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Ghost hunting

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For other uses, seeGhosthunter (disambiguation).
A ghost hunter taking areadingwith an EMF meter
Part ofa serieson the
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Reportedly haunted locations:

Skepticism
Parapsychology
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Ghost huntingis the process of investigatinglocationsthat are purportedly haunted byghosts.The practice has been heavily criticized for its dismissal of thescientific method.No scientific study has ever been able to confirm the existence of ghosts.[1][2]Ghost hunting is considered apseudoscienceby the vast majority of educators, academics, science writers and skeptics.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]Science historianBrian Regaldescribed ghost hunting as "an unorganized exercise in futility".[3]

Typically, a ghost-hunting team will attempt to collect "evidence" supporting the existence ofparanormal activity.Ghost hunters also refer to themselves asparanormal investigators.[11]Ghost hunters use a variety of electronic devices, includingEMF meters,digitalthermometers,both handheld and staticdigitalvideo cameras,includingthermographicandnight vision cameras,night vision goggles,and digitalaudio recorders.Other more traditional techniques are also used, such as conductinginterviewsandresearchingthehistoryof allegedly haunted sites.

History[edit]

British psychic investigatorHereward Carringtonwith his "ululometer" ghost detector, in 1922.

Paranormal research dates back to the nineteenth century, with organizations such as theSociety for Psychical Researchinvestigating spiritual matters. Psychic researcherHarry Pricepublished hisConfessions of a Ghost-Hunterin 1936.[12]

Ghost hunting was popularized in the 2000s by television series such asMost HauntedandGhost Hunters,combined with the increasing availability of high-tech equipment.The Atlantic Paranormal Societyreported a doubling in their membership in the late 2000s, attributing this to the television programs. Despite its lack of acceptance in academic circles, the popularity of ghost-huntingreality TVshows has influenced a number of individuals to take up the pursuit.[13]

Small businesses offering ghost-hunting equipment and paranormal investigation services increased in the early 2000s. Many offerelectromagnetic field(EMF)meters,infraredmotion sensors and devices billed as "ghost detectors". The paranormal boom is such that some small ghost-hunting related businesses are enjoying increased profits throughpodcastand website advertising, books,DVDs,videos and other commercial enterprises.[14]

One ghost-hunting group called "A Midwest Haunting" based inMacomb, Illinois,reported that the number of people taking its tours had tripled, jumping from about 600 in 2006 to 1,800 in 2008. Others, such as Marie Cuff of "Idaho Spirit Seekers" pointed to increased traffic on their websites and message boards as an indication that ghost hunting was becoming more accepted. Participants say that ghost hunting allows them to enjoy the friendship of like-minded people and actively pursue their interest in the paranormal. According to Jim Willis of "Ghosts of Ohio", his group's membership had doubled, growing to 30 members since it was founded in 1999 and includes both true believers and total skeptics. Willis says his group is "looking for answers, one way or another" and that skepticism is a prerequisite for those who desire to be "taken seriously in this field."[13]

Author John Potts says that the present day pursuit of "amateur ghost hunting" can be traced back to thespiritualistera and early organizations founded to investigate paranormal phenomena, likeLondon'sThe Ghost Cluband theSociety for Psychical Research,but that modern investigations are unrelated to academicparapsychology.Potts writes that modern ghost hunting groups ignore thescientific methodand instead follow a form of "techno-mysticism".[10]

The popularity of ghost hunting has led to some injuries. Unaware that a "spooky home" inWorthington, Ohiowas occupied, a group of teenagers stepped on the edge of the property to explore. The homeowner fired on the teenagers' automobile as they were leaving, seriously injuring one.[15]A woman hunting for ghosts was killed in a fall from aUniversity of Torontobuilding.[16]

An offshoot of ghost hunting is the commercial ghost tour conducted by a local guide or tour operator who is often a member of a local ghost-hunting or paranormal investigation group. Since both the tour operators and owners of the reportedlyhauntedproperties share profits of such enterprises (admissions vary depending on the location, length and other aspects of the tour), some believe the claims of hauntings are exaggerated or fabricated in order to increase attendance.[17]The city ofSavannah, Georgia,is said to be the American city with the most ghost tours, having more than 31 as of 2003.[18][19]

