Hi! Skeptic here - is this forum going to drive me mad?

Evening all. Fair warning: I'm a skeptic. I don't believe in ghosts, I think most UFO footage is explainable, and I'm generally the person at parties who ruins the vibe by asking for evidence. But I find the paranormal fascinating from a psychological and sociological perspective - why do humans believe these things? What gaps in our understanding are we trying to fill?

So here's my question: will I be welcomed here for asking difficult questions, or am I just going to be told I'm 'closed-minded' every time I suggest a rational explanation? I'm genuinely not trying to be a knob about it.

Also, whereabouts is everyone based? I'm in Bristol and wouldn't mind connecting with other local people interested in this stuff, believers or not.

Honestly mate, you're exactly the kind of person we need here. The best paranormal communities have both believers AND skeptics actually engaging with each other. It keeps investigations honest. Just don't be the guy who shows up to someone's genuine distress and immediately starts lecturing about debunking - show some empathy alongside the skepticism. There's plenty of room for both viewpoints. Bristol's got some great paranormal history too if you want to explore that angle.

I'm genuinely not trying to be a knob about it.

Famous last words! Just kidding. We get a lot of skeptics here, and most discussions are actually pretty balanced. Post with genuine curiosity rather than 'gotcha' energy and you'll be fine. Just expect to have your arguments challenged just as vigorously as believers' claims get challenged. Fair fight.

Stay if you like being called a 'closed-minded sheep' regularly, or leave if you prefer your echo chambers. We're a bit of both here - some genuine believers, some committed skeptics, and a lot of people in the middle just trying to figure things out. You sound like the middle to me, which is good.