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Post by TxSpiritsTodd on Oct 4, 2007 17:02:55 GMT -5
In the years that I have been investigating the paranormal I have learned that it is filled with jealousy and competition. Many groups that are starting out can be jealous of other groups that have been well established; others will bash groups to try and get ahead. I have also seen groups fighting over locations to prove ones supposed superiority. I hate this aspect of the field, and I just want to vent a bit and see who might agree with me.
In this field groups must pay their dues as new teams in the area. Even if there is no other paranormal group close by you still must prove to your community that you are respectable and legit with the best of intentions. So why are some new teams quick to be jealous of other teams investigations and equipment. Generally groups that have high profile investigations have put in many hours of hard work and have gotten their message out to the community. I have even witnessed a certain small group ask a well established group to hand them an investigation because the established group already had too many. This isn’t how things work.
In the field of the paranormal it is exciting to get into a place that no one else has investigated, you never know what to expect. But never should anyone stoop to any level to degrade another team from any location. Unless of course it is facts you re speaking and you are simply defending the client. When team lie and cheat to gain any kind of access or credibility they are embarrassing themselves and all paranormal groups trying to make a mark in the paranormal.
These are nothing more than gripes that I wanted to say, no pointing fingers to any groups. I have had the great pleasure of working with some really great teams that are moving this science forward. I have also worked with some awful people and teams as well. To those kick ass teams who are being true to everything….keep on keeping on. And to those who are lying and cheating…..I will catch up to you sooner or later!
Todd Weaver Founder
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Post by Brad-LaSpirits on Oct 4, 2007 17:45:09 GMT -5
I agree with you 100% man! Great posting!
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Post by Spirit Seeker on Dec 30, 2009 2:34:47 GMT -5
Yes, sadly I think we have all had a brush with those like that.
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Post by briankey on Sept 17, 2010 21:45:05 GMT -5
HOWDY, FIRST OFF, IM USING CAPITAL LETTERS, SO, PLEASE DONT TAKE ME AS SHOUTING. BUT I WANTED TO RESPOND TO THIS POST. SOME OF IT I AGREE WITH, SOME I DONT. I HAVE BEEN STUDYING THE PARANORMAL FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS NOW. FOR ME, ITS NOT ABOUT IT BEING A HOBBY, I HAVE PERSONAL REASON FOR IT, BUT I WILL TELL YOU PARTLY THAT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT AWAITS ME AFTER DEATH. SO ANYTHING I SAY HERE, IS NOT MEANT AS DISRESPECT, JUST DISAGREEMENT, AND PLUS, IM UPFRONT ABOUT MY FEELINGS, AND DONT MIND VOICEING IT.
[]In the years that I have been investigating the paranormal I have learned that it is filled with jealousy and competition. Many groups that are starting out can be jealous of other groups that have been well established; others will bash groups to try and get ahead. I have also seen groups fighting over locations to prove ones supposed superiority. I hate this aspect of the field, and I just want to vent a bit and see who might agree with me.
NOBODY SHOULD HATE THIS FIELD BECAUSE OTHERS ARE FIGHTING AMOUNGST THEMSELVES, WHY DO YOU CARE?, I KNOW I WOULDNT, IF YOU HAVE A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR STUDYING THE PARANORMAL, THEN IT SHOULDNT BOTHER YOU THAT OTHERS ARE BACKSTABBING/FIGHTING. DONT WORRY ABOUT IT. LEAVE THE GROUP, START YOUR OWN, AND THE HELL WITH EVERYBODY ELSE, IF YOU ENJOY THE MYSTERY, THE UNKNOWN, THEN STUDY IT, AND DONT WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE.
In this field groups must pay their dues as new teams in the area. Even if there is no other paranormal group close by you still must prove to your community that you are respectable and legit with the best of intentions. So why are some new teams quick to be jealous of other teams investigations and equipment. Generally groups that have high profile investigations have put in many hours of hard work and have gotten their message out to the community. I have even witnessed a certain small group ask a well established group to hand them an investigation because the established group already had too many. This isn’t how things work.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHY IM A LONE INVESTIGATOR, DO I HAVE TO PAY MY DUES?,, WHY?. TO WHOM DO I HAVE TO PROVE MYSELF?, THE COMMUNITY?, WHY?, NOBODY HAS TO PROVE ANYTHING TO ANYBODY, THERE ARE VERY FEW GROUPS THAT REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH WHEN STUDYING THE PARANORMAL, YOUR DEALING WITH THE DEAD, THIS IS DANGEROUS BUSINESS. THERE ARE TOO MANY GROUPS OUT THERE THAT THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME EXPENSIVE, HIGH TECH GEAR TO DO INVESTIGATIONS, AND ALL THIS FANCY GEAR DONT MEAN SHIT, ITS UP TO THE SPIRITS AS TO WHETHER THEY WANT YOU TO HEAR THEM OR NOT.
In the field of the paranormal it is exciting to get into a place that no one else has investigated, you never know what to expect. But never should anyone stoop to any level to degrade another team from any location. Unless of course it is facts you re speaking and you are simply defending the client. When team lie and cheat to gain any kind of access or credibility they are embarrassing themselves and all paranormal groups trying to make a mark in the paranormal.
WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO LIE AND CHEAT, BACKSTAB OTHERS OVER SOME STUPID STUFF, THEN THAT JUST SHOWS THAT PEOPLE DONT HAVE MUCH GOING FOR THEM IN LIFE. IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN YOUR GROUP THAT DO SUCH THINGS, THEN GET RID OF THEM, OR DISBAN AND START SOMEWHERE ELSE, IT NEVER FAILS THAT YOU HAVE JEALOUSY, ETC. IN SOME GROUPS, WHO CARES?,, I DONT, GO STUDY THE PARANORMAL BY YOURSELF. IN SOME WAYS, ITS BETTER TO BE A LONE INVESTIGATOR, BECAUSE WHEN YOUR TRYING TO DO EVP, YOU HAVE PEOPLE MAKING NOISES, TALKING TOO MUCH, SHUFFLING FEET, FARTING, LAUGHING, ETC.. YOU GET THE PICTURE, AND IT CORRUPTS THE EVP TO WHERE YOU CANT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REAL EVIDENCE AND SOMEONE BLOWING THEIR NOSE.
These are nothing more than gripes that I wanted to say, no pointing fingers to any groups. I have had the great pleasure of working with some really great teams that are moving this science forward. I have also worked with some awful people and teams as well. To those kick ass teams who are being true to everything….keep on keeping on. And to those who are lying and cheating…..I will catch up to you sooner or later!
Todd Weaver Founder
OUT OF THE 12 YEARS I HAVE BEEN GHOST HUNTING, I HAVE CAPTURED ENTITIES ON VIDEO, A FACE IN A WINDOW THAT TO THIS DAY DISTURBS ME, GOTTEN MILES OF EVP ON FILE, HAD EXPERIENCES THAT YOU CANNOT AMAGINE, LEARNED ALOT BY SELF STUDY. I DONT HAVE SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT TO USE, I HAVE 2 DIGITAL RECORDERS, 2 VIDEO CAMERAS WITH NIGHTSHOT, AND HOLY WATER AND CROSSES FOR MY PROTECTION. AND I CANT FORGET THE BIBLE.
TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS FIELD DO THIS FOR FUN, LAUGHS, GIGGLES, THRILLS, BUT WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE THE SPIRIT THATS WANTING TO COMMUNICATE WITH SOMEONE IN THIS REALM?, WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE THE LIVING WHO ARE TRUELY NEEDING SOMEONE TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEIR HOME?
PEOPLE THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE SPECIAL COLLEGE DEGREES, DIPLOMAS, ALL THIS FANCY EDUCATION INORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE PARANORMAL, THATS HORSE SHIT, THOSE PEOPLE WERE STUPID ENOUGH TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GET THAT EDUCATION, WHEN YOU CAN SIMPLY GO TO THE LIBRARY, OR USE THE INTERNET TO FIND THE SAME INFORMATION FOR FREE. YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT PARASYCHOLOGY ONLINE.
IT DOESNT TAKE A BRAIN SURGEON TO BE A GHOST HUNTER, ANYONE CAN BUY A DIGITAL RECORDER AND GO VISIT ANY CEMETERY AND COLLECT EVP. THE BOTTOM LINE, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, WHAT FANCY GROUP, WITH THE FANCY NAME, IF A SPIRIT/GHOST DOESNT WANT TO BE HEARD, THEN YOU AINT GONNA HEAR ANYTHING.
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Post by paranormalis50 on Sept 18, 2010 11:19:04 GMT -5
Todd: Thank you for taking the time to write and respond to situations, and events, that are of real concern to the serious members of the investigating community. First, the caps are okay. They are for emphasis, and sincerity of belief. Also, maybe some people do need a little SHOUTING at every now and then. A little positive shouting might get someone's attention, and that's not always a bad thing. Problem is, in most cases, the ones we feel like shouting at aren't going to hear it. The ears may be open, but the brain is closed, and probably will remain so. These are the ones who will be jealous, have a chip on their shoulder, verbally rundown others, and generally never mature or gain expertise in their field, whether the paranormal or otherwise. They will continue to manufacture or otherwise create evidence to prove things to themselves, pretending it's for the client. Falsification of data, intentional, is a progressive disease, and generally will prove fatal.
Secondly, let me add that for many years, I was totally an independent researcher, before joining in with La. Spirits. This was a personal choice, and joining or remaining independent should be a personal choice. I joined to get access to more cases, be part of a reputable team, have some of the workload shared, and was given reasonable latitude to continue research outside the "normal" methods of data gathering. So, I understand, first hand, where your concerns come from.
Next, about the best thing we can do, as far as the backstabbing, etc., is just as you concluded. Ignore the progressive disease, and take time to communicate and work with the serious in the field, regardless of their "affiliation".
