or did they actually see something as described?
Bigfoot is a topic that has held my interest over the years. Going on 30 to be exact. Do I 'believe' in bigfoot? Not exactly, but there seems to be more evidence for him than there does for reincarnation, nessie, dowsing, or a multitude of other subjects.
Two websites I try to visit daily are this one and the one over at
http://www.bigfootforums.com where I've submitted over 1500 posts.
I find some of the discussions fascinating, but for the most part it's just rehasing old topics. Most of the 'evidence' is sorely lacking, and not enough people seem to want to look at it critically.
A recent poll tried to fit people into one of the following:
>>Which category do you think most closely describes you?
Comitted Non-Believer
Skeptic
Meaniehead
Circumspect
Newbie
Truster
Romantic
Zealot
True Believer<<
This was broken down as follows:
>>Keeping in mind that there is room for considerable overlap between categories and a person may migrate from one group to another over time, pick the group that best describes you now.
Committed Non-Believer - Wouldn't believe Bigfoot existed if a live one was drug kicking and screaming into their home and chained to their bed.
Skeptic - Doesn't believe Bigfoot exists but would believe if a Bigfoot body is produced. Doesn't require that said body be live, just available for confirmation by reliable (as defined by them) sources. Will attempt to discredit any other evidence of Bigfoot existence with explanations that range from reasonable to ridiculous.
Meaniehead - Believes Bigfoot exists, or at least probably exists, but is inclined to question and be critical of any evidence offered, even their own. Known to bruise the sensitivities of other groups that fall into the other "believe" categories with their aggressive manner. Quickly become exasperated with uncritical believers, especially the Romantics. The "Yang" to the Romantic’s "Yin".
Circumspect – Believes Bigfoot exists, or at least probably exists, but does not accept all proposed evidence at face value. Is reluctant to publicly challenge or question evidence they personally doubt for reasons ranging from lack of experience to just being nice and polite individuals.
Newbie – Usually believes that Bigfoot possibly exists but not always. Is prone to accept most evidence offered with minimal questioning or to reject most evidence with minimal examination. Newbies usually have not been exposed to much, if any, of the world of Bigfoot research. Depending on their personality and subsequent experience Newbies usually quickly migrate to one of the other categories.
Truster– Believes Bigfoot exists and wants to believe most stories and evidence at face value. Normally does not publicly defend evidence they believe but is questioned or challenged by other researchers. Reasons for remaining quiet range from lack of experience to just being nice and polite individuals.
Romantic - Believes Bigfoot exists and believes that most, if not all, evidence offered is real and true, especially their own. Seems to want to nurture and validate the feelings of other groups in the "believe" categories and will jump to the defense of almost any claim, regardless of merit, if it is challenged by others, especially if challenged by Meanieheads. The "Yin" to the Meaniehead’s "Yang".
Zealot – Absolutely convinced Bigfoot exists and accepts without question all but the most ludicrous items and situations offered as evidence. May be prone to fabrication of "evidence" in a misguided attempt to add credibility to their position. Can be militant in defense of their particular beliefs regarding Bigfoot.
True Believer - Not only believes Bigfoot exists, but believes IN Bigfoot at a level approaching the religious. Would not accept the non-existence of Bigfoot under any conceivable circumstances. May seem hallucinatory at times in their proclivity to "see" Bigfoot evidence in any situation or photograph.<<
I was not satisfied with the choices as presented, so I submitted my own:
Truth seeker - Open to the possibility Bigfoot exists, or at least probably exists, but is inclined to question any evidence offered. Not inclined to believe bigfoot is responsible for unwitnessed activities. Concerned with reason, intellectual honesty, and open-mindedness, as opposed to emotionalism, intellectual laziness, and closed-mindedness. More concerned with finding the truth than with being right.
I also setup a network54 forum back in January 2000, called the Paranormal Pit to refute paranormal aspects of bigfoot.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/41345
I'm not 100% convinced bigfoot exists, but I certainly don't think he's paranormal if he does.
RayG