“We’re here to prove the existence of ghosts.”

I swear, if I hear or read the above statement again, or any of its nauseating permutations, I’m going to scream!

A show of hands: who here remembers anything from their high school science classes? I’m talking about real lab classes with real experimentation.  Anyone?

I don’t exactly see a sea of hands out there. Given the state of the paranormal field today, that doesn’t surprise me too much. So, for those of you sitting on your hands and hoping not to get called on, allow me to present a refresher course on the scientific method, truncated down to a single paragraph:

The scientific method consists of gathering observable and empirical data, then proposing a hypothesis for the review of one’s peers.  All experiments must be conducted objectively, and must be well-documented, shared, and repeatable.  A hypothesis must pass multiple tests (by multiple researchers) before it can be considered a theory.  It must be even more thoroughly vetted before it may be considered scientific law.

Well, then.

We, as researchers of the various types of anomalous phenomena we like to refer to as “Paranormal”, are bound to a conscientious adherence to objectivity. We have to separate ourselves and our emotions from the experiment.  We must maintain a strong scientific detachment. This objectivity precludes us from making statements to the effect that we are here to prove something based on what we want to be true.

I understand what it’s like to stand on a precipice, below which lies a new scientific paradigm.  I understand the desire to justify our endless hours spent in the pursuit of answers.   I understand the drive to find the perfect piece of evidence that will bring what we do to the attention of the masses and pull the merry band of fools and daydreamers we call colleagues out from the fringes of science and society and into the mainstream.  These are my dreams too.

I wholeheartedly encourage investigation, experimentation and gathering endless amounts of data with gusto.  But if we are to do this, we must do it right.  We will never prove anything, so long as we have something to prove.

“No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; a single experiment can prove me wrong.”

-Albert Einstein