Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal ResearchersIn the 21st century, reality television and the Internet have fed public interest in ghosts, UFOs, cryptozoology and other unusual phenomena. By 2010, roughly 2000 amateur research and investigation groups formed in the U.S.--ghost hunters, Bigfoot chasers and UFO researchers, using an array of (supposedly) scientific equipment and methods to prove the existence of the paranormal. American culture's honorific regard for science, coupled with the public's unfamiliarity with scientific methods, created a niche for self-styled paranormal experts to achieve national renown without scientific training or credentials. The author provides a comprehensive examination of the ideas, missions and methods promoted by these passionate amateurs. |
Contents
1 | |
5 | |
13 | |
2 The Paranormal in Popular Culture | 27 |
3 Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Investigators | 45 |
Bigfoot and Other Cryptids | 56 |
5 UFO Spotters | 69 |
6 Twentyfirst Century ARIGs | 81 |
9 ARIG Portrayal of Science to the Public | 132 |
10 Methods and Evidence | 156 |
11 Inquiry and Investigation | 180 |
12 Pseudoscience | 187 |
Beyond the Veil | 201 |
Ghost Hunting Guidebooks | 221 |
Chapter Notes | 231 |
235 | |
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Scientifical Americans: The Culture of Amateur Paranormal Researchers Sharon A. Hill Limited preview - 2017 |