Writer's Block: Spirits

[packbat]

Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever encountered one? View other answers

First: "believe in" is the wrong phrase. I don't believe in torture, but it still exists.

Second: to my recollection, I have never encountered anything that appeared to be a ghost.

Finally: based on my knowledge of the sciences (from physics to biology to neuroscience to computer science), the existence of ghosts strikes me as not merely implausible, but downright ludicrous. fin.

Comments

[packbat.livejournal.com]

That ... seems unlikely - I wasn't under the impression that there were any brain waves, or if there were they weren't involved in the actual thinking part (a la electromagnetic interference from circuits). Then again, I don't know what about Gettysburg is in need of explanation.

Sure, I can buy that stance - it's crazy to be infinitely certain of anything. I'm still suspicious, though.

[kirabug.livejournal.com]

"Brain waves" is probably the wrong term. But there is a high correlation (from what I read a looooong while ago) between ghost sightings in Gettysburg (where such things are frequent) and the amount of ferrous metal in the immediate area (ore, etc.). In addition, the scenes that people describe are almost exactly the same, as if the experiences of the soldiers were somehow recorded, and are played back for no obvious reason.

[packbat.livejournal.com]

That's interesting, but I'm highly skeptical of ghost sightings in the first place. From what I know about neuroscience (which could probably be cataloged on the back of a postcard), I can't see how the presence or absence of ores would affect anything, but if I'm wrong about Gettysburg that doesn't mean much.

[(Anonymous)]

dillusions have many forms, not necessarily error, just misinterpretation based on suggestion, the famous critic of psychic phenomenon, Ray Hymen, found that suggestion was the most powerful tool, however even he couldn't negate all esp evidence it just falls under the "radical claims require radical evidence" psychic phenomenon has recieved statistically significant evidence just not "radically" significant.
Because of that you shouldn't totally rule out a ghost sighting as just illusion it could be a mix of psychic and illusion and suggestion.

[packbat.livejournal.com]

Sir, if a large number of trials are performed seeking evidence of a particular effect - and a large number of trials have been performed seeking evidence of paranormal phenomena - some of them will show statistically significant results by pure chance. Until such a time as repeatable results are obtained in rigorous trials, when some method or individual has been proven to demonstrate supernatural powers at a consistent level above chance time and time again, I don't consider it even worthy of consideration. And the only exception I'd make offhand is if someone I know and know to be trustworthy was involved - and that I'd only make as a favor to them, as a friend.

"Totally rule out" is a blatantly leading phrase here, whether you meant it that way or not. Give me a mountain of evidence, and I'll believe the Sun is made of orange soda - but "he couldn't negate all esp evidence" isn't even worth my time.