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Date / Time: 1/4/2009 4:34 PM UTC

A Response To An Article About "Unity" In The Paranormal

Here is the original author and article from whofortedblog.com-

A Case Against "Paranormal Unity"

By Tony Hart-Wilden • December 15, 2008

We all have our own opinions on what credible evidence is, and what methods to use in paranormal research, and some of it not only has no common ground, but is also a completely opposing viewpoint. "Choose your side even if you're the only one on it".

Just as in mainstream politics, although we may listen to the views of an opposing candidate, we don't lend our support to them, paranormal research shouldn't be any different. One paranormal investigator showing unity with another merely because they are a paranormal investigator is like a Democratic candidate showing unity with a Republican because they happened to be a politician.

Unconditional paranormal unity is counter productive; it is just an ill-thought-out buzz word. Why show unity with people that continually post false or easily discredited evidence or demonstrate questionable investigative methods? It reflects badly on anyone that associates with them. Not only should you not be unifying with them, you should be actively working against them and the negativity that they promote.

Respect needs to be earned, not automatically given without justification. This is the only way that credibility can be restored to the paranormal field, not by mutual toleration of everyone's ideologies no matter how illogical or scientifically invalid they are. And if you can't take personal criticism of your own beliefs, what that really means is that you haven't enough evidence to justify them, not just to others, but more importantly to yourself. If you have one opinion and someone else has another which contradicts yours, you clearly think that the other person is wrong. And presumably the other person believes they are right and you are wrong.

As we obviously don't all agree on the methodology, objectives and techniques regarding paranormal investigation, we can't all be right, but the people with evidence to back up their statements are going to be "more right" then someone that can't. This doesn't mean that people aren't entitled to an opinion; everyone is, including the other person that believes that an opinion is wrong.

The mainstream scientific communities aren't all united in one method and theory, and it's the diversity and the conflict that is created as a result, that has enabled some of their greatest advancements. It is disunity that pits one set of ideologies against another and gives each the incentive to attempt to prove their own beliefs, over that of someone else's. The battles to prove germ theory, nuclear fusion, and evolution, were fought and won, not through mutual cooperation but through a war of words and technology backed up with evidence. Each conclusion reached ultimately not as a result of propaganda, but because it was the best method to solve the problem presented. In both instances alternative explanations and methods were met with strong opposition, but it was people working not only to promote their own opinions, but actively working to disprove the opinions of others that caused such breakthroughs. In paranormal investigation it is about applying the best tools to the job and some of the tools simply don't fit.

It is not merely a numbers game; it is about the credibility of the evidence being presented. If you wish to follow scientific protocol regarding the paranormal, part of that process is peer review. If you have a public presence, even if that is just a website then the general public become your peers whether you wish them to or not. In many cases they may choose to reject the evidence presented because it is poorly researched, of questionable validity or defies logic. Most of the general public are not scientists, but they can accept and understand science when it is presented to it, because of the logic of the methods behind it, and the credibility of those that do the research. Logic and credibility are traits that cross many barriers, but the consequence is that when it is missing, the entire community it originates from will suffer as a result.

Paranormal individuality doesn't mean you can't research and exchange information with others, but it does mean you can be selective what method, theory and evidence you chose to accept. And it won't stop you from listening to other people's opinions and ideas, if you did that, how could you possibly criticize them? How much of joining, a family, network, or crew, is actually just a propaganda tool for the people that started them. And when it's related to a group that has a T.V show, or puts on high profile events, who actually joins for the unity and who joins for the reflected glory? Instead of relying on someone else to open doors for you, why not try to open them yourselves ? When your not bound by anyone else's rules or protocols you can still learn from them, but only if you chose to do so, rather then having them inflicted upon you by being a member of a group that imposes them.


Here is my response-



I think all unity, like this perspective, is mostly of the individual's ideas. And "individual" can mean a person or group perspective. That itself holds it's own paradigm of understanding on those particular scales of thought. To say unity in general is not good, that's just being a shade of ignant!

Ignant I mean in the most base of the word's definition. To Ignore. Ignore the fact that in every aspect of our consciousness is all about "unity". From family to Friends. From employee to company. From Company to Economy. Economy to Government. Ah! We come to government in in the second paragraph. LOL, some "unity" brought us to this point. But, as we can see "unity" is involved in any aspect. So, most definitely it is involved with government and choices. Money! That unifies politicians together. Power! That also unifies individuals. I say individuals cause you don't have to be a politician to desire these as well. Not even really a need to choose sides when you got something that will "unify" you.

I don't think I need to go deeper in the paranormal aspect of unity. Just like everything in life, we are compelled with being part of something. You're gonna have pros and cons. If humans are involved in anything, you're gonna have duality in any aspect from physical to metaphysical. Take that last sentence and let that marinate in your thoughts for a long time!

In the "scientific" aspect of things. As we went over previously, humans will always add "pros and cons" in some thought process. But, science is what bridges the gap with everything. Through our advancements in sciences, we have come closer to the "The Unified Theory"! Ever heard of "Quantum Mechanics"? That itself is just scratching the layer of understanding the sub-atomic world. So, I think "unity" is something what the scientific community really wants. I would hope so! That would be sad if we didn't share our experiences with one another. In any community at that!

But, sharing experiences and data was not really the argument of this writer's perspective on "unity". It was really in judgment of one's credibility and methods. Which partially is true. You don't have to unite with someone because of how they operate. But, that is not the case entirely, some of our family, friends and coworkers would not necessarily be involved in aspects of our lives. Which brings us back to the individuals perspective on "unity".

So, it's how we look at "unity". Well, maybe we need to go back with thinking like scientists. Since they have come up with this "Unified Field Theory" thingy. We are scientists you know!? I mean experiencing and reacting is learning. And sometimes we ignore what we experience. Ignorance- "what a damn ego trip!" We just need to become more "aware"!

Unity needs a base. We find truth when everything can fit together to make the big picture. Education! Becoming aware of "Quantum Mechanics" just might bridge the gap! It involves everything! Holds no judgment! Can't help usher in a new thought process on a stagnant pseudo-science. New Year. New Hope!

Justin Villarreal
Founder of L.C.G.H.
lakecountyghosthunters@yahoo.com
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/LCGH
http://www.myspace.com/lakecountyghosthunters
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/LCGH

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