July 18, 2008
GHI: Wellington Opera House
The Ghost Hunters International team continued their trip to New Zealand with an investigation at The Opera House in Wellington. One of the big stories about this place is that one of the architects is believed to have committed suicide on the premises. There is an arch within the theater that he supposedly killed himself under and it is considered bad luck to this day. The man, Albert Liddy, is purported to still haunt the theatre.
Adding to the mystique of the place, there were also no fewer than three bad accidents in the same theatre box. The team's host didn't provide much detail but if three serious accidents took place in one small area of the theatre and no where else (we don't know this last part for sure, but I'm saying "if") that's a coincidence worth looking into.
…and in fact it was where Andy and Robb began their night but I guess there was no debunking to be had because they were in and out of the box in two shakes of a reality show editor's tail. The night's real drama unfolded high above the stage on the catwalk, where Brian apparently didn't take long to transition from a standard EVP session into "provoking".
Andy described Brian's "provoking skills" as a "root canal without novacaine" for spirits. I think he meant that as a compliment but honestly — while I do enjoy Grant Wilson's occasional topical provoking (To dead confederate soldiers: "Are you mad because the north won?"), Brian's brand of provoking seems juvenile and toothless by comparison. At least, to me. His "technique" seems to amount to tossing out general insults into thin air as if there was an invisible ten year old who might take serious offense. Is he trying to reach the ghost of Marty McFly? What's-a-matter ghostie? Too CHICKEN to show yourself? If that actually worked I think we'd have clear, undeniable proof of the supernatural by now — no offense.
To steal a bit from Jon Stewart and every high school in America: GHI, you sometimes make me wish I had decided to watch Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles while repeatedly stabbing myself with a sewing needle instead — no offense.
Up on the catwalk Brian was taking photos and he took one of what he called a "big black mass" which he said was "coming off Dustin" and "enveloping Andy". Upon actually reviewing the photo I would say he took a photo with his finger over the flash — a theory Brian surprisingly acknowledged as a possibility, before seeming to change his mind. Also, Brian and Dustin were both wearing camouflage shirts. What's up with that?
Barry set his full-spectrum camera up on the balcony and Donna asked him to photograph the seats near her because she saw a number of flashes of light in the same area and was fairly confident it was not her eyes playing tricks. They didn't appear to catch anything, though.
The team did try something a bit new, they spread out all over the theater (but all in the main area within sight of each other) for a "full coverage" EVP session. Barry had one of those rare gem questions, he asked if there was a show later tonight. I can't elucidate why I like it, but it struck me as a very good question to be asking any theoretical disembodied spirit that may be "attached" to the theatre.
Brian, from his vantage point, said he heard 3 knocks in response to something that was said. Shortly thereafter Barry heard voices coming from a stairwell and went to investigate. While he was in the stairwell the lights went on seemingly by themselves. Barry pointed out that people had been up and down those stairs all night and this was the first time the lights had gone on.
Oddly, a few moments later we hear Robb (I think) saying that something set off a motion sensor in a stairway. So I guess there was a motion sensor in that stairway that wasn't aimed right or just wasn't sensitive enough to go off all the time? Doesn't seem very supernatural to me and Barry loses points on the oversell, especially since they just debunked motion sensors triggering lights at their prior New Zealand investigation of Larnach Castle.
Interestingly, the team's research turned up that Albert Liddy really had committed suicide at the threatre — although legend had him hanging himself under the arch and reality involved something closer to a gun and a back alley. Still, a bit unsettling. Regarding the small matter of evidence, the team produced only one meager EVP — but it was a good one, NAY, a great one! Not.
Sorry, I'm feeling a bit snarky today… but while they were up on the catwalk towards the beginning of the investigation Brian has asked, "Was that you that made that noise?" and there did appear to be a female voice whispering, "No." in immediate answer to him. Donna was determined to have been outside the theater at the time, leaving no (living) females to have possibly spoken. On the one hand it did seem fairly clear and a good EVP. On the other hand, it's only one syllable and could therefore more easily be something other than a voice — someone's pantlegs rubbing together for instance — but that's not really what I'm annoyed about.
