Scottie Stamper: Pretty much on a daily basis I hear of all sorts of people both young and old going out and buying digital recorders and EMF meters. I think it’s great that people are becoming interested in our field and I do hope that they can find that ghost of Aunt Sally or Uncle Johnny that is supposed to reside in the family basement? Still, I do wonder, why is it today that every Tom, Dick and Harry now wants to be a paranormal investigator? Now if you all are like me, this surge in the paranormal strikes as being a bit odd. Several years ago as many of us remember, it was only the weirdo’s and kooks that were involved in the field. (Please note that yes I label myself as one of those kooks and weirdo’s.) Folks I’m just a bit perplexed by the whole deal. I myself do wonder if this paranormal movement so to speak is being rallied to the forefront by reality shows or movies. If it is, are we not going to have a bunch of so called investigators who are going to base all of their techniques on the lighter side of what they see on television? I do applaud the individuals on TV that are out there doing their best to support our beliefs in paranormal phenomena. If it hadn’t been for a select few shows, the paranormal wouldn’t be as acceptable in society as it is today.

I must also admit that yes I myself do enjoy watching the paranormal shows. These shows do bring us hours of good entertainment and in some cases a really good laugh or two. Yes I did say entertainment and laugh. These shows are not meant as how to guides on how to hunt ghosties. They are there to promote awareness and attempt to educate the masses about the paranormal in some form or fashion. Do you think that these shows should state that they are not trying to teach one how to hunt for or even how to attempt to prove or disprove the existence of the paranormal?

What do you think?

Scottie Stamper
www.ghostvilletimes.com

My guess is the younger generation is possibly more open minded about subjects concerning paranormal, while other just like a good scare.

I’m a fan of quite a few paranormal shows—some being more legitimate than others. Although I agree that most of these shows are basically designed for entertainment purposes, I don't see the need to put a disclaimer on the shows. I think we must rely on people to use their common sense. And for those without common sense--well, I'm not going to lose sleep over their wasting thousands of dollars on useless equipment or being ridiculed for making ridiculous claims.

I would say that it spawns from the fact that most kids today grow up watching Star wars and reading fantasy and sci-fi books( I know I did) and then when we sit here waiting for something to happen, and when it doesn't we go out and try to find it.

I went to the haunted house in arizona, and I went to the ghost towns in the area with some friends and alone, and found nothing other then some beer bottles and an old vw beetle.

Definately many are just riding the wave of being a fad. I predict in 10 years 99% of investigators and groups will have long been gone.