is not all paranormal groups and don't speak on their behalf, so don't think "PI's" are in the same boat.

I think involving a psychic or medium if you will is the wrong way of approaching a situation. You can get to know these people but do they really have these skills? You personally dont see how any team can be productive without a medium? How can they be? A lot of people call paranormal investigators, not the psychic medium hotline. PPL may believe in ghosts/spirits hell even your beloved demons, but not so much in psychic-mediums which in my experience, people often frown upon. Its one thing to invite a group of individuals into your home to investigate said paranormal claims, but another who says they can communicate with Elvis or "the dead".

For the last time, which for some reason people can not comprehend, Hauntings do not occur 24/7. You can not request activity on the drop of a dime. What you see on Ghost Hunters where they go in with ther gadgets and hi-tech equipment and barely get anything, maybe it was a bad night to investigate.

If Psychics and Mediums were that good, there would be evidence of paranormal abroad and definately apart of every team out there.

Granted, this is your opinion, but then again, you watch it on tv and well your belief structure is HIGH.

As far as Jennie's question about a follow up, always

Also, what SS said, "based on my experience", people will only accept what they want to hear. Not always, but Obviously you can tell from these forums alone.

Now, to futher what Jennie said....

How can anyone accept evidence if it can be reproduced? How? If you can duplicate an action, or an event how can you show that as evidence? Because you want to believe that a spirit caused this action? Some people need to get real and stop relying on episodes of Ghost Hunters or whatever else they watch and get out and do things themselves. Trust me, its a whole new light when you do it yourself. A WHOLE NEW LIGHT!

wow you just seem to keep missing that point over and over and over and well you get the point! or do ya? and thank you for the bad analogy FYI every one has experience's pain at lest once in their live. we know it exists. but not all people have experience some thing paranormal! believe me I'm a believer. but i don't go around believing every knuckle head that says he has experience's some thing paranormal. but like i said before your entitled to your opinion. most all PI's listen to the people that call them. and if the PI can find very explainable reasons for the paranormal experience's. the caller shouldn't get mad or pissed about it. i don't know, i have to ask you, have you had a paranormal experience? and if so did you tell a PI? and if so again, did they tell you that there was not thing paranormal going on? because that is what it sounds like your opinion is bast on to me. i don't know I'm just asking?

Well versidus, most ppl who experience something are often biased on their approach. As seen here.

wow i think i should start a new topic im going to call it "Paranormal investigating ethic's" because we have moved in to a now topic on this thread. all you have put in some good info on this thread so come over to my new thread put in your two cents. ill start with mine hehe... so angel 419 eric jennie and ss79 and every one els i missed in the name call come to the new thread!

The show has to much based on rituals and religion, its obvious the team leader is more religious about his investigations than other investigating teams. He uses the phrase "Dead Time" where does he come up with this??? What factual evidence supports spirits are more active during this time? To me, I agree theye are nothing but a bunch of college kids. This does not make them an expert. The show is nothing but drama and hardly any evidence, to much emphasis on demons and not enough on facts. I think its a big joke, trying to capatalize on the success that TAPS has had. There are many more investigation teams all over the U.S. that have way more experience in years than these college kids have in age.

very true!