Bigfoot festival serious?

I’ve been accused in the past of being dismissive of cryptozoological “research” and not taking the topic seriously. Well, I’m not altogether unhappy that I missed this:

Another Bigfoot video? Really? Please.

THIS! is why the whole question of Bigfoot is a joke.

Response to Cryptomundo from Ms. Idoubtit

I will attempt to post this response to Cryptomundo later today regarding Loren Coleman’s commentary on my previous blog post. We shall see if it appears uncensored:

The Decade in Cryptozoology: fun, frivolity and frustration

The 21st century in cryptozoology began with promise of scientific investigation and attention. Available technology and dedicated researchers came together over the internet to share ideas and data. Their goal was to amass a body of evidence compelling to the scientific community and the greater public. They sought biological evidence and, as always, credibility and respect.

The decade in Bigfootery began with pondering over the Skookum cast (2000) but ended with the Big Guy a greater star in the commercial circles than the scientific ones. What happened to the rest of the cryptid critters? Did they find their place amidst scientific nomenclature? Or, did society simply reinvent them in a new form? I took a look at all the top stories in cryptozoology from the past 10 years to see what transpired. (Thanks to Loren Coleman for compiling these lists every year. I never miss it.) Here are my observations (along with undue commentary and speculation).

Continuing miseducation classes

Where can you learn Photoshop, CPR and Civil War history all in one place at a reaasonable price? Continuing education offerings at local community colleges include useful courses in computer and technology fields, healthcare and safety occupations, business management and languages. General interest courses are offered in history, gardening, hobbies and include local trips and tours. In terms of offerings to the community, that’s great.

Local community colleges offer affordable, good quality educational opportunities to those students who might not be able to attend larger campuses of higher education. The average citizen would reasonably assume that since these mostly non-credit courses are offered in affiliation with the college, they are taught by qualified professionals. The Continuing Ed course catalog is distributed by the college and, as such, dons the patina of respectability associated with the school.

Reading log 2009

Here are the books I actually got to in 2009. I didn’t do as well, quantity-wise, as last year but lots of quality. Only, like, 200 on the list to go… Won’t be getting to them this coming year with thesis research looming. But, look out 2011!!!

Towards a kinder, friendlier skepticism in 2010

Besides proofing my Twitter posts for errors and potentially misconstrued verb use before updating, I’ve resolved to improve my communication and skeptical relation skills for 2010. I’m well on my way. I don’t really need people to tell me what to improve on since my self-critical conscience screams at me after a bad experience and lingers much longer nagging me never to do that sort of thing again.

It takes practice, I guess. One must start somewhere; recognizing some aspects to work on is the place to start. Here are my objectives:

Coelacanth not a cryptid

Cryptozoological websites continue to promote the coelacanth as the icon of cryptozoology. I heartily disagree.

What’s the most convincing type of evidence?

Evidence is factual statements (or perceived to be factual) offered in support of the speaker’s claim. There are, generally, three kinds of evidence – statistical, causal and anecdotal.

‘Statistical’ is numerical summaries of many instances. ‘Causal’ provides an explanation for an occurrence in which I’ll also include “expert opinion”. ‘Anecdotes’ are from specific instances. I’ve already mentioned why anecdotes are problematic.

Considering evidence isn’t simple. There are many variables involved including who presents it, what situation it is presented in, our political slant and personal values.

The emotionally and cognitively satisfying anecdote

I used to have a cat. That cat was pretty mean. He hated other people and animals. He messed up my house. I’ll never have another cat because they don’t make good house pets.

The little story above is an anecdote. It has characters, reflects a real-life experience in a narrative form and is intended to provide you with “facts”, an opinion and my reasoning for the conclusion I’ve made there at the end.

Did it convince you? Perhaps – if you are open to the idea that cats are bad pets. Is it generalizable to the entire population of people considering pets? No. It’s simply one person’s experience with a cat.