It seems that in recent years the widespread proliferation of paranormal themed TV programs and mass media entertainment has catapulted paranormal investigators from the one time station of obscure curiosity into a money making powerhouse. Although this exposure is good for gaining public interest in subjects pertaining to the paranormal it is a double edged sword with which we have been ritualistically performing the act of self cannibalization more and more frequently. This “cannibalization” is the turning of good pre-fame investigators with a solid reputation into money hungry werewolves slathering to chomp at the next bit of cash thrown their way. For this their ego (and wallet swells) and they would sell their reputation, credibility and, effectively, their souls in an effort to further their own fame and fortune. This glory quest serves only to further diminish the already eroding base of credible investigators in the field. In the eye of the public this now turns the entire business of paranormal investigation into a game show where the cash and prizes are viewer loyalty and marketing dollars.     

            In the arena of Hollywood entertainment those who bow to the almighty dollar for a fleeting moment in the spotlight are committing a form of career suicide by selling themselves out by acting like fools only to be forgotten when the next “big thing” comes along. As the public grows tired of the grainy night time video footage, faked paranormal occurrences, pseudo psychic premonitions and the inane screaming that all comes as part and parcel of the paranormal entertainment industry where will this leave the future “has beens” when the luster has faded? Likely forgotten and relegated to the memory of their former fans like so many other minor personalities that the entertainment industry has chewed up and vomited out in the fading twilight of their careers.     

            If we, as serious paranormal investigators want to salvage the reputation and credibility that remains for us it is imperative that we raise our standards above those who outwardly exhibit little or no regard for scientific protocol. If we continue to condone the further exploitation of scientific paranormal investigations we are voluntarily fostering a very poor perception of who we are and what we do. We must change the way people think about paranormal investigators and we must start making this effort now. If you are a member of a serious, science based paranormal investigation group who would like to help in creating a national standard for paranormal investigation or would be interested in joining a coalition of paranormal investigators to raise the standard of practices please contact Brian Schill @ www.IPRFinc.com or Scott Crownover of the GRS at garmald69@yahoo.com

.