Paranormal Challenge
A few months back we were contacted to be on Paranormal Challenge just like 90% of the other teams in existence. While it was an interesting concept as I do love competition and a challenge, we as a team decided against it. Why you may ask? I have a few concerns about what this could possibly do in the paranormal community. Let me first start off by saying…I more than likely am totally wrong on this and is based on my opinion and is not the opinion of LIPRI.
Our field as we know it is already a huge competition. We have turf wars, groups who think they are better than others simply because they have been around longer or their equipment inventory is bigger than other groups, or that they have been on TV a few times for a 5-10 minute segment on their local news channel every Halloween season. Many groups refuse to work together because of this competitive turf war nonsense and that has to stop. However, it never will and I know that. This field is like high school. We have our cliques, we have our rogues, we have our bullies, and we have those who mean well but just do not fit in with the others mentioned. This is all LARGELY due to “Paranormal TV.”
Paranormal TV has been both a blessing and a curse…more so a curse than anything but that’s another blog. Where would this field be without it? How many teams would there be if Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, Ghost Adventures, would have never been on TV? How hard would it be to get into places…how would they know to contact a local group if there was? I truly wish I had the resources to pull up data from before, during and to present of this information. I remember when I started researching this field back in 1996 and I could hardly find any information on the internet from groups. My main source of information was from a website where I now know as being shunned in the paranormal community and unfortunately they are still around. But what other choices were there? I do not think it’s all bad as a lot of great things have come from it, but I think groups should stop focusing on being on TV and start actually doing research. Highly unlikely as everyone seems to want their 15 minutes of fame.
Now with all that being said here comes Paranormal Challenge with Zak Bagans. First, after reading a lot on it I think it’s a valid attempt and I believe his direction is sincere. Even in his show, “Ghost Adventures,” he brings in other groups at the end for their advise on footage because he wants others to share that spotlight. That is a great gesture, it truly is. However, while he may be sincere in his project, those that are in it may not be in the end. I recently read a review listed HERE. He says it all with, “We didn’t want to have a cash prize or anything like that. It’s simply for bragging rights for the team,” Bagans says. “And by doing so, I think it just goes to show everybody that we’re just out there together trying to find answers together.” Let me dissect this a statement a little bit. The first part where it states, “bragging rights,” is crazy to me. Egos are going to be sky high when these groups head back home and bring a whole new level of turf wars. The second part where he states, “find answers together,” yeah while there, but out in the real world…not so much. Here on Long Island there are very few teams who are willing to lend a hand, otherwise, you are on your own.
I love a good competition and I think what Zak is trying to do is an awesome idea. I believe they should do a finale special where they look back at all those who competed and do a follow up on where they are now. If there is something to learn from this show such as “trying to find answers together,” hopefully all those who watch will realize this and end their so called turf wars.
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