# "Ghost" voices freak me out, even though I am a 100% skeptic. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 11, 2004, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739 "2004-10-11T23:49:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/41 "2004-10-15T16:54:10Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > No, it doesn’t. Random phrases from TV and radio signals will seem to answer direct questions “sometimes”, too; especially if you want them to. > The supernatural is all horseshit, but this is the horseshittiest turd on the heap. Thanks for that enlightening, scientific post. I bow down to you and your great wisdom. Now run along and let the grownups talk. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/42 "2004-10-15T17:05:15Z")
Grownups? That’s pretty funny. No, what I see is a contingent that gets a childlike joy out of telling each other ghost stories. If you want to take this to a scientific level, I’ll be happy to explain why this is all horseshit, but horsehit it is and horseshit it shall remain, your eyerolling smiley not withstanding. In the meantime, perhaps you might want to go [here](http://www.randi.org/) and [here](http://skepdic.com/) and [here](http://www.straightdope.com/index.html) as part of your quest to become less childishly credulous and more like a real grownup. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/43 "2004-10-15T17:12:36Z")
[hijack] You only just reminded me of this, but I love how when someone is called “childish” or “kid” or something like that, the next post by the accused is always full of 10 dollar words 🙂 You’re not the only one Scumpup, just the most recent. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/44 "2004-10-15T19:05:06Z")
> [@](#): > > In the meantime, perhaps you might want to go here and here and here as part of your quest to become less childishly credulous and more like a real grownup Why must someone always ruin the fun? Yes, I am almost 100% sure that everyone here is aware of Randi and his million dollars, and yes im sure everyone here knows about Skepdic. So? Why does believing in something not on those websites make me a child? Go play with your other adult friends and keep telling each other how smart you are, and how dumb the rest of the world is. Just let the rest of us have some fun. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/45 "2004-10-15T19:31:27Z")
From one of Scumpup’s own links (have YOU ever read them, dude? Try it sometime): > [@](#): > > While it is impossible to prove that all EVPs are due to natural phenomena, skeptics maintain that they are probably due to such things as interference from a nearby CB operator or cross modulation. Some of the “voices” are most likely people creating meaning out of random noise, a kind of auditory pareidolia or apophenia. Note that every single sentiment contained in that paragraph has been pretty much universally accepted in this thread. It doesn’t need your “adulting up”, thanks. Mayhap you can take your own brand of “adulthood” to the Pit? ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/46 "2004-10-15T21:16:27Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > No, it doesn’t. Random phrases from TV and radio signals will seem to answer direct questions “sometimes”, too; especially if you want them to. > The supernatural is all horseshit, but this is the horseshittiest turd on the heap. Hmmm, my dictionary defines _random_ as “lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance”. An EVP voice specifically answering a question like “What is your name?” with the response of “John”, for example, certainly does not fall under the definition of random. And if my radio or TV suddenly started answering my questions, I think I’d more concerned about that than the possibility a ghost was trying to communicate with me. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/47 "2004-10-15T21:53:46Z")
> [@photopat](#): > > How about “ **Family Feud** , tonight featuring the Hatfields and McCoys!” > > Or they could just start running for office. The dead have risen, and they’re voting Republican! ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/48 "2004-10-15T23:10:19Z")
If I repeat my request that this not turn into a debate, will that make a difference? ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/49 "2004-10-15T23:22:00Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > No, what I see is a contingent that gets a childlike joy out of telling each other ghost stories. The astute reader will note that we are not in Great Debates or General Questions. > [@](#): > > If you want to take this to a scientific level, I’ll be happy to explain why this is all horseshit, but horsehit it is and horseshit it shall remain, your eyerolling smiley not withstanding. Then scamper off and start a GD thread about it or something. People are just having a bit of fun here, not looking for a rehash of already-known explanations. So back to the ghost stories. EVP seems stupidly simple to try; Has anyone here given it a go? I live in a house where 3 people died. Wonder what the ol’ tape recorder would pick up… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/50 "2004-10-15T23:29:58Z")