Notable paranormal investigators[edit]

Harry Price[edit]

Main article:Harry Price
Harry Price pictured with assorted pieces of his "ghost hunting" equipment

Harry Price (1881–1948) was a Britishparapsychologist,psychic researcher and author who gained public prominence for his investigations into psychical phenomena and his exposing of fraudulentspiritualistmediums.He is best known for his well-publicized investigation of the purportedly hauntedBorley RectoryinEssex,England. Price's exploits were given wide exposure in a 1950 book,Harry Price: Biography of a Ghost Hunterby Paul Tabori. He was also a longstanding member ofthe Ghost Clubbased in London.

Price joined theSociety for Psychical Research(SPR) in 1920, and used his knowledge ofstage magicto debunk fraudulent mediums.[20]In 1922, he exposed the"spirit" photographerWilliam Hope.[21][22]In the same year he traveled to Germany withEric Dingwalland investigatedWilli Schneiderat the home of BaronAlbert von Schrenck-NotzinginMunich.[23]In 1923, Price exposed the mediumJan Guzyk.[24]

Price's "ghost hunting kit" included reflex andcinematographcameras, tools for sealing doors and windows, apparatus for secret electrical controls, steel tape, drawing instruments, a bottle of mercury and powderedgraphitefor developing fingerprints

Price wrote that the photographs depicting theectoplasmof the mediumEva Carrièretaken with Schrenck-Notzing looked artificial and two-dimensional made from cardboard and newspaper portraits and that there were no scientific controls as both her hands were free. In 1920 Carrière was investigated by psychical researchers in London. An analysis of her ectoplasm revealed it to be made of chewed paper. She was also investigated in 1922 and the result of the tests were negative.[25]In 1925, Price investigatedMaria Silbertand caught her using her feet and toes to move objects in theséanceroom.[26]He also investigated the "direct voice" mediumship ofGeorge Valiantinein London. In the séance Valiantine claimed to have contacted the "spirit" of the composerLuigi Arditi,speaking inItalian.Price wrote down every word that was attributed to Arditi and they were found to be word-for-word matches in an Italian phrase-book.[27]

In 1926, Price formed theNational Laboratory of Psychical Researchas a rival to the SPR.[28]Price made a formal offer to theUniversity of Londonto equip and endow a Department of Psychical Research, and to loan the equipment of the National Laboratory and its library. The University of London Board of Studies in Psychology responded positively to this proposal.[citation needed]

Price had a number of public disputes with the SPR, most notably regarding professed mediumRudi Schneider.[29][30]Price exposedFrederick Tansley Munnings,who claimed to produce the independent "spirit" voices ofJulius Caesar,Dan Leno,Hawley Harvey CrippenandKing Henry VIII.Price also invented and used a piece of apparatus known as a "voice control recorder" and proved that all the voices were those of Munnings. In 1928, Munnings admitted fraud and sold his confessions to aSunday newspaper.[31]

In 1933,Frank Deckerwas investigated by Price at theNational Laboratory of Psychical Research.[32]Under strict scientific controls that Price contrived, Decker failed to produce any phenomena at all.[33]Price's psychical research continued with investigations into Karachi'sIndian rope trickand thefire-walkingabilities ofKuda Bux.In 1936, Price broadcast from a supposedly haunted manor house inMeopham,Kent for theBBCand publishedThe Confessions of a Ghost-HunterandThe Haunting of Cashen's Gap.This year also saw the transfer of Price's library on permanent loan to theUniversity of London(see external links), followed shortly by the laboratory and investigative equipment. In 1937, he conducted further televised experiments intofire-walkingwithAhmed HussainatCarshaltonandAlexandra Palace,and also rentedBorley Rectoryfor one year. The following year, Price re-established the Ghost Club, with himself as chairman, modernizing it and changing it from a spiritualist association to a group of more or less open-minded skeptics that gathered to discuss paranormal topics. He was also the first to admit women to the club. Price drafted a bill for the regulation of psychic practitioners, and in 1939, he organized a national telepathic test in the periodicalJohn O'London's Weekly.During the 1940s, Price concentrated on writing and the worksThe Most Haunted House in England,Poltergeist Over EnglandandThe End of Borley Rectorywere all published.

Price's friends included other debunkers of fraudulent mediums such asHarry Houdiniand the journalistErnest Palmer.[34][35]

Ed and Lorraine Warren[edit]

Main article:Ed and Lorraine Warren

Edward Warren Miney (1926–2006) and Lorraine Rita Warren (née Moran, 1927–2019) were American paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent reports ofhauntingfrom the 1950s to the present. Edward was aWorld War IIUnited States Navyveteranwho became a self-taught and self-professeddemonologist,author, and lecturer. Lorraine professes to beclairvoyantand a light trancemediumwho worked closely with her husband. In 1952, the Warrens founded theNew England Society for Psychic Research,the oldest ghost hunting group inNew England.They authored numerous books about the paranormal and about their private investigations into various reports of paranormal activity. They claimed to have investigated over 1,000 cases during their career, and have been involved with various supernatural claims such as the Snedeker family haunting, theEnfield Poltergeistand theSmurl haunting,as well as claims of demonic possession in theTrial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson.

The Warrens are best known for their involvement in the 1976Amityville Horrorcase in whichNew Yorkcouple George and Kathy Lutz claimed that their house was haunted by a violent,demonicpresence so intense that it eventually drove them out of their home.The Amityville Horror Conspiracyauthors Stephen and Roxanne Kaplan characterized the case as a "hoax".[36]Lorraine Warren told a reporter forThe Express-Timesnewspaper that the Amityville Horror was not a hoax. The reported haunting was the basis for the 1977 bookThe Amityville Horror,which was adapted into the1979and2005movies of the same name, while also serving as inspiration for thefilm seriesthat followed. The Warrens' version of events is partially adapted and portrayed in the opening sequence ofThe Conjuring 2(2016). According toBenjamin Radford,the story was "refuted by eyewitnesses, investigations and forensic evidence".[37]In 1979, lawyer William Weber reportedly stated that he,Jay Anson,and the occupants "invented" the horror story "over many bottles of wine".[38]

General criticism of the Warrens include those by skepticsPerry DeAngelisandSteven Novella,who investigated the Warrens' evidence and described it as "blarney".[39]Skeptical investigatorsJoe Nickelland Ben Radford also concluded that the more famous hauntings, such as Amityville and the Snedeker family haunting, did not happen and had been invented.[37]

Stories of ghosts and hauntings popularized by the Warrens have been adapted as or have indirectly inspired dozens of films, television series and documentaries, including 17 films in theAmityville Horrorseriesand six films inThe Conjuring UniverseincludingAnnabelle,Annabelle: Creation,andAnnabelle Comes Home,spin-off prequels ofThe Conjuring.

Belief statistics[edit]

According to a survey conducted in October 2008 by theAssociated PressandIpsos,34 percent of Americans say they believe in the existence ofghosts.[13]Moreover, aGallup pollconducted on June 6–8, 2005, showed that about one-third (32%) of Americans believe that ghosts exist, with belief declining with age.[40][41]Having surveyed three countries (the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom), the poll also mentioned that more people believe inhaunted housesthan any of the other paranormal items tested, with 37% of Americans, 28% of Canadians, and 40% of Britons believing.[41][42]

In 2002, theNational Science Foundationidentified haunted houses, ghosts, andcommunication with the deadamongpseudoscientificbeliefs.[4]

Skepticism[edit]

Critics question ghost hunting's methodology, particularly its use of instrumentation, as there is no scientifically proven link between the existence of ghosts and cold spots orelectromagnetic fields.According to skeptical investigatorJoe Nickell,the typical ghost hunter is practicingpseudoscience.[43]Nickell says that ghost hunters often arm themselves withEMF meters,thermometers that can identify cold spots, and wireless microphones that eliminate background noise, pointing out the equipment being used to try to detect ghosts is not designed for the job. "The least likely explanation for any given reading is it is a ghost," maintains Nickell.Orbsof light that show up on photos, he says, are often particles of dust or moisture. "Voices"picked up by tape recorders can be radio signals or noise from the recorder, EMF detectors can be set off by faulty wiring, microwave towers,[13]iron, recording equipment, or cell phones, and heat sensors can pick up reflections off of mirrors or other metal surfaces. Nickell has also criticized the practice of searching only in the dark, saying that since some ghosts are described as "shadows or dark entities," he conducts searches in lighted rather than darkened conditions.[44]

