Rethinking the Ghost Story | Dr David Waldron | TEDxMaldon

Ghost stories have been a part of human culture for centuries, captivating audiences with tales of the paranormal and supernatural. They are a powerful and ubiquitous part of our heritage, connected to stories of tragedy and darkness. Yet, all too often the emotional power of the ghost story becomes bogged down in a sceptics vs believers debate on the reality (or not) of the haunting experience. When we do so, we ignore the powerful cultural significance of those stories in folklore as signifiers of community trauma, guilt and injustice. It is time to shift the conversation towards a more meaningful and impactful discussion. Instead of focusing on the veracity of ghost stories, let us consider their roots in traumatic experiences and what they tell us about who we are and where we have come from. Dr David Waldron is a Senior Lecturer in History at Federation University Australia with a research focus on folklore and community heritage. A published author, Dr Waldron is regularly involved in public engagements, festivals, theatre, graphic novel writing and multi-media displays including Ballarat Heritage Festival. He is also the co-writer and researcher for the National Trust Australia People’s Choice award historical pod cast series “Tales from Rat City”. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx