The term paranormal has existed in the English language since at least 1920. The word consists of two parts: para and normal. The definition implies that the scientific explanation of the world around us is ‘normal’ and anything that is above, beyond, or contrary to that is ‘para’ and events that can not readily be explained by “the range of normal experience or scientific explanation.”
A paranormal phenomenon is different from hypothetical concepts such as dark matter and dark energy. Unlike paranormal phenomena, these hypothetical concepts are based on empirical observations and experimental data gained through the scientific method.
Popular culture and folklore often make reference to paranormal phenomena.
Scientific evidence does not support the existence of paranormal phenomena. Via: www.paranormaldictionary.com
I want to take a look at what paranormal actually means for not only the skeptic or investigator, but for people outside of the para community. The term paranormal does get tossed around a lot, but has the meaning changed because of that? And does that effect how people outside the para circle react when it’s used?
I’m going to use some generalities here so results may vary. The skeptical ideology tends to use the exact definition as stated above bringing many factors into account before possible labeling of anything paranormal. The investigator or hunter ideology label paranormal as anything they can’t explain – typically without consultation by a true expert (ie. Photographer, audio engineer, etc). The public tends to label paranormal as ghosts. So where does that leave us?
When loose definitions start to creep into the words meaning it causes confusion and misunderstandings to happen. The paranormal is such a broad term, do we really need to narrow it? Once we all realize paranormal is much more then we think true thought can flourish. Maybe we can bridge some ideas about what causes the paranormal with others of different thought processes. Who or what are ghosts/aliens? Are aliens here hunting for Bigfoot? The connections are limitless and so far mostly unexplored…. And isn’t that why we love the paranormal – the search for the unknown? Let’s go out and build some more bridges into the unknown.