My intentions being involved in the paranormal field? By John

During the course of my many travels throughout this great country of ours, I oftentimes get into conversations with people concerning my endeavors in paranormal research. Believe it or not, about 90% of the folks you talk with have actually had paranormal experiences of their own, or have first hand knowledge of supposedly haunted locations! And the majority of these good people admire the work being done by investigators in the field, if only for the fact that its "Scary Stuff!"

Taking the "Wow" factor off the table for a minute, why do so many investigators and researchers get involved in the paranormal field? Outside of the obvious reason, the greatest fear known to Man is the inevitability of death, what mass appeal does forays into paranormal studies have for most of us? It is cool, exciting, fun, interesting, a rush, and at times scary, but there has to be more...doesn't there?

There are two distinct, yet not foreign to one another, schools of thought on the matter. The paranormal by it's natural (or "unnatural") design is a "new frontier," a field of loose study which lacks a number of defined boundaries to facilitate a true science. The biggest hurdle facing the paranormal field is credibility and everyone getting on the same page as far as acceptable principles and theories (the real science part of the matter at hand). Are you in this for personal exploration or are you in this for science?

I can see so many problems with the paranormal becoming an accepted field of scientific study, most notably, the individual's perception of what paranormal subjects actually are? For example, what is a ghost? Ask ten different people and you'll likely get at least six different answers, and a few being polar opposites!
I myself adhere to the mindset that living things being made up of energy (this may be extremely basal, but then again, this is only my opinion and not a college level class on chemistry or physics), pass on and they leave behind an energy signature, and depending on the individuals' personality, this can sometimes be a fair representation of their living persona! Matters not if it's a human or a non-human we are referring too...of course, this my opinion as stated earlier, and how can such things be proven definitively after all?

Science. Oh, how I do love science. I am a biologist after all, and spent many a day back in college engaging in all sorts of experiments and discussions of "plausible" theory. In some cases, the stuff made sense, other times, it was merely "chalk board science," theory if you will, and still needed to be proven at some point, for better or for worse. The biggest problem folks in the paranormal have when dealing with science is the fact that they think science is going to be their greatest ally in proving the existence of Bigfoot, Casper, or even E.T.! That is the wrong approach from jump street. Science is thy enemy is this regard. The idea needs to be that Science is there to stand in your way, it is what our beliefs and ideas are tested against...hence the idea of experiments and hypotheses. Science by its virtue is there to disprove. Interesting notion, and I love the stuff to this day.

As for me personally, I enjoy many different facets of paranormal research, most notably, the fact that we have so few answers as opposed to questions. And that for me is the hook. I can search for the rest of my life and never capture the concrete "evidence" needed to silence the critics. Who cares? You are never going to sell the masses 100% on what you "know" is an apparition or an evp of George Washington saying "I hate cherry trees!" The idea of this pursuit should NOT be, at least for most of us, I need to convert others to my way of thinking or I will show those people what I can do...this only speaks of ego and selfishness. Of course, like everything else written herein, merely my humble opinion. I look to investigate places for me, looking to find answers for myself and my teammates. Every group out there does things right, and every group out there does things wrong...we are all human. To each there own. The paranormal has enough room for everyone wishing to be involved.

In closing, my intentions being involved in the paranormal field have nothing to do with being a fan of paranormal t.v., which I am, trying to capture evidence of ghosts and UFO's to show my family and friends, which I do, or trying to discredit any others in the field, which is sad, I am in this for me and my team. I am looking for answers to questions for me and those around me, and if others enjoy my efforts, let them hear me speak, and if they do not, let those individuals have a blessed and prosperous life as well. And the sole reason I am writing this is to publicly express why I ghost hunt, it is NOT to cause controversy or point the finger at any individual or teams out there doing work in the paranormal. Trust me, that's the last thing on my mind, it's 2010, a new start to a new year! My next post is coming in Feb., wonder what I'll talk about then????

P.S. "Paranormal Unity" is not the fact that everyone needs to believe the same things, or stand around hugging one another (we can always agree to disagree), it's more from the stand that you can criticize the work others do, but without being nasty and viscous. This stuff goes on all over the World and needlessly. It's about "constructive criticism," not cheap shots...this is another reason the paranormal field is having a hard time gaining a foot hold as an acceptable field of scientific study.

