In a recent thread, we were discussing a religious/non-religious slant on exorcism/possession:

http://www.skepticalviewer.com/forums/possibly-paranormal/religious-and-non-religious-exorcism/page-1/post-3256/#p3256

I wrote a post giving my thoughts on the subject and Dianebk thanked me for my view and then said "I doubt that there are any "experts" in a realm of unknowns."  I have wanted to address this issue for quite some time and now is as good of a time as any.  Also, I thought this forum would be the best place for that discussion.

I have scoured the web looking at many, many websites pertaining to both ghost-hunters and demonologists.  I have "skimmed" maybe two dozen books (I simply cannot bring myself to buy most of these books).  I have read page after page on I don't know how many forums.  And one thing is brutally clear; I simply could not ascertain how one could claim to be an expert.

Since there is no formal training to enter the field of the paranormal, virtually anyone can do it.  Perhaps this is the allure.  Jason and Grant of Ghost Hunters fame are examples of this.  Without any scientific training, which is self-evident from watching the show a few times, they, as well as many others are considered "experts" in the field of the paranormal.  I tried to look for commonalities amongst these "experts."  Wildly different, in both approach and theory, two things kept popping up.  The experience in the field measured in years and having written a book.

(At this point, I was going to list seven websites to illustrate my point.  Upon thinking about it, I'm not.  No matter how I word it, it would seem to be a personal attack on these people.  In a way, perhaps it is.  I have re-written this portion of the post several times now.  Instead, I have decided to use a very silly example to illustrate my point…so enjoy…  )

THE EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD MEASURED IN YEARS

Just because someone does something for a very long time does not necessarily make them an expert.  To illustrate my point, I shall use myself searching for Smurfs (yes, the little blue cartoon characters).  There is no scientific evidence that Smurfs exist.  One day, I decide to fly in the face of science and declare that there is and I'm the man who will prove it once and for all.  For the next twenty years, I dedicate my time to following up on Smurf sightings.  I talk to perhaps thousands of people and their Smurf-related experiences.  I enter people's homes, turn off the lights (because Smurfs are very sensitive to the light) and look about for evidence of their existance.  This is where I break out my "Smurf-Finding Stick."  It is a high-tech gadget that allows me to detect the presence of Smurfs.  I haven't exactly found any hardcore evidence using my Smurf-Finding Stick that would impress any scientist, but I am not detered.  One day, I shall find my proof that Smurfs exists, and that day shall be glorious.  Smurfy!

Now, from my example, I have spent 20 years dedicated to my search.  I have used scientific equipment to further my search.  Does this make me an expert?  Well, not so much.  What I actually have is 20 years worth of second hand stories.  I am in a field in which science doesn't even recognize (which is a very hard starting point).  I do not have any sort of evidence that scientists would even take a second glance at.  And just because I've been using the Smurf-Finding Stick for 20 years, that doesn't mean that I know how to properly use it or even how to interupt the readings properly.

Now people may read the last two paragraphs and have a laugh.  And why not?  Smurfs are funny.  Now replace the word "Smurf" with "Ghost."  Some people wouldn't be laughing anymore.

WRITING A BOOK

Somewhere along the line, our society has gained this perception that if one writes a book on a topic, they are some sort of an expert on the topic.  On the surface, it may make some sense.  I mean, the author would definitely need to take a great deal of time researching the topic in order to write the book.  Since the author has spent all this time researching, thusly, he is now an expert on the topic.  Yet, this is faulty reasoning.  If the author is using unreliable research, second-hand stories, and results based upon unproven scientific methods, why would his conclusions on the topic be vaild?  My point being is that just because someone takes the time to write a book, it doesn't make them an expert on the topic that they are writing about. 

And even beyond that, there's another point about writing a book.  It's not that hard, especially with this topic.  If someone came up to me and asked me to write a sequel to Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History Of Time"….um…yeah, I couldn't do that.  Ask me to write a book on a ghosts….yeah, sure, when do you need it?  Just take a look at a few books, spend some time on the web, put your "I'm really going to embellish this" hat on, and start typing.  Find a cool cover, a swanky name, and boom…you're an author.  And the sickest part…probably a best-selling author as well…sad…

EXPERTS ONE AND ALL

So…spending "x" amount of years in the field and writing a book about it…I'm just not buying it.  In fact, I'll even go one step further.  If they are experts…then so are we.  I mean, we've been watching the Ghost Hunter show and the like for a good five years now.  Sure, we're not at the locations, but so what?  Personal experiences "apparently" aren't used for evidence anyway.  And we've found just as much evidence of the paranormal as they have (namely…none.).  And we may not have written books, but we do write a great deal on the paranormal on this forum.  So…congratulations!  You are now an Expert of the Paranormal.  Be sure to update your resumes to include your new title…    

Learjet- "It seems that the less qualified people are the ones that find the most ghosts.  Funny that."

Funny it is.  And qualified or not, it won't ever stop them from declaring their authority on the subject.

Blinddog50- I will combat your argument with a MythBuster slogan.  It is the mantra of all Smurf-Hunters…"I reject your reality and replace it with my own." 

Oubliette- I understand.  Completely seal off the basement and fill it with concrete.  This will not only drive the Smurf out, but lower your heating bills as well.

In my original post, I said that I wasn't going to list any websites.  Well, there is one that I really want to share:

http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/20groups/DemonologistKennethDeel.htm

My absolute favorite part of the Q&A are questions 12 and 13.  In question 12, he is asked if he thinks more people should get involved in ghost-hunting and paranormal investigation.  In his answer, he says "1) Not to exploit it for media attention. (ie. for book deals, TV shows, etc)."  In question 13, he's asked what the future holds for him.  His answer…a book, documentary, lectures, workshops and a radio show.  Too funny… 

But really, I would have liked the website…if only there was just one more picture of him.