SPR's Rigorous Approach to Documenting Paranormal Phenomena

Key Quotes

"The society for psychical research which maybe it's easier to call the SPR just for yeah I came across the SPR kind of back from because I'd come across one of their members first this guy Tony Cornell who I suppose he's the the main character protagonist of the book I've written but he was himself a member of the SPR so it was really through him that I got to know more about the SPR and what they had hoped to do and still hope to do they're an amazing group effectively they are neither for or against the idea that these things exist they simply are logging and investigating claims and trying to work out the science of it and and they and they have believers and they have skeptics amongst them."

Ben Machell explains that the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) operates as a neutral investigative body. Machell highlights that the SPR's core function is to log and investigate paranormal claims without pre-judging whether they are real or not, incorporating both believers and skeptics within its membership.

"I mean one of the main things to understand about the SPR is that they have no court of review so it's in some ways as you say it's full of individuals with their own beliefs their own experiences their own prejudices and all the rest of it which is kind of what makes it so interesting you know they're not there to pronounce and say hey we the SPR have kind of looked at everything with really confident that ghosts exist or telekinesis something like that it's a place where people can compare the research they've done the experiences they've had and in a scientific way really kind of mull it over and and exchange information."

Machell emphasizes the SPR's lack of a definitive ruling body, which he finds contributes to its unique interest. He explains that this structure allows for a diverse exchange of research and experiences among members, fostering a scientific approach to examining paranormal phenomena without imposing a singular conclusion.

"I mean little facts like the SPR were the first people to publish Sigmund Freud in English the first ever publication that included his work I love this little fact that you have in a chapter about this territory Winston Churchill promised the SPR that should he be killed while he was acting as a reporter he would endeavor to contact them via a seance he would try and come and break through the veil of death so so great that everyone was a part of like the as it were science of this."

Machell shares intriguing historical details about the SPR's influence and notable associations. He points out their role in publishing Sigmund Freud in English and recounts Winston Churchill's promise to contact them from beyond the grave, illustrating the broad range of prominent figures engaged with the society's work.

"And what you realize what I've come to realize is that as opposed to it being this binary for so many people at this point in time you could kind of pick and choose you could have a an interest in this area and you're not committed to anything it's not a church you know there's not a creed you know if you're interested in spiritualism and the possibilities that there's a deeper level to reality that we are on the cusp of you know better understanding then you know it was kind of up to you the degree to which you engaged with that."

Machell describes the flexible nature of engaging with spiritualism during the SPR's era. He explains that individuals could explore an interest in the supernatural without requiring absolute commitment, likening it to a personal exploration rather than adherence to a strict doctrine.

"I mean pretty amazing yeah yeah totally and and these people particularly the SPR members like Tony Cornell who did in the spontaneous cases which is what they called strange happenings that take place out in everyday life you know I suppose as distinct from laboratory research or theoretical stuff you know that directory is for people who you know have a poltergeist or suspect that they have a poltergeist or you know have experienced a series of uncanny coincidences that they need someone from the outside to come in yeah it's so cool."

Machell highlights the practical application of the SPR's work through its members like Tony Cornell. He explains that "spontaneous cases" refer to unusual events occurring in daily life, and the SPR's directory connected individuals experiencing such phenomena with investigators who could offer external assessment.

"I mean that's the point of the book like of course you know it's all part of the fun to me and and the interest is you know not whether these phenomena are necessarily real it's what happens to people when they spend so much of their life exposed to this world what happens when you spend so much of your life in this uncertain space you must have seen both versions of that one where people get completely lost but also the ones where you can just keep a rational brain about the whole thing and just enjoy the information for what it is yeah completely."

Machell articulates his central interest in writing about the supernatural. He states that his focus is less on proving the phenomena themselves and more on exploring the psychological impact on individuals who dedicate their lives to investigating this uncertain realm, observing both those who become lost and those who maintain rationality.