Poll: Ghosts.

[mightybozz]

Most ghost experiences are explained by an understanding of how human sensory systems work, specifically hearing and sight. The brain doesn't recieve a faithful photograph of what is in front of us from the eyes. The brain produces a constantly updated model, updated by coded pulses along the optic nerve. The brain essentially simulates what is out there. That is why optical illusions work: the sense data that the brain recieves is compatible with two different versions of reality (for example in those pictures where you can see an old woman or a young womamn in the same image). The same goes for the ears - the sound is not faithfully transported to the brain, but only turned into signals that the brain interprets and simulates.

Understanding this shows how ghost sightings and similar illusions can appear utterly real. I remember as a child being utterly convinced that my dressing gown was gently writhing on hook on the back of the door. But I never thought it was a ghost at the time, just something odd that probably wasn't real. Now I'm older I know the probable reason why that illusion was in front of me. I'd be happy to accept a supernatural explanation for it, if there were any evidence, but I see none and therefore accept the empirical explanation.

 

[mightybozz]

Most ghost experiences are explained by an understanding of how human sensory systems work, specifically hearing and sight. The brain doesn't recieve a faithful photograph of what is in front of us from the eyes. The brain produces a constantly updated model, updated by coded pulses along the optic nerve. The brain essentially simulates what is out there. That is why optical illusions work: the sense data that the brain recieves is compatible with two different versions of reality (for example in those pictures where you can see an old woman or a young womamn in the same image). The same goes for the ears - the sound is not faithfully transported to the brain, but only turned into signals that the brain interprets and simulates.

Understanding this shows how ghost sightings and similar illusions can appear utterly real. I remember as a child being utterly convinced that my dressing gown was gently writhing on hook on the back of the door. But I never thought it was a ghost at the time, just something odd that probably wasn't real. Now I'm older I know the probable reason why that illusion was in front of me. I'd be happy to accept a supernatural explanation for it, if there were any evidence, but I see none and therefore accept the empirical explanation.

 

[mightybozz]

Most ghost experiences are explained by an understanding of how human sensory systems work, specifically hearing and sight. The brain doesn't recieve a faithful photograph of what is in front of us from the eyes. The brain produces a constantly updated model, updated by coded pulses along the optic nerve. The brain essentially simulates what is out there. That is why optical illusions work: the sense data that the brain recieves is compatible with two different versions of reality (for example in those pictures where you can see an old woman or a young womamn in the same image). The same goes for the ears - the sound is not faithfully transported to the brain, but only turned into signals that the brain interprets and simulates.

Understanding this shows how ghost sightings and similar illusions can appear utterly real. I remember as a child being utterly convinced that my dressing gown was gently writhing on hook on the back of the door. But I never thought it was a ghost at the time, just something odd that probably wasn't real. Now I'm older I know the probable reason why that illusion was in front of me. I'd be happy to accept a supernatural explanation for it, if there were any evidence, but I see none and therefore accept the empirical explanation.

 

[Fbuh]

I can honestly say that I have had more than one experience with the supernatural world, and it is something that still always jumps out at you (not literally of course).

 

[mightybozz]

Most ghost experiences are explained by an understanding of how human sensory systems work, specifically hearing and sight. The brain doesn't recieve a faithful photograph of what is in front of us from the eyes. The brain produces a constantly updated model, updated by coded pulses along the optic nerve. The brain essentially simulates what is out there. That is why optical illusions work: the sense data that the brain recieves is compatible with two different versions of reality (for example in those pictures where you can see an old woman or a young womamn in the same image). The same goes for the ears - the sound is not faithfully transported to the brain, but only turned into signals that the brain interprets and simulates.

Understanding this shows how ghost sightings and similar illusions can appear utterly real. I remember as a child being utterly convinced that my dressing gown was gently writhing on hook on the back of the door. But I never thought it was a ghost at the time, just something odd that probably wasn't real. Now I'm older I know the probable reason why that illusion was in front of me. I'd be happy to accept a supernatural explanation for it, if there were any evidence, but I see none and therefore accept the empirical explanation.

 

[Snotnarok]

There's no scientific proof, I've never seen one. Just because a lot of people believe in something doesn't make them right.

 

[Woodsey]

No. If you're dead you're dead - and I'm yet to be proved other wise.

 

[Rafe]

Some researchers, such as Professor Michael Persinger (Laurentian University, Canada), have speculated that changes in geomagnetic fields (created, e.g., by tectonic stresses in the Earth's crust or solar activity) could stimulate the brain's temporal lobes and produce many of the experiences associated with hauntings. This theory has been tested in various ways. Some scientists have examined the relationship between the time of onset of unusual phenomena in allegedly haunted locations and any sudden increases in global geomagnetic activity. Others have investigated whether the location of alleged hauntings is associated with certain types of magnetic activity. Finally, a third strand of work has involved laboratory studies in which stimulation of the temporal lobe with transcerebral magnetic fields has elicited subjective experiences that strongly parallel phenomena associated with hauntings.


