It's tough to start this page because it's tempting to blurt everything at once.
Sorry guys but the paranormal has failed, failed miserably on all fronts. We'll see that demonstrated in the next few sections: Hoaxes & Exploiters, Failed Studies, and Bad Science. Why don't we see more scientific paranormal studies? Because on the rare occasion of one, it mostly falls flat. (See section Failed Studies.) And the paranormal researchers who claim to have independent evidence, OFTEN won't bother to put it into scientific format. All of this information, and there's a lot of ground here, is broken up into sections. All these things together show that the paranormal also rejects science. Personally, we find this disheartening because like Fox Mulder we really want to believe. But science tells us that we're basically believing in BS. Some university programs exist, as we'll see in the history list as it gets to current day. Even these departments do not sway skeptics' unwavering rejection of the paranormal. (Yes, "para" means other. That vernacular nuance is discussed elsewhere.)
Non-scientists like us can exchange anecdotes all day long but that's not the same as having scientific evidence to show the skeptics. Yet, instead of working toward progress, the two sides have devolved into echo chambers (See section Echo Chambers.)
So here we are, each camp in its own echo chamber.
Because of this, the paranormal doesn't much try any more, to prove itself to science.
IT SEEMS (but we won't name names just to disrespect people) that paranormal researchers and investigators, the bulk of them, are only talking to each other instead of the larger scientific community. (And of course, skeptics are having none of anything paranormal.)
This is self-defeating!!!
If the paranormal wants answers, as it usually claims, then science must be employed. (Recall that science really means knowledge that has been confirmed by consensus.) The best way to do that is to operate IN COORDINATION with "accepted science."
This is not really happening, currently.
How often do paranormal proponents mention
If anyone disagrees with this, we want to hear from you!
Please, prove this opinion wrong.
Meanwhile, to keep a proper perspective, let's look at the history of paranormal and how it diverges from science.
- A. MOST Ancient Paranormal History
- B. Ancient Paranormal History
- C. Middle Paranormal History
- D. Modern Paranormal History
A. MOST Ancient History, Recently Discovered
A December 2019 paper in the journal Nature detailed the discovery of the world's oldest known cave art. This journal article of course prompted a science communication article on the story by LiveScience.com, a respected skeptical media outlet.
Earliest hunting scene in prehistoric art. Maxime Aubert, Rustan Lebe, Adhi Agus Oktaviana, Muhammad Tang, Basran Burhan, Hamrullah, Andi Jusdi, Abdullah, Budianto Hakim, Jian-xin Zhao, I. Made Geria, Priyatno Hadi Sulistyarto, Ratno Sardi & Adam Brumm. Nature. December 2019.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1806-y?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=3_nsn6445_deeplink_PID100052172&utm_content=deeplink
Humanity's Oldest Cave Art Shows Shape-Shifting Supernatural Hunters. Charles Q. Choi. Live Science. December 11, 2019.
https://www.livescience.com/oldest-rock-art-supernatural-beings.html
Likely the title is a nod to the long-standing topic of Therianthropy, the combining of animals and humans. It's been seen from ancient Egypt to modern vampire enthusiasts to epic-ly enduring tales of skinwalkers.
Therianthropy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therianthropy
However skeptics were not amused, as evidenced by comments to the LiveScience.com article.
Commentor #1
Commentor #2I know that native Americans and a few others have both supernatural and use camouflage, but why is supernatural assumed instead of camouflage in this case?
It is almost certainly camouflage. Sadly the left-fascists who have assumed so many power roles in universities and mainstream media never, ever go with the obvious practical answer. And they never, ever give "primitive people" any credit for being smarter than a young child.
Researchers discovered cave paintings depicting what may be part-animal, part-human figures — decked out with animal snouts — hunting wild pigs and dwarf buffaloes in Indonesia. These may be the oldest known examples of rock art, a new study finds.
The 44,000-year-old artwork may also be the oldest evidence for the human ability to imagine the existence of supernatural beings, scientists added.
Unfortunately for the paranormal, the comments (same link) bring up a valid point.
B. Ancient History
Let's jump right into the deep end.
NEXT IN "OUR ANSWERS" SERIES: (Impasse: Why Science Rejects Paranormal)
5. Hoaxes - OUR ANSWER
QUICK LINKS - Impasse: Why Science Rejects Paranormal
MAIN / Why Science Rejects the Paranormal
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 1. Start Here - Short Answer
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 2. Scientific Revolution
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 3. Misunderstanding Science
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 4. Paranormal Rejects Science
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 5. Hoaxes & Exploiters
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 6. Failed Studies
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 7. The Amazing Randi
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 8. Bad Science
MAIN / OUR ANSWER 9. Echo Chambers
MAIN / What's Your Opinion?
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