http://paranormalinvestigatorsofsocal.org/Home.html
"We understand that paranormal activity can be frightening. Achieving a greater understanding of what's occurring in your home or business is the first step in dealing with it. We never charge for an investigation, so feel free to contact us even if you just want to discuss it. We pride ourselves in our commitment to assist you. All investigations that yield any documented evidence, will be provided to you - again, at no charge to you. If you'd like an investigation, please complete the form under "Contact Us" and we'll respond back to you usually the same day."
They reference the fact that the investigation is free twice. This influences potential clients to use their services, as it is made abundantly clear they don't have to pay anything (which is something that everyone likes tbh)
2. The Normal- Based on a reference group or experience
"We were investigating a room that a known child spirit frequents. We had caught EVP's of children before in this room. We set up a video (Wall-e) for them to watch. Mike and Robin where watching it and laughing at a particular scene when this childs laugh is also caught."
With this evidence, it is given more credibility by having an experience shared by more than one person. By doing this, the audience is more inclined to believe. After all, a shared experience is seen as more credible than a single persons, as a single can be seen as a crazy person but with more than one person it becomes more reliable data.
3. Example- Events reveal a rule/reality
"Growing up I became interested in the paranormal due to watching Sightings. At that time I found out who Peter James was, and his contribution to the paranormal field. Some of his work included the Sallie house, Suicide Bridge and the famous Queen Mary RMS. I had my first paranormal experience at the age of 21 after a close relative passed away that left me confused and wanting answers."
The bio of this member has several examples listed that explain why he is involved and why he believes in ghosts (and therefore why the reader should.) By listing personal experience and previous well known sightings/experiences, he justifies the belief in ghosts by showing a connection between all these events (that being ghosts.) This strengthens the claim and even brings a personal feel to it that makes it feel more real to the audience.
4. The Likely- Some measure of intuitive statistical judgement
"There was some debate on this clip. It sounds like an elderly woman, but you never know. There are 3 layers of voices talking over this section of clip which can hamper the hearing process. Two investigators analyzed this clip and both agreed that it most likely was saying "Get Out". Let us know what you think..."
Although not admitted as full truth, the investigators claim the speech of the ghost as saying one thing, even bringing in two people to check it. This is fully intuitive and has room for debate, but is still seen as evidence, as it was agreed to have been experienced, even if there is disagreements.
5. Presence- Event strikes the imagination in connection with the rule
"This is a very exciting clip. It's the middle of the investigation and Mike is on the outside back patio. During the evening we had been discussing that the spirits needed to go into the light. This clip appears to be acknowledging the fact that there is in fact a light to go into. This is exciting evidence that suggests what we've suspected all along - that there is in fact a light! The male spirit appears to reject the idea that Lisa go into it and appears he may be preventing her from doing so. A voice heard before this seems to be encouraging her to go by saying 'Do it!'"
The evidence given here makes the claim that there is a "light" that spirits go toward through a sequence of events. It makes us aware of the "light" rule that the investigators are aware of by showing pieces of evidence that seem to link towards it. By showing the discussion of the ghosts, it is implied that the "light" is a real thing and is in fact a "rule" in the realm of the paranormal.
I think with your thesis you could definitely talk about how they appeal to people who believe in life after death with their reference to the light. Usually people say, "I see the light!" So, you could say something like that. I think it makes them seem super desperate when they keep repeating they are free. It would get them more customers I guess with having their services free. Also I think you could say they want their site to seem like a collaboration with the world when they ask for people's opinions on the findings. So it makes it seem more like a blog and acting like they actually have a following :P So your thesis could be: This site tries to establish credibility by appealing to people who believe in life after death, having free services to show they are passionate about this and are not out for the money, and also trying to show they have a following by asking people to comment on their videos.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually some really great and really compelling information. I think that your thesis could definitely stem from their sense of charity. The fact that the website is interactive with the visitors is extremely important in establishing a relationship between the team and the visitors. Basing a thesis off of this platform expands the idea of trust between the group and the visitor.
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