No, what bothers me is far more geeky: The recording was captured on TWO separate devices. In theory, this disqualifies it as an EVP because an EVP is supposed to be a sound that isn't a sound. Rather than an actual audible signal, an EVP is "theorized" to be a spirit interfering with the EM field at the microphone level — so it should only ever be picked up on a single device. Anything that is picked up on more than one device is very likely an actual audible sound.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying ghosts can't make sounds. I don't know whether or not they can, what other abilities they may have or if they even exist. My point is only that this particular recording was very likely an actual, audible sound and therefore technically not an EVP. Then add in the possibility that someone's clothing rubbing together could conceivably sound like a whispered, "No" and you have an audio recording of an actual SOUND (not an EVP) that when heard "live" might have been correctly identified and dismissed as a normal background sound but on a cheap recorder suddenly it sounds like an answer to a question.
And Robb got EXCITED that this was captured on two different pieces of equipment. Andy agreed it was a "pretty good EVP". Essentially, to anyone who is trying to make science out of this non-science the fact that this was a one-syllable sound that appeared on two separate recording devices is immediate grounds for not filing it away under "really weak evidence" but Robb & Andy consider it really strong evidence, which basically proves there is no science going on here. Stuff means whatever you want it to mean, however you feel like interpreting it.
I know, some people are probably rolling their eyes thinking how could I get so hung up on such a silly little detail, but I think it's a rather important one. If you can't come up with a consistent set of rules to judge your evidence by, your conclusions are scientifically meaningless — and since I always hope to see some glimmer of scientific reasoning and methodology in these investigations… well let's just say I'd have preferred if they had dismissed this evidence and then subjected me to five full minutes of Brian yelling grade-school insults at a wall.
Filed under Ghost Hunters International, Posts by Logisti
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Comments on GHI: Wellington Opera House »
Jef @ 5:38 am
Geez Logisti, when you're snarky I find I have so little to add.
CrowTRobot @ 6:30 am
I'm glad you mentioned the 'EVP'. When Robb said they caught in on two devices (instead of just one), my "Wait-a-minute. I-think-I-read-something-about-that-on-Skeptical-Viewer" meter went off.
And as long as we're being snarky…
Robb. You're a grown man. Don't wear your cap backwards.
blinddog50 @ 8:33 am
I always love it when the owner, proprietor or whatever at the end of the show says how glad that GHI or GH brought their professionalism and scientific techniques to their locale.
Huh?
Have they not seen this show beforehand?
The only one I can give kudos to is Donna.
And that is for her researching abilities only.
Otherwise GHI reminds me of a group of high school kids spending the night at a "haunted" house on Halloween.
Oh, and I can't stand Barry and his "full" spectrum camera.
What is his determination of full spectrum?
DC to daylight, gamma rays, remnants of the big bang?
Logisti @ 8:48 am
To be fair I don't think Barry's the one who labeled the camera "full spectrum", I think that's from the manufacturer. He specified that it records IR, visible light and UV — although I suspect it only sees short wavelength IR and long wavelength UV.
The thing I find most compelling about it is this: Some animals see further into the IR or UV spectrum than humans can — so for them that extra bit *is* "visible light". Throw in a few stories about how someone's pet started acting weird and seemed to watch something (not visible) cross the room and you've got me sold on the idea that there might be something worth seeing that we just can't see on our own.
I think it's a good addition to the arsenal of investigatory tools — certainly better than the K2 meter or wireless audio recorders — and perhaps the most important benefit is that if Barry is the more time Barry spends operating that camera the less time he is spending doing things that are far less helpful to the investigation, like running away.
