Ever since starting my blog nearly seven (!) years ago, I've concentrated mainly on skepticism in medicine, in particular examining various implausible medical claims that proliferate on the Internet and in our media like so much kudzu choking out science and reason. I've done this at my original blog and over the last four years as the managing editor at Science-Based Medicine, where I work with Steve Novella and a crew of skeptical medical bloggers to discuss the science behind highly implausible medical claims, such as homeopathy. The reasons I do this are two-fold. First, it's what I'm interested in. Second, it was at the time an "underserved" blogging niche that allowed me to align my skeptical interests with a niche that allowed me to establish myself as a blogger early on. Ultimately, I became interested in the anti-vaccine movement and somehow found myself becoming one of the "go-to" bloggers for all things vaccine and anti-vaccine, which further solidified my niche. That's not to say that I didn't write about general skeptical topics. In fact, I used to do that a lot more often back in those days, when I'd cover topics such as creationism, Holocaust denial, 9/11 "Truth," and the like. (I still can't resist a good bit of pareidolia.) It's just that I don't seem to do that as much these days.
When I saw the following news report, I was disturbed enough to abandon my current "comfort zone" a bit. It also made me think of a post on the recent JREF blog by Sharon Hill pointing out the pernicious effect of the proliferation of "ghost hunting" shows on television. In this case, what bothered me is how these shows affect young people who are just learning science and who should be learning critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, although there is a contingent of the audience of these shows who watch them just for the entertainment value and openly scoff at credulous view of the paranormal promoted by them, a lot of the audience of these shows believe they're real, just as many viewers of The Dr. Oz Show believe that he usually gives good medical advice, despite a lot of evidence to the contrary.
There are two huge things wrong with this news report, one on the news side and one on the topic side. On the news side, it's obvious that the reporter is treating this as a fun, harmless bit of Halloween fluff. He begins the report by showing up in a trench coat stepping out of fake fog, the better to produce a suitably "spooky" atmosphere. A voiceover introduces four teenaged boys, who are described as "focused on abandoned buildings and haunted woods, all in search of spirits." The reporter then starts the story by intoning, "Lights, cameras, apparitions." The problem is that, while treating the subject matter as a light human interest story about four ghost hunting high school kids who shamelessly steal every trick in the book from the paranormal shows currently on the air, the reporter also treats the subject matter, namely the existence of the paranormal, with a high degree of credulity.
On the topic side, what's wrong with this story is that it presents a story of kids being influenced by paranormal beliefs as a good thing. Michigan Uncovered is all about four high school kids who do a video series on YouTube called Michigan Uncovered. In the WDIV news report, they're first shown wandering around an old graveyard asking things like, "I wonder if we can get an EMF reading off grave stones that are broken into pieces." The teens are led by Cruce Grammatico and include Cruce's friends Jake, Colton, Delo, and Cruce's mother, who for some reason is willing to drive them hundreds of miles all over Michigan given that none of the teens is yet old enough to drive.
Here's an example of Cruce's work from one of his more recent "ghost hunting" expeditions to an old hotel in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan known as the Blue Pelican Inn:
As you can see, all the elements are there, EMF meters with readings that mean nothing. Lighting effects that will be recognizable to anyone who's ever watched one of the now ubiquitous "ghost hunting" shows on cable channels ranging from SyFy to the Travel Channel to A&E and more. A lot of these elements are also shown in the news report as well, as the teens clamber around an old cemetery looking for ghosts and one of them claims to have seen an apparition. Too bad it wasn't caught on camera. In the report, at one point the reporter's voiceover intones that "Cruse admits when he started Michigan Uncovered he was a skeptic," to which Cruse adds, "Due to all the things I've seen I definitely believe in the paranormal."
Unfortunately, it shows.
In the three or four Michigan Uncovered videos that I've viewed thus far, credulity is the order of the day (or night, given that most of these videos are shot at night). Basically, Michigan Uncovered looks like the work of talented amateurs aping the professionals doing any one of a number of the paranormal "ghost hunting" shows that currently populate basic cable. That's not an insult, nor am I denigrating Cruse. He's actually very talented and shows a high degree of production savvy for a 14-year-old. With a bit of guidance and training, he could very likely develop his skills to the point where he could make a living in television or movies. Unfortunately, his success at Michigan Uncovered is teaching him the wrong lessons, namely credulity about the paranormal, the same dubious and scientifically risible methods that TV "ghost hunters" use to try to prove that ghosts exist, and that the paranormal is very popular and brings him attention and approval. Indeed, at the very end of the report, the reporter points out that the kids are in talks with a production company to do a reality show.
