Ghost Hunters: Frauds or Forthright?
by A few vocal detractors are leveling charges of fraud at the Ghost Hunters.
Sometime before 1990 a man named Jason Hawes had what he calls a “paranormal” experience. In 1990 he founded a group called the Rhode Island Paranormal Society, or RIPS. A group of people that would meet at a local diner to discuss the paranormal and investigate claims of paranormal activity, ghosts, hauntings, and such. Once they started investigating cases outside of the county and in other states, the name was changed to The Atlantic Paranormal Society, or TAPS. In 2004 the group became the subject of a television series that followed their investigations. What we know today as the very successful show Ghost Hunters.
Image via Wikipedia
Accusations of Fraud
Ever since Ghost Hunters aired there have been accusations of fraud and trickery, but the only scholarly complaint against them seems to be their “unscientific” methodology. Personally I think that is part of their charm. They’re going about their investigations the way any of us might do the same. As we know full well that there are lots of things in life, and the world, that can’t be measured in a test tube. Things that can’t be grown in a petri dish and then examined under a microscope.
There are several individual accusations of fraud, videos posted to YouTube “debunking” the paranormal activity by showing how it could have been faked, and calls for them to defend themselves against these accusations.
My only question is – why should they?
The Skeptics
First there are the skeptics, you know, those people who won’t believe in anything unless it has bitten them in the ass. At least three times. And will continue to do so in future at their command. You know the type. It’s fraud because – we all know there are no such things as ghosts. QED the Ghost Hunters are frauds.
The only answer that can be given to the skeptics is to change the channel.
“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don’t believe, no proof is possible.” – Stuart Chase
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Post CommentMean lean gangster
On November 2, 2009 at 10:00 am
Good Story, talent!
123 Fake St
On November 2, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Stupid.
Karen Gross
On November 2, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Interesting, I haven’t seen this one – I try to avoid reality shows, whether the people are alive or dead.
I don’t believe in ghosts either, but I do believe in demons who mascarade as familiar spirits.
Drake Harlem
On November 3, 2009 at 2:12 am
I haven’t actually seen Ghost Hunters, but a few weeks back I saw a similar show, and while I do believe in ghosts, nothing they had to show really made me believe they had encountered anything. Sure they had some sound logic to their methods, but I find it hard to take anything on TV for face value. Are they generating false evidence just for the sake of making a show? Probably not, but it’s equally possible that it’s all scripted and manufactured. Faked or not, I found the show extremely dull and found something else to watch after about ten minutes.
Drake Harlem
On November 3, 2009 at 2:13 am
I haven\’t actually seen Ghost Hunters, but a few weeks back I saw a similar show, and while I do believe in ghosts, nothing they had to show really made me believe they had encountered anything. Sure they had some sound logic to their methods, but I find it hard to take anything on TV for face value. Are they generating false evidence just for the sake of making a show? Probably not, but it\’s equally possible that it\’s all scripted and manufactured. Faked or not, I found the show extremely dull and found something else to watch after about ten minutes.
CaSundara
On November 3, 2009 at 5:55 am
Interesting article. My son’s friends are into these shows, although i haven’t seen this one, personally. An enjoyable read.
Steve NY
On November 5, 2009 at 10:47 am
There was a time I didn’t believe in ghosts, but after moving into an apartment above a funeral home 20 years ago, the unexplainable happened, and to a much greater extent than this show depicts. I love to watch because I had this experience, but overall the show is dull, very few exciting moments. If it were faked, there would be much more happening. Losing credibility would be a death knell to their show. They’re good guys and I love the fact they try to disprove claims, although that doesn’t really lead to exciting TV.
mo hoyal
On December 1, 2009 at 12:07 am
I enjoyed your article and I am a fan of the guys and do watch Ghost Hunters all the time. Do I believe in ghosts? It’s possible they exist.
Payton
On September 23, 2010 at 10:05 pm
I used to be a fan of the show, but the longer it\’s on, the more I am suspicious that they are not all legit, which is disappointing because I like them. What cemeted this for me was when I was watching the Cape May episode. They showed a door closing and you can see a hand closing the door and then going out of frame right before it stops. The guys never mentioned this. How is it that I see it immediately, but these guys who are always scrutinizing everything didn\’t see it? Ridiculous.