In recent years the number of movies with
paranormal themes has risen dramatically. Some of these films have even
given us pop phrases, such as M. Night Shyamalan's "I see dead
people", from the film" The Sixth Sense".
Why the interest in paranormal topics?
Hollywood filmmakers didn't create the interest, they merely cash in on
it. The interest existed before these films were ever created. So what
is responsible for the underlying interest in paranormal subject matter?
Perhaps there is disillusionment with
modern society that leads many to explore paranormal ideas and concepts.
Many mainstream beliefs and practices have left a large section of the
population feeling disappointed and confused.
Take the medical establishment for
instance. The health care industry has become, in many cases, a cartel
operated by the pharmaceutical industry. Doctors receive kick back
payments for every prescription that is written to their patients. The
pharmaceutical industry is constantly developing drugs that treat
symptoms not creating medicine that provides any cures. There is money
to be made by convincing the public that a lifelong dependency on drugs
is the answer to their health concerns. People are becoming more aware
that there is something wrong with the "system".
Another example of this modern
disillusionment can be found in the promises made by the technology
industry. There is a never ending supply of devices and gadgets that
line the shelves of every retail store. Do any of them actually increase
our quality of life? Have we come any closer to understanding the nature
of our existence, now that we microwave our dinner in less than five
minutes, rely on a robot to vacuum our rugs, or download the latest
ring-tone to our Nokias? Computer chips get smaller every year, the
price of a digital camera is becoming more accessible, and plasma
televisions are now available in screen sizes bigger than the average
refrigerator. And yet there is still no cure for cancer and society is
still a mess. Technology rarely offers any usable solutions to our most
common problems.
Organized religion provides yet another
clue into the disillusionment with modern beliefs that may be
responsible for the upswing in interest into paranormal subjects. The
Catholic Church, for one, has suffered a huge amount of negative
publicity surrounding the abuse scandals of several priests. Other
religious doctrines seem to be losing credibility or at least generating
less interest than they once enjoyed. And we are all painfully aware of
the consequences of radical religious belief systems. Many people are
seeking a personalized form of spirituality that moves away from
institutionalized doctrines and dogmas and focuses more on the discovery
of the spiritual self.
Modern science brings another plate to
the interest in paranormal topics table. Today physicists are publishing
scientific articles and research that seems to validate many age old
mystical and esoteric concepts. String theory physicists talk about the
existence of a multi-dimensional universe. Scientists have successfully
demonstrated the ability of a single photon of light to exist
simultaneously in two separate places. More and more the study of
physics moves into the realm of the paranormal, with strange and
fascinating results.
Disillusionment with antiquated beliefs
as well as modern society; the real need to discover a personal sense of
spirituality
and the validation of mystical concepts by modern scientists, I believe
are responsible for the increasing interest in paranormal subject
matter. We see this interest reflected in the cinemas, on television, on
the book shelves and on the radio. Every media outlet is aware of this
trend and there seems to be a rush to produce as many products as
possible.
I believe that this trend is a truly
positive one. By increasing the public's awareness of these topics the
media gives the viewers tools for self discovery. There is a void that
needs to be filled, questions that need to be answered. With every book,
movie or other media outlet which deals with paranormal and spiritual
subject matter, the disenchantment felt by many may indeed give way to
beneficial insights.
About the Author
Jeffry R. Palmer Ph.D. - Metaphysician,
Thought Energy Consultant and Syndicated Columnist, Is the author of
"Judo for the Soul - The Art of Psychic Self Defense", as well
as several articles and papers relating to metaphysics, spirituality and
paranormal phenomena. Further information about Mr. Palmer, his books
and articles can be found at: http://the-psychic-detective.com
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