Of course.
The sad thing is, Cruse and his buddies are capable of showing a hint of skepticism, as they did in their most recent Halloween episode about Ouija boards, although you have to wait until near the very end of the video to see it:
They even include a disclaimer on the page itself:
We understand a lot of people will comment telling us NOT to use Ouija boards and that they're very dangerous and that's EXACTLY why we made this video. We wanted to show that Ouija boards are nothing but silly toys you can pick up at Target.
True, in the video there's a whole lot of nonsense about "Satanic worshiping grounds," how "we already know this area is haunted," camera problems being represented as evidence that ghosts (or something) was not happy they were there, and shaky, Blair Witch Project-style camera work, but in the end they conclude that Ouija boards aren't real.
Watching the Michigan Uncovered videos, I can't help but wonder what these kids would be capable of, if only they had a mentor, someone who could teach them how really to do paranormal investigations, someone who understands the relevant science, someone who could teach them what skepticism really is. I realize that making real skepticism and real investigations of the paranormal interesting is far more difficult than making the sort of "ghost hunting" these kids are doing entertaining, but with a bit of guidance I bet these kids could do it.
Unfortunately, what is far more likely to happen is that they'll get their reality show deal and be rewarded for representing the paranormal as though it's real, the same as the rest of the "ghost hunters" are. It's the reason why so many others are taking up "ghost hunting." It's just that when it's teens who are being influenced, the chance is high that credulity, rather than skepticism and critical thinking, will become their default way of life.
David H. Gorski, MD, PhD, FACS, is breast cancer surgeon interested in applying science and skepticism to implausible medical claims. He is the managing editor of Science-Based Medicine, and serves on the advisory board of the James Randi Educational Foundation.
Real investigation written by mariamyrback,
November 08, 2011
I would love to see one of the skeptic groups up in that area contact the young man and offer to teach him real investigation techniques. It would be a great way to promote skepticism and help him and his team learn critical thinking at the same time.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +14
... written by rjh02,
November 08, 2011
Maybe with a bit of luck the teenagers will show that what they do has nothing to do with the paranormal and everything to do with tricks.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
... written by lytrigian,
November 08, 2011
I'm holding out hope that this is nothing more than an Alternate Reality Game mistaken for ghost-hunting in earnest by a credulous news organization. Spookiness is often the focus of such games, and journalists are just as often slow to pick up on newer online trends.
Granted, ARGs aren't exactly brand new, but they're not exactly prominent either. And it wouldn't be the first time journalists have mistaken an online hoax or joke for a serious story, even after interviewing the principals.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
... written by robweber,
November 08, 2011
They should be shown what an EMF meter actually measures, could be a bit advanced but they will be able to understand the basics at their age. They might find it interesting that they can pick up EMF basically anywhere. They seem like fairly smart and motivated kids, just need to put them down the right path so these attributes aren't wasted. Unless of course they are aware its all BS and are comfortable trading fame for their credibility...
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +2
... written by Debralee303,
November 09, 2011
Wow! It's great that you found a child's work to be important enough to discuss in your blog! Your article assumes though that the paranormal isn't "real", but as a scientist, I'm sure you'd agree that something isn't "false" just because it can't yet be proven. That would leave nothing left to learn! I hope the boys continue in their artistic pursuits and continue learning on the way, as you'd be surprised how much they have learned about photography, lighting, editing, media, interviewing, writing, travel, production....all from the age of 12. Pretty "disturbing" -Cruce's mom
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
Not false because it can't (yet) be proven written by huw,
November 09, 2011
Indeed. I, and many others on this site have to concur that something isn't false just because it cannot yet be proven, however I believe that we should go with the best evidence we have available: There is a tremendous amount of concrete, mutually butressed, logically cohesive evidence that there is no scientific basis for the existence of ghosts. There is no theory of what a ghost "is" that we can test and disprove (actually, there are probably lots, but they've all been disproven), and if we could perceive a ghost in some way, there's no explanation of how that perception could work that is consistent with what we know about how the brain functions. The best evidence we have leads one to the conclusion that ghost hunting in the way it is done on TV is nonsense and that ghosts do not exist.
To quote Tim Minchin: "Throughout history Every mystery EVER solved has turned out to be Not Magic."
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +2
... written by lytrigian,
November 09, 2011
Unless of course they are aware its all BS and are comfortable trading fame for their credibility...
Or are just, as the kids say, doing it for the lulz.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +2
Hello written by Colt,
November 09, 2011
Dear James Randi
Being one of the members of cruce123 networks, I can honestly say some, if not most, of the stuff said on here is not true, not saying your lying, just saying its not true.
