Is it about making money, or just a bit of a power trip? Some of these TV loons have become quite the media darlings recently.
Personally, I'd need more proof than a few screaming humans in a dark cold room, or a chair "mysteriously" moving across the room by itself. When you see this type of video always watch out for the tell tale signs of "fakery". How much of the room can you see? Are there certain ares that are obscured, in order to hide some sort of mechanical device, or person perhaps? Or maybe you just can't see the floor? Why would that be? Probably because there is some kind of wire dragging the "magic" chair across the room. "If it can be faked, then it probably is."
Not to forget some of the very obvious, and poor fakes I've seen recently. Including, mist and dark clouds forming in rooms seemingly out of nowhere. Hoaxes like this can easily be attributed to computer generated imagery, as I work in that industry I can generally spot them a mile away. But what else do we have? Well, there is always the problem of "human contamination". I've seen this on numerous occasions - a peculiar shadow that moves across the room. Well, it's quite possible that it's a member of the investigating team getting themselves in a position to cast a shadow (by accident, or even on purpose). This can often look relatively genuine because the shadow diffuses more in a dark room, and therefore casts a very non descriptive shadow where any detail is virtually impossible to make out. Not to mention the various natural aberrations, that can be caught on cameras and other recording devices (yes that includes sounds too). All these factors can inevitably lead people to leaping to the conclusion that ghosts are real. Wheres Occam's razer when you need it?
What about these eccentric mediums, can they really see auras, and pick up the psychic vibes? or are they just gifted in the art of cold reading? Also remember many of these stories when investigated are hugely exaggerated, or just plain untrue - just look at the Amityville horror (and I'm not just talking about the film here).
Well, heres one expiation from James Randi regarding mediums and psychics - I'll let you be the judge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwy4yB8cSwEFrom watching the current trend in pop TV culture you'd be thinking that there are ghosts are just about everywhere now days. Can't say I've ever seen one though. Is that the fact that that I'm just not "receptive" or have a closed mind. Or is it that they don't exist?
One of my friends "Big Jim" (I'll change his name), who has his feet firmly on the ground, or so I thought, asked me to watch Ghost hunters one day. He said "Rob, you've got to see some of this stuff... it will change you mind". Well, I checked out a few episodes... Was it real psychics in action, or just barmy old cack? again you decide. However, my mind has remained unchanged. When I see anything of that nature one statement goes through my head. "If it can be faked, then it probably is." I know, I've said it earlier - but it keeps me on the straight and narrow. So I'll always repeat it!
But now, back to Jim.....Jim also went for a long weekend away in Scotland not so long ago. While there he went to see a "genuine" haunted dungeon. Now, going into a location like that, a "supposedly haunted dungeon" will automatically get you "in the mood" and set you imagination on fire. Thus making you much more receptive to the ideas, of ghost and ghoulies. If the same person was in a much more mundane surrounding - they would be in a far less receptive. After all... people see what they want to see. I forgot to as Big Jim how much he paid for the tour. Damn...
At this stage poor old Jim is really convinced... as he saw, and photographed the "dreaded orbs". I pointed out that theres were very likely just specks of detritus floating in the air, that simply reflect light form a camera flash. Nope, he wasn't having any of it. Jim, just like so many other people "want" and "need" to believe in this stuff. The tour guide had already primed the audience by saying things like, "you'll probably capture the ghostly orbs on camera" etc. Well, those old dungeons are pretty dusty... so I'd expect to see multiple orbs. Interestingly enough, I too photographed a "ghostly orb" recently in my kitchen while I was taking a shot of my dog larking about. Can't say that I thought it was a ghost though. To add further fuel to this ghostly fire Jim also photographed a face in the dungeon wall. Well, it did look like a face in fairness, but so did half the wall. I pointed out to him this was merely a Paradolia - where the brain tries to make sense, or recognize patterns, out of random chaos. Nope, according to him it was some kind of unearthly face...
So why am I telling you about Jim? Well, like so many other people out there Jim has a "fantasy prone personality" (like myself I should add), and is drawn to this type of phenomenon without any critical analysis. He simply takes everything at face value. Instead of looking for a simpler and more probable answer. He takes the route of it being "mystical", because he cannot immediately explain it. Also, most people like Jim don't have (or want) the skills in order to interpret this ghostly stimulus correctly. Is Dave unintelligent? Not at all, he's a very clever guy. As I mentioned we both have a fantasy prone personality. However the difference is that I look at things skeptically.
Ghost Hunters themselves are a peculiar lot - Virtually all the equipment they use, could not scientifically function in the way they say it can. Rather than me try to explain this to you. I urge you to listen to the most excellent skeptoid podcast, "Ghost Hunting Tools of the Trade (Skeptoid #81)" by Brian Donning. He does a much better job then I ever could. It's only 11 minutes, and it's well worth a listen, and a real eye opener.
Heres the link:
http://cdn4.libsyn.com/skeptoid/skeptoid-4081.mp3?nvb=20080630124946&nva=20080701124946&t=0a916cf2f414b391b5c58One other thought I'll leave you with. Is the program, ghost buster, or medium trying to sell you something? Do they have a book coming out? How do they make their living? Would people watch the show if nothing ever happened, or the medium couldn't perform? I fear not.... What do they have to gain? It's cynical I know, but there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there. Some are genuinely self-deluded while others are out to make a quick buck. Personally, I prefer when a group of skeptical scientists examine a so called "haunting" - isn't it ironic that they never seem to find anything (that I heard of anyway).
I don't believe I'm in a position to tell anyone that ghosts do, or don't exist. So far, from my own personal view point, I've not seen any evidence to indicate that they do indeed exist. However, what I would urge people to do is investigate any such claims with an objective analysis, and beware of the red flags.
If I ever see proof positive that ghosts exist I'll be the first one to say, however until then I'll keep watching...
Subject: Th real ghost busters... you decide! 
Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:15 pm
. But in all honesty, I believe myself to have an open mind, and hand on heart, if I ever see the proof I'll be the first one to speak out.