Hi there,

I've just introduced myself in the relevant section of this forum - I'm new here

Just thought I'd ask your thoughts on the topic of pareidolia.

In my opinion, this effect can go a LONG way to explaining practically all photographs/video clips/etc. that you see that people claim to be "paranormal" in nature. I'm a true sceptic in that I'm open minded but it takes a lot to convince me that something is truly "paranormal" when there are usually loads of other possible explanations for something. Pareidolia being just one of them!

What are your thoughts on it? :shrug:

For those who have never come across the term "pareidolia" before, here is a link to an article I wrote about the subject:

http://www.otherworldnortheast.org.uk/arti...pareidolia.html

Good explaination Sarah, Nice site you have there aswell....

Thanking you Fen_Star

The site itself is predominantely run by my other half but I run the "Aliens and the Unexplained" section of the forums and contribute obviously to the rest of the site on a regular basis.

Its a very good explanation for many of the so called "paranormal" photos but you can't deny that some photos of lets say a full body apparition are not breath mists or people making out shapes in a seemingly shapeless thing. As for orbs their just a collection of energy and do not tye into paranormal activity in most cases. It may in some but for the most part do not. But i have to agree that pareidolia can explain a lot but not all

A great read Sarah_Louise.
I have been thinking in a similar manner myself.

Welcome to the forums

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this one

Regarding orbs themselves (hehehe, don't get me started on those - I'm more sceptical about orbs than I am about most other aspects of the paranormal! :laugh:), in the 8 years I've been actively investigating the paranormal, I have only ever seen one orb that has impressed me. And that was one which I saw with my naked eye. (Typically didn't photograph it in time). Out of the thousands upon thousands of photos/video clips I've seen, I have yet to see one that doesn't just resemble a dust particle, insect, moisture droplet, etc.

I agree though in that the full apparition type photos/video clips are certainly less easy to explain (and certainly don't easily fit into the model of being pareidolia) but sadly I have yet to see a photo/video clip of a full apparition that doesn't just look like its faked :cry: