(Copied from my Facebook post)
My long-time friend Raja Narain asked where I’ve been since November. That question deserves a full answer. So, this will be long.
Basically, after Halloween (when things can be a bit wild in this field), I needed a good, long break. I was irked because – on TV – far too many “ghost hunting” shows have become like parodies of what this field is… Or what it is for people like me.
I see people doing dangerous and/or silly things, just to hold the TV audiences’ attention. Maybe like a “Mr. Beast” version of paranormal research…?
That’s almost the polar opposite of why I’m in this field.
I enjoy visiting historical and “haunted” sites for the ambience, the mood (perhaps residual energy), and the sense of connection with people and events of the past.
The main reason I use ghost hunting equipment (like EMF meters) is mostly to rule out natural explanations for that “spooky” feeling.
For example, someone sensitive to elevated EMF levels may feel uneasy (or worse) if the site has bad wiring, or unshielded electrical devices.
(A classic example: If a really old refrigerator is used in a home, if you’re in the room on the other side – facing the back of the refrigerator – you may feel uncomfortable, or even as if the house is haunted. I’ve lost count of the number of “haunted” college dorms and old cottages where the eerie feeling is simply high EMF levels from old refrigerators, etc.)
But, when I can’t find a reasonable explanation for high EMF levels, then – yes – the site might be haunted.
However – for me – ghost hunting equipment is an adjunct to the experience. It’s not what I focus on… ever.
Seeing someone on TV, waving a radio-like device, grabbing words he hears, and thinking it’s a ghost talking to him…? Yikes.
As I saw it at Halloween 2023, much of ghost hunting – at least on TV and at events where people are mimicking those shows – has been leaning heavily in that direction.
I needed a break. I needed to step back and evaluate just what I’m doing in this field, and how I want to talk/post about it.
I’m still in the midst of that process, but I’m (gradually) doing a reset with my websites, YouTube channels, etc.
I’m pretty sure most of my friends will understand this, and I’d like to hear your thoughts about the future of real ghost hunting.