College degrees? Etc.? You are correct that much knowledge is available on the internet, and in the thousands of books written over thousands of years. Most contain reliable, verified cases that would take hundreds of years to personally conduct, and the modes, patterns, theories, etc., are worth looking at and considering. We may not believe or accept everything, as there are no hardcore, verifiable answers to the paranormal even after all these books and years. Doesn't make it wrong to gather data, as this does help us to answer these questions personally, even if we can't reproduce our results in a lab, on demand. So, it's important to gather data, from many sources. Then, we gather experience. this allows us to take our data, as well as the data of others, and translate it into what we percieve as our personal reality. This translation process is reasoning. We do it every day, but, for analysis purposes, sometimes we have to "professionalize" this reasoning process. Then, we can help the client, for they are human, carnate or discarnate. They still have to have a thinking process, which must be understood, to effectively communicate and solve problems.
When a client has "something happening" in their home, it can be quite disturbing. They know it's "not normal", generally hasn't been happening, can't be explained, is illogical, and downright frightening. This disturbs not only the individual, but the the entire family unit/structure. "Home" and "privacy" are violated, and control is lost. Helplessness and " Are We Crazy?" are quickly manifested. When this truly happens, and it does, the client needs someone who cares about them and their family. The rank amatuer will promise "Answers", when no one has really found them in thousands of years. Data can be gathered, hypotheses formed, and, hopefully, a measure of understanding provided, which, hopefully, may give the client some measure of "answer". But The Answers are not there, yet, any way. But we try. Without that, nothing happens.
I have found that "the more expensive" equipment is not always about gathering paranormal data, but in eliminating the false positives. There are many events that are natural, but can cause phenomena that duplicate "paranormal phenomena" to the letter. We owe it to the client to eliminate these when we can. Most teams understand that high EMF fields can cause mood swings, nausea, unease, heavy atmosphere, hallucinations, and much more. High positive ion counts will do the same thing. So will infrasound as this can be really tough. It's effects can be strong over time. (a work shift/ sleep time, etc.) Detecting infrasound can be a little tricky, and so can positive ions with their short life span, when the source is cut off. Infrasound can even cause object movement with its low frequency vibrations. Note this is movement, as opposed to actual displacement over a distance.
But, I will argue that the best assets any investigator or researcher should have consists of desire and willingsness to persue that desire professionally. Unfortunately, that can't be bought. Some will have it, some will fool themselves that they do, and try to convinve both themselves and others that they do. These are obvious over time, and exist in all callings and professions.
I will add one more "Amen" to our sermon. If a ghost or spirit doesn't want to communicate, you won't get anything. HOWEVER, perseverance does often pay dividends. Personally, I try to make more than one call if little or no data is gathered, and often, if it is. Even if I am not sure about the client's report of activity. Do we truly know how accurate all clients are in their perceptions of what is happening? Or their ability to communicate these perceptions? So, it all boils down to "At the time of testing, in the places tested".
Thank you for stopping in and taking time to post. I believe that I do see you stop by fairly often. Glad you do, and wish more others did.
John Combs La. Spirits
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Post by briankey on Sept 18, 2010 16:19:38 GMT -5
You know John, its too bad groups do what they do, the backstabbing, the jealousy, its all childish, This is a Legitimate field that deserves study, attention to understand death and beyond.
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Post by paranormalis50 on Sept 18, 2010 16:47:10 GMT -5
I agree it's childish, and it's perceived by the doer as a proactive measure to preempt others from being critical of the doer and the inept methodology they often adopt, or claim to have adopted. I acknowledge, however inept, luck can play a part in any research, by any individual, however hapless they may be. But will they recognize what has happened? What kind of quality work can these people actually contribute to the field? In my personal opinion, most don't truly understand the question, must less care about finding any answers or understanding. They seek the semblance of success, at something the the public seems to be paying attention to, at the time.
And "What lies beyond bodily death?" has to be the major question any individual can ask or wonder about during their lifetime. And I stand behind that statement, regardless of the individual's depth of faith, or lack of it. As we get older, the question has more bearing. For example, see Stephen Hawkins, one of the world's best cosmologists located at Cambridge University, who just very recently recanted his lifetime views as an atheist, and has made known his concern for the afterlife. Lack of knowledge, or an abundance of it, plays no part in the natural inherent need to seek answers to what happens at bodily death.
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Post by paranormalis50 on Sept 18, 2010 21:39:07 GMT -5
In my first post, I left something out. As an independent researcher, I was familiar with many of the La. Spirist team members here in North La. And, I had many pleasant conversations, swapped those familiar war stories, and had developed some lasting friendships. I knew of their professionalism, dedication, and desire to be the best they could be. This was a major factor also in my decision to apply, and have met and made many more friends here, all with the same dedication of the ones I already knew. We talked briefly about college degrees, fancy paper, and whether that can make a real, major difference in paranormal research. I recently was offered a 5-year contract with a major university in Europe to perform basically the same research I a performing here at home. The money wasn't bad at all. BUT, it would mean leaving my home here, all the friends I have made at La. Spirits, and abandoning my current research efforts to date. As we've discussed, when it's time to cash in the chips, you can't take them with you, wherever we may go, or be. So, I decided to stay home, with the friends I have made, doing the research I like to do, and not answering to some board of regents who wouldn't begin to understand the concepts being examined. If the personality survives, the memories and knowledge of friendships certainly must, the cash most certainly ceases all value whatsoever. J.
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