Brenda @ 8:50 am
Wow….I love this site! I enjoy all these shows and am continually dissapointed in them. But…I still watch in hopes of someone actually getting evidence that I find interesting. Just some comments: What is up with Robb's facial expressions when he talks..seems so unnatural. Why is Brian even still associated with these guys? I can't believe anything he says…and it seems that no one else does either. No one gets excited when Brian claims to see a shadow move or hears something. I always check out the other investigators expressions when Brian makes a claim…they never seem impressed. Also…why doesn't Steve ever take his hat off? Is he butt-bald? Who cares…..look at Jason…a look that suits him. Did GHI ever mention why Shannon is no longer there? She was getting pissy with Donna last season…was this the cause? Why oh Why don't they set up more cameras??? This is a successful show…they should have the budget to supply more cameras. Well, I guess that is enough for now. Again, I am really enjoying this site. I look forward to reading it as soon as a show ends. Keep up the good work!
Patrick @ 9:12 am
"If you can't come up with a consistent set of rules to judge your evidence by, your conclusions are scientifically meaningless "
Kind of like global warming!
This was the week I had finally decided to stop watching GHI and taping Monster Quest, to tape GHI, watch MQ live and only watch GHI if your post said something interesting happened. And lo and behold, MQ wasn't on because of some Batman special. So I watched this, and well, after a good start last week, it's back to being a "roll your eyes" show. For all the reasons you mention. Good work.
blinddog50 @ 11:30 am
Logisti,
I'll give you benefit of the doubt on Barry's camera.
Only so long as you didn't call him the science-based member of GHI.
As your mention of the extended light spectrum that animals can see I agree, especially with cats.
But the question I have is that with them having this ability since birth why would they freak when they see something different.
Taking the animal's point of view.
They look around, see their humans and think okay I see the ones that feed me and scratch my head and I see these other things.
Don't know what they are but I've seen them all my life and they pose no danger to me.
So long as they don't mess with my Kibbles & Bits…I'm cool.
As per your mention of the infamous K2 meter, it reminds me of something purchased at Toys R Us. Totally useless.
EVPS…the jury's still hung on that one.
They certainly hear more on their $39.95 recorders than I can hear on my home theater system.
Brenda, Brenda…What can I say?
Be prepared to continue to be disappointed.
If they had an encounter with a full(J&G's holy grail) or even a half bodied apparition viewed from multiple camera angles, interacted with it and was impossible to disprove.
It would be on the front page of the newspaper and Pilgrim be hyping the hell out of it.
It would be one the most watched tv episodes in history.
So unless you see earth shattering promos on Sci-Fi.
Well, I think you know what I mean.
Brenda, You mentioned Steve.
Why they keep him is around is beyond all logic to me.
They list him as "TECH" manager.
Which consists of duct taping IR cameras to shelves, running extension cords and plugging A/V wires into a dvr.
If you can turn on a computer and hook up your own tv you could do Steve's job.
So why do they drive two to three vans across the country traveling three to four days to get to California, Arizona etc.
When you can find someone else that's not afraid to fly and get there much sooner.
Not to mention the simpler logistics of flying as opposed to driving.
The logic escapes me.
Enlighten me all ye GH & GHI fanatics out there.
Where did this poor soul turn left when he should have turned right.
Bring me back to the altar of J&G.
It's been a long week.
Logisti @ 11:49 am
Patrick, you've inspired me to do a post on Global Warming
blinddog50, I think Steve brings some expertise to the tech manager position — he picks the location of the cameras and positions them for the best angles, etc. I'm sure he does a job worth being proud of — however from the perspective of why Jason & Grant keep him around I think the largest part of it is he's the guy who does all the grunt work (setting up, breaking down, carrying equipment, even reviewing the footage), he does it consistently and he doesn't complain. I'm sure Steve Gonsalves himself would never say it, but without him on the team Jay & Grant would actually have to work for a living.
blinddog50 @ 1:04 pm
Logisti,
I didn't want to imply Steve was not a valuable member of the team.
But the job that he has is not one that requires significant special skills.
