A framework for evaluating paranormal claims along eight key dimensions. The 8 axes are: 1) Evidential Quality (how good the evidence is), 2) Witness Reliability (how credible the witnesses are), 3) Physical Traces (whether physical evidence exists), 4) Replicability (whether it can be reproduced), 5) Alternative Explanations (how many normal explanations exist), 6) Cross-Cultural Consistency (whether reports are consistent across cultures), 7) Historical Documentation (how well documented historically), and 8) Scientific Investigation (how much it's been studied). These axes allow for nuanced evaluation of paranormal claims.
The 8 Axes of the Paranormal Spectrum Example: "The UFO sighting was mapped on the 8 axes: high on witness reliability (multiple credible witnesses), medium on physical traces (radar data, no physical object), low on replicability (never happened again), high on alternative explanations (some possible). The axes showed why it was interesting but not conclusive—paranormal on some axes, normal on others."
by Dumu The Void March 7, 2026
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