Where does the bias against the paranormal come from?

[Eternally Learning]

One thing I’ve asked a number of paranormalists (is that a non-offensive term to use?) is to explain where this bias comes from that is claimed to exist in scientists and skeptics alike. I’ve yet to really hear a good answer, but I suspect that a number of you have your own theories. I guess the reason I ask, is that one common thread I’ve noticed among much of the skeptical community (and I assume is present to some degree in the scientific community as the two often overlap) is that many of them are comic book, sci-fi, and fantasy geeks. A lot of those genres fantasize about people using the abilities (though far exaggerated from actual claims) that paranormalists put forward as real, and from my own personal experience I know that thinking about the possibility of moving things with my mind, or reading others’ thoughts is incredibly tantalizing. I’m also incredibly interested to know about alien life and inter-stellar travel.

All this is to say, that if anything, I’d expect people with such interests to jump on any tangible proof that something like the paranormal exists as it would bring to life all sorts of childhood fantasies, but that doesn’t really happen. Sure, there are studies from time to time in different paranormal fields and mainstream science has looked into many of these things, but the meme I’ve seen over and over again in paranormalist circles is that mainstream science looks down on such things and will not give them a fair shake. Since this seems counter-intuitive to me I was wondering if anyone could share their thoughts on how this could be, especially in light of some of the mainstream science which is done like SETI where it has broad support from scientists and skeptics while being centered around a typically paranormal topic; aliens.

[really?]

[Eternally Learning]

[Arouet]

Who are you over there EL? Haven't seen your username?

[Eternally Learning]

[Arouet]

So you should participate more!

[ProfWag]

[Craig Browning]

Let's start here and work backwards --

[Eternally Learning]