How Stranger Things Mirrors Real-World Paranormal Stories by Daniel A. Reed

Daniel A. Reed's The Supernatural Stories That Mirror Our Realities explores how Stranger Things draws inspiration from real Cold War–era psychic research. By blending nostalgia, government paranoia, and genuine history, the show reflects society's long-standing fascination with the paranormal and the line between science and superstition. Read this article and find accompanying references at: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2025/10/how-emstranger-things-em-mirrors-real-world-paranormal-stories/ About the Author: Daniel A. Reed is the founder of the West Virginia Skeptics Society and a frequent contributor to Skeptical Inquirer magazine and website. He works as a counselor during the day, but in his free time investigates the strange and unusual. He also regularly gives lectures and presentations on the importance of critical thinking and skepticism. You can reach him through his website or by emailing him at [email protected]. Subscribe to Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/subscribe/ Skeptical Inquirer Audio Edition is a production of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the Center for Inquiry.