Whatever happened to the noggin cams they were supposed to start using? That way when they "see" stuff, we'd see it too. Guess no budget left for that after the tattoo parlor and plastic surgeons. At least they'll look cool and that's always what's most important, no?

I hear Kris Williams will start wearing chest cams. This will give the viewer a view of the room in front of her at below eye level (or at eye level if you know what I mean).

Rumor has it that there will be a Tattoo/saline salution convention held this November at the Spaulding Inn. Any one else hear about that one?

(PS: TAPS does enough to debunk their own work by the hijinks they pull)

What I have always found or maybe observed about Ghost Hunters is that the camera recording their exploits always seems to turn away from the location a second before one of the team points to where the camera was just pointing and says, "Oh Crap! Did you see that!" If that happened once or twice I would say oh well but it happens in like every episode.

I would have to agree. I am forever yelling at the TV because they are saying, "Did you see that?" and of course we didn't see it because the camera is always on them or somewhere else. Besides the fact that even when they do supposedly catch something they never recreate the same conditions to see what it could be or even sufficiently follow up on anything. However, in all fairness, none of the shows do.

Case in point. The last GH episode this week when the door opened behind the one guy as he moved away from it. Almost like he was holding it with his elbow. Before the door opens if you look above his head you can see the door is already ajar. It opens as he moves.

Then when they do their debunking thing they close the door completely shut instead of seeing if it just glides open. Trying to suggest that the door opened from a fully closed position.

Maybe they don't think people are closely scrutinizing their investigations?

Now we cannot say with 100% accuracy that they are faking anything but if they are not, then maybe they aren't as experienced as they tell everyone. It has to be one or the other, doesn't it?

Not trying to sound harsh here, but given that I've read many comments from our members saying TAPS members are dishonest, whey would a camera angle change your mind? Or would it?

Even if TAPS had put the entire stroller or cart or whatever that was in the picture, wouldn't everyone still be accusing them of faking it? Pulling it with fishing line? etc.?

What I have always found or maybe observed about Ghost Hunters is that the camera recording their exploits always seems to turn away from the location a second before one of the team points to where the camera was just pointing and says, "Oh Crap! Did you see that!" If that happened once or twice I would say oh well but it happens in like every episode.

Funny...they themselves have "scary" music and images edited into their tv show...

I have run into these individuals from time to time. There is even a group near me that got themselves in a local news paper and said that because they were TAPS family members they were now authorized by TAPS to conduct investigations.

Needless to say people and myself included just couldn't let that go. They really believed that being accepted by TAPS made them more important than others even though they only were at it for a couple years and were very upset when people responded to their article.

I too will stop short of bashing, but will defend myself if personally attacked. I just found that incident laughable as these are the qualifications to become a TAPS member...

From their site. To qualify for membership you must meet these minimum requirements:

In my estimation: one could create a completely fictitious team and accompanying website, contrive all of the references and outlined requirements listed on that TFM site as criterion for candidacy consideration and subsequently achieve the highly coveted registry as an Official TAPS Family team...

call it a hunch /rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' /> ....b

But much the way a TAPS Family Member proudly flaunts that banner on their web site, there is an insinuation of paranormal investigative prowess, aptitude or elitism implied by those that have attended GHA or TAPS Boot Camp (for a fee) ...Ironically I have seem many instances where those that have completed training under the auspices of TAPS/GH will often bash other organizations that advertise similar instructional courses offering certification based on a similar if not identical methodology model employed by TAPS/GH...

I have run into these individuals from time to time. There is even a group near me that got themselves in a local news paper and said that because they were TAPS family members they were now authourized by TAPS to conduct investigations.

Needless to say people and myself included just couldn't let that go. They really believed that being accepted by TAPS made them more important than others even though they only were at it for a couple years and were very upset when people responded to their article.

I too will stop short of bashing, but will defend myself if personally attacked. I just found that incident laughable as these are the qualifications to become a TAPS member...

From their site. To qualify for membership you must meet these minimum requirements:

The TAPS Family is an elite network of paranormal investigative teams. To qualify for entry into the TAPS Family, you must meet the following minimum requirements; however, please be advised that meeting these requirements alone does not guarantee entry into the TAPS Family. As part of the application process, we consider a number of other aspects of your team's operation before coming to a decision regarding your status.

