Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by EVPI_Joni Bennett on December 9, 2008 at 5:14am

We like to ask permission to take photos too. I compare provoking to someone coming in my home, bugging the hell out me and they won't leave. It is about respect. I believe you should be civil because you don't know who you might piss off. And thank them when you leave.

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Permalink Reply by Tommy Golden on December 9, 2008 at 12:30pm

I am very, very, very careful when provocation is being used. My team attempt to connect with the spirit first while doing evp or spirit photography. We ask permission to record and take pictures...call us silly and old schoolers but it works. A new TV series ...not naming names... has come to the forefront with the provocation of spirits. I feel this is wrong and should only be used in extreme cases.

Having a producer breathing down your neck will make anyone do silly stuff. Not to mention that the editing team and production team have the right to edit as they feel fit.

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Permalink Reply by EVPI_Joni Bennett on December 9, 2008 at 4:32pm

fatdaddy002 said:

Robby,
The problem is that "provoking" makes for great television but it really makes no sense. I would rather have had an intelligent conversation with a spirit than trying to provoke a spirit into doing something strictly for ratings. One would make better conversation and then relay that conversation to the camera...to me (since I am a medium) is far, far more intelligent of the researcher and the staff of the show.



Good point. Sometimes you may have to return to a location more than once to get any kind of contact at all. What boring TV that would make.
Why is it that whenever some shows GAC (included) speak of the deceased, they always use hyberbole? "The ANGRY, entity", etc.

Shame on GAC for this type of immature behavior!

Al

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Permalink Reply by Fyre on December 13, 2008 at 12:22pm

I give workshops on Spirit Release Therapy, which includes understanding, not just how to release entities but, recognizing the different types of energy. I dislike when I hear the term 'ghost hunter' or about people kicking spirits out. More often then not, we are dealing with lost and frightened souls. And having worked with many less-than-nice-entities ... you don't antagonize. It's not a good idea to do so, as most people are not properly trained to deal with them. And those that are, know better. Many of these shows are for entertainment purposes and often don't reflect the true nature of the work. As for respectfulness ... I agree!!

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Permalink Reply by Absolute Paranormal on January 3, 2009 at 12:52pm

I just saw an episode of Ghost Adventures yesterday and they asked the spirit to make just one noise and if it made that one noise, they would leave the room. Well, it appeared that it made the noise, but instead of leaving as they promised, they continued to stay in the room and ask the spirit to do more things. I got upset at that because if you truly want the spirits to communicate with you, you need to give them the respect they deserve. If you promise something in response to their communication attempt, then you need to uphold your end.

I agree the shows have brought a lot of good into the paranormal community, but after watching more and more, I think they are doing more of a disservice to the general public. There are a lot of things being done or not being done on these shows that give a bad impression on how investigations should be conducted. I feel there should be more education available to the public about the variety of methods in which investigations are conducted (as not every group conducts investigations like others but being different does not mean that it is wrong.) I also feel that there are truly base guidelines/common sense that all groups should follow that also need to be communicated to the public.

Right now, I think the shows are after ratings and have forgotten what paranormal investigating is all about.

Just my personal opinions....
Debilee with Absolute Paranormal

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Permalink Reply by Paranormal Investigative Education & Research (PIER) on January 4, 2009 at 4:52am

Thank you, Robby, for starting this discussion!!!
I have VERY strong feelings, as some of you do, on this subject. As a few of you said in your replies, these are my personal views. They are not meant to knock on any others style, however, I believe the provacation on television HAS gotten WAY out of hand! Not only is it disrespectful to the "assumed spirt", it is down right un-called for. I agree that it makes, so called "good tv", but there is deffinately a limit, and I think that some not only push the limit, but cross over it. Provacation is used in our group as the very last resort, and even then, we try to stay respectful! To shout curse words out, and name call, to me, is disrespectful! As EVPI_Joni Bennett said, "I compare provoking to someone coming in my home, bugging the hell out me and they won't leave." And to me, that is EXACTLY what it is! I found this on a website, and think it is fitting... "The trick with provocation is to get them out of their rut rather than drive them further in. If they are too confused by you, they will mentally run away." This is ALL too true. Provocation should be encouraging, instead of exciting anger. With an unknown "spirt", or "force", the last thing we should want is anger! I could ramble all day! So please let me leave you with this... This is from a thesaurus (please pay attention to some of these words). Words for "provocation": bothering, cause, harassment, incentive, incitement, inducement, initiation, instigation, insult, irking, irritation, motivation, motive, provoking, reason, stimulus, taunt, vexation, vexing...
Doesn't it just seem un-friendly... ?