Am I a paranormal expert? by Ryan

Well first off, I never claimed to be. Secondly, how can anyone consider themselves an expert in a field full of experiments and pseudo-sciences. Also, I am not sure what qualifications are needed to be an "expert" at paranormal investigations. But in case anyone out there has an idea of what those qualifications may be, here are mine:

Schooling
- Associates degree in Computer Information Systems from Erie Community College
- Bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems from Buffalo State College

Work experience
- I have over 10 years experience in the computer specialist field and I am currently employed as a Computer Specialist for NY State and work in local school districts.

Volunteer work
- I am the Events Coordinator for the Buffalo Central Terminal. I have also volunteered time with the Newfane Historical Society.

Paranormal groups
- I am the founder of WNY Ghost Hunters based out of the Buffalo Central Terminal. I have successfully established a group that is also volunteers at the Terminal for clean-up and events. We also investigate other locations throughout the area and are also the exclusive group for the Van Horn Mansion. We have been in existence for over 1 year.

Paranormal Investigations
- I have investigated for about 3 years now and have been in an established group for a year. Places investigated are Buffalo Central Terminal, Iron Island, Rolling Hills, Van Horn Mansion, Kelly Hotel, Hayes Hall, JN Adams Hospital, Valentown, Palmyra, Knickerbocker Hotel, Conneautt Lake Hotel, USS Sullivans, Residentials, and a few other undisclosed locations in WNY.

Other information
- I have been an active member of a local Civil War Reenactment group for over 8 years. I enjoy history and like educating and entertaining other by portraying life as it was in the 19th Century during the Civil War.

So, there is my resume. Does it make me more or less qualified than anyone else? I think no. What I do know is the I have FUN doing this! I am sorry, but I am not interested in turning my time in the paranormal field in to a boring book-worm type class in college. I am NOT a boring Professor (though John calls me the Professor, lol!) and I will never throw out big words and theories to impress you. My schooling, job experience, and volunteer work speaks for itself and I don't need to try and sound smart. That is not me and never will be. So bottom line is this, I never claimed to be an expert and I don't care what anyone else thinks of my qualifications. I am in it to have fun and explore some of the coolest and most historical locations in the country. Hopefully along the way I can experience or catch some paranormal activity, and maybe interact with someone from the past. And if you don't like some of my evidence or want to bash it, then have at it. I am open to any opinions and am just showing you what we captured. I have never hid evidence and will freely show anyone what was captured and what we THINK it is. If you have a better idea of what something may be than great! I don't take it personally as we are searching for things that may or may not be there.

We are all in this field together, and what I am doing is not anything different than what anyone else can be doing as well. I can show what I do and how I do it, and you can take it as you will. Don't let anyone fool you in thinking they know more than you, as we are all doing basically the same thing. And if you are in it to strictly help people, that is good for you. One thing I am NOT qualified to do is establish the fact of dealing with people's mental well being. I am not a psychologist and I would rather not get involved in figuring out what is going on in people's heads. So I do hope that paranormal investigators who claim to be able to help people rid ghosts and demons from homes are qualified in psychology as they may do more damage than good because not everything is a ghost. I am not a Psychologist, Psychic, or Demonologist, but just a "regular Joe" who works on computers for a career.

So far, I am enjoying my time in WNY Ghost Hunters and Beyond Ghosts. I have met some of the nicest people and also friends that will be considered friends long after I am done doing this. I also have been in some of the greatest places in the area. I have explored some great locations loaded with history, and experienced some great paranormal activity. And guess what, as soon as this stops being fun, I will stop doing this!

Here is the bottom line, if you want to enjoy yourself, have fun, laugh a little, explore some great historical locations, and hopefully experience some of the paranormal, than you are welcomed to hang with me. My mission at Beyond Ghosts is to make a lot of these great historical places accessible to everyone who wants to come and explore and have fun. If you are interested in a science lesson about quantum physics, theories, and bashing other groups and there evidence, go elsewhere as I am not for you. From the great turnouts we have received at our events and lectures, I am happy to say that most people are in it for the same reasons as me.

Now if that means I am not "in it for the right reasons" then so be it!


Ryan Willard