Our goal is to create a worldwide network of extraordinary paranormal investigators.

1.Your team must have a minimum two (2) years of verifiable service.

2.Your team must have a web presence hosted on an advertisement-free service.

3.You must provide a minimum two (2) references from prior clients, including full contact information so that we may speak with them.

4.The founder(s) of your team must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and have a clean criminal record. We reserve the right to conduct criminal background checks on your team's founder(s) and/or team members at our discretion.

5.Your team must provide all services at no cost to the client. You may accept freely-given donations, but may not charge fees nor solicit donations for services rendered, travel expenses, fuel charges, or for any other reason.

6.Your team must be located in (and must operate within) an area in which we otherwise lack coverage.

7.If your team is rejected for membership, you may not reapply for at least one (1) year.

In addition to the above requirements, we also take into consideration the quality of your team's website. Your website must be constructed in a client-friendly manner, and provide information that a client typically might require in order to make an informed decision whether to hire your team. When we examine your website, we look for:

1.Team member profiles, which allow the client to see and read about the members of your team.

2.A visible and easy-to-use mechanism to request help. Examples include: an email link, a contact form, a phone number, or other way for a client to readily contact you.

3.Information about your team's investigative approach (your methodology, the equipment you use during an investigation, etc.).

4.General information regarding the paranormal. Examples include: a glossary, well-written articles regarding paranormal theory or phenomena, tips for dealing with paranormal occurrences, etc.

5.Clean design and simple navigation.

We tend to frown upon:

1.Broken links and incomplete (or empty) pages. These are unprofessional and display a lack of organization.

2.Websites requiring registration before clients can view critical pieces of information regarding your team (methodology, contact information, etc.).

3.Overt solicitations for donations or payment of any form, for any reason.

4.Negativity toward other paranormal teams or individuals.

5.Scary imagery, music/sound effects, etc. We believe these things reinforce certain incorrect perceptions regarding the work we perform and about the paranormal in general. In addition, "scary" websites don't help to allay the fears of clients who are looking to the TAPS Family teams for help.

Now it seems to me you don't qualify unless you are a benefit to TAPS. I also believe that fame and recognition is the motive behind people applying but to each his own. IMO

Well, lets see. A definition of certified means genuine or authentic. 1. Actually having the reputed or apparent qualities, being sincerely and honestly felt or experienced. 2. And the best is… Free from hypocrisy or pretense. That is just one definition but even just from that, my answer would have to be no.

However, since most every Tom, Richard, (it won't let me write Richards nick name. LOL) and Harry is giving classes today. I can't really be sure. What would constitute good training or education to qualify someone to certify another in Paranormal Examination. Sorry I don't use the term Paranormal Investigation anymore.

I wasn't sure if I should pose this question because I didn't want to come across as a Richard-Head /wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' /> ...

But much the way a TAPS Family Member proudly flaunts that banner on their web site, there is an insinuation of paranormal investigative prowess, aptitude or elitism implied by those that have attended GHA or TAPS Boot Camp (for a fee) ...Ironically I have seem many instances where those that have completed training under the auspices of TAPS/GH will often bash other organizations that advertise similar instructional courses offering certification based on a similar if not identical methodology model employed by TAPS/GH...

I'm not bashing TAPS or TFM teams just those guilty of this hypocrisy that is rampant in the community these days ...

I don't use the term "paranormal investigation" much either ....b

So by attending Ghost Hunter Academy are you by default a "certified ghost hunter"? ....b

Well, lets see. A definition of certified means genuine or authentic. 1. Actually having the reputed or apparent qualities, being sincerely and honestly felt or experienced. 2. And the best is… Free from hypocrisy or pretense. That is just one definition but even just from that, my answer would have to be no.

However, since most every Tom, Richard, (it won't let me write Richards nick name. LOL) and Harry is giving classes today. I can't really be sure. What would constitute good training or education to qualify someone to certify another in Paranormal Examination. Sorry I don't use the term Paranormal Investigation anymore.

I also found it amusing that there was a commercial for the new season of ghost hunter academy, and in the camercial they go out of there way to say "Don't fake stuff".

they left out the important part though....

"don't fake stuff....leave that up to the editing dept."