Mine's Bigger Than Yours!

I have never been one to care what others say or think of me, especially in regard to my endeavors in the paranormal. The reason is simple. I do my very best to walk a straight line and conduct my work with honesty, integrity, and respect. Above and beyond that, I try to help individuals outside the field when I can, and also teach others about what I have learned doing this for the last several years. What more can be asked, seriously?

Paranormal research is something that anyone and everyone can participate in, and although this is a great selling point for the genre, it's also a big reason for the lack of paranormal unity. Mind you, nobody on this end is ever going to try and convince you that we all need to get along at any cost, and regardless of any circumstances, or that we need to pretend that we are one big harmonious family who never butt heads or disagree. Let's be realistic here, people are people after all.

Debunkers and skeptics alike are there to keep investigators and researchers honest, and to push us to keep forging ahead to try and catalog as much credible evidence as we can. Alas, after all this is said and done, debunkers will still try to pick every minute detail apart to disprove the evidence gathered, and skeptics will still be, well, skeptical. In some cases to a fault. That's just the name of the game in this field, a genre of interest growing in popularity by leaps and bounds, and something that's considered a pseudo-science at best.

One of the biggest kickers to me is the fact that so much energy is expelled in this field trying to discredit those we disagree with, allowing our egos to get the best of us, especially once I point out again that ghost hunting is something that anyone and everyone can partake in. I don't imagine that every single person involved in the mud slinging and smear campaigns too often seen in the paranormal community are genuinely evil or just mean spirited, a few probably feel that their doing the genre justice by helping to police things for the betterment of paranormal research...by criticizing and tearing down others and helping to try and ruin them...seriously?

The ones that are most laughable are the groups and individuals that see fit to attack others publicly with a "holier than thou vigor," and drum up gossip or other slanderous information for the sole purpose of proving that they themselves are the greatest "blank(s)," and the subject of their ire or wraith are the lowest of the low! I know, what purpose does it all serve...especially when it's apparent they have an obvious ax to grind?

I oftentimes wonder why these seemingly normal folks fail to first take a step back, before ultimately taking that proverbial first step forward and offering their one sided point of view? Judge

Let's not mince words, I firmly believe that each and every one of us is ultimately entitled to own beliefs and opinions. And if someone truly wrongs you, you may defend yourself as you see fit...regardless of the consequences. After all, this is still a free country and we can all benefit from the fundamentals of free will. This is meant to be a blog for thinkers ;)!

The point of this piece is that we can disagree with each other and not try to destroy each other...over what anyway, forays into paranormal research? Groups and individuals who don't realize, or understand, that the masses can distinguish between a legitimate point to be made and a witch hunt, are sadly fooling themselves, and generally only attract other disgruntled haters and malcontents (remember like attracts like!). To each their own, whatever makes you feel in control and powerful at the end of the day I guess is what gets you through.

Being critical is perfectly acceptable, and is encouraged by legitimate researchers as a way of helping to add credibility to evidence or perceived evidence. But if you're going to be callous or just mean, I'll be the first to say "put up or shut up!" Especially if you yourself are involved in ghost hunting or paranormal research...where's your own material? Let's hear or see your stuff when push comes to shove. One sided debates still seem to be the order of the day in the paranormal, hence, please remember to consider the source (and the verbiage used).

Just ask yourself the following questions : "What exactly is the benefit of these harsh criticisms...and how do they strengthen the field?"

Judge not lest ye be judged?