| If Columbus would have been alive today, the leading | | | | Yet when it comes to exploring the areas where |
| authorities on the nautical sciences would have called | | | | science has not yet tested the waters, shouldn't we |
| him a paranormal sailor. After all, they called him crazy, | | | | exercise some restraint in our criticism? Most amateur |
| which is what the term paranormal has become | | | | paranormal investigators did not undergo rigorous |
| synonymous with in our cynical unimaginative world. Of | | | | training, or even have a science background. They are |
| course this could apply to any number of explorers | | | | like kids playing with dad's tools because it's fun! Their |
| and scientists who dared to challenge and breakout | | | | heads may not always be in the right place, but their |
| into the unknown. | | | | hearts sure are. Shouldn't we encourage enthusiasm |
| One characteristic of these adventurous people would | | | | for discovery? |
| be their willingness to sacrifice the petty pleasure of | | | | Okay, okay. This is the part where the crusty old |
| looking down on people in smug superiority, in | | | | professor pipes up about how science is not always |
| exchange for actually doing something worthwhile. Of | | | | fun and exciting. That the real scientist can spend |
| course actually going out and having an adventure | | | | years, or even decades immersed in unbelievably |
| requires more effort than heckling from the sidelines. | | | | tedious and boring calculations and experiments, |
| Which would explain heckling's overwhelming support | | | | before they can even think about getting excited. That |
| from the majority of us who are lazy, and well, like it. | | | | real science requires hard work and dedication. |
| Now don't get me wrong, I am a cruel and unforgiving | | | | Here lies the main difference: most amateur |
| skeptic. I take as much delight in tearing down logical | | | | paranormal investigators do not necessarily want to be |
| fallacies as sumo wrestlers delight in giving each other | | | | scientists. They are more concerned about having fun |
| wedgies. I understand and am devoted to the scientific | | | | on a Friday night, then getting their research published |
| method. I am particularly fond of it being applied to my | | | | in a peer-reviewed publication. After all, isn't a night |
| food and medicine, ensuring that they are healthy, | | | | spent playing around with video equipment, EMF |
| clean and safe. Without the lubrication of the scientific | | | | detectors, digital recorders, and all the other toys in the |
| method the machine which is our civilization would grind | | | | paranormal toolbox better than talking about the |
| to a halt. | | | | weather in the same old boring bar. |