JREF Thread: "UFOs? Bigfoot? Is it 1975 in here?"

Did you know there was a "Woo-Infrastructure?" I know, either did I! But there is. And what's more, they/we think it's still 1975, because stories about Bigfoot and UFOs are still going strong. This is news that both "amazes and saddens"as the OP commented. Read the whole thread here: UFOs? Bigfoot? Is it 1975 in here? - JREF Forum Which by the way, makes about the 400th thread about Bigfoot over there. I lost count long ago, but as you'll see, skeptics can't stay away from Bigfoot!

Ghost Hunting Theories: LAUGH: Ghost Hunting Dialogue

I thought this was a nice companion to the previous posts here about "dudes and their equipment"
Ghost Hunting Theories: LAUGH: Ghost Hunting Dialogue

Oh Lord Here We Go (Again)

 It's almost 2012, and yet, this kind of crap still pops up now and then. . .

Throughout my years and adventures on-line, I've encountered some very odd responses from people of the male gender. I've been accused of being a lesbian. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but, it was said as if it were some sort of insult or crime that I committed. It also didn't make sense because I've never said anything about being gay; in fact, the opposite, often referring to my husband. Which shows these critics read only what they want to and not really think. A completely illogical thing to say about me.

I've had men email me or comment on line that I hate men. I have never said I hate men, and I don't hate men. Jesus Christ fuck, I'm married to one. For over thirty years. If I were gay or hated men I don't think I'd be married to the same man for thirty-five years.

I was accused on-line by a man (anonymous, naturally, who frequented a Yahoo group I was a member of) of "wanting to be thought of as a man," and that I "write like a man." Not sure how to respond to that one; if I "write like a man" that implies I'm doing a good job, you know, coming off like a guy, but then in doing so I've pissed off some men, who are offended I'd pretend to be one of them. And, of course, it assumes that a woman can't be intelligent. Oh, she can write about all these subjects and be smart but as long as she keeps a girly vibe. Oy.

The list goes on and it's all so damn silly but it still, after all these years, crops up now and again. The latest, from someone who contacted me not long ago with praises for this blog. Someone who I just asked the other day if he has his own blog, for he has a good take on skeptics. He's been very nice in sending me links to stories I might find interesting. For that I am appreciative, as I've let him know.

But he's found something I wrote today somewhat insulting to the male gender, and wonders if I "dislike men." Truly, at first I thought he might be a little facetious:
Mark said...

Do you have some dislike of men? What is it about dudes with machines that cracks you up?

October 20, 2011 4:27 PM
Regan Lee said...

I hope you're not serious...

No offense meant. Just an observation on the propensity of men -- some men -- on a lot of these shows, Bigfoot, ghosts, etc. who lug around a lot of equipment to "prove" ghosts exist.

But Mark is offended, or at least bothered. And note where I bolded and italicized; the plot thickens. He responds:

October 20, 2011 4:46 PM
Mark said...

Why wouldn't I be serious? You said something that struck me as odd and sounded like you had some dislike of men - in addition to some other things that you said in the past that sounded like they could have meant the same thing, from my perspective. I just wanted some clarification as to whether or not you had some problem or dislike of men and what it was about dudes lugging around a lot of machines that you would find funny. I was not accusing you of anything, but I did want to know if I was interpreting things properly.

This is what I wrote in my ghost hunters post that caused offense:

Sure, it's formula and a lot chest banging. Dudes with machines; always cracks me up.

I realize it's a bit gender specific, after all, women lug around machines and tools as well and are perfectly able. Dude, my grandmother was literally a Rosie the Riveter. Worked in the Portland shipyards. My mother was a pilot. I was making a flip remark about men -- for they are mostly men who are the hosts on these ghost shows -- who seem to spend a lot of time with machines in order to find ghosts. It's funny to me, sometimes. And a bit annoying. I think ghost hunters, men or women, would do better to use their skills in other areas at times. As I said in my post.

The use of equipment is debatable and many women would side with the use of machines as well. And I'm not against the use of equipment; it's useful. Sometimes it's overused, in my opinion.

But what do I know? Clearly I'm blinded by my hatred of men to think clearly.

A P.S. : you know, what if I did hate men? So what? I'm entitled to my opinion. Lots of misogynists out there who hate women. Doesn't do any good to argue with the shameful bastards, just gets into some very ugly territory. But they have the right to their opinion. (Hmm, well, almost. There's opinion based on personal histories, and then there's lying and even violence.)  That'd be  interesting... but don't get ideas. Because I don't "have some dislike of men," as commentator Mark put it.

How Ghost Hunters Chills the Spine | Magazine

Rick Paulas for Wired Magazine: How Ghost Hunters Chills the Spine | Magazine.

Make no mistake, ghosts don't exist. How do I know? Because Rick Paulas tells us so:

There is no such thing as ghosts.

I am so glad he's cleared that up. All this time, all these years. all those experiences, the photographs, the voices, the objects moving through the air, the equipment failure, the hot spots, the cold spots, the smells, the orbs, the electronic manifestations, the ectoplasm ... and I was wrong. "Ghosts don't exist." So ... simple.


There's a spiffy chart too, with the Ghost Hunter formula neatly layed out. It's also terribly snarky, with explanations under the label "the truth."

True, most of the ghost shows have a similar format. As Paulas writes:

Ghost Hunters have a certain rhythm. Members of the Atlantic Paranormal Society enter a rickety building. They interview the owners, set up some high tech cameras, and then spend the night asking a ghost to “give us a sign.”

Ghost Adventures and many other ghost shows do the same. I get irritated at the amount of ghost hunting equipment and choosing off of ghosts: so ridiculous and disrespectful, as well as irresponsible. But all those shows exist for one reason: profit for the network and producers. As long as Ghost Hunters, etc. bring in money and ratings no one cares about the particulars. That doesn't mean that ghosts don't exist.

Sure, it's formula and a lot chest banging. Dudes with machines; always cracks me up. Some shows are more subdued, like Paranormal State, but that show depresses me, and I don't care for the overtly Christian perspective of the show. On the other hand, PS brings in mediums a lot, like Chip Coffey, which is good. More ghost hunting shows need to do that (and they are, just not enough in my opinion.)

Don't believe in ghosts, one's opinion. But stating as if it's fact they don't exist is both ignorant and arrogant. That kind of self satisfied skeptoid stance isn't any different than the religious zealot who insists their dogma is the only truth.

Related link:
My Ghost TV article for Binnall of America

Psychic Sally Sues | TDG - Science, Magick, Myth and History

Greg Taylor at The Daily Grail on Psychic Sally, and the skepoitds who attack: Psychic Sally Sues | TDG - Science, Magick, Myth and History. This episode seems to be about lazy newspaper writers and fanatical "skeptics" rather than exploring mediumship. (Thanks to Lesley for link.)

Science vs. Spirituality: Deepak Chopra And Leonard Mlodinow Discuss 'War Of The Worldviews'

"The debate between science and spirituality is framed as a knock down fight for truth with winner take all. But does it have to be that way? Deepak Chopra is a physician and one of the most highly regarded spiritual teachers in the world; and Leonard Mlodinow teaches at Cal Tech and co-authored, along with Stephen Hawking, "The Grand Design." Chopra and Mlodinow wrote "War of the Worldviews: Science vs. Spirituality" to help start an intelligent and civil conversation about this very hot subject. In this hour long video, Deepak Chopra and Leonard Mlodinow debate science and spirituality moderated by Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, Senior Religion Editor for The Huffington Post."

Science vs. Spirituality: Deepak Chopra And Leonard Mlodinow Discuss 'War Of The Worldviews'