Paranormal scientists

[MRT]

There appear to be a growing number of scientists who are researching the paranormal informally. They often hold down impressive day jobs while doing paranormal research in their spare time. I have no problem with this - I am always in favour of anyone doing good research. What worries me, however, is that often they step way outside their area of expertise and make elementary errors that lead them to come paranormal conclusions for which there is no good evidence. Even worse, if you point out obvious errors to 'supporters' of such people, you will be told that Dr Soandso is an expert who works for the US government or whoever, as if that means they can never make a mistake!

I am all for scientists coming up with new ideas - that's how science progresses. But when they are 'moonlighting' in this way, there is no peer review to keep them on the right track.

[Cuddles]

I am all for scientists coming up with new ideas - that's how science progresses. But when they are 'moonlighting' in this way, there is no peer review to keep them on the right track.

That's pretty much the story of paranormal research. There are a few people who go into aspects of the paranormal as part of their official research, like Dr. B., but the vast majority are, and always have been, working far outside their area of expertise with no serious review.

I think part of the problem is romantic notions about lone amateurs making world-changing discoveries. The trouble is, while this was possible when science was a young subject, it really isn't now. We are no longer at the stage of just mixing things together and seeing what happens or building electrical apparatus in our basements. It just isn't possible to discover fundamental physical principles in your own home anymore. With the exception of a few fields, like astronomy and archaeology, it isn't really possible to discover anything at all as an amateur.

Paranormal research is really no different from any other science. We don't expect new antibiotics to be developed in someone's kitchen. We don't expect fusion to be developed in a someone's garden shed. We shouldn't expect telepathy to be developed in someone's spare time.

[Admin]

I think part of the problem is romantic notions about lone amateurs making world-changing discoveries. The trouble is, while this was possible when science was a young subject, it really isn't now. We are no longer at the stage of just mixing things together and seeing what happens or building electrical apparatus in our basements.

I'm working on a clockwork ghost detector.

[Mongrel]

I'm working on a clockwork ghost detector.

Clockwork's passe, you need the power of STEAM!!

[median]

Would that be S.T.E.A.M as in the

Sub-perceptual Transient Entity Aether Meter?

[Mongrel]

Would that be S.T.E.A.M as in the

Sub-perceptual Transient Entity Aether Meter?

Nice one :)

[MRT]

How would you test a ghost detector? It's something that bugs me every time I hear that some one has invented one.

[Dr B]

I bet I know of one researcher 'up north' who thinks he has one

[bindeweede]

I bet I know of one researcher 'up north' who thinks he has one

Dr B.
I think your are a total "Northist". Shame on a brainy geezer.

[Dr B]

I'm from the north myself....which that dude makes all the more embarassing