Lakeland Skeptics Society

The name was chosen, he said, “because in the field of science, you can only hypothesize that something occurs until you have evidence to back up your claim. Therefore, we are skeptics until proof is provided.” The Skeptic Society has several investigations planned to debunk myths using empirical evidence and the scientific method. The group will investigate whether the Prentis House in downtown Suffolk is really haunted, and whether Cedar Hill Cemetery is home to ghosts of Confederate soldiers.

Earlier this month, the Skeptics Society worked to either confirm or “bust” the Ouija board myth using scientific methods – by recording any changes in sound, temperature or electromagnetic emissions around students using a Ouija board. Daniels explained that it is widely believed that paranormal activity generates an electromagnetic field.

The students were armed with a digital recorder, a thermometer, an electromagnetic field monitor and a Geiger counter to measure beta and gamma ray emissions. The lights were dimmed and the experiment began. Two students placed their hands on the Ouija board planchette (pointer) and asked a question. The planchette moved left and right, but to no discernable answer. Several teams of two students repeated the exercise. The first twosome believed in paranormal activity; the second did not; the third was skeptical; and the last pair was blindfolded. The outcome of each experiment remained unchanged – little or no movement.

Without any temperature rise or any noticeable difference on the other meters, nearly half of the students supported the postulate that the small journey of the pointer may not be due to paranormal forces but to unnoticeable movements by those controlling the pointer. These 10 students voted, by a show of hands, that paranormal activity was plausible, even though they were unable to measure it. Six students stood united in their belief that the Ouija board “powers” were busted, and another two declined to take a side.

One of the “busted” votes came from junior David Van Petten. “I pretty much believe that most things that happen can be explained through science,” he said. “I am the kind of person who would need to see a ghost or such for myself to believe it.”

Freshman Kaitlin Owen was more open-minded in her assessment. Her plausible vote was based on insufficient data. She felt the day’s distractions – PA announcements and a dozen onlookers – could have impacted a possible paranormal presence. “I’m not sure if paranormal activity is real, but I am interested in finding out … that’s why I’m here,” she said.
The club has decided to perform this experiment in another location to see if the results vary.

To learn more about the Lakeland Skeptics Society, check out the club’s website: http://lakelandss.webs.com/