Skepticism

The truth about ghost hunting. Sorting the posers from the investigators!

Hobbies are practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. Engaging in a hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge, and experience. However, personal fulfillment is the aim. Almost no one can make a living at stamp collecting, but many people find it enjoyable; so it is commonly regarded as a hobby. While … Read moreThe truth about ghost hunting. Sorting the posers from the investigators!

The Haunted Palace Hotel, Cripple Creek, CO. (Investigation of paranormal claims)

This Old West hotel and casino has been featured on the History Channel. It is said that Miss Kitty, the wife of hotel owner Dr. Chambers, passed away in Room 3, but she still turns down the beds and lights the candles for the guests. Her ghost has been seen in the room, wearing a … Read moreThe Haunted Palace Hotel, Cripple Creek, CO. (Investigation of paranormal claims)

Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NM (Ghost Photo Explained)

With the majority of the witness’s claims addressed, the final thing was to analyze the ghost photographs that are kept at the hotel. Deanna, a young woman who was manning the hotel front desk, showed me a photograph that was kept behind the desk. This is the photograph that is often shown to inquiring guests. The … Read morePlaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NM (Ghost Photo Explained)

Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NM (Ghost Stories with skeptical commentary)

The Clovis News Journal publishes the first written account of the Plaza Hotel having a ghost on March 9th, 1983.    ” A ghost who haunts the stairwells, reminiscences of visits from Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, and a terrain which made the area a Haven for outlaws, are all part of the colorful … Read morePlaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NM (Ghost Stories with skeptical commentary)

Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NM (Analysis of the ghost story and paranormal claims)

One of the most important considerations that have to be determined is the longevity of the haunting. However, the actual history conflicts with back-story and elements of the reported phenomenon cannot be verified or have no record of occurrence. However, the historical accounts are relatively constant. The 1910 and 1920 census shows Mills living at 921 … Read morePlaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NM (Analysis of the ghost story and paranormal claims)

How to analyze ghost videos using critical thinking in 5 easy steps

The ever-present video camera is creating a new form of “paranormal” news. Anytime anything even slightly strange occurs on a video surveillance camera someone is likely to cry “ghost.” The local news media will swarm all over it and before you can say “WTF” they have chosen the most sensational nonsense to air. The video … Read moreHow to analyze ghost videos using critical thinking in 5 easy steps

The Enemy Within: How ghost hunters fail due to their own psyche

Investigating ghostly phenomena is actually a daunting challenge. The rational investigator must weed through bias, myth building, and historical facts. Yet they must maintain the ability to think critically through an assortment of possible natural explanations and follow a scientific methodology. Many, however, are defeated before they even get out of the gate. What mysterious … Read moreThe Enemy Within: How ghost hunters fail due to their own psyche

Why it is easy to FAIL with Full Spectrum cameras.

As Inigo Montoya (of The Princess Bride, for you non-movie-geeks) might say, “Full Spectrum? You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” So, I will explain it. Full-spectrum photography is a subset of full spectral imaging, defined currently among photography enthusiasts as imaging with consumer cameras the … Read moreWhy it is easy to FAIL with Full Spectrum cameras.

Battery Drainage Phenomena…..BULLSHIT!!!!

The concept of Battery Drain phenomena comes from  a belief that is based solely in anecdotal statements by investigators in  the paranormal community. It is thought that equipment such as audio recorders, flashlights and other electronics will exhibit  a rapid drain in battery strength prior to the onset of paranormal activity. Although it has also … Read moreBattery Drainage Phenomena…..BULLSHIT!!!!

The Lodge at Cloudcroft, my opinions

The Lodge

The legend of Rebecca is built upon a foundation that is no more solid than the apparition that supposedly haunts the hotel. The biggest problem is the inability to link the supposed ghost to an actual person. Several years have been spent searching genealogical records, law enforcement records, and missing persons reports in an attempt to … Read moreThe Lodge at Cloudcroft, my opinions

Kelly Ghost Town, Analysis of Paranormal Claims

I, along with SGHA, conducted several investigation in the ghost town of Kelly. The major excursions were in 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2011. 2001/2003. The purpose of the investigations in 2001 and 2003 was to investigate the reports of “shadow figures” that were seen around the remnants of the mine. Observation teams were stationed around … Read moreKelly Ghost Town, Analysis of Paranormal Claims