At some point in time the liability of his fears will outweigh the benefits of his expertise.
But you're right I can't see J&G lowering themselves to the grunt work….after all they are the STARS.
But I ramble on….now where is my jar of green olives? Hmmm.
Logisti @ 1:53 pm
Sure, I think we're essentially in agreement and just painting it from different angles.
kingofseattle @ 5:21 pm
Logisti -
"Andy described Brian's "provoking skills" as a "root canal without novacaine" for spirits."
I still cannot understand how "provoking" does anything but raise the adrenaline level of those "provoking". I mean one has to leap over a few mountains of assumptions before being able to qualify its value/effect. IMHO.
"someone's pantlegs rubbing together for instance"
I'd have to listen again but before the "evidence" was tainted by GHI quick "nooo" interpretation, I thought it to be either cloths rubbing together or a foot drag (tennis shoe perhaps).
What continues to frustrate me is that one EVP (and some personal experiences) qualifies as evidence of paranormal. What??? (Smacks the crown off our head)
Let’s assume that even if that sound was captured by one recorder. Is that alone enough proof of the paranormal (though not a haunting as they say) or is it proof of an unidentifiable sound?
P.S. Love your podcasts, I downloaded them to my IPOD so I can be skeptical while riding the bus.
Anjie @ 11:59 am
When Andy described Brian's provoking skills as "root canal without novacaine" for spirits, I laughed so hard because I couldn't agree more. He really is painful to watch and listen to. I can't believe they keep him around, because in my opinion, he brings the credibility of their operations so far down. Between his provoking "skills" and the fact that he sees shadows and black masses everywhere, I tune him out until he's off the screen.
blinddog50, I think they drive everywhere because Steve is afraid to fly. He's scared of everything.
Logisti @ 12:43 pm
I laughed for the same reason, until I realized Andy said "for spirits", which turns the remark from a humorously true observation into a compliment I couldn't disagree with more.
As for Steve not flying, they've made that abundantly clear and yet he somehow ends up in California when they do a one-off west-coast investigation like Moss Beach Distillery. I've heard numerous reports of Jay & Grant flying — it just doesn't seem plausible that Steve spends a week driving across the country by himself for a single investigation, then a week driving back to New England.
Of course, if he had a couple of crew members with him and they drove/slept in shifts they could conceivably make the trip in under 3 days (each way), but I'm just a little… curious (suspicious is too strong a word in this case) exactly how Steve gets from Rhode Island to California — especially when it's just for a single night of investigating, and then back home.
blinddog50 @ 5:02 pm
The only rational that I can think of is if they do several investigations while on the west coast and spread them out among the episodes during the season.
After all you don't see many time and date stamps on the video.
Logisti @ 5:15 pm
Yeah, I'd thought of that but I'm not convinced that's what's going on. MBD, for instance, was filmed fairly recently and I don't recall any other west coast episodes since Kris first joined the team.
kevin @ 9:48 pm
Wouldn't someone need to drive the van with all of their investigative equipment in it? It would seem easier if someone, in this case Steve, drove the equipment across the country than to have it put on a plane (and take a chance of it getting lost), fly it to the location and then load it all into a rented vehicle. Easier for everyone except Steve, who wouldn't mind, since, for him, it beats flying.
Logisti @ 10:47 pm
There's always FedEx, and it cannot be overstated how grueling a trip it is to get from Rhode Island to California by car. That's 12% of the way around the earth.
Further, take into account a Ford Econoline cargo van has a 35 gallon tank and is rated 18mpg highway (with no cargo). That means the trip would likely need over 170 gallons of gas (even at the bargain price (haha) of $4 gallon that's $680) and he'd need to gas up at least 5 times. Even with a partner, it's a 3-day trip cooped up (and sleeping) in a van.
And listen, maybe that's exactly what happens, but in that case I still think the producers would be better off paying for Steve to work with a therapist and FedEx the gear.