Have all the paranomal group names been used?

[MRT]

With so many paranormal groups around now, they are running out of names! There are only so many ways you can use the word 'paranormal'. One imaginative group calls itself 'It's Behind You'!

Can anyone think of any other new names?

[Dr B]

Are they affiliated to ASSAP - would not surprise me if they are not the executive

Sorry, could not resist.....

On a more serious note - how are groups with the term 'paranormal' in their title (thus reflecting some degree of world view) likely to be objective and scientific?

Are they not already making the fundamental assumption before even starting?

[MRT]

I think the word 'paranormal' is fairly neutral. Just because there is a word for something, it doesn't mean it has to exist! I think it is legitimate for a society's aim to be to investigate the paranormal, even if it comes to the conclusion that it doesn't exist.

[Legaleagle]

Has this one been used yet?

Paranormal Anomolies Newsgroup and Testing Society

Here's one for a university Parasychology department:

Durham University Paranormal Experimentation Department

[Legaleagle]

or how about the Fortean Anomolies and Karmic Education and Research Society

Sorry, I'll shut up now

[Admin]

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everything-is-paranormal-unless-it-can-be-proved-otherwise.com

[Dr B]

I think the word 'paranormal' is fairly neutral.

I beg to differ. It is loaded and emotionally charged as it can be used to assume something you have yet to demonstrate. The very groups you mention in the OP are the ones with things like 'paranomral' in their title and these are the fools assuming to be true, that which they claiming they are investigating as to whether its true or not. Its known as psychological baggage and most woo's buy into it a great deal and a great deal more than they know (i.e., a meta-cognitive error).

Just because there is a word for something, it doesn't mean it has to exist!

I never said it did! I said it guides thinking (even unconsciously) to interpret certain events / experiences in a certain way. I have never ever seen these groups go somewhere and report back that absolutely nothing happened - not once! They are starting from a theoretical position that already has an interpretive framework in place - as such it's all circular and pointless - this is due, in part, to loaded definitions.

I think it is legitimate for a society's aim to be to investigate the paranormal, even if it comes to the conclusion that it doesn't exist.

This is entirely consistent with my position - though you just need to use more neutral terminology. I suggest anomalous cognition / anomalous experiences etc - these definitions are far more useful as they do not assume 'paranormality' from the start.


I am not saying that by studying the paranormal you must believe in it - I am saying that many people give their groups names with 'paranormal' in the title and consciously or otherwise, they are already showing their cards.........