7 minute video about ghosts

In summary: Originally posted by Lonewolf What does a ghost actually look like? Simple. Take a large white bedsheet, cut two eyeholes in them, then go roaming the neighborhood mugging them of their... ectoplasm.
  • #1
Ivan Seeking
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Obviously we don't know anything about the credibility of these videos and pictures. This is just for your entertainment folks.

Requires flash:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/ghosts.html
 
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  • #2
A lot of the pictures were just examples of apophenia. A few looked like double exposures to me (although I'm not a photographic expert).

None of the pictures were particularly impressive. Still, it was almost amusing.
 
  • #3
master_coda,

I must bow to you or introducing me to the word "apophenia". Recently, I needed this word badly but did not know it existed. I have been trying to explain this phenomenon to people by explaining the effect discovered by Russian filmmaker, Eisenstein, who found that if he showed someone photographs of two unrelated people at the same time, they would assume a connection and speculate as to what it was.

Here is a detailed discussion of apophenia I found in The Skeptic's Dictionary:

apophenia
Address:http://skepdic.com/apophenia.html
 
  • #4
Originally posted by zoobyshoe
master_coda,

I must bow to you or introducing me to the word "apophenia". Recently, I needed this word badly but did not know it existed. I have been trying to explain this phenomenon to people by explaining the effect discovered by Russian filmmaker, Eisenstein, who found that if he showed someone photographs of two unrelated people at the same time, they would assume a connection and speculate as to what it was.

Here is a detailed discussion of apophenia I found in The Skeptic's Dictionary:

apophenia
Address:http://skepdic.com/apophenia.html

Interestingly enough, I learned that word from reading that website.
 
  • #5
Originally posted by master_coda
A lot of the pictures were just examples of apophenia. A few looked like double exposures to me (although I'm not a photographic expert).

None of the pictures were particularly impressive. Still, it was almost amusing.

What would be impressive? What does a ghost actually look like?

I would say that some look like examples of apophenia and many could have been double exposures. Since I don't know what a ghost might look like, its a little hard to judge.

Again, what would be impressive?
 
  • #6
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
What would be impressive? What does a ghost actually look like?

I would say that some look like examples of apophenia and many could have been double exposures. Since I don't know what a ghost might look like, its a little hard to judge.

Again, what would be impressive?

Good point...there isn't really anything that a flash video posted on the Net could have done that would have been impressive.

Still, I was hoping for something that wasn't filled with such obvious fakes.
 
  • #7
Originally posted by master_coda
Good point...there isn't really anything that a flash video posted on the Net could have done that would have been impressive.

Still, I was hoping for something that wasn't filled with such obvious fakes.

Yes, unfortunately there are obviously many hoaxes attached to nearly any fringe subject. Still, this is what annoys me if trying to evaluate anything like a photograph or video as such: If I did see a real ghost I would have no way to know.
 
  • #8
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
If I did see a real ghost I would have no way to know.
What happened to the good old ectoplasm test? If it looks like cotton, feels like cotton, and photographs like cotton, it's ectoplasm.
 
  • #9
Originally posted by zoobyshoe
What happened to the good old ectoplasm test? If it looks like cotton, feels like cotton, and photographs like cotton, it's ectoplasm.

ecto what?

Have you been chanting and playing your drums again?
 
  • #10
What happened to the good old ectoplasm test?

Isn't that the green goopy stuff in Ghostbusters?
 
  • #11
Originally posted by Lonewolf
Isn't that the green goopy stuff in Ghostbusters?
That's the new version. In the 1880s when they first discovered it was possible to photograph ectoplasm, it bore a strong resemblence to unspun cotton wool. For some reason.
 
  • #12
I think there was some kind of gooey stuff used as well. I remember one photo that shows a big stream of liquid ectoplasm coming out of this guy’s [maybe a woman’s] nose. It looked very viscous and was really quite disgusting. In Ghost Busters, Bill Murray got “slimed” by green ectoplasm.
 