Wool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (Skeptical conclusion of the haunting)

The first paranormal claim we decided to address was the apparition of a man in a cream-colored double-breasted suit. We had a hypothesis that this apparition was actually a customer that went backstage through the south curtain that covers the hallway next to the stage. Without having an employee watching the south curtain, it is … Read moreWool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (Skeptical conclusion of the haunting)

Changes to Rebecca’s ghost story. (The Lodge at Cloudcroft)

Sometimes realistic events can also shape and change legends. A good example of this is the story of Rebecca. As one researches the various ghost stories about Rebecca, you stumble across sudden changes in the myth as the story is told through the decades. The earliest variants say that Rebecca was buried in the dirt … Read moreChanges to Rebecca’s ghost story. (The Lodge at Cloudcroft)

Event replications, alternative explanations: St. James Hotel

A large part of the investigation process is to determine if the witnesses actually encountered something unusual but has a rational explanation. To accomplish this, we replicate the environment to create the same conditions as it was when the witness had their experience. Once this is accomplished we can then test various hypotheses to attempt … Read moreEvent replications, alternative explanations: St. James Hotel

The Lodge at Cloudcroft, looking for answers

the Lodge at Cloudcroft

In the beginning, the ghost stories of Rebecca were not told outside of the Lodge because previous owners believed that having a ghost would be bad for business. Therefore they kept the stories quiet. Buddy Ritter, who owned the lodge between 1959 to 1973 is quoted and an El Paso Times article on October 31st, 1984 … Read moreThe Lodge at Cloudcroft, looking for answers

Scientific Method, Belief Systems and World View

The scientific method is the best way yet discovered for separating the truth from lies and delusion. The simple version looks something like this: Observe some aspect of the universe.  Create a tentative description, called a hypothesis, which is consistent with what you have observed.  Use the hypothesis to make predictions.  Test those predictions by … Read moreScientific Method, Belief Systems and World View

Another clue about the “haunting” of the KiMo Theater

KiMO Stage

In 2006, the Travel Channel aired episode 20 of “Weird Travels.” The show has the employees of the KiMo Theater and  Albuquerque’s Mayor, Martin Chavez, telling the ghost story of Bobby. Below is the transcript of the television episode. It contains a slightly important clue that is vital to discovering the origin of the theater’s … Read moreAnother clue about the “haunting” of the KiMo Theater

Our Lady Of Guadalupe Chapel, Old Town Albuquerque (My Opinions of the Hauntings)

The few other reported “sightings” are typical of psychosomatic response episodes that are common in poorly lit areas. Additionally, all of evidence that the woman in black is a ghost is loosely based solely on the fact that she mysteriously vanishes. The chapel has a south doorway which is often left open in the warmer … Read moreOur Lady Of Guadalupe Chapel, Old Town Albuquerque (My Opinions of the Hauntings)

404 Charlevoix, Old Town Albuquerque (Alternative Explanations)

On occasion the sounds of the voices are preceded by the uneasy feeling that you are being watched. Sudden “breezes” of cold air have also been experienced near the counter. I was able to replicate the breezes of air. The phenomenon occurs as a result of the air flow through the building when the air … Read more404 Charlevoix, Old Town Albuquerque (Alternative Explanations)

The truth about ghost hunting. Sorting the hobbyists from the amateur researchers

Hobbies are practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. Engaging in a hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge, and experience. However, personal fulfillment is the aim. Almost no one can make a living at stamp collecting, but many people find it enjoyable; so it is commonly regarded as a hobby. While … Read moreThe truth about ghost hunting. Sorting the hobbyists from the amateur researchers

Casa de Fiesta Restaurant, Old Town Albuquerque (Paranormal Claims and Investigation)

Employees of the restaurant believe that they may have a ghost. Their typical otherworldly encounters fall include; Disembodied voices are often heard in the rear dining room and in the restrooms, kitchen items seeming turn on by themselves and are often found in places where they were not left, there are often sudden, strong changes … Read moreCasa de Fiesta Restaurant, Old Town Albuquerque (Paranormal Claims and Investigation)