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Using science
to explore the paranormal - 20081102
Rachel Eversole/Columnist
Ghouls, goblins, witches and
demons: 'Tis the season for mystical merriment.
Whether you still relish the idea of dressing
up, visiting haunted houses (reported or fictional), or just
staying in to watch classic slasher films - Halloween is a
youth-oriented, time-honored tradition, where fun and fantasy
prevail. But it is hard to determine where temporary fictional
merriment ends and the year-round belief in the paranormal
begins.
The idea of the paranormal goes beyond the
range of normal experience or of pertaining to events or perceptions
occurring without scientific explanation. There are many areas
included in the paranormal, such as astrology, parapsychology,
astral projection (the ability to leave one's body and return),
telepathy (using one's mind to control outside forces), psychic
abilities and hauntings. Many claim to have actual paranormal
experiences but have really taken odd occurrences as fact
without weighing them against scientific evidence.
According to studies performed for the Journal
of the Society for Psychical Research, only 7 percent of Americans
do not believe in some form of paranormal activity. With today's
technological breakthroughs and our dependence on scientific
innovations and analysis, this percentage is quite surprising.
But this phenomenon is not limited to the
United States; the belief in the paranormal is worldwide.
We can't turn on a television in any country without seeing
advertising for shows depicting communication with the dead,
infomercials advertising real psychic readings and even religious
faith healers removing those physically inflicted by demonic
possession.
The media sees our generation's fascination
with the paranormal and commercially exploits us by providing
material to indulge in. What is not known and has yet to be
scientifically determined is whether we are influenced by
the media or if the media is influenced by us.
What proves prominent in a person's belief
is a combination of influences consisting of parental, religious
and societal aspects. Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the
Easter Bunny, while seemingly harmless ideas, create a misunderstood
belief in children about the paranormal.
Even when we grow out of these beliefs in
fictional characters, many still tend to explain odd experiences
with mystical reasoning. According to the X-Files, the most
likely candidates to report paranormal experiences, oddly
enough, are us: the young and well-educated.
With all of our instruction on basing information
on fact and proof, we don't take these practices and apply
them to real-life situations. Our emotions tend to supercede
our ability to reason.
This is not meant to be a downer on the excitement
that is the Halloween season. I am a big fan of the occult
holiday and a believer of the paranormal, but I am one to
use science and evidence to reason and not accept so-called
paranormal claims at face value. There are many logical explanations
to help distinguish between the real and the unreal. Widespread
acceptance is disillusioning, so don't be fooled by hoaxes
disguised as the real deal. Science is the pursuit of truth…and
the truth is out there!
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