Starting new website, I need your help

[Ernie M]

I would like to start a new website to illustrate my personal opinion, a skeptical analysis, of Paranormal State, the TV series which started airing in December 2007 on A&E TV.

I intend to present sharp criticism as to what I believe is the reality behind the show. It is my opinion that the show presents false, misleading, and inaccurate information, where parts or entire episodes are fabricated. I believe the series is rife with nepotism and will show the connections between those appearing on the show. Also, I believe the show is fraudulent, and could possibly be harmful to the “client(s)” who appear on the show.

I mention harmful, because in the first episode titled “Sixth Sense” there is an eight-year-old boy who claims to see dead people. Psychologist, Adam Blai, states “…the voices telling him to do bad things to his mom, to jump off the roof, to do other violent acts…” The eight-year-old boy talks with a speech impediment, constantly avoids eye contact, and his mom states “… I get notes and phone calls from his teacher. And falling asleep, that’s been getting worse and worse, even though he’s on his sleeping pills…” In order to help the boy over his problem(s), Adam Blai walks around the house reading from a Bible and then makes comments such as “…I’m almost falling over…Something really doesn’t want me reading the Bible in here…I can barely concentrate on the words.” A small banner containing letters, numbers and words are hung over a door, holy water is used to from the sign of the cross above doors and windows, and Ryan Buell, the Founder and Director of the Paranormal Research Society (PRS), also Consulting Producer for the show, gives the boy a bottle of holy water, letting him know that “…we’ll give you more if you want.”

The major difficulty is that I am not able to directly prove whether or not an event or episode is fact, so I can only offer my opinions based upon a critical review of the show, incorporating Internet research, correspondence with people either directly or indirectly involved with the show, as well as input and interpretations from those with qualified professional and academic backgrounds.

My website would list all the Paranormal State episodes, with each episode having it’s own page and formatted roughly the same way, perhaps with the following:

1. EPISODE SYNOPSIS

2. SCREEN SHOTS
With direct quotes from the show, so you can see who said what.

3. ANALYSIS
My opinion of what was shown or said, and why I question the character and integrity of such people and situations.

4. LIST OF PEOPLE APPEARING IN EACH EPISODE
Including but not limited to their background, qualifications, education, work history, and related websites.

5. CONCLUSION
List of reasons why I believe certain events may be false, fraudulent and fabricated, not to mention misleading or inaccurate. I feel the show should run a disclaimer basically saying it’s “for entertainment purposes only.”

As a member of the JREF Forum, your input is desired to help guide the content and format should I produce this website. What would you like to see on the site? What’s an appropriate domain name? What’s the best way to accurately convey information? Should I limit the site to only the Paranormal State TV series or include other shows?

Thank you for your help.

[RSLancastr]

Hi Ernie, nice to see you posting.

I don't know if you have found it yet, but there is a thread here about the show where you might find some useful thoughts:

Paranormal State (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=100862)

Perhaps you can add a post to that thread asking for input there as well.

Good luck with your project!

[Minarvia]

Yes, good luck with it. I would definately go there for info. I also watch Paranormal State. I find it entertertaining in a way, but I don't believe a word of it. Sometimes I get angry, such as when they told a woman her son committed suicide because of a ghost in her house. :mad:

Then the whole religious thing is just so over the top it is ridiculous. Then they bring in Lorraine Warren??? Wow. Such a credible person.

Then a demon is after the team leader. Yeah, right. Hmmm...as I type this I can't really say why the show entertains me. It just does in a weird, "how are they going to try and put a paranormal spin on this" sort of way.

It doesn't hurt that the lead guy is kind of cute. :blush:

[Yeah_Right]

What bothers me about the lead guy in this show is that his supposed paranormal event took place during his childhood, where some entities emerged from the closet. This took place one time, if I am not mistaken, and it sounds to me more like a dream then anything supernatural.

[Ernie M]

Hi Ernie, nice to see you posting.

I don't know if you have found it yet, but there is a thread here about the show where you might find some useful thoughts:

(I had to delete the URL because I'm not allowed to link a URL because I don't have enough posts- Ernie)

Perhaps you can add a post to that thread asking for input there as well.

Good luck with your project!

Thank you for directing me to the existing Paranormal State thread. Perhaps I should have posted my "new" listing there, instead of starting a "new" topic. I apologize for the error.

As a result, I will post this "Starting new website, I need your help" message within that existing thread as well.

I admire your Sylvia Browne website because it is very thorough, clear, and concise. You have an exceptionally well-documented site covering all things Sylvia, in both breadth and depth. I like how you incorporate screen shots, program transcripts, photographic documentation of things like her college transcript and records pertaining to her 1992 felony conviction, videos, letters, and e-mails. Sylvia and her attorneys cannot refute the facts. But I am surprised that with all your documentation, that so many people still believe in her, or any psychic. You did a lot of detailed work; I only hope if I bring my site to fruition it is as well researched as yours.

[tkingdoll]

Hi Ernie, welcome.

Sounds like a great idea. Take your lead from RSL and remain as neutral in tone as possible even though it's tempting to rant!

The only thing I'd say be careful of is that you don't use too many screenshots (you're covered for 'fair use' but not if you overdo it, and make sure the shots you use are not out of context). And I'd suggest a summary first off, just a paragraph as introduction and a question such as "does this boy really see ghosts, or could it be the symptoms of something else?" and then everything that follows as per your format slowly answers that question. This is to

1) ensure people keep reading the whole thing (you really want them to get to the conclusion part)

and 2) to make sure your site doesn't act as a big ad for the show by giving a synopsis and screenshots first before any sort of critical framing. If people don't go any further than the screenshots, you've done the show a favour otherwise.

If you are going to start a critical site, be absolutely sure to avoid any use of words like 'fraud', 'liar', 'lies', 'fake', etc. You are almost certain to be sued if you use those words, even if you have hard evidence of such a thing. Again, I'd follow RSL's example for the perfect tone and balance of journalism. Even the most innocent of sentences can be fodder for a lawsuit so get a couple of people to read through before you put anything live. Fresh eyes always help.

And the golden rule: if in doubt, leave it out.

Good luck!