Paul Giamatti’s CHINWAG with Stephen Asma

Spiritualism, Seance, Ouija, and Ectoplasm

10 snips
Feb 14, 2024
Join Paul and Stephen as they chat with Lisa Morton about the history of spiritualism, mediums, ouija boards, and more. From seances at the Stanley Hotel to regurgitated ectoplasm, they cover it all. Learn about famous mediums, surrealism, and how wars trigger paranormal beliefs.
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ANECDOTE

Lisa Morton's Stanley Hotel Experience

  • Lisa Morton had an odd experience during an overnight paranormal investigation at the Stanley Hotel.
  • A spirit box blurted out "Most of Aria," the Latin name of a play about a haunted house, startling her.
INSIGHT

Priming and Paranormal Beliefs

  • Psychological studies show that pre-existing beliefs influence perception of paranormal activity.
  • Telling people a building is haunted increases the likelihood they'll report paranormal experiences.
INSIGHT

Rise of Modern Spiritualism

  • Modern spiritualism, like séances, arose in the 19th century, coinciding with the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment.
  • People felt a loss of control and spiritual grounding, leading them to seek new ways to connect with the afterlife.
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