  • #14
Originally posted by zoobyshoe
Speaking of which: ectoplasm at its finest:

"Science vs. Seance" Spirit Photographs from the American Museum of Photography
Address:http://www.photographymuseum.com/doylefalg.html

I'd say that looks like cotton. I would imagine the one I'm thinking of used whipped cream or something similar.
 
  • #15
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
What does a ghost actually look like?

Simple. Take a large white bedsheet, cut two eyeholes in them, then go roaming the neighborhood mugging them of their candy.
 
  • #16
So, what's ectoplasm supposed to be? And what does it coming out of that guy's nose represent? Looks rather unpleasant...
 
  • #17
A little googling...

ectoplasm
Ectoplasm is the stuff oozing from ghosts/spirits which makes it possible for them to materialize and perform feats of telekinesis. For some strange reason, ectoplasm is often not visible to the naked eye but appears in photographs. This may be due to the fact that most cameras are more sensitive to the spirit world than most people. Or, it may be due to a number of physical factors having to do with reflection, refraction, film processing, and other natural phenomena usually ignored by the truly psychic. [continued]

http://skepdic.com/ectoplasm.html

It is said that ectoplasm is the reason that ghosts can materialize. The reason that this residue is visible is because it gives spirits a physical link to the corporeal world. Many cases of ectoplasmic residue often mark a strange appearance or physical disturbance in a haunted area. For this reason, when ectoplasm is spotted, specialists in spirit divination and ghost tracking are called. Ectoplasm has also been known to come from the body of a "medium," or a person acting as a bridge to channel with the spirit world. Photographic pictures along these lines will include shadows or fog around a medium's stomach, heart, mouth ears or nose. In some cases, ectoplasm can even come from a living person, as can be seen in eighteenth-century photos.

For as many objets of "proof" that exist, there are also a great deal of shams. In the twentieth-century divining rooms that sprung up during the Spiritualist movement, seances were often held for members of the public. During these rituals, webs and pieces of gauzy fabric were covered with flourescent paint and glowing materials to create fake ectoplasm. Sometimes liquid was released in an effort to create tears or rain by spirits. Sometimes this cloth or liquid would be dropped from the ceiling, and pulled back up before the end of the seance. Visitors would be warned not to touch the "spirit residue," lest they come to grave harm. Since seances were often held in the dark, an unknowing public was awed and taken in by feats that they could not explain.

http://inin.essortment.com/whatisectoplas_rkki.htm [Broken]

Personally, although I do have reason to seriously consider ghost phenomena, I have little to no reason to consider the existence of ectoplasm.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #18
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
...I have little to no reason to consider the existence of ectoplasm.
Astral mucous. Who needs it?
 

What is a "7 minute video about ghosts"?

A "7 minute video about ghosts" is a short video that typically explores the topic of ghosts and their existence. It may include footage or stories of alleged ghost sightings, interviews with experts or witnesses, or explanations of scientific theories about ghosts.

Are these videos based on real events?

It depends on the specific video. Some may be based on real events and evidence, while others may be fictional or based on rumors and speculation. It is important to critically evaluate the credibility and sources of information presented in these videos.

Are these videos scientifically accurate?

No, these videos are not necessarily scientifically accurate. Many of them present theories and beliefs that are not supported by scientific evidence. It is important to approach these videos with a critical and skeptical mindset.

Can these videos be used as evidence for the existence of ghosts?

No, these videos cannot be used as legitimate evidence for the existence of ghosts. As scientists, we require robust and verifiable evidence to support any claims, and these videos do not meet this standard.

What is the purpose of these videos?

The purpose of these videos is typically to entertain and intrigue viewers with the topic of ghosts. They may also aim to persuade viewers of the existence of ghosts, but as scientists, we encourage critical thinking and evaluating evidence before accepting any claims.

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