Halloween Special: Why Do We Still Believe in Ghosts?

Even in the age of science and reason, we’re all still fascinated by stories of specters from the beyond. Ghosts may be easily dismissed as folklore or superstition in the light of day, But our tune changes in the middle of the night. It’s dark, you’re all alone, and the things that seem impossible in the sunlight are suddenly very, very real. 

In our Halloween episode, we’re recording at one of the most haunted places in America to ask ourselves: Why do we still believe in ghosts? We’re digging into the history of visitors from beyond the grave, the potential explanations science has for our favorite scary stories, and why we just can’t seem to give up our ghosts. That’s what you’re in for today on Impolite Society.  

Email us your impolite questions at rude@impolitesocietypodcast.com and visit our website for info about the show and your hosts Laura and Rachel.

SOURCES:

Why Do People Believe in Ghosts?

The Science of Ghosts 

Magic and memory: using conjuring to explore the effects of suggestion, social influence, and paranormal belief on eyewitness testimony for an ostensibly paranormal event 

Five Scientific Explanations for Spooky Sensations | Smart News 

The Perceived Paranormal and Source Credibility: The Effects of Narrative Suggestions on Paranormal Belief

Embers of society: Firelight talk among the Ju/’hoansi Bushmen

Why do we like to be scared? The science behind the scream

THE EIGHT TYPES OF GHOSTS

There's an Evolutionary Reason Why We're Afraid of The Dark

British people more likely to believe in ghosts than a Creator