What Does Fame Have To Do With Paranormal Research?
What Is Fame? The dictionary defines it as "The condition of being known or talked about by many people, esp. on account of notable achievements". But what about the condition of people who form opinions and make choices on the basis of someone else's simply because they are famous?
This is something that is often found in the paranormal field. Names that have been around for a while or gotten on television for the para~shows can pretty much say anything they want and throes of people will rush to believe every word and *gasp* over camera straps, smoke, steam, mist, and even the dreaded orb as evidence of spirits. The education provided by people who are truly seeking the truth gets thrown to the wayside because (insert para~poop celebrity name here) said otherwise.
A camera strap is a camera strap. A dust ball is a dust ball. Mist is humidity from the atmosphere or breath. Cigarette smoke hangs in the air for a long time, and can show up in a pic even when everyone present swears they weren't smoking at the time. Matrixing easily happens, especially in reflective surfaces. Objects caught in a flash light up and appear larger and closer. Those are the facts. If you don't believe us, google the information yourself about camera malfunctions and photographic anomolies.
This is what is getting so aggravating. The information is out there, but if a para~celebrity comes along and says "this is the spirit of so-and-so who died in this house" (aka, a naturally occurring mist), there will be supporters who base their opinions completely on the fact that this person is an "icon". While the word "icon" has come to mean anyone who is the object of mass attention, it started out meaning images of holy figures. This gives way to hero-worship, which has little room for common sense or critical thinking.
Paranormal investigation is supposed to be about seeking the truth and finding answers to what is unknown at this time. There is no room for bullshit if those answers have a hope in hell of being found. This includes bullshit that is perpetuated by those who are in the field that have made a public name for themselves. Examples have been posted on many sites and Google Images has many pictures of anomolies as well if people want to take the time to look. Ideally paranormal investigators would be schooled in photography, but at the very least, the research should be done. When it is, the truth is seen and it doesn't matter if somebody well-known is saying otherwise.
Do not buy into the hype. Fame is a condition. So is gullibility. Don't let either influence the search for real answers.
Angela Sangster