Delving into aspects of the paranormal, Dark World: Into the Shadows (2011) is a must read both for those who are novices to the area and for seasoned believers in the paranormal and supernatural. Addressing issues in a friendly, narrative way; as if he's conversing with the reader in person. Mind you, I did have Zak's voice in my mind when I was reading this, so it was like he was reading to me! I know I've said this until I'm purple (my fave colour) in the face, but I have to say he so needs to do an audio book! Zak has the most perfect voice!
Not only a continuation in some ways from the TV show Ghost Adventures (GA) itself as the book gives viewers/fans, the opportunity to read to a greater extent on some of the more significant investigations, than just watching in a 42 minute episode. Obviously we can't get to see everything we'd like to in that time space. But you get a real insight into the man behind the show, his reasons for doing the show, what got him interested in the paranormal and in some ways his entire raison d'etre. Which is more than we get to see in GA itself. How one fateful encounter in his Michigan apartment led to all of this and how things and his life could have been very different, cos he seemed to be headed nowhere very quickly and in danger of entering that downward spiral from which it is difficult to get out of. Yeah, okay I admit, I would have liked to have read a little more about this encounter, as would many others.
It's more than just the fun side we see during their research and bringing us the background and facts of a certain place, it's history, connections with the living and the dead on the show. As well as why it forms an integral part of the lockdown and why that particular location was chosen. It actually feels very different when you read about all this.
There are things we didn't know, about the show, about Zak and the investigations, providing a real insight and explanation or various paranormal, supernatural phenomena, tools used in investigations, conducting sessions, and PIs (Paranormal Investigations) words of wisdom and warning for any hobbyists or amateurs and you even get the obligatory "science bit."
Some may see it as a repetition of what they've already watched. Yet it's still interesting to read and sets it apart from the show in many ways. It's written in a clear, concise way with anecdotes, jokes and serious issues all brought to you with compassion and extreme sensitivity in some cases or wherever necessary.
There are many parts I'm sure we can relate to in our own lives. Zak easily draws you in with comparisons and allusions to movies and other aspects of pop culture which makes the subject more captivating and easy to comprehend for some. Like The Others which I have to agree was one of the best movies made relating to this area, with a great plot twist at the end. Showing that life still goes on and it's our own perceptions, to a degree, that makes the difference or influences us in what we believe or don't believe.
Not all will agree but I like to watch and dissect the show (same with all shows/films) but I feel it's there to do this, and is not just "for entertainment purposes" but also to debate about any questions raised and to encourage people to think outside the "spirit box" (!) in terms of answering perhaps their own fears or anything else they may want to talk about. Or may have found it difficult to do so in the past as they're dealing with such an emotive subject, but also one still subject to many taboos, depending on how one was raised or have experienced for themselves. This may have been all before the show came along. Zak's book helps to explain a lot and to bring matters out in the open which may have been uncomfortable to speak about for various reasons. The biggest one being where someone has a 'label' applied to them just cos they think differently about the paranormal or the afterlife, if they believe in ghosts.
Dark World was and still is an eye opener in many ways, but also it was a credible and fantastic read on an interesting subject and very relevant to humans and to life itself.
It's a very powerful subject on which I can write about and speak to on length, but sometimes, well a lot of the times, the words get in the way.
Comments
There were a few things I was thinking about before reading the book, such as precedence. Was thinking along the lines of what you said (Yes you, this is meant for YOU ZAK!) Thought there should be some sort of reference database where you can list your findings, what was caught where, what it means and stuff like that. It's like all the data contained in journals and law books, legal cases, where resources can be pooled and used as a source of reference and further investigation. It would provide a wealth of information not just for PIs right now, but also for the future.
However, it is understandable, regrettably, that many investigators, amateur (sometimes even the professional ones) wouldn't want to share. It's all about fame and to some extent being the first to break a story. Have had experience with people like that almost everyday. When they don't realize it's not really about them, but about what they do and ultimately it should be asked if they're not doing it for others and putting forward their findings, then why are they even doing it.
It is understandable that Quantum physics and theory would play a big part in PI and explanations, especially since everything in the universe is related to the past, present and future even; leading to breakthroughs in many areas.
The theory, perhaps most easily explained in Quantum Leap (1989) the TV show, where Sam (Scott Bakula) and Al (Dean Stockwell) argued about string theory explaining how the universe works, but ended up deciding it's more like a ball of string, with all points getting jumbled and leading into each other. Okay, I took the following extract from Wikipedia, it explains it in an easy way and also as it's already done, there's no point me repeating the similar. (I'm not a lazy writer/person! ha. First time I've done this.)
"A person's life is like a length of string; one end represents birth, the other represents death. If one were to tie the ends of the string together, their life becomes a loop. Next, by balling the loop together, the days in one's life would touch one another out of sequence. Therefore, jumping from one part of the string to another would allow someone to travel back and forth within their own lifetime, thus making a "quantum leap" between each time period. (How exactly these things are accomplished is never explained.)"
I always liked Scully's (Gillian Anderson) line in an ep of the X-Files where she says, "every answer lies in science." Cos truth is, it doesn't. There's a whole other set of variables and beliefs, faith and other factors that come into it. That's why I like to contradict that phrase at every point. Sure it's from a TV show, but it is relevant in today's world, secular or religious, believers or non-believers. This being although she's a scientist, she also has her faith and her belief in God, shown not just by the Crucifix she wears, but her own experiences in her life.
To believe in the unexplained doesn't mean giving up your faith, what you may believe for yourself, were brought up to believe, or anything else. It's called keeping an open mind and being open to changes around you, what's happening and the impact unexplained events, phenomena, may have in your own life and that of others.
Burden of proof, yeah my area! Actually agree so much with Mark and Debby Constantino about EVPs and the like being effective 'tools' in law enforcement and legal cases. Psychics have been accepted, eventually, but convincing the courts and other legal personnel on the use of EVPs, is a long and arduous step forward.
Though back in the past, there was that one case of the Greenbrier Ghost in 1897. (Funny our house was built in that year!) where a woman named Elva Zona Hester Shue living in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, USA, was killed by her husband. He covered up her death saying she had "an everlasting faint." Later this was said to be childbirth. She appeared to her mother and indicated her husband, Erasmus Shue killed her. He had broken her neck and she rotated her head around to show this. She visited her mother for four nights.
At the trial her mother stuck to her testimony and as it was the defence who introduced Zona appearing to her mother, eventually the judge could not direct the jury to ignore it. He was convicted and part of the marker near the cemetery where Zona is buried, reads: "...only known case in which testimony from a ghost helped convict a murderer."
I read about this a while back (for legal purposes, ha) then saw this on Monumental Mysteries Season 1, also on the Travel Channel.
This was at a time when there were no technical equipment or devices available, but think of the impact this could have in the future. But the kicker will always be cross examination since the accused has the right to face/challenge his/her accuser. Also credence was given to this since her body was exhumed to reinforce what her mother was saying. There's also that elephant in the courtroom going by the law of evidence, including corroboration, which will provide one of the greatest problems in this area..
As I said it is a revealing book and was immensely enjoyed by me. Am looking forward to the next one, I Am Haunted: Living Life Through the Dead out on 10th February 2015. But you can pre-order now if you dare.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628600616/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0D3JQM7W9Q7SEH83JR4V&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200422&pf_rd_i=507846
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-World-Shadows-Investigator-Adventures/dp/1936608855/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=05E5HB5G43Z7F6VVN1ZW
http://mila255.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/ghost-adventures-bringing-paranormal.html
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