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Article I - On Orbs and Science by Clayton Williams
Pollen Orbs Captured in Bald Mountain Cemetery on 6/13/2009 I believe it is important, as SP's first article to expound on the most commonly written about subject in paranormal research circles: Orbs. A quick search on the internet reveals dozens of articles concerning what these things actually may be. What I find interesting is that this highlights just how controversial the subject is, even within an already contoversial field. Even the paranormal neophyte has probably seen pictures of orbs: small glowing circles of light commonly photograhed at night, usually in a graveyard. Nothing is seen with the naked eye, yet when the camera's flash goes off, the air may seem to be literally filled with these balls of light. The dialogue rages about whether they are balls of spiritual energy, visible transmission of energy to entities, ectoplasm, dust, cat dander, pollen, etc. There are literally volumes of information on-line regarding this captured phenomenon and there are some interesting natural phenomena which can result in captured orbs. According to one very well researched theory, when certain combinations of gases are released into the atmosphere, light can actually refract through these inert gases differently than through air. Perhaps not coincidentally, these inert gases are often exuded from decomposing bodies and it is thought that some of these gases are released when people walk over graves. What struck me about this particular theory was that the researcher who offered it did not attempt to explain away ALL orbs as being the result of inert gas release. Orbs did not move into their heydey until the advent of digital camera photography when they began cropping up almost everywhere. I think it is extremely telling that until that point, even with all of the obvious and admitted fraud in spirit photography throughout the years, very few orb-like objects which were ever captured on film were related to paranormal activity. Now that their presence is more thoroughly noted, the new generation of psychics and mediums proclaim that they have been seeing them all the time and that they are the precursors to fully manifested paranormal activity. An unfortunate side effect of paranormal investigation comes into play with orbs and our human natures. Especially since the rise in the popularity of televised paranormal investigation, the skill or importance of an investigative team is deemed to be determined by their ability to capture unexplained footage. Due to this perfectly natural human reaction, many groups will excitedly point to every photograph of an orb which they capture, claiming that this is proof of paranormal activity. Capabilities are less determined by the organizational skill, consistency and thoroughness of a group, but by how much evidence they capture. While I like to capture a great piece of evidence as much as the next guy, I am truly much more pleased by an investigation conducted methodically and rigorously. When relating to orbs as whether they are mundane or paranormal, my belief is that the answer to the argument is not as important in the long run as the argument itself. What often occurs in so-called skeptical and naturalistic circles that so frustrates those involved in paranormal research is the tendency for mental rigidity. As stated in our Ethos, they come to the table with an axe to grind and they are absolutely certain that every paranormal occurence has an explanation they are currently equipped to provide. Science is an inductive reasoning tool and because of this it cannot be absolutely certain of anything, nor can it be used as a tool for disproving anything. Any supposed scientist or expert claiming to have "proven" that orbs are always the result of dust, pollen or gases in the air in every circumstance in which they are captured is lying to you. What goes hand in hand with this is the reality that if genuine paranormal phenomena, and the underlying physics of their natures, are to be ever incorporated in to the "mainstream", those of us in this field need to be skeptical enough of our own conclusions to be comfortable in being shown as mistaken. In short, we need to be better scientists than those currently in the "mainstream". By that, I do not mean that we have to have better equipment, larger resources or an astute public relations division (although those things would be nice!). Better scientists are those who approach the table with their prejudices openly disclosed and are as delighted when their hypotheses are substantiated as they are when they are disproven. All of that being said, Scientific Paradigm is not an orb-chasing organization. In order for our review process to deem an orb as evidential, it has to be REALLY unusual. Presence of texture, depth and self-illuminating characteristics might constitute an evidential orb. It is my personal belief that the photographic medium is not the best for capturing compelling evidence of paranormal activity. I believe photographs, in general are far too prone to misinterpretation, matrixing, and other faults. I haven't yet seen a photo of an orb that convinced me that it was anything more than dust. However, I am open to the idea that there may be more going on here than the results of procreating plants and cats with bad skin. |