Michael @ PIER

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Permalink Reply by Judy on March 11, 2009 at 3:38pm

Respectfullness will certainly get you further with anyone, faster than any other approach. At times it may become necessary to be quite firm with spirit entities in terms of their interference with earth plane situations. But for the most part spirit will move on when they are enlightened about any situation.

God bless, J

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Permalink Reply by Tommy Golden on March 15, 2009 at 11:20am

Some investigators in the field are only concerned about results! I have found you get better results with honey v/s..well you know. Negative actions gets negative results, plan and simple.

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Permalink Reply by Dragonfly on March 20, 2009 at 12:55am

I watched the pilot to Ghost Adventure. The part where he sat in the tub and taunting the spirit who commited suicide was out out line.
Then I gave them the benefit of the doubt due to their evidence from the pilot which was very profound.
After awhile, I started watching their first season and I was sick to my stomach. I removed that show off from my DVR recordings. I'm no longer interested in watching tough men with muscles provoking spirits in a crude fashion. GAC is not at all appealing to me anymore. If I was a spirit and those guy are around, I would drop kick them in the groin.

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Permalink Reply by S.O.S. Tidewater Paranormal on March 20, 2009 at 10:31am

This made me giggle a bit.. " I would drop kick them in the groin."

Yeah I don't like the provoking stuff either :-)

Dragonfly said:

I watched the pilot to Ghost Adventure. The part where he sat in the tub and taunting the spirit who commited suicide was out out line.
Then I gave them the benefit of the doubt due to their evidence from the pilot which was very profound.
After awhile, I started watching their first season and I was sick to my stomach. I removed that show off from my DVR recordings. I'm no longer interested in watching tough men with muscles provoking spirits in a crude fashion. GAC is not at all appealing to me anymore. If I was a spirit and those guy are around, I would drop kick them in the groin.

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Permalink Reply by Julianne McClain on May 1, 2009 at 6:34am

GREAT TOPIC...provoking is dangerous in a demonic situation and just plain mean in a human situation...these are people without bodies...some may be negative as they were in life, but still people. There is no call for being mean and disrespectful to them...If someone talked to me like that I would either ignore them and not give them what they wanted...evidence or if I was a mean spirited (no pun intended) person/spirit...I might get mean....Like stated earlier many of the earthbound are scared, unsure and need help...how nice to have someone screaming at you when you are scared as it is...I don't believe provocation should ever be used....just my opinion....treat them with respect and usually you will recieve the same. Talk to them, explain what you are doing, let them know you want to help them...then see what you get...of course you may need to be firm with those that are causing problems for the living....but if they are intelligent human spirits communication..open and honest is the best way to deal with them...again just my opinion...

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Permalink Reply by Jamie Kyser on May 1, 2009 at 4:01pm

In my opinion, everyone that starts to provoke should look at it like this. Only say what you would say to a person face to face, would you intentionally hurt his or her feelings? or anger them, just to get a reaction?

"ghosts were people too" I think is what needs to be at the front of your mind when provoking, I've seen
Dr.Hunter get fantastic results by simply sitting down, and talking to them like they were planning a weekend grill-out with friends, and then going to go grab a cold one at the local watering hole, In other words treating them like a person, with feelings, emotions, memories. And talking to them as such seems to calm them and encourage them to react more with him. So next time instead of "is there anyone here with us" , try "hey there, we've come here to visit with you for a while" Talk to them like its your best friend standing there, and avoid the "3 rd person" references when speaking to others on your teams. Just give it a try, i'd be happy to hear some results. (I give Dr.Hunter credit for all of the above, its "standard" on his investigations, and his ideas)

Just my 2 cents, thanks!

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