A call for para-unity

     It's no secret the paranormal research field is a controversial one. The debate over whether or not paranormal activity is real or not is extremely polarizing. On a daily basis teams are faced with skepticism and criticism. Critics can be downright mean. It's not unheard of for a team to be called frauds or scam artists. NHPI has been attacked in this manner several times... and we are not alone.
     Teams are criticized on a daily basis and it's an absolute shame. Our primary goal as paranormal investigators and researchers is to help people. We're out there to help anyone and everyone who is experiencing paranormal activity. At the end of the day we all share the same goal. And, in a perfect world all the teams would work together toward that common objective. Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world. 
     All too often individual team members and even entire teams turn on each other. There are seemingly endless postings on social media sites calling each other frauds, scam artists, or worst of all... personal attacks. There is absolutely no place for any of it. We are all in this together, and in order for our field to grow, thrive, and gain credibility, teams have to work as one... not against each other. 
     Paranormal unity and open communication among teams is crucial to the success and survival of this amazing field of ours, so I would ask each and every one of you to stop and think before you do or say something negative about one of your peers... stop and think about the greater good.

Paranormal Investigatiing... made for TV?

     It's nearly impossible to turn on your TV these days without seeing what seems like a never-ending selection of paranormal shows. This trend started back in 2004 when Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, two friends working for Roto-Rooter, brought The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) to Syfy. Although the first season only consisted of ten episodes, the show became a hit and is currently in the midst of it's ninth season. Inspired by the success of Ghost Hunters, there were soon other shows on the airwaves including: Paranormal State, Paranormal Witness, and Destination Truth.
      It could be argued at first, these shows helped the field of paranormal research gain mainstream exposure and maybe even helped the field earn some credibility. There's no doubt in my mind the success of Ghost Hunters and, to a lesser extent, the other shows, allowed our field to grow in leaps and bounds. But now, ten years since Jason and Grant took to the airwaves, I believe paranormal TV has outlived it's usefulness. These shows seem to now focus too much on entertainment and making people jump out of their seats than on finding answers and helping people. I remember many early episodes of Ghost Hunters where they would barely obtain any evidence of paranormal activity and instead focus on finding logical explanations for claims made by clients.
    Now it's the complete opposite. Please don't misunderstand me, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the entire TAPS team, but their show is now actually hurting the paranormal research field. Too many times I'm asked if what NHPI does is "like those guys on TV." People now assume what they see on SyFy is what a standard paranormal investigation is like. Yes, it's true we use some of the same equipment and employ many of the methods demonstrated on the show but our investigations have and will always emphasize disproving claims made by our clients, not "ghost hunting." There's a huge difference between investigating and hunting... but that debate is for another time.

-Sarah Caputo-
California Director
New Hampshire Paranormal Investigators
    

Voices from the Past

      

    Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky opened in 1910 as a tuberculosis hospital, and closed in 1962, Waverly Hills is well known for it's turbulent past. It is also known as one of the most haunted places anywhere. For years paranormal researchers and enthusiasts have flocked to this historically significant building in search of answers.
     But now, there is trouble on the horizon for Waverly Hills. Plans have been drafted and approved to convert it into a four-star hotel "catering to the haunted hotel crowd." There are some serious flaws with that plan. First and foremost, the "haunted hotel" crowd are nothing but thrill seekers who are just looking for a "scare" instead of serious researchers looking for answers and information. The real researchers will be driven away by the tourists. Second, there are many well-documented cases of renovations in historic buildings stirring up angry, and potentially harmful spirits and entities. A massive project such as the one proposed for Waverly Hills is sure to do just that... putting employees, construction workers, and above all, guests at risk.
     It is becoming all too common a trend for historic buildings to be modified or torn down to make way for "progress." Waverly Hills cannot be allowed to become another casualty of this trend. Places like it must be preserved for future generations to learn from. The harsh truth is, we are doomed to repeat history if we do not learn from it. Having Waverly Hills preserved in it's original state is vital. Future paranormal researchers must be allowed to investigate and attempt to unearth it's secrets in order to prevent the atrocities committed there from ever being repeated.
     We must preserve our history and learn from it... not destroy it to make way for "progress."