I took this from wikipedia so save me writing it in my own words

 

[Azraellod]

i think that they could be real, and indeed i think i see people i knew that are now dead occasionally.

but then my imagination for that sort of thing is quite strong, and i'm probably mistaken most of the time.

gets creepy when i see people i don't know though...

 

[Angus565]

I do kind of believe in ghosts but I've never had an encounter. I don't trust shows about people hunting ghosts though because with all editing that can be done now It's hard to trust anything 100% on TV.

 

[garjian]

i REEEEEEEEALLY want ghosts to exist...
then afterlife exists...

then dying wouldn't be the end... and maybe life would'nt've been so pointless...

hm... :\

 

[sirdanrhodes]

Wow, I didn't need my flame suit. I think that they aren't real to be totally honest.

 

[Archer147]

Absolutely not, it's physically impossible, not to mention fucking retarded.

wow. you seem friendly.

there are multiple theories for the existence of ghosts. look them up before you go calling scientific theories fucking retarted.

Pseudo-science is not science, and you should learn the difference between a theory and a hypothesis.

fair enough, i'll give you that one. you're still a dick though

 

[Logic 0]

Why else would people get scared in museums.

 

[Antlers]

your confusing my open-mindedness with the pointlessness of absolutes given by the intellectually arrogant. the foolishness of anyone thinking they know anything absolutely is absurd, annoying, and to be laughed at. its merely convenient for you to dismiss the fact that anything is possible even the unprovable and convenience isn't intelligence as snobby as some convenient thinkers may be its just easy.

I'm reprimanding you for not quoting properly as if someone else hadn't quoted me on this page I never would've seen this. However, it's an easy mistake so i'll forgive you.

Now, could people on this forum stop bloody trying to talk like Shakespeare all the time? I had to read your post 3 times and I still couldn't make complete sense of it.

What I meant was saying 'well anything's possible' is just... meaningless. Science never claims to know everything. Science allows for the tiniest possibility that even the most bizarre claims are possible (though often proves otherwise). Only stupid people think they know one thing 100% for sure.

That's all I was saying, and I assume that's not what you thought I was saying, because if it is your reply makes no sense.

 

[Antlers]

Care to actually answer any of the questions no?

OK, OK, Antlers. All flaming aside, I do have some answers for you.

One, I did answer your question about whether I actually believe. I had to think about it, but yes, I do. Why do I have to decide one way or the other anyway? Mainly I believe that emotions have lasting effects on the environment. I'm a little leery of quantum mechanics, but they do seem to confirm my belief. If emotions really do have an effect on the surrounding environment, then there's a lot of energy being left behind. I think that may be what people see as ghosts.

Two, I don't really think people should hunt ghosts. I'd like to see universities give serious scientific looks at these sorts of phenomena and see if there really is a link between all the various things believers state to be evidence of the existence of ghosts. Then we might get an answer... but I'm not sure if we have the tech right now to make unbiased scientific conclusions about all purported supernatural activity.

Alright fair enough. You did answer the questions.

Just for extra clarity for me though, are you saying that ghost hunting is the wrong way to go about things? And that's where your problem lies? I thought from your first post that you were saying the methods they use for ghost hunting are all just made up for the camera. I think I may have misunderstood.

 

[PrototypeC]

Alright fair enough. You did answer the questions.

Just for extra clarity for me though, are you saying that ghost hunting is the wrong way to go about things? And that's where your problem lies? I thought from your first post that you were saying the methods they use for ghost hunting are all just made up for the camera. I think I may have misunderstood.

I'd like to go ghost hunting myself, but mostly because I like old buildings and photographing them. Ghost hunting is a fun thing to do; but it is NOT SCIENTIFIC. I'm so bored of this thread though... it's too depressing to think about. I guess it's one of those things up there with religion and politics.

 

[Shadowfaze]

Not ghosts per se, but my friend used a ouiji board in his house, and it got so wierd that he had to move house. stuff moving, voices, appliances turning themselves on, but the wierdest one was his mirror- it steamed up, but his shower was not on, and someone had scribbled on it, behind a locked door. (he was on the loo playing psp when he noticed it.)

 

[Overlord_Dave]

Although I'm afraid I don't have a link to cite this...

Recent studies have shown that by manipulating magnetic fields on people, several common effects can be produced, such as making them think there's someone else in the room, out of body experiences, mysterious touching, feeling cold etc...

Also, many supposedly haunted areas areas are at points where the Earth's magnetic field lines are strongest.

So in other words, it's probably all in people's heads, caused by EM fields. That's my opinion.