According to investigatorBenjamin Radford,most ghost-hunting groups includingThe Atlantic Paranormal Societymake many methodological mistakes. According to Radford, "[a]fter watching episodes ofGhost Huntersand other similar programs, it quickly becomes clear to anyone with a background in science that the methods used are both illogical and unscientific ". Anyone can be a ghost investigator," failing to consider alternative explanations for anomalous… phenomena ", considering emotions and feelings as" evidence of ghostly encounters "." Improper and unscientific investigation methods "for example" using unproven tools and equipment "," sampling errors "," ineffectively using recording devices "and" focusing on the history of the location... and not the phenomena ". In his article forSkeptical InquirerRadford concludes that ghost hunters should care about doing a truly scientific investigation: "I believe that if ghosts exist, they are important and deserve to be taken seriously. Most of the efforts to investigate ghosts so far have been badly flawed and unscientific – and, not surprisingly, fruitless."[7]

Although some ghost hunters believe orbs are of supernatural origin, skepticBrian Dunningsays that they are usually particles of dust that are reflected by light when a picture is taken, sometimes it may be bugs or water droplets. He contends that "there are no plausible hypotheses that describe the mechanism by which a person who dies will become a hovering ball of light that appears on film but is invisible to the eye." He does not believe there is any science behind these beliefs; if there were then there would be some kind of discussion of who, what and why this can happen. In his investigations he can not find any "plausible hypothesis" that orbs are anything paranormal.[45]

Science writerSharon Hillreviewed over 1,000 "amateur research and investigation groups" (ARIGs), writing that "879 identified with the category of 'ghosts'". Hill reports that many groups used the terms "science" or "scientific" when describing themselves; however they overwhelmingly display neither understanding of nor adherence to scientific norms. Hill writes:

ARIGs often promote their paranormalist viewpoint as scientifically based, especially in community presentations or lectures at educational facilities. While scientifically minded observers can readily spot the anemic and shoddy scholarship of popular paranormal investigation, the public, unaware of the fundamental errors ARIGs make, can be persuaded by jargon and "sciencey" symbols.[46]

Hill sees the supernatural bias of such groups as an indication of how "far removed ARIG participants really are from the established scientific community".[6]

In Hill's 2017 bookScientifical Americansreviewed by historianBrian RegalforSkeptical Inquirermagazine, Regal writes that this is a timely book as it comes during an era when many question science. Regal wonders why believers think that "untutored amateurs know more (and are more trustworthy) than professional scholars". He asks why there is little discussion on "philosophical and theological aspects of their work". For example, the theoretical questions such as "what is a ghost?" and "does one's religion in life determine if they can become a ghost in death?" Hill gives ahistoriographyof the field of "modern paranormal interest:monsters,UFOs,and ghosts. "Hill does not insult or ridicule the people she writes about, but explains their stories through case studies. Regal feels that this book will not deter believers in the paranormal, but it is an important part of a" growing literature on amateur paranormal research ". Regal states that paranormal researchers are not engaging in scientific discovery but are engaging" blithely inconfirmation bias,selective evidence compiling, and thebackfire effectwhile all the time complaining that it is the other side doing it… They, like all of us, are ultimately not searching for ghosts… they are looking for themselves. "[47]