First, we do not "fake" anything, we pride ourselves on not faking things and actually try to find any way to disprove a suspected paranormal activity before we label it "paranormal".
Second, we don't waste our lives making these videos, all of us in the crew get good grades in school, yes, we are actually smart and talented peoples and have a life other than making youtube videos, if we got bad grades in school, at least if I did,I would not go on the ghost hunts.
Third, I don't see this as a waste of time for us, we have learned many things about film making and I am thankful for the chances that i have had to go on ghost hunts and thank Cruces family very much for devoting the time and money for are ghost hunts, and believing in, and supporting us.
Fourth and finally, we have a deep respect for the paranormal and do not wish to cause any harm to ourselves or any other person, or spiritual being, that may be in contact with what we do.
Thank you for reading this and i hope this may change your mind a little bit about us kids who apparently have "credulity, rather than skepticism and critical thinking" which by the way I highly disagree with.
Sincerely- Colton from Cruce123 networks
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
... written by Colt,
November 09, 2011
ps. I dont know why I put James Randi, it should be David Gorski, the writer of this.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
@Colt and Debralee written by JasonSkeptic,
November 09, 2011
Please re-read the article. Mr. Gorski is actually quite positive about the talents of the filmmakers ("He's actually very talented and shows a high degree of production savvy for a 14-year-old"). He also never accuses anyone of wasting their lives or faking anything. I'm really not sure where you got that.
The point he is making is that these great talents could be put to better use, that's all. Apply the same skepticism you did to Ouija boards to other paranormal activity, and you're on the right track.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +5
... written by lytrigian,
November 09, 2011
Indeed. If you really are taking this seriously, you should do your best to attain a better understanding of the technologies you're using in your investigations and how they can lead to apparent false positives. THAT would show a proper application of critical thinking. As long as you're convinced that flashing lights on an EMF meter indicate paranormal activity, you'll never really apply a decent skepticism to anything. Ask yourself, why should they? What data do you have to suggest a ghost is electromagnetic in nature? What else might make the meter react? What other sources might there be for apparent "voices" on EVP recordings? What neurological or psychological theories explain why one might be predisposed to hearing "voices" among random noise? As far as I know, no other "ghost hunting" show has ever answered these questions in very incisive ways: there's merely credulous.
This says nothing about the production quality of your videos, which is impressively high. It leads me to suspect you actually can to better than the "pros" when it comes to asking the hard questions, should you choose to take up that challenge.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +3
@JasonSkeptic written by Debralee303,
November 10, 2011
I appreciate that the author respects the kids' talent, I just don't agree with his implication that the boys are single-handedly proliferating ignorance through their unperfected investigations. The kids are learning by doing, and it's actually pretty fun to watch.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +2
Disturbing? Don't be silly. written by xxi_centuryboy,
November 10, 2011
I would say this is far from disturbing. I watched this with the same entertainment value as Ghost Hunters and laughed just as hard. They have a bright future ahead of them, this is where the money shot is. I was particularly impressed with the production, which either says a lot about Colt (my personal opinion), or it is sad that Ghost Hunters have the skills of a teenager (fact). I have done many films in high school and college and my daughter currently appears in the movie Ides of March (plug), so I can honestly say with some experience that Colt has a future. Well done. I would have rather seen them emulate Penn and Teller's Bullshit, but maybe that was on too late at night. Branch out Colt, the skeptical world can use a man like you.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +3
Hello written by MichiganUncovered,
November 10, 2011
My name is Cruce and I make the 'Michigan Uncovered' series. I thank you for the publicity. When we first started our quest into the paranormal we were all at least moderate skeptics, but after dozens of sightings, there are things that I know you can't explain. We don't fake anything. Our goal on an expedition is to have fun and capture some good evidence. What'd be the point of faking something that we're trying to make seem legitimate. Also, you claimed in our Ouija board video that we said 'our cameras shutting off means evidence'. Watch the video, we NEVER claim that our camera troubles meant paranormal evidence. We were just showing what happened, take it or leave it. The study of oenology (dreams) didn't take place for most of history up until 1952 when scientists could reliable study it. You claim that there is NO way that the paranormal could exist. Which I find to be very ignorant, to just blindly claim that something is real without legitimate tests and research. Some of our evidence isn't that great, but we show it anyways. Take it or leave it, I'm just showing something weird I found. Sorry we disturbed you.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: -3
... written by Angelflyn2close_2thgrnd,
November 10, 2011
