Conspirituality Brief: The Ghost Lab
Jun 14, 2025
Matt Hongolt-Hetling, a Pulitzer-nominated journalist and author, dives into the world of paranormal beliefs in his latest book, shedding light on ghost hunting's history. He discusses how diminishing trust in traditional institutions fuels our obsession with the supernatural. Delving into pop culture's role, he highlights figures like Ed and Lorraine Warren and the enduring impact of the Fox sisters' spiritualism. The conversation also uncovers the psychological needs that drive individuals toward alternative beliefs, raising concerns about abandoning evidence for the inexplicable.
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Inside a Paranormal Group
- Matt embedded with the New Hampshire paranormal group KIT Research Initiative for nearly two years.
- KRI members included diverse roles: a science-minded ghost hunter, empath, psychic medium, paralegal hearing voices, and a Bigfoot hunter-alien abductee.
Nature of Paranormal Belief
- Paranormal believers aren't stupid or lying; they have compelling personal experiences.
- Belief in supernatural is part of human nature; science is an override, not the default.
Science Seen as Oppressive
- Paranormal believers often distrust scientific institutions, thinking science suppresses or fails to reveal supernatural truths.
- This belief makes them at odds with evidence-based institutions, fueling distrust and conspiracy views.