Kenny Biddleis the Chief Investigator for theCommittee for Skeptical Inquiryand writes a column forSkeptical InquirercalledA Closer Look(2018–present), on his use ofscientific skepticismto investigate paranormal claims, which include ghost photography, ghost hunting equipment and psychic ability. Biddle is a former ghost hunter turned scientific skeptic.[48] In May 2018, Kenny Biddle, a skeptical investigator of paranormal claims, spent a night in the White Hill Mansion inFieldsboro, New Jersey,along with a group of fellow skeptics. The mansion, built in 1757, has traditionally been visited by many ghost hunting teams who claim to have experienced paranormal activity and communicate with spirits viaEVPswhile there. According to Biddle, many of the ghost hunters claimed that the EVPs they obtained "were not just random responses; they were direct, intelligent responses to specific questions". To challenge these claims, Biddle's group conducted a controlled experiment: the group recorded audio while asking any spirits in the Mansion to help them in locating a small foam toy hidden somewhere on the premises by a third party. They asked direct questions, but no responses were detected during review of the audio. Biddle subsequently reset the experiment and has offered a prize to ghost hunters for proof of their claim that they can obtain direct answers from spirits via EVP.[49]

Biddle has also criticized what he calls "paranormal gadgets" that are popular with ghost hunters, such as the Ovilus, a device designed to respond to electromagnetic field variations with words from a pre-programmed dictionary, which, according toPopular Mechanicsresemble a "demonic Speak & Spell" whose "phrases often sound like they were cherry picked from aJohn Carpenterflick ".[50]

Methods and equipment[edit]

The colored LEDs of a Safe Range EMF meter
An Ovilus device, which plays recorded words from a pre-programmed dictionary in response to electromagnetic field variations.[50]It is branded as "For Entertainment Purposes Only".
A handheld infrared thermometer of the type used by some ghost hunters

Ghost hunters use a variety of techniques and tools to investigate alleged paranormal activity.[51]While there is no universal acceptance among ghost hunters of the following methodologies, a number of these are commonly used by ghost hunting groups.[52]

Stillphotographyandvideo
These may usedigital,night vision,infrared,and evendisposable cameras.
EMF meter
Used to detect possibly unexplained fluctuations in electromagnetic fields. The Safe Range EMF brand of meter, designed for use with power lines and household appliances, became popular after theGhost Hunterstelevision series claimed it to be "specially calibrated for paranormal investigators".The Atlanticattribute its popularity among ghost hunters to its brightly coloredLEDdisplay and propensity forfalse positivereadings.[53]
Tablet PC
Used to record data, audio, video and even environmental fluctuations such as electromagnetic fields.[52]
Ambient temperaturemeasurement
Usingthermographic cameras,thermal imaging cameras,infrared thermometers,and otherinfraredtemperature sensors. All of these methods only measure surface temperature and not ambient temperature.[54]
Digital andanalogaudio recording
These are used to capture any unexplained noises andelectronic voice phenomena(EVPs), which may be interpreted as disembodied voices.
Compass
Some ghost hunters use a compass to determine the location of paranormal spots, similar toEMFs.[citation needed]
Geiger counter
Used to measure fluctuations inradiation.
Infraredand/orultrasonicmotion sensors
Used to detect possible anomalous movement within a given area, or to assist in creating a controlled environment where any human movement is detected.
Air quality monitoring equipment
This can assess the levels of gases such ascarbon monoxide,which are thought to contribute to reports ofparanormalactivity.[citation needed]
Infrasoundmonitoring equipment
Used to assess the level of sound vibrations.
Dowsing rods
These are usually constructed of brass and bent into an L-shape.
Ghost boxes
Radio devices which randomly scan AM and FM frequencies, presenting the audio as the words of spirits[53]
Ouijaboard
Novelty items purportedly used to communicate with spirits.
Night vision
Both full spectrum video and photography are used by ghost hunters to visualize areas of thelight spectrumunseen by the human eye including infrared andultraviolet.
Trigger objects
These are props or tools that ghost hunters claim can be used to attract an entity to interact. According to ghost hunters, this could be any object which might bring emotion or connection such as ateddy bear,photo or awedding band,and some pieces of equipment have been designed within a trigger object in order to help detect a presence around the object.[citation needed]
Thermographic cameras
According to ghost hunters these are helpful in detecting and visualizing temperature changes during an investigation.
SLSor Kinect camera
This is a device that uses a pattern of infrared dots to detect objects in complete darkness. Analyzed by Kenny Biddle[55][56]and found prone to spurious results when used as a non-stationary device.
Vibration Activated Light Spheres
Plastic balls which light up when detecting movement. These were not originally designed for paranormal investigations. Kenny Biddle found them to be very similar to commercialcat toys.[57]

Ghost hunters may employ the assistance ofpsychics,mediums,orclairvoyants.Trance mediums and other "sensitive"individuals are thought to have the ability to identify and make contact with spiritual entities.Demonologists,exorcists,andclergymay be brought in to sayprayers,giveblessings,or performritualsfor the purpose of cleansing a location of allegedghosts,demons,poltergeists,or "negative energy".