“I’m not afraid.” "You will be. You WILL be." ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/51 "2004-10-15T23:55:57Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > EVP seems stupidly simple to try; Has anyone here given it a go? I live in a house where 3 people died. Wonder what the ol’ tape recorder would pick up… 😉 Not exactly the same thing, but the first time I ever heard one of these voice things was on a TV show I watched with my Mom. It had the EVPs, and a similar deal where folks would take pictures that showed strange things after being developed that weren’t seen when the pic was taken. This was at least 10 years ago, and I still remember one of the voices said “I’ve come up with Betty…” We speculated it was the ghost of Barney Rubble. After we watched this show, my Mom and I got a couple disposable cameras (we were too embarrassed to ask my Dad to use his nice camera) and took some pics in the local cemetary. Should have taken a tape recorder too, on retrospect. We didn’t see anything even remotely spooky on our pics. ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/52 "2004-10-16T00:05:51Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > So back to the ghost stories. EVP seems stupidly simple to try; Has anyone here given it a go? I live in a house where 3 people died. Wonder what the ol’ tape recorder would pick up… 😉 Yes, actually I have and I’ve gotten results too (nothing earth-shattering but a few voices here and there). It is surprisingly simple to do–just make sure there’s no TV or radio on, turn on the recorder in a quiet room, ask a question, wait a minute or two and then play it back. You might be surprised at what you get, but it most likely will take more than one try. If you try more than once, make sure to try it around the same time each day-that seems to help for some reason. You could also just leave the recorder running in an empty room for awhile-that works too but getting a response to a question you’ve asked is much more impressive. You don’t have to be in a haunted location either. Any place will do if it’s quiet enough. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/53 "2004-10-16T01:01:33Z")
> [@](#): > > We didn’t see anything even remotely spooky on our pics. A lot of ghost-pics are easier to dismiss, in my opinion. There’s so many things that can cause aberrations on a picture - flares in the lens, wrinkles on film, flaw in the developing process, moisture or dust in the air - that it’s easier to get an image. After that, it’s not terribly difficult to find three splotches that make a pair of eyes and a mouth, and VOILA! the glob of spilled developer looks like a face. Does that mean that I think all ghost pictures are along those lines? Nah. But it doesn’t grab me with the same strength that the EVP does… > [@](#): > > It is surprisingly simple to do–just make sure there’s no TV or radio on, turn on the recorder in a quiet room, ask a question, wait a minute or two and then play it back. Another skeptic buddy of mine spent hours doing just that, actually, back when he was on lotsa drugs (“Don’t listen to him, he was on meth _all_ the time!” is one quote his companion exclaims a lot)… unfortunately, he never picked up anything substantial. Ah well. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/54 "2004-10-16T04:24:59Z")
I’m thinking of doing this, perhaps on Halloween (maybe the spirits are closer, or something). I will turn on my tape recorder, and leave it in a 300 year old cemetary (ought to be lots of ghosts there). I will then pose the following questions: -Who are you? -How did you die? -What is your name and occupation -Will you agree to an interview? -Where is your tombstone, If I can correlate any responses with an actual occupant, I’ll believe it! 😕 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/55 "2004-10-16T04:40:23Z")
> [@Middlecase](#): > > The dead have risen, and they’re voting Republican! No, the Dead are Ralph Nader’s constituency because he has no life. I don’t believe in ghosts, or that voices can be recorded on audio, but when a rerun of Unsolved Mysteries comes on and that episode features ghosts, the show can be almost convincing, especially when no alternate explanation is given. Of course the point of the show is to entertain. It does a good job. I have never had an experience that could be explained as being caused by ghosts, but it’s fun to believe. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2004, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739/56 "2004-10-16T05:00:32Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > I’m thinking of doing this, perhaps on Halloween (maybe the spirits are closer, or something). > > \>snip\< > > If I can correlate any responses with an actual occupant, I’ll believe it! 😕 Please do! And post any results you get. Even if absolutely negative results, I would really like to see this. I can’t stand those silly pics that they try to say are “evidence.” But, something about EVP holds somewhat of a draw to me. Do I believe in ghosts? No. Not really. But something seems to have been happening in perhaps some of these EVPs. Or, it could all be explained by what that rude guy said, random EMF phenomenon (do doo da do do) Hey, for all we know now, it could be some hoax that someone convinced others about, and those others “find” evidence simply because they want to. But if **ralph** does it… :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-voices-freak-me-out-even-though-i-am-a-100-skeptic/268739.md?page=2)