Exhibits, Shows and Displays

How do you think reality tv shows affect the general population's view of paranormal activity and research?

In particular I am referring to shows that promote themselves as reality shows, such as Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, Psychic Kids etc. I am not referring to marketed fiction like Twilight. So what are your thoughts, how do you think these shows affect the general population's views of paranormal activity and paranormal research?

Public Comments

1. There is always Believers Non Belivers and Skeptics no matter what they show on t.v. T.v. also creates "Fads" . So right now Ghosts are " IN " Fads create tall tales by children/teens/ and sadly most adults as well just so they can look cool or act like a know it all on the subject. The more the tv can push the interest the more money they be making. right now most the shows are fake as hell. ghost hunters is good tho. its the best one on.
2. This is an excellent question and as such it has no simple answer. Reality shows are of course the hot ticket right now and so shows about the paranormal (and everything else) used this opportunity to cash in. Older shows like "In Search Of" while more skeptical were in my opinion better about presenting the evidence (and gathering it) in a more scientific manner. In general I think the public believes that all there is to paranormal research is ghost hunting rather than the extensive study of psi inside and outside of the professional parapsychology community. I believe the public is also left with the impression that there is a high percentage chance of finding some unexplained activity at reported haunted locations when the truth is generally nothing is found. I think the public is left with the impression (especially from shows like ghost hunters academy) that they are showing the best (or most scientific) way to investigate paranormal phenomena when in fact most of the techniques are based on established tradition of amateur ghost hunters or created for the thrill of reality television. Of course the public (or any particular individual) might not come away with this view but it seems to me that is the message they are sending. Psiexploration
3. There's conflicting views on the subject, I think. I love that these shows are trying to open our minds to other-word type things and backing it with evidence. However, I hate that you're never too sure if the evidence itself is believable, and you know the people are only doing the show to make money off of dead people(which doesn't seem to ethical). It matters all on how you look at it personally.