Today, I’m making some general observations on the subject of strange animal sightings. I recently visited Lake Champlain and am convinced that many sightings of Champ, the lake monster, were logs or other mundane objects or animals. There are no cryptids there. But there is a granite marker and a friendly-looking fiberglass Champ depiction at Perkins Pier in Burlington, Vermont. Champ is stylized as a huge dragon-like sea serpent. It’s a mascot of the lake and the local baseball team. I can’t help but love this, while at the same time be frustrated by the remaining trend to suggest Champ is a prehistoric reptile or rare animal. The legend is sustained by the location and people’s sense of imagination.
Strange animal stories have always had, primarily, a theme of wonder and amazement. Even when the animal is clearly visible, such as with clear videos or carcasses, many spectators opinionate that the creature is a “mutant” or a new species. They don’t recognize the obvious, natural, and better explanations. Or, they refuse to accept them because it is more fun to speculate.
Could our need for fantasy creatures be contributing to cryptozoology failing as a scientific field?
The area of study that was called cryptozoology gained scientific credibility with a society and a journal established in 1982. A group of scientists and people interested in animal research founded the International Society of Cryptozoology. Its mission was to investigate and analyze reports of unexpected animals with the goal of determining if they were new species that could be cataloged and scientifically known.
That didn’t work out well. The society dissolved in 1996 with no clear successes other than to document the optimistic nature of the participants. The scientific credibility declined, but some zoological hope still lingers, as several followers of the field insist that it can be a legitimate means of discovering new animals. The prospects for this goal grow weaker every year. Instead, the popular mythical and romantic view of cryptozoology has swamped the idea of cryptozoology as a scientific endeavor. The cryptid legends seem ever more immune to scientific thinking. The skin and blood of cryptids are made of human imagination and the spirit of place.
https://i0.wp.com/sharonahill.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hodag.webp?resize=819%2C457&ssl=1The Hodag of Rhinelander, WisconsinIn the 2000s, there was still a strong tone of cryptozoology as a science-based endeavor. But, by then, it was almost entirely the domain of amateurs