Witness! Talking to Those Who’ve Seen the Impossible

Simon and Chris discuss their experiences interviewing witnesses to paranormal events. What kinds of things cause witnesses to distort their recollections? Why do some people slide from one strange story into ten stranger ones? And what should we make of angels on bridges, voltergeists, bewitched dog bowls, demonic chip bags, vampire bats (in Ohio!), and shamanic puppies? Chris draws on decades of visiting haunted houses and chatting with occupants. Simon discusses collecting reports for the Fairy Census and how people ‘know’ the difference between UFOs, ghosts, and the fey. Expect to learn red flags in interviews, Chris’ double blind-ish technique, and Simon’s tell-me-thrice memory trick, with a sprinkling of narcissism, persecution mania, environmental toxins, and one brain tumour thrown in for good measure.