I'd like to thank the Fantastic Facebook group Appalachian Paranormal and Cryptozoological Research who suggested I tackle this important subject.
Those in the Bigfoot online community might have noticed an absence of Autumnforest and many more people like me who want to have intelligent dialogue about something of great anthropological and social significance. Here's the basic reason:
You can't argue with the village idiot because it's not going to make him smarter.
I left because of the massive troll hits on such sites and the fact that there was no discussion, only immature bullying by vague anonymous people who hide behind having no name or face so they can just take pot shots at everyone else. These little men are pathetic creatures and a fine example of why we might not be ready as a society for the introduction of Bigfoot into our accepted family.
I've watched some wonderful contributors in the field retreat, especially the female population in the Bigfoot world who have taken some of the worst threats and bullying.
It has come to my conclusion that when Bigfoot is proven and recognized by our society, he is in for a monster load of disappointment and embarrassment to possibly be related to such primitives.
If we use Bigfoot sites as a gauge of the culture of our society, we can only assume that we are not ready for the bigger questions. Proving Bigfoot is not the big issue. That will be done with DNA eventually, but what will be our true dilemma is how to categorize him, respect his space, allow him freedoms, while still learning about his life and culture.
How is that going to be possible in a society of people who are scared, angry, and hateful?
As well, the very people who consider themselves journalists, researchers, and hunters, are rife with some of the most despicable types imaginable. There is lying, cheating, greed, egos, sleeping around, drinking, drugging, and sinister arrangements in some of the most "respected" organizations. There are ones who tout we should kill a Bigfoot and others who threaten anyone with a differing opinion. There are more than enough hangers-on who affiliate with a "big" figure in the field and hope to ride his coattails, and there are those who act like rock star groupies.
What I have to say to these people is simple. Get a real job. Work a real industry.
Bigfoot is not an industry.
It will be left to the universities and scientists to deal with the anthropological significance of his unveiling. You are not big-game hunting. You are in entirely the wrong field if you want fame and fortune. Your behaviors and how you comport yourself in the industry are no secret. Everyone knows the dirty players and they will have no part in research or anything of legitimacy. It is best to fold up your tents and go home. We know who you are and we know how you roll.
It is not an issue of whether there is a Bigfoot, the real issue is how we greet a newly accepted citizen because so far on the Bigfoot sites, it's pretty evident we haven't come far since the past several hundred years when we hit the shores of North America.
What I have to say about those who are earnestly out there seeking their own interactions and experiences, who want to protect these unique people, and those who have joined teams in hopes of getting evidence; the future of Bigfoot enterprises following their recognition will be to either adapt or become extinct, just like the species.
There will no doubt be wonderful opportunities in preservation and conservation, archaeological exploration, volunteer positions, research, and more for those who honestly are concerned for Bigfoot and want to be a part of this exciting time in which man accepts another breed.
Anyone who wants to pursue capturing, harming or molesting Bigfoot in any way will have a world of hurt upon them. They will need to find a new obsession because it simply won't be done anymore without persecution. I hope to see people taking a new interest in the natural sciences and anthropology. We have so many mysteries yet to be solved like evidence of Viking landings in America and what happened to ancient tribes. I would rather see retired BF hunters unveiling secrets from our land than chasing and harassing our neighbors.
I am waiting for the tides of change and until the proof of Bigfoot is out there, I suppose there will be armchair idiots ranting and bullying like impotent little monsters. If we are lucky, they will graduate to some other form of pathetic entertainment when there is no debate about Bigfoot's existence.
I think websites should disable "Anonymous" features - though that would probably only increase the number of fake accounts created.
ReplyDeleteBullying stems from fear and low self-esteem, and online bullying is far too easy for the cowards who do it.
It's a shame that some people feel that way and take out their frustrations on people online.
They ruin otherwise civil discussions and degenerate websites into discordant verbal brawls - often over topics where nobody has any real answers.
Thanks Sharon! I couldn't agree with you more. There are many good people out there who are researching this creature for the right reasons. Unfortunately, they are overshadowed by the wealth of fame and fortune hunters and thrill seekers looking to capitalize on the existence or non-existence of it. The real shame is the way people are treated for having opinions and doing good work. It is really not much different in the other paranormal fields either as the same type of behavior persists and anyone that has a different opinion or method is ridiculed.
ReplyDeleteWe claim to be an advanced society but I often wonder just how advanced we really are.
Thanks Sharon! I couldn't agree with you more. There are many good people out there who are researching this creature for the right reasons. Unfortunately, they are overshadowed by the wealth of fame and fortune hunters and thrill seekers looking to capitalize on the existence or non-existence of it. The real shame is the way people are treated for having opinions and doing good work. It is really not much different in the other paranormal fields either as the same type of behavior persists and anyone that has a different opinion or method is ridiculed.
ReplyDeleteWe claim to be an advanced society but I often wonder just how advanced we really are.
Define bullying? Many times I see people labeled a bully for asking a question, or explaining a possibility. Shouldn't those making claims be questioned? Look at the thousands of class A sightings on some big foot pages. Any researcher worth anything can write them off as impossible or we have most from young teens or children. A dark shadow seen out a window by a six year old shouldn't be a class A sighting. A woman claims to have had bigfoot jump in front of her car at 30 feet while she was traveling 45 mph, she then claims to have stopped and watched it at 17 feet. Well do the math researchers, at 45 mph it takes roughly 96 feet to stop plus reaction time. So that would of been an accident not on a bigfoot page as a class A sighting. You can cry wolf over and over and all it does is destroy creditability. Look at the claims of the women who feeds them daily, or the one who communicates with them. Why post this fantasy type personality? If the bigfoot filed cleans up all the pure bullshit then and only then can they be taken seriously. Until then its a joke with fake sightings created to create interests to make money.
ReplyDeleteYes, what you're saying makes sense, but that is not the bullying that is occurring in the BF arena. The trolls are attacking people personally, ridiculing their intelligence, their looks, calling the names. These are personal attacks meant to intimidate. I myself have had people threaten to hurt me. That is bullying. We should always question extraordinary stories, but to attack people on a more personal level, the threaten their well being is not part of intelligence conversation in the field of BF.
DeleteIn some ways, the more we advance our society, the more we lose our humanity. We just need to center ourselves around the core values of accepting responsibility for yourself, and extending respect to others. Pretty simple. I suspect that even sasquatch understand that.
ReplyDeleteFunny how "Anonymous" wants you to define bullying. No doubt he's one of the cowards - always willing to dish it out, never willing to take it - forever hiding behind anonymity.
ReplyDeleteIf they would at least reveal themselves, I'd have to give them SOME credit. But not when they're anonymous. I'm not hiding, so why do you? Cowards, one and all.
My name is, Gregory Keats.
ReplyDelete@Eric Alder:
You say that anonymous is a coward, and only becausehe refuses to state his name? Really?
He only asked some very good and direct questions. Was that to much for you?