“Para-Interesting”, is what this is, until it is proven otherwise ……

Over the last few days I have participated in various discussions on different Paranormal sites on FaceBook over people submitting ONE photo to show PROOF POSITIVE that they've captured the paranormal.  I've them asked if did anyone take reference pictures? This is what you get when putting you camera in "burst" mode when taking pictures during an investigation. Most cameras have that option. It will take 3-5 pictures back to back, and give you a reference for your photos if you stay still. If you catch something on one picture and not the others, you MAY have proof of the unknown.  I asked if they lived close enough, had they tried to go back and re-create what they captured if they didn't have reference pictures. Plus, was there any other corroborating evidence, like and evp’s, videos, meter readings etc...?

The answer was no, no and no. Yet, they clung to their passionate belief that their photo was proof positive all by itself.   With so many Smartphone apps out there that can easily insert a "ghostly apparition" into any picture these days, one photo is no longer evidence at all without the proper back up to prove the possibility otherwise.

As Paranormal Investigator we have to take the stance that it is probably not paranormal BUT, we would not be so quick to throw it out either. Nor would we be able to present it to a client as is without more research.  So, “Para-Interesting”, is what this is, until it is proven otherwise …… with the key word being proven, as in scientifically …. Not to what you believe …. As a Paranormal Investigator, isn't it our job to prove the existence of all things paranormal? How can you do that without quieting the doubts of your harshest skeptics with irrefutable proof based on scientific testing?  The answer is, You cannot….

Be it an orb, a face or line of light..... if there is another explanation for that being in your photo, then you need more to prove it otherwise or you are relying on just hope and belief.  You have to have scientific proof positive.  You have to become your own harshest critic in order to do this; even though you are the one that believes.

And if you are someone who post a photo on the internet and then become offended when someone questions its validity, then please, DON’T POST IT.  With so many FAKES out there, you are not being realistic.  If you have belief in something, then your goal should be to make your case intelligently and with an informed perspective with a civil exchange of ideas.  That is how people learn. I have been proven wrong in my prior beliefs regarding orbs.  I once was a staunch defender that they were of the paranormal realm.  Now seeing sterile rooms where researchers were able to reproduce and show that orbs are just dust and light, I have had to evolve to find other evidence to prove the existence of the Paranormal.

When in doubt toss it out is out motto.  Science has proven over and over again that Orbs can be recreated to do all the spectacular things Paranormal Investigators once used as proof.  We need to evolve every time that scientific evidence is presented and find new ways to prove what we believe. Because of conditions we as humans are susceptible to, such as Pareidolia and Apophenia that can affect our ability to see what is actually right in front of us. Human perception is a tricky thing, especially to those of us trying to prove the existence of the Paranormal!   

Rock County Paranormal Society

http://www.rcparanormal.com/