If you have ever seen that Ghost Hunting show on the Scifi channel you know (at least some) the tools. But there not really a good example of "real" ghost hunters (they fake things and edit the footage to make it look like something happening/there when its not) but the "real" ghost hunters do use the same tool (they just don't fake things).
Lets review those tools.
A camra.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, unfortunately some of those are lies.
Cameras are not perfect, there are photographic anomalies. The mistake ghost hunters and many other people make is assuming that they are anything other than anomalies.
The most famous of these are spirit orbs, people take pictures, they find strange orbs in them and they assume its something paranormal. But its not. Orbs have a simple, logical and provable explanations. Dust, pollen, droplets of water on the lens. Just take a picture in a dusty room, you'll get orbs.
There are other photographic anomalies but they too have logical explanations. breath on a cold night, hair in front of the lens. And if you use a film, that adds more possibility's for photographic anomalies. Damage to the film and error in processing can create anomalies.
Audio recorder.
Ghost hunters uses these to capture EVP (electronic voice recording). EVP is basically background noise, people think they hear voices in it but they don't. Its a form of . The human brain can easy find patterns, even when there are none there, this is why people see the face on the moon, a face on a peace of burnt toast, the image of the on a wall. Its easily finds patterns in sound too, even if there is none there.
EMF (electro magnetic filed) detector.
EMF detectors detect electro magnetic fields. The mistake ghost hunters make is thinking that the electromagnetic fields there detecting are cause by ghosts, but they are actually detecting electro magnetic fields produced by the environment itself. Many thing cause electro magnetic fields, pipes, weirs, appliances.
Infrared or laser thermometer
Ghosts hunters use these to detect cold spot in rooms. The mistake ghost hunters make is thinking that infrared thermometer measure the temperature of the air, it doesn't, it measure the temperature of a surface so when they point an infrared thermometer a cold spot in a room it measure the temperature of the wall, floor of what ever solid object is behind the cold spot.
Of course the biggest mistake ghost hunters make is starting with the conclusion and then looking at the evidence the assuming the evidence is evidence for the conclusion with out looking at other explanations (which is the opposite of what science is and many ghost hunters think there being scientific which shows there ignorants on what science is).
When investigating anything, look at the evidence first then come to a conclusion based on the evidence and taking all probable possibility's into account. And know your tools, make sure your using them right.
i hate people who belieave in ghost/god
they are just too stupid to THINK
I agree with you on several points but I think you are making some incorrect assumptions as well. However I’m willing to be convinced to the contrary if you disagree with my points.
Cameras-
It’s very true that alot of natural pollutants in the atmosphere or on the lens of a camera make many many ghost hunters feel they have caught something paranormal. I also have to state though that cameras can catch full blown apparitions that are not pareidolia. I myself have captured things on “film” that are as plain as the nose on your face that requires no interpretation that just wasn’t there when the pic was taken. I put film in “” because I do not use film cameras for your stated reasons. Some of the higher end Canon cameras has a processor in them that translates things such as moisture, dust relection, etc. into bell shaped anomallies thereby reducing the chances for what we in the field call “false positives”.
Audio Recorders-
Again. Can’t disagree with you in the prevelance of pareidolia. When you are investigating the paranormal there is a strong tendency like you say to WANT to hear something that’s not there to validate your hypothesis. At the same time, I can only speak to my experience when I say there are things or rare occassions that are crystal clear that were not there at the time of recording to the ears. I am an investigator myself and when on investigations we have strict controls set before we even go into EVP collection mode. Two to three people in the room. All air is shut off. Outside noise that could cause interference is eliminated to the best of our ability. If it’s really not almost dead silence (pardon the pun) we will not even attempt to do an EVP session. For us to classify something as an EVP it is independently listened too by all investigators and they have to hear the same thing with NO discussion. They aren’t told when to listen or where to listen for it. That way the power of suggestion is kicked out. If everybody can clearly hear the voice then we call it evidence. It still doesn’t make it a “haunting” though.
EMF Detectors-
Most of the enviromental factors you suggest as the causes of EMF spikes are already taken into consideration prior to the investigation. Most electrical equipment’s EMF radiation doesn’t fluctuate. A proffessional will attempt to isolate the source of the EMF prior to “light’s out”. That way any spikes in EMF can be considered anamoulous readings. And, if the spikes are consistent in magnitude, duration, and frequency then we log it as evidence. None of this evidence alone though constitutes any place being considered haunted. Also, to reduce the risk of atmospheric EMF due to pipes, wires, etc. we will often cut all power at the circuit breaker except in rooms or sections where the constant EMF was low or non existent becasue of good shielding. With no power, if it’s a well insulated house, EMF spikes should be pretty much non existant.
IR and Laser Thermometers-
Again. I agree to your point. The only thing we do to help avoid this is to not use the laser. Our temometers have a probe at the front that measures ambient temperature around the instrument itself. Temperature variants are only measurable in the atmospere around it.
On your final point I can’t give you anything less than a big AMEN on that one. A serious ghost hunter will go in with the purpose of finding a logical explination for the phenomena. And I’m a pro but I’ll admit it’s MIGHTY hard to do. If you are a beliver, which anybody that studies serious cases long enough eventually becomes, the psyche tends to gravitate toward belif and wanting to prove the hypothesis. In fact since paranormal investigating is what I call a REVERSE science, or anti-science, you HAVE to go about it in a way that attempts to dispell the claim. If you eliminate ALL other enviromental, psychological an physical possibilities and you have otherwise illogical physical or sensory evidence, THEN and ONLY THEN do you have a bonafide case of paranormal activity. You still can’t consider it haunted though unless you can go back time and again and bring that same kind of evidence back each time or the majority of the time.
So, I disagree with you on some points but you are hitting on all cylindars with that last part! Keep it coming. You keep us on our toes.
To Kenji I believe you to be more than likely under demonic possession or supression by the spirit of antichrist. Otherwise unless people who believe in ghosts or God has physically hurt you or emotionally hurt you, there is not BASIS for your hatred. You say we are too stupid. Do you hold such vile for people that are suffering from mental retardation? Other people with learning disabilities? To hate someone for being stupid is in itself stupid. Illogical. Most people have sympathetic tendencies to who you would call “stupid” people.
Now, in a lot of cases I have found people that have hatred for God actually do so because to accept and or believe they believe entails giving up control over their own life to someone else’s whim. I’ve not found that to be true in the slightest. I’ve found a lot of fear and anger in whom I would call “militant” atheists. If I’m incorrect in my belief and you are correct in yours, the way I see it is, it seems from your remarks that it just makes you angry and ruins your day and all that when you think about people who are believers. While I, a believer, have a peace about me. Even in the worst times or circumstances. I don’t have hatred for anybody. I’ve been angry before to the point of hate though and to be right honest with you, I didn’t really like the feeling. I prefer the peace that comes with my ignorrance if you will. I guess I’d just rather be happy than mad. lol
Sorry for bot replying but I’ve been writing. And I really don’t feel like getting into long debates that require long replays.
I will try to get to this and reply.