Introducing the Mystical School Bus
I’ve been working on a new project by launching a YouTube channel with companion videos to dive deeper into the topics we’ll explore on the blog. My goal is to blend education with paranormal fun, offering you the best of both worlds. What better way to do that than by bringing you content in both written and video formats? Welcome to The Mystical School Bus!
Hey everyone, I’m Joanna, and this is my latest creative venture. If you’re like me and love unraveling the mysteries of the universe—whether they’re paranormal, scientific, or just plain weird—then you’ve come to the right place! Along with my passion for the strange and mysterious, I also love education and instructional design, so I decided to combine the two in a unique way.
I’ve dabbled in a few projects before, like starting a blog about the mysteries of the universe and creating digital downloads on Etsy, but now I’m diving into something new and terrifying—YouTube! I’ve had a channel for a while, posting random projects, but it never felt like a real thing until now. Honestly, YouTubers make it look so easy, but it’s a lot harder than it seems.
What pushed me to finally get serious about this project was a creativity class I’m taking as part of my Master’s program in Instructional Design. This class inspired me to create The Mystical School Bus—a non-copyright version of that childhood show that had a huge impact on me (you know the one).
So buckle up because we’re about to explore the fascinating world of parapsychology and dive deep into the American Society for Psychical Research (ASPR)—the oldest paranormal research organization in the U.S.! Together, we’ll look at its history, major players, and some of the groundbreaking research it’s known for. From topics like precognition and telepathy to the infamous “weight of the soul” experiment, we’re going to explore it all.
Watch Here:
What’s the ASPR?
Founded in 1885 in New York, the ASPR was created to investigate paranormal phenomena scientifically. At the time, psychology was still in its early stages, and the idea of studying paranormal events was, to say the least, controversial. William James, one of the founding fathers of psychology, was a key figure behind it, wanting to grow psychical research while others, like Wilhelm Wundt, weren’t on board.
The ASPR explored some wild topics—remote viewing, telepathy, and out-of-body experiences, to name a few. We’ll skim through some of its notable research today, but if there’s something that sparks your curiosity, let me know, and I can dive deeper into specific topics in future videos!
My Favorite Paranormal Experiment
One of my favorite pieces of ASPR research involves life after death, particularly the work of Dr. Karlis Osis, who focused on out-of-body experiences and deathbed observations. But perhaps the most famous (and weirdest) experiment linked to the ASPR is the “21 grams experiment.” This study, led by Dr. Duncan MacDougall, aimed to measure the weight of the soul. It’s controversial, unscientific, and, frankly, fascinating. Spoiler alert: the experiment claimed that the soul weighs 21 grams.
Where’s the ASPR Today?
While the ASPR isn’t as active as it once was, its influence still lingers. There are ongoing research projects, but most of the work has shifted to its parent organization, the Society for Psychical Research (SPR). If you’re interested in learning more or even getting involved, SPR offers memberships to anyone interested in the subject—no matter your background.
What’s Next?
That’s it for today. We’ve barely scratched the surface of the ASPR’s contributions to paranormal research. But don’t worry, we’ll explore more mysteries in the future. I’m already thinking about covering near-death experiences, haunted asylums, or even energy fields like the Richenback Phenomenon.
References and Resources:
Books and Journal Articles:
- Stokes, D. M. (1987). Research in Parapsychology, 1985 (D. H. Weiner and D. I. Radin, Eds.) [Book review]. The Journal of Parapsychology, 51(2), 157.
- Solomon, M. (1917). Proceedings of the American Society for Psychical Research [Review of the books Proceedings of the American Society for Psychical Research Vol. IX, X, XI by W. F. Prince & J. H. Hyslop]. The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 12(4), 280–282. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0066370
- Sommer, A. (2012). Psychical Research and the Origins of American Psychology: Hugo Münsterberg, William James, and Eusapia Palladino. History of the Human Sciences, 25(2), 23–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/0952695112439376
Or available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3552602/
Websites and Archives:
- Salter, W. H. (1948). The Society for Psychical Research: An Outline of Its History. Retrieved from Archive.org
- Harvard University Department of Psychology, William James (1842–1910). Established Harvard’s Psychology Department (1872-1907). William James Profile
Additional Resources: William James – Houghton Library
Membership Information:
- Interested in joining the Society for Psychical Research? Learn more at: Membership | spr.ac.uk