I don't know why you would call what these boys do "Disturbing". They are not sitting around playing video games 24/7, they are not mugging old people or the homeless, they are not doing drugs or walking around with their pants hanging off their rear ends, or creating videos where they are killing small animals or worshiping satan...now THAT is what I would find "disturbing"! They are a bunch of talented young teens who have been creating videos for the last 4 or 5 years...that would make them starting out at the age of 10...and not all of the "paranormal" variety. Thank you for at least acknowledging that they are talented. They took an interest in something,, on their journey....set out to LEARN and investigate, and record their findings to share with others...be it for those who take it seriously or those who just find it entertaining and are amazed at the passion and talents of someone at such a young age. They are learning as they go. They do not claim to be experts and they DO NOT FAKE anything or use "tricks". They go into each project with OPEN MINDS, as most young people do before their minds are fogged by society and others' opinions, and they use the only methods they have learned about, so far. Perhaps your blog would have been more positively and eagerly accepted if you had been encouraging or offered some kind of expertise and guidance, instead of being so critical of their methods and coming down on them as if they are a bunch of ignorant clowns about whom you say "the chance is high that credulity, rather than skepticism and critical thinking, will become their default way of life." They have skepticism, that's why they are investigating...and they do think...they don't just accept that everything they experience is of the paranormal. They, unlike a lot of people, have open minds and question everything. When it comes down to it, Cruce is a film maker and loves documentary film making. They are all interested in the paranormal, at this time. I don't think any of the boys are planning on making the investigation of paranormal activity their life's work. My son, Colt, did experience something, in the Millington Hills investigation, that affected him so much that he could not even talk about it to me afterwards. He is an honest, upstanding, young teen and I believe he honestly experienced something. It's not all about what mechanical instruments they use or whether or not they are using them correctly. It's also about what they feel and experience. To just dismiss anything paranormal is ignorant, in my opinion. Having experienced a few unexplainable things in my life, I tend to believe an open mind is the best way to approach anything. I don't believe everything is black and white or scientifically explainable. Perhaps you could learn a few things from a few open minded, honest teens. But yes....thank you for the publicity and keep your eyes open in the future film industry for a talented young film maker with a bright future ahead of him! PS...the channel 4 news story, in case you didn't notice, was done on Halloween night...in keeping with the fun events of the evening. Do you do anything for fun or is everything serious and black and white for you?
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: -7
para....sensitive? written by xxi_centuryboy,
November 10, 2011
I think the argument could be made that Mr. Gorski was actually fairly complimentary to the guys, with the criticism that it was another ho hum version of every other "Ghost Hunting" series on the market. I think he was implying more worthy and exciting things are actually reality based. Bring Joe Nickel around for some Ghost Hunting and it will be fun, nay hilarious, but also very skeptical. The logical fallacy of "I can't explain it so it must be paranormal" is common and can be fun as kids, but we all have to grow up and say there is a such thing as gravity and its not because the Earth sucks. Be open minded, but don't let your brains fall out.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +5
... written by Stanfr,
November 11, 2011
Statements like "There are things I know you can't explain", and "...We're trying to make (the paranormal) seem legitimate" along with the false claim that any skpetic is saying "there is NO way the paranormal exists" (most of us would love to see the 1 million dollar JREF prize snatched up, we're just not holding our breath) are pretty strong indications that Colt has a lot to learn about critical thinking. I don't blame him though--I believed in ghosts when I was a teenager. I've learned a lot since then.
There are so many things wrong with your response I don't even know where to start, but the first thing that jumps out at me is your dismissal of science. Everything about you, from the moment of your conception to the keyboard you typed your response on, is founded in Science. There is no scientifically sustainable evidence in the existence of ghosts. Saying that "it's not about the instruments" but about "feelings and experience" are just a way of you dodging the fact that what these "investigations" and others like them are claiming to be 'scientific', in order to legitimize their claims. But the fact is, there is no real science involved, just lots of pseudo-science. That's what we find "disturbing".
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +10
... written by Debralee303,
November 21, 2011
Made-In-Michigan Film Festival “The Haunted Millington Hills” (Directed by Cruce Grammatico) will be playing November 29th @ 7pm at Gallery 194 in Lapeer along with 5 other short films that received a high number of votes at this year's festival for the "Audience Choice Award".
Synopsis: Cruce, an aspiring documentary filmmaker, and his crew head to Millington, Michigan. Claims of paranormal activity in an indian burial ground are investigated as the team explores the forest. Documentary | 15 Minutes http://www.madeinmichiganfilmfestival.org/
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: -7
Write comment
This content has been locked. You can no longer post any comment.
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please
register if you do not have an account yet.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Branch out Colt, the skeptical world can use a man like you.