Hunters may also collect local testimony and accounts about alleged hauntings, and research thehistorybehind the site being investigated.

Cold spots[edit]

According to ghost hunters, a cold spot is an area of localizedcoldnessor a sudden decrease inambient temperature.Temperature decreases claimed to be associated with cold spots range from a few degreesFahrenheitto over 40 degrees.[58]Many ghost hunters use digital thermometers or heat sensing devices to measure such temperature changes. Believers claim that cold spots are an indicator of paranormal or spirit activity in the area; however, there are many natural explanations for rapid temperature variations within structures, and there is no scientifically confirmed evidence that spirit entities exist or can affect air temperatures.[59]

Orbs[edit]

Some ghost hunters claim that circular artifacts appearing in photographs arespirits of the deador other paranormal phenomena;[60][61][62]however, suchvisual artifactsare a result offlash photographyilluminating a mote of dust or other particle, and are especially common with moderncompact and ultra-compact digital cameras.[63][64][65][66]

Depiction in media[edit]

Television[edit]

Ghost Hunters[edit]

Main article:Ghost Hunters (TV series)

Ghost Huntersfeatures the activities of aWarwick, Rhode Island,ghost hunting group calledThe Atlantic Paranormal Society(TAPS). Since 2004, the program has garnered some of the highest ratings of anySyfynetwork programming, presenting a mix of paranormal investigation and interpersonal drama. It has since been syndicated onNBCUniversalsister cable channelOxygenand also airs on the Canadian cable network,OLN.In addition to their television venture, TAPS hosts a three-hour weekly radio show calledBeyond Reality,operates a website where they share their stories, photographs, and ghost hunting videos with members. TAPS cast members also appear at lectures, conferences and public events.[citation needed]

Ghost Adventures[edit]

Main article:Ghost Adventures

Ghost Adventurespremiered in 2008 on theTravel Channel.The TV series features ghost huntersZak Bagans,Nick Groff(seasons 1–10),Aaron Goodwin,Billy Tolley,andJay Wasleyas they investigatereportedly haunted locationshoping to collect visual or auditory evidence ofparanormal activity.[citation needed]

The Haunted Collector[edit]

Main article:Haunted Collector

Haunted Collectorfeatures a team of paranormal investigators led bydemonologistJohn Zaffiswho investigate allegedly haunted locations in hopes of identifying and removing objects they believe can trigger supernatural activity. The objects are transported for eventual display in Zaffis's museum. The series premiered in 2011 on theSyfycable television channel and was cancelled in 2013.[citation needed]

Films[edit]

Poltergeist[edit]

Main article:Poltergeist (film series)

Poltergeistis the original film in thePoltergeisttrilogy,directed byTobe Hooper,co-written bySteven Spielbergand released on June 4, 1982. The story focuses on the Freeling family, which consists of Steven (Craig T. Nelson), Diane (JoBeth Williams), Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins), and Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke), who live in a Californiahousing developmentcalled Cuesta Verde, which comes to be haunted by ghosts. The film depicts a group of paranormal investigators,parapsychologists,and a spiritualmediumnamed Tangina Barrons (Zelda Rubinstein) in their efforts to assist the family. A reboot of the series,Poltergeist,was directed byGil Kenanand released on May 22, 2015, that features the host of a paranormal-themed TV show who comes to the aid of the family.[citation needed]

Ghostbusters[edit]

