Ross meets Chief Investigator Kenny Biddle to discuss ghost hunting equipment, psychic 'detectives', spooky Xbox Kinect uses, debunking paranormal videos on TikTok, and Patrick Swayze life lessons. Plus, a paranormal challenge in Las Vegas with a cloud buster.
Psychic's inaccurate claims debunked by detective's clarification on missing teen case.
Legal threats subsided after psychic failed to provide evidence to support inaccurate claims.
Scrutiny reveals psychic's questionable use of 'doctor' title based on different credentials.
Vintage photo anomaly analyzed, hinting at manual editing processes like crayon portrait for mysterious hand appearance.
Deep dives
Skeptical Investigation of a Psychic Claiming to Find a Missing Teenager
An investigation was conducted into a psychic who claimed to have assisted in finding a missing teenager in Oklahoma. The psychic asserted that she had the entire police department believing she was psychic after locating the girl. However, upon contacting the detective mentioned, it was revealed that her claims were inaccurate and that the police already had the necessary information without her assistance. Further discussions debunked her assertion that the case involved a location near water, as the detective clarified that water features were common in their area.
Encounter with a Psychic and Legal Threat
Following the investigation, a cease and desist letter was received from the psychic's business partner, threatening a lawsuit if the article exposing the inaccuracies was not removed. The legal counsel handled the matter promptly, seeking specific details on the inaccurate claims for potential legal action. The threats subsided when the psychic failed to provide substantial evidence to support her claims.
Professional Credentials of the Psychic
Further scrutiny revealed that the psychic had used the title 'doctor' for seven years based on a diploma from the Universal Life Church Doctor of Divinity. However, she later obtained a doctorate from Capella University in 2022. Her prior use of the title was questioned, highlighting the difference between the two credentials and shedding light on the authenticity of her professional titles.
Utilization of Archive Websites for Investigation
The use of internet archive websites, such as the Wayback Machine, proved valuable in uncovering historical information related to individuals and their claims. By accessing past versions of the psychic's website, discrepancies in her professional titles and missing case details were revealed, providing a comprehensive view of her background and assertions.
Glimpse into a Mysterious 1900 Photograph
A 1900 photograph of mill workers depicts a fascinating anomaly where a woman appears to have a hand on her shoulder without a body nearby. Upon closer inspection, the image quality suggests a distinctive drawing technique known as a crayon portrait, hinting at a potential retouching or editing process that led to the mysterious hand appearance on the woman's shoulder.
Exploring the Technology Behind Vintage Photo Retouching
The discussion delves into vintage photo editing techniques like the retouching desk, a tool used to alter photographs by manually scraping emulsions. This anecdote reveals how images were modified before digital editing, showcasing intricate methods like refining portraits or removing imperfections using specialized tools and meticulous processes.
Unveiling the Technology Misinterpretation in Ghost Hunting
The podcast exposes the fallibility of using Microsoft Xbox Kinect sensors for ghost hunting, highlighting how its motion tracking capabilities misinterpret environmental cues as paranormal phenomena. It elucidates how the sensor's software, sensitive to movement recognition, can lead to false positives like identifying household objects as ghostly entities, showcasing the nuances of technology misinterpretation within the ghost hunting realm.
Ross meets up at CSICon 2023 with Committee for Skeptical Inquiry Chief Investigator Kenny Biddle to talk ghost hunting equipment, photographic manipulation, psychic “detectives”, spooky uses for an Xbox Kinect, responding to paranormal videos on TikTok, and important life lessons from Patrick Swayze. Plus! Hear all about a recent paranormal challenge of a cloud buster in Las Vegas.
