CLASSIC: Poltergeists: Fact and Fiction

The podcast explores the concept of poltergeists, examining their portrayal in fiction versus purported real-life accounts. It traces the etymology of "poltergeist" from German, meaning "noisy spirit," and discusses common threads in poltergeist lore, such as the movement of objects, a central haunted individual (often an adolescent girl), and a specific aim or motivation behind the haunting. The hosts cite examples like the Bell Witch of Tennessee and the Great Amherst Mystery, analyzing the reliability of these historical accounts. They consider skeptical viewpoints, including the possibility of hoaxes perpetrated by children seeking attention, and delve into scientific explanations, such as a Swiss study involving robotic manipulation that induced feelings of ghostly presence through sensory disconnect. The discussion also touches upon neurological disorders and the potential for misattributed causes in reported poltergeist activity.