Main article:Ghostbusters

Ghostbustersis a 1984 Americanfantasy comedyfilm produced and directed byIvan Reitmanand written byDan AykroydandHarold Ramis.It starsBill Murray,Aykroyd and Ramis asPeter Venkman,Ray StantzandEgon Spengler,eccentricparapsychologistswho start a ghost-catching business inNew York City.Ghostbusterswas released in the United States on June 8, 1984, and grossed 242 millionUSDin the United States and more than 295 million USD worldwide, making it the highest-grossing comedy film of its time. It launched amedia franchise,which includes two sequels (Ghostbusters IIandGhostbusters: Afterlife), two animated television series (The Real GhostbustersandExtreme Ghostbusters),video games,and a2016 reboot.TheGhostbustersconcept was inspired by Aykroyd's fascination with theparanormal.[citation needed]

The Conjuring[edit]

Main article:The Conjuring

The Conjuringis a 2013 Americansupernatural horror filmdirected byJames Wanand written byChad HayesandCarey W. Hayes.It is the inaugural film inThe Conjuring Universefranchise, in whichPatrick WilsonandVera Farmigastar as paranormal investigatorsEd and Lorraine Warren.Their purportedly real-life exploits inspiredThe Amityville Horrorstory andfilm franchise.InThe Conjuring,the Warrens come to the assistance of the Perron family, who experience increasingly disturbing events in their farmhouse inRhode Islandin 1971.The Conjuringwas released in the United States and Canada on July 19, 2013, and grossed over 319 million USD worldwide. A sequel,The Conjuring 2,was released on June 10, 2016, and a prequel,Annabelle,directed byJohn R. Leonetti,written byGary Daubermanand produced byPeter SafranandJames Wanwas released in 2014.[citation needed]

Video games[edit]

Dark Fall[edit]

Main article:Dark Fall

A 2002point and click mysterygame set in the fictional town of Dowerton, England, where the abandoned Station Hotel has become the location of numerous disappearences, and is reported to be haunted. The players take the role of a man in the search for his lost brother, an architect who vanished while doing scouting and evaluation for a building company. A local team of ghost hunters disappeared there too, leaving all of their equipment and documentation behind. The game spawned a successful series of sequels, all dealing with the paranormal and mysterious ghost sightings.

Phasmophobia[edit]

Main article:Phasmophobia (video game)

Kinetic Games's indie survival horror game sees the player(s) take on the role of ghost hunters contracted to explore various premises for ghosts. The game received a large influx of popularity after its September 2020 release due to many well-knownTwitchstreamersandYouTubersplaying it, mainly for theHalloweenseason.[67]

Web series[edit]

Buzzfeed Unsolved[edit]

Main article:BuzzFeed Unsolved

The American entertainmentweb seriesBuzzFeed UnsolvedincludedBuzzFeed Unsolved Supernaturalepisodes where hostsShane MadejandRyan Bergaradiscussed alleged ghosts, hauntings and demons, often seeking evidence of their existence.[68]In 2019, Bergara and Madej leftBuzzfeedto host a web series similar toBuzzfeed Unsolved SupernaturalcalledGhost Filesin 2022, documenting their attempts to find evidence of supernatural beings and occurrences.

Tourism[edit]

Interest in ghost hunting has driven tourism to historical sites and locations claimed to be haunted. A study published in theCornell Hospitality Quarterlyin 2020 stated that "haunted tourism has allowed attractions like historic house museums as well as abandoned hospitals, schools and prisons 'to remain intact' or bring in the money needed to make necessary improvements".[69][70][71]According toarchitectural historianJen Levstik, revenues from haunted tourism can help fund historic preservation, "so long as the tours are also providing historically accurate information related to the property [and] the humanity of the people at those properties, and not just the salacious things that can't be backed up beyond hearsay or rumor."[69]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  2. ^"Study: No Scientific Basis for Vampires, Ghosts".Associated Press.2015-03-25.Retrieved2020-02-25.
  3. ^abRegal, Brian.(2009).Pseudoscience: A Critical Encyclopedia.Greenwood. pp. 43, 75–77.ISBN978-0-313-35507-3
  4. ^ab"Relationships Between Science and Pseudoscience".Science and Engineering Indicators, 2002.National Science Foundation. Archived fromthe originalon 16 June 2016.Retrieved12 September2015.
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  13. ^abcdPeterson, Skip (2008-05-31)."Ghost-hunting groups enjoy surge in popularity".USA Today. Associated Press.Retrieved14 December2009.
  14. ^Scaring Up Paranormal Profits
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Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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