Ectoplasm: what's your opinion about it?

[Henrique Aguiar]

"(...) Ectoplasm is said to be formed by physical mediums when in a trance state. This material is excreted as a gauze-like substance from orifices on the medium's body and spiritual entities are said to drape this substance over their nonphysical body, enabling them to interact in the physical and real universe. According to mediums, the ectoplasm can not occur in light conditions as the ectoplasmic substance would disintegrate.[4]

The psychical researcher Gustav Geley defined ectoplasm as being “very variable in appearance, being sometimes vaporous, sometimes a plastic paste, sometimes a bundle of fine threads, or a membrane with swellings or fringes, or a fine fabric-like tissue”.[5] Arthur Conan Doyle described ectoplasm as “a viscous, gelatinous substance which appeared to differ from every known form of matter in that it could solidify and be used for material purposes”.[6] (...)"
[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectoplasm_(paranormal)]

Alleged ectoplasmic materialization of a face made by the medium Eva Carriére (1912)

Dr. Albert von Schrenck-Notzing watching what was supposedly a ectoplasmic manifestation made ​​by the medium Eva Carrière (1912)

In accordance with the foregoing, I would like you to manifest your opinion about it.


Mes salutations fraternelles

 

[Shiranui117]

Depends. How does it taste?

 

[George-ananda]

I think it very likely exists based on evidence from the many investigations that have been made.

There have been a lot of scammers too in this field but that does not mean there aren't real manifestations also.

I believe we live in a strange, strange universe of which we understand only the grossest level.

 

[Henrique Aguiar]

I think it very likely exists based on evidence from the many investigations that have been made.

There have been a lot of scammers too in this field but that does not mean there aren't real manifestations also.

I believe we live in a strange, strange universe of which we understand only the grossest level.

You are right, my friend. The human stupidity is, at least, hilarious. We cannot even know what is in the depths of the oceans and, to top it off, we dare to develop "absolute truths" and "standards of normality". Look at the sky and you will notice how limited human reasoning is. Normality, it does not exist.

 

[Mister Emu]

Using two pictures of a known fraud doesn't help the thread towards accepting ectoplasm...

 

[Amechania]

I can excrete an ectoplasm from a particular orifice that takes the form of a fine mist that diffuses in the air around me and can prevent others from approaching me for several minutes.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I don't know.

 

[Quintessence]

Although I have many maps of the territory that I shift between for different purposes, the concept of "ectoplasm" is on none of them. Most of the mapping that comes out of Spiritualism is pretty incompatible with the maps I use. I work with the otherworld on a regular basis and have not once had physical, tangible crap coming out of my orifice or draped over my body, nor is any such substance required for journeywork.

Put another way, I think it's complete hokum.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Using two pictures of a known fraud doesn't help the thread towards accepting ectoplasm...

Not to mention the convenient lack of such a substance altogether for rigorous scrutiny.

 

[Henrique Aguiar]

Using two pictures of a known fraud doesn't help the thread towards accepting ectoplasm...

I do not remember when I expressed a favorable opinion on the concept of "ectoplasm". And even if these pictures are - very supposedly - devoid of veracity, I see no reason for us to not continue discussing about this topic.

 

[outhouse]

Using two pictures of a known fraud doesn't help the thread towards accepting ectoplasm...

Thank you.


That was my thought exactly.

 

[fantome profane]

Using two pictures of a known fraud doesn't help the thread towards accepting ectoplasm...

 

[Skwim]

Ectoplasm is on par with banging tambourines in the dark, and spirit writing.

Silly stuff for the gullible.

 

[Mister Emu]

I do not remember when I expressed a favorable opinion on the concept of "ectoplasm". And even if these pictures are - very supposedly - devoid of veracity, I see no reason for us to not continue discussing about this topic.

I do not remember where I claimed you had such a favorable opinion...

I only noted the way in which you shaded the discussion.

As for my thoughts... "Ectoplasm" was invented by and primarily used to befuddle innocent believers in "spirituality" by the shysters/hucksters/hornswogglers/frauds that were prevalent at the time in the scene. Furthermore, I'd say that if the fraudulent mediums of our time could get away with it they would. Fortunately, it has been thoroughly discredited.

 

[methylatedghosts]

If the lights were on, and it was clear to see, I'd be the first to admit I saw it and that it happened. As it stands, I'm not convinced "cannot occur in light conditions" ... Pah! Surely a spirit wouldn't be thwarted by mere light. I'm not saying it doesn't happen or that it can't be possible, but I'm not so convinced

 

[AmbiguousGuy]

If the lights were on, and it was clear to see, I'd be the first to admit I saw it and that it happened. As it stands, I'm not convinced "cannot occur in light conditions" ... Pah! Surely a spirit wouldn't be thwarted by mere light. I'm not saying it doesn't happen or that it can't be possible, but I'm not so convinced

Cannot-occur-in-the-light reminds me of all the paranormal guys who claim that their magic doesn't like to perform in front of skeptics (scientists).

The spirits resent being doubted and will usually just sulk invisibly in the corner.

 

[Quintessence]

Ectoplasm is on par with banging tambourines in the dark, and spirit writing.

What is "spirit writing?" I'm fairly well appraised of occult lore (granted, not so much paranormalist stuff because it's not related to my religion), but I've never heard of this.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

What is "spirit writing?" I'm fairly well appraised of occult lore (granted, not so much paranormalist stuff because it's not related to my religion), but I've never heard of this.

Automatic writing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also Ouija boards and planchettes, to some degree.

 

[Quintessence]

Automatic writing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also Ouija boards and planchettes, to some degree.

I'm not sure if that's what Skwim meant, though, considering this sort of thing is categorically distinct from ideas like ectoplasm. Claims of something like ectoplasm are easily falsifiable. Communication with or channeling of otherworldly aspects of reality is usually non-falsifiable.

 

[Iti oj]

Cannot-occur-in-the-light reminds me of all the paranormal guys who claim that their magic doesn't like to perform in front of skeptics (scientists).

The spirits resent being doubted and will usually just sulk invisibly in the corner.

As a skeptic who does magic hogwash