Ghostbusters: 7 Scientific Facts To Make You Hate It Less

6. Ectoplasm

Scientifically speaking, ectoplasm is the outer, non-granulated part of a cell's cytoplasm, but I have a funny feeling that's not what they meant.

Ectoplasm was used as a scientific "proof" of a ghostly presence and was wildly popular during the golden age of Victorian charlatanism, in which mediums would produce vast quantities of the white, viscous fluid (oi oi) from various orifices - usually the nose so get your mind out the gutter. This was mostly done in the dark, as it was claimed that ectoplasm was destroyed by light, which is lucky considering that the ectoplasmic "ghosts" were generally less than convincing.

Far from being the physical evidence of a paranormal presence, ectoplasm was generally found to be made of a mixture of egg white, gelatin and soap, or even just a piece of white muslin or cheesecloth. Some psychics went further - Helen Duncan used to swallow lengths of cheesecloth and then throw it back up, and Mina Crandon made a replica of a hand from animal liver then threw that up for her delighted crowd. Who knew Victorian mediums and frat boys had so much in common?

Anyway, ectoplasm can be roundly dismissed as a Victorian hoax, but perhaps the ectoplasm in Ghostbusters is actually more closely related to the stuff in cell walls? It could be that this is how the spirits' energy can maintain a physical form in our world ... or just a bit of paranormal fluff.