Kooky Kampus Presents
DEBUNKING PARANORMAL PHENOMENA
Science, History, and Contemporary Culture behind Paranormal Activity
When you turn on the T.V. and watch a show such as Ghost Hunters you usually possess one of two emotions. You may believe in the feelings and sensations that the members of the cast are experiencing, or you are in complete denial of any of the actions that are taking place. Science is the first place a “doubter” would look in order to prove these concepts and beliefs wrong. The science and explanations behind paranormal activities is an interesting field that is full of theories and history that truly makes it a catchy topic. The purpose of this article is created to help the reader examine how science and history can be used towards paranormal reports and investigations.
Before I begin to talk about paranormal research as a science, you must understand that paranormal studies are more of a philosophical science rather than a social or physical science. However, please do not dismiss the credibility of these scientists. These are people who use scientific theory to attempt to explain how and why something happens.
One of the most common examples of paranormal activities that have been reported is the flickering of electrical equipment. This is usually cause by a change in the current in the electrical circuit. Many believe that ghosts can generate electromagnetic fields. One can utilize Faraday’s Law which is the basic law of electromagnetism predicting how a magnetic field will interact with an electric circuit to produce an electromotive force. What this is basically saying is a change in an electromagnetic field will change the current in a circuit. This directly explains the flickering and malfunction of electrical equipment. This is why EMF meters are used in many ghost hunting assignments.
However, the real question behind this theory is how these phenomena get converted from a physical life force to an electromagnetic field. This explanation relates back to the first law of thermodynamics which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can just be changed. What this means is that when a body dies, the energy from the body cannot be destroyed so it is transferred to this electromagnetic field discussed above.
When an expert enters a building searching for paranormal activity, they will usually bring along an EMF meter. This is where many run into some controversy. Because EMF meters can sense activity with any change in the electromagnetic field, the amount of electromagnetic force that the EMF meter may just be related to electrical equipment in the surrounding area. Computers, appliances, and any equipment with an electrical current running through it could be the cause of the action that the EMF meter senses. Or it could be a mixture of both paranormal activity and electrical equipment. That is entirely up to the opinion of the witness and whether or not they believe in the proven physical science or the un-proven philosophical science.
Another means of spreading paranormal activity belief is through the use of cameras. Both video cameras and photography have captured mysterious orbs and other anomalies that could associated with paranormal activity. Some of these cloudy smears are thought to be a substance known as ectoplasm. Ectoplasm can be defined as a supernatural viscous substance that is exits the body of a medium during a spiritualistic trance and form the material for the manifestation of spirits. At times, when unexplainable matter such as white mist or glowing orbs are seen in photographs, many believe that this is the ectoplasm that has been extruded from a once living life-force. This theory can also be related to what was discussed previously about the first law of thermodynamics. Because matter cannot be created or destroyed, the matter from the soul of the previously living creature is transformed into “spirit matter” or ectoplasm.
However, on the contrary there are many viable explanations as to why this residue can be found in some pictures. Sometimes it could be do to the breath of whoever is operating the camera at the time. It could also be a reflection of light from a location that the operator was not aware of when the photo was taken. There are many rational explanations as to why unexplained anomalies happen. Once again, whether or not you see any credibility behind the assumptions of ectoplasm is entirely up to the beholder. Because theories like this cannot be completely proven completely correct or incorrect it is still difficult for some to dismiss the idea that some of these images could be real.
EMF Meter in the movie "Ghostbusters"
Example of orbs in a creepy photograph
Supernatural phenomenon is also very prevalent in today’s pop culture. For example, the film Paranormal Activity received a rotten tomato rating of 83%.It is a movie that documents the story of a young couple who move into a house in a typical suburban neighborhood. They are usually disturbed in the middle of the night while unexplained phenomena are caught on tape. While this is just a movie, other unexplained things do happen at night that some people might immediately relate to a supernatural spirit. For example doors can slam, houses can have electrical problems, and beds can be shaken. Each of these examples has a supernatural explanation along with a rational one. Breezed can slam doors due to the pressure change created in front of and behind the door. Houses can have electrical malfunctions due to changes in the electrical wiring from forces such as wind and other movement. A bed being shaken could be related to twitching and kicking in the first stages of sleep in which the person is unaware of these movements and obviously woken up. Pop culture can turn peoples reasonable theories around with movies such as Paranormal Activity and T.V. shows such as Ghost Hunters. Maybe viewers enjoy the entertainment it brings but subconsciously it may plant ideas in their heads for irrational explanations for completely normal occurrences.
One of the most mainstream forms of reported paranormal activity comes from historical sites where strange occurrences have happened. For instance, if there is a fort in Toledo Ohio called Fort Meigs. It was here that a U.S. general and formal president William Henry Harrison defended the fort against British attacks during the War of 1812. Nowadays, people claim to hear muskets, cannon fire, and the sounds of drums being played with no explanation as to what was causing them. It is assumed that over 500 British, American, and Native American’s were buried in unmarked graves in the fort’s general vicinity. It is historical examples like this that serve as a basis for paranormal activity reports to take place.
This can also be related back to stories here on the Palouse. Spooky Noises in Regents hall can be related back to a girl who had hung herself in the 1970’s. Apparently, there is a spooky aura around that room and nobody is currently allowed to dorm there. Also, there are rumors that the second floor doors of Striet Hall do not close properly due to a young man that committed suicide with a stick of dynamite over distress he felt after his girlfriend left him. Stories like this may be tragic but may also add to the culture of a specific place. It is stories like these that can give a region an identity. History may be the strongest reason for reports of paranormal activity. Science and pop culture may have their effects but history is what truly makes this area The Peculiar Palouse.
