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| About The Site Original Goals I guess you could say that this website was in the making over a decade before the internet ever even existed. I started creating it in early 2005. When It started, I had a few basic ideas that I wanted to focus on. Over the years there was no way for me to express my opinions and insights about this stuff to people who may(or may not) be interested. The net made it possible so that I didn't explode. I wanted to identify with others who have been interested in, or experienced unexplainable things. Everyone needs to know that they're not alone. I have a lot of strong ideas and opinions. I'm sure anyone coming to this site would also have strong ideas and opinions. I thought maybe if we all put our heads together, we could better understand things. Because of that, I wanted to make the site interactive in a way. You'll probably notice that most pages end in a question or asking for some type of participation. I know...It's like pulling teeth. :) It was also an art project. I've always been an artist, and once I got my hands on photoshop, I went nuts. I wanted every page to have its own style, artistically. Those were the original ideas and goals that I had when I started this thing. Time and experience has a way of sorting out and changing things. Because of that, the purpose of the site has changed. Don't get me wrong, all of the things that I mentioned before DEFINITELY still apply, but there's more to it now. Opinionated Jerk Editorial Like I've said, I've always been interested in the paranormal, but it's only in recent years in which I've made it a point to get to know, and understand the paranormal community here on the net. I have to say that a lot of what I've found just turns my stomach. It's appalling. You'll have to forgive me for this next part here. It's going to sound a bit 'ranty', but I think that these things need to be said to explain where I stand, and where this site plans to differ. The lies stop here. I'm all about keeping things honest. If more people had that frame of mind, this 'science' would have made a lot more headway by now. One of the first things that I've learned about the paranormal community is that way too many people claim to know what's out there, and how to deal with it. That line of thinking is absolutely ridiculous. People talk about spirit guides, and bad spirits on 'lower levels'. Even pictures of dust and moisture are analyzed to death, and some clam that they're proof of the afterlife. Nobody has anything solid to back those claims up. Yet, many people are out there spreading their own version of the truth. What's even worse, is the sheep that follow these ideas without thinking for themselves. I know nothing, YOU know nothing, that guy who claims to be sensitive knows nothing. Think for yourself, and stop making stuff up! This whole interest/hobby needs a complete overhaul. There's way too many know-it-all teachers, and not enough eager students. Another thing is, I've read a lot of other sites, and talked to a lot of other people who've 'established themselves' in the paranormal community. A lot of them use words like 'expert' and 'world renowned' to describe themselves. Show me someone who claims to be a 'paranormal expert', and I'll show you a fraud. That's all I have on that one. Some of them are even going as low as actually charging people money for certification in paranormal research and investigation. It's a field without any establish facts. Can you comprehend the gall and absurdity? I'll reword it to make it clear. They require payment and advertise their ability to teach that which CANNOT be taught because nobody alive is qualified enough to teach it. Why are there so many people in the paranormal community that think that this is an acceptable practice? After that, those who obtain these false credentials either realize that they've wasted their money needlessly, or even worse, they use their 'Cracker-Jack certifications' to mislead others into actually believing that they're legitimate, and to stroke their own egos. The last major problem that I've found is the 'junior high school' mentality that a lot of people in this field seem to have. I submit that we should all be on the same side here, but it seems common to have the 'get off my street corner' mentality. Far too many investigators and paranormal nuts think that they have a monopoly on this whole thing. They don't want to share information, and they certainly don't want to fraternize with the enemy. (everyone else in the field) Hey, if you're in this field, and none of this applies to you, you have my respect. Otherwise, you're probably pretty pissed right now. Truth hurts, huh? Nah, you can always redefine your role in the field. It's not too late for you to do some good. Since discovering all of this stuff in this field, I've decided to design a lot of this site around the exact opposite attitude. I want to make this site become sort of a 'companion' for new and experienced hunters and investigators. You don't need a fake certification to have value, and to contribute to the field. Over time, this site is going to try to use experience of as many investigators as possible. It's not going to be easy, but many pages on this site will be designed specifically to HELP other hunters, and try to teach things that other sites and investigators won't, and we won't charge you a dime. If you want a fake certificate, I'll be glad t make you one free of charge. At the top, it will say, 'Fake Certificate'. Beyond Paranormal Investigations I want to address the relationship between The Beyond, and "Beyond Paranormal Investigations". The Beyond is my PERSONAL site to express my own views and opinions on the paranormal. Granted, the goals of the site have become bigger, but in a sense, that's all that it is. Beyond Paranormal Investigations is a ghost hunting, and investigation group located in Southeast Michigan. I host its website on a sub domain of thebeyond.info, and I'm directly involved in most, if not all of their business. The views expressed on TheBeyond.info DO NOT necessarily represent the views of Beyond Paranormal Investigations! Again, they are my PERSONAL views. Don't blame my team if you disagree with my rants on this site. It's not their fault that I am the way I am. Things That Annoy People I'm bring this up now because I don't want there to be any type of misunderstandings. As a matter of fact, I've already been asked about both of these things from a couple of people. Image Heavy I've been told that I have too many images on this site. The navigation is tough on the eyes. Because of all the images, the pages load slowly. Look, like I had originally intended. This site is also meant to be a personal work of art. I don't want to compromise the art, but at the same time, I only enjoy this whole thing if you all are getting good use out of it. I made a 'Stiemap' that I have recently integrated into all of the pages to make things a bit easier for you. As time goes on, things change. The site will adapt to service as many needs as possible. Give it time. Jokes I get some flack about all of my stupid jokes and sarcasm. Some think it's unprofessional. Here's one of my biggest problems with a lot of people who have paranormal sites, and those that are into this sort of thing. Nobody has a sense of humor! Come on people! We're grown men and women sitting there in the middle of the night in a cemetery or spooky building looking for ghosts. Are you trying to tell me that that ISN'T funny? No. I choose not to take myself and this whole thing too seriously. It's supposed to be fun. If it wasn't, why bother? Don't get me wrong, I AM VERY serious about this subject. Take a good look at this site. Agree or disagree with what I have to say, you can never say that I DON'T have a passion for it. When I'm out on the field researching, or investigating I'm 100% business. I believe that you CAN do business with a smile, and there's nothing wrong with that. I think it's important to be yourself at ALL times. Your personality MUST shine through. If that means that you have to crack a joke, and keep everyones spirits up, including your own, then that's exactly what you gotta do! Like my jokes, or hate them, they have to be told. I DO want this site to be able to help people, but I also want it to be enjoyable to read. My personality is wrapped up into every aspect of the site. You're either going to like it or not. It's impossible to change. Possibilities Lastly, and most importantly, I want to address the real point to the site. I'm a philosopher. The search for the answers is the most important thing for me. The answers themselves are secondary. I believe that only a moron deals in absolutes in this field. If someone hears a story about a haunting by a little girl, supposedly named Jill, they go into the house, and THINK that they saw an apparition, if they come out of the house saying, "I just saw Jill', I immediately know not to trust a damn word they have to say from that point on. Once you've come to an absolute conclusion, your investigation and study is over. There's nowhere else to go from there. Now, If they come out of the house and say, "Hey, I think I saw something inside. We might want to investigate further". That shows me that they are approaching things with an open mind, and are prepared for whatever possibilities may exist.
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