ASHLEY BRITZ

As Halloween steadily approaches, there is increasing discussion of all things spooky, supernatural and unknown. A popular example of this is the existence of ghosts. However, worrying about ghosts is neither logical nor worth our time.

Some people truly and honestly believe that the dead souls of past living beings still wander the earth, making themselves visible during the hours of the night. Some people have even claimed to see ghostly apparitions.

First off, I don’t think the possibility of the existence of ghosts is a subject worth keeping you up at night. There is very little scientific evidence suggesting their existence and I find the possibility that your professor might shout “surprise quiz!” next Monday a little more worrisome than the possibility that a ghost might haunt you tonight.

Yes, you hear about people who have “seen ghosts,” and the Internet is full of video footage of shadowy, white, wispy figures. However, the truth remains that you cannot simply believe in the things people tell you on the Internet or in conversation.

Sometimes, you cannot even trust the things that you think you saw yourself, especially in the dark. I can state with confidence that I saw ghost-like beings and shadowy figures when I was a child, but do I truly believe the apparitions were real? Of course not.

I also get strange, eerie feelings while walking at night, as if I’m being watched. Do I truly believe that I am being watched? No.

I believe that these illusions and the feelings that lead to a belief in ghosts are the result of the brain trying to rationalize the inherent fear that most people have of darkness and solitude. That’s the reason why most apparent ghost sightings occur after dark.

The human mind and imagination can be funny, and possess the potential to create illusions that seem real. This is especially true at night-time, as the fear of not being able to see properly in the dark can cause the brain to manifest its own images.

One example of this is the classic “Bloody Mary” superstition, in which a person stares into a mirror in the dark and chants the words “Bloody Mary” to themselves, which results in seeing a frightening, bleeding figure in the mirror.

Doesn’t it seem preposterous that chanting words in the dark would actually summon the ghost of a bleeding woman into a mirror? I think that the fear and anticipation of the event becomes so real that the illusion of an apparition actually appears to occur.

Now, maybe I’d have an easier time believing in ghosts if they left behind some sort of visible evidence. Unfortunately, substances such as ectoplasm — a physical substance left behind by spiritual energies — are fictional and nonexistent in the scientific spectrum. A ghost does not leave behind anything that can be scientifically traced or compiled as evidence towards its existence.

A common argument made against the lack of scientific evidence of ghosts is that “science can’t explain everything.” I don’t disagree with this statement, as there are many mysteries of the world and beyond that still remain unsolved and unproven by science. But what is the point in wasting time, energy and fear believing in ghosts when there is no actual solid proof beyond theory?

I believe it is more worthwhile to spend time being concerned over the things of real, unquestionable existence that can cause harm to us. You have a stronger chance of being stalked and attacked by a living, breathing person or animal than a ghost.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t deny that there is a slight possibility of ghosts being real, in a similar way that I don’t deny there are possibilities of other other-worldly and supernatural things, such as aliens or angels.

However, until I’m presented with hard, scientific truth of their existence, I’m not going to waste time pondering or worrying about such a fickle possibility.

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Image: Ashley Britz