Wellington has their own ghost buster! Lucky us. Only... I got some problems with this chap.
Brad Scott wants Wellingtonians to swing open the doors to their haunted homes and paranormal places in the name of science and "debunking" bumps in the night.
First one, proper investigators do not "debunk" anything. They investigate with an open mind, and try to find out the true nature of what is going on, whatever that is. To set out with "debunking" in mind is to approach with a bias, mind already set on the outcome, and thus the mind will automatically accept some evidence and dismiss other evidence. That's not how science is done.
He has spent thousands of dollars over the years on his ghost-detecting "tools of the trade", which include electromagnetic field (EMF) detectors, voice recorders, microphones and video recorders.
Erm, nifty toys do not a scientist make. Look at the many "Ghost Hunter" programs (including NZ's very sad effort). Recordings can lead one to making up strange sounds "oh listen to this!". EMF detectors can vary across many frequencies, need a base to work from, and can be effected by the other equipment that is in the area. Eg. "As he was being interviewed at a Johnsonville cemetery, he received an elevated reading from the EMF detector." Erm, perhaps because of the camera and other recorders around? And who knows what's there already?
As lead investigator and founder of NZ Paranormal, he said his background in building and engineering allowed him to "debunk 90 per cent" of ghost claims, but it was the remaining 10 per cent of "unknown" that kept him dead keen.
There will always be some noise in this area where not enough information can be gathered, so 10% unexplained (by him) does not surprise me, nor does not prove nor disprove anything. (And yes, there may be actual ghosts in there, but if so, it must happen by some physical process and thus be amenable to some scientific process, even if we don't know what yet... that said, if they are around, then they really are exhibiting some extremely strange properties that are completely undetectable in any other area of science.)
I wonder if NZ Skeptics have heard of NZ Paranormal?
[END]
2 comments:
I would have to agree with the last Post.
Unlike Sairs Bears, I haven't actually met you, but I know you to be a serial blogger.
You've gotten quite the reputation Jamas, "If there is something going on in New Zealand, you will have a whine about it".
I must admit, I've always had this image of a fat, spotty nerd, only venturing away long enough from his computer to stock up on Burger King.
Now that its been revealed your physically challenged (ie, an ugly f**cker as she elegantly put it), perhaps my vision was so far from the truth.
Careful Jamas, you keep this up and the general public are going to wonder who exactly if more full of shit, you or someone who busts ghosts for a living.
I'm sure if everyone who like me are tired of you blogging everything that irks you got together, we could start up the Get Jamas a Life Fund.
With any luck you may even get sponsorship from Burger King.
Michael Brooks - Auckland
Jamas, I personally know Brad and he is a big basted, he has read your views and you know what he said! well It's his opinion, and had a bit of a laugh. Brad is one of these big blokes who does not have a mean bone in his body, he is a very kind individual who asks for nothing and gives all he can to help people who need it, but he is no push over. He has never charge anyone for what he does and the paper doesn't always give you all the information. So all I am saying before you attack someone you know nothing about, think because the next person you have a go at won't be as forgiving.
I am not putting my name down because he knows how his friends feel about him and he is never likes to have someone else fight his battles for him. He is a good man who is just tying to do what he does best and there is nothing wrong with that.
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