When I tell people that I am a research scientist and a paranormal investigator there have been numerous persons who have asked “Does that mean that you are a ghost hunter?” Unfortunately, many people use the term “ghost hunter” rather than “paranormal investigator” when speaking of what it is that they, and we, do. Although the phrase “ghost hunt” is a semi-acceptable term (at best) to use it is far less accurate in describing what we do – and – it has some rather negative connotations attached to it. I have found that the term “ghost hunt” embodies a certain circle of thoughts and ideas that people believe to occur during a paranormal investigation, most of which stem directly from the intensely ignorant and deeply misguided paranormal “reality” television shows which now run rampant on several TV channels almost every night of the week. Most times, when a “ghost hunt” is thought of, the ideas behind the term would reflect an unprofessional, random, unplanned, chaotic romp through a cemetery, historical area, house or other such place where the participants are screaming like idiots and snapping photos all the while; calling every “anomaly” that they believe they have photographed a ghost. This is the exact stereotype that we as paranormal investigators want to cast off. When we systematically perform historical research on an area, collect data, take EMF and temperature readings, and photograph an area we are investigators who are, well, investigating. In my own personal opinion I don’t like the term “ghost hunt” due to the fact that what is suggested – hunting – which is an implication of what we do. By definition the word hunt means “to chase game for sport” and “to hound in pursuit of game.” The very definition of the word suggests that we are chasing our “game” for sport and that we are struggling to capture whatever it is that we are looking for. We want our work to be reliable, credible and accurate. We don’t want to “hunt,” we want to investigate.  

             Additionally, as paranormal researchers it is our duty and responsibility to expedite the demise of the dinosaur culture mentality that many paranormal investigators seem to possess. The idea of “proprietary information” where all data that is collected and documented during a field investigation is the exclusive intellectual property of the investigation team has, without question, outlived its usefulness. This egocentric mentality only hinders investigators and researchers from understanding the mechanisms behind paranormal phenomenon. In addition, the psychology of this culture fuels constant debates and internal feuds amongst researchers which, in turn, has created even deeper rifts in the paranormal investigation community. There are many paranormal researchers, working in what potentially could be hundreds of paranormal investigation organizations, which hold a small piece of the puzzle. That piece however, is essentially meaningless if it is not assimilated into the larger scope of available information, the “big picture” so to speak. The enigma of paranormal phenomenon may never be answered unless we, as scientists, renounce the psychological blockade that clinging onto this outdated mindset fosters. We can not progress unless we share information and network with each other in a manner that will allow positive progress.

            There are some who, strictly out of self-interest, will rebut the thoughts presented here and attempt to keep this self promoting culture of secretive proprietary information alive. This mentality may also stem from want of personal financial gain through means of marketing photos or “information” that has no true intrinsic value to serious paranormal investigators. These are the same people who seek to dupe unsuspecting people with their opinion which is conveniently packaged in the guise of factual information. The sheer mendacity of these pseudoscientists parading under a façade of legitimate credulity is enough to turn anyone with even a slight interest in the paranormal against everything that we do. Public interest in the paranormal is at a peak that has not been seen since the spiritualist revival of the 1920s. We should take advantage of this interest and promote serious, factual, scientific research and investigation of all subjects in the field of parapsychology. We must stand up and do the right thing to counteract the pure buffoonery being spewed forth by the popular media in the paranormal “reality” television shows. Our credulity and the legitimacy of paranormal research and investigation are at stake here. Do not let the greed and self-gratification of others destroy what so many have worked to achieve.