First, I for one am not offended by any of the terminology I guess because I am old school...A ghost hunt was a visit to a location to collect data and personal experiences to see if an actual in-depth paranormal investigation was warranted. We used film back then so we didn't want to waste it (still or video) on an empty room.

Now as to "newbies". Television has obviously made "ghost hunting" a respectable past time. While I recognize it has it's VERY serious side, it is still a hobby for most of us by definition. I don't make money for it. It is not a sport. What is left?

The biggest problem I see is that so few people that get into it know where to find reliable information to educate theirselves. Sites like this can help, but like all it is sometimes plagued by people offering beliefs and opinions as fact. That is NOT a slam to this site. It is simply a result of the medium.

While I agree that we need to talk about the seriousness and dangers involved, other sites will insist that we need to spend our time educating about proper equipment use and its flaws and limitations. Some sites pretty much look down on you if you are not "gifted" with psychic powers and think gadgets are a waste of time. Some sites will say your "gifts" are a figment of an overactive imagination and any expexperience that cannot be measured and documented is moot. Since there is no consensus on much of anything in this field, the most we can hope for is that newcomers to the field will THINK for them selves and do the necessary RESEARCH to exapnd their understanding of both the tools and methods.

Call me an optimist but I think some Ghost Adventures fan from today is going to take physics in college, pursue their interest and make advances in this field that we cannot imagine today. Of course we have the option to hurry and talk them out getting involved because they don't know what they are doing.

What scares me is that the hunter can become the hunted.
The man who hunts animals at times has found that the animal backtracks and is now hunting the hunter.
Hunters of ghosts are visible, tangible, and hey are vulnerable. The ghost has the upper hand for it can see what we do not, it can hear what we can’t and it can perform feats we can‘t.

Yes, it is similar. The animals are always there. Nothing is different when the hunter goes into the woods. Ghosts and other odd paranormal entities are also always there. They are in peoples homes. They are in tourist attractions. Ignoring them does not change anything does it?

And we should also take note that lots of people have been investigating the paranormal for years and have not encountered anything nasty. Heck, I know of some guys that have been doing this much longer than I have and they still aren't convinced it isn't just a lot of misinterpretted natural phenomena.

We can't even provide conclusive proof that ghosts exist or if they do exist exactly what they are. Either the study of the field has merit or it doesn't.

Wes_Forsythe: I agree, that is why forums like this are so refreshing. People that have had personal experiences are able to express themselves without being judged. There is no tangible proof but how can so many experience what they do without some credence.

I think that Wes is correct when he says that some will come across as stating what they say is fact; when in fact it is only an opinion, which is all any of us have.

Knowledge comes by personal experience more than anything. The kit shown at the beginning is provided by people who want you to get excited about the hunt, then they'll provide you the means for satisfying that excitement for, you guessed it; cha ching!

The parnormal TV shows are no better. They are not the compass or the reality to follow when venturing out into this field. You're much better learning from someone, like mentioned above, who does this kind of thing for free and has no ego when wanting to tell you what they've learned. There are no paranormal experts. All of us, no matter how long we've been doing this, are students. By educating others, we help to produce other students of learning who will also help others to do the same.

May I suggest that rather than the term "ghost hunting," something such as Paranormal Experiential Interaction is a more accurate term. The term hunting denotes an adversarial relationship and that is NOT what we are trying to promote. The posts in this thread seem to lean toward a concensus that we are striving toward a respectful interaction with spirits. When I investigate, I use the concept that everyone has a story to tell and my purpose is to facilitate the telling of that story.

amoonwolfe wrote:


I agree, the term "Ghost Hunting" sounds like an safari for ghosts lol.

Kindness is the the way to approach people and ghosts were people

I think you make such a valid point Crystal, I registered on this site to see what others have experienced. I have been around a psychic as I said for years now and have had experiences on my own. I chose not to try to enhance my ability for this very reason. Seeking to find, hunt, investigate whatever term you use is not a joke. It is very dangerous. You do need to train people as to what not to do...ie Zach and the GA, you do not provoke a spirit or entity unless you are ready for the repercussions. I enjoy watching those guys but one day someone or something is going to attach to them and it is not going to be ok. I have seen first hand what can happen to someone that opens up all the time and I don't want that. Thanks for stepping in to explain that education for people is very necessary.

I brought this thread back up because this topic has come up in a few other threads and wanted to make this subject easier to find and more compact
Paula

I don't watch too many ghost hunting shows anymore. It seems over dramatic anymore. Someone people label everything a demon, while others seem not to put as much effort. I agree, most of the kids today think its just the cool thing to do or if they do it long enough, they may become famous. Half the time they're not sure what they are dealing with. There are things out there that cannot be explained and shouldn't be taken as a joke. I have had experiences since I was 8. I'm a sensitive and seems like I am constantly experience something. I have had a black mass follow me around everywhere I go. It plagues my dreams. It put me in a funk for a while. The crap is no joke. Lately, I have been trying to communicate with it and communicate with whatever is in my parents house because I want answers and want to know if the one spirit needs help. Recently activity has died down, I still feel all of their presence. I'm curious, yet careful. I don't want this thing to get out of hand. Newbies need to be careful these days and not rush in because you may never know what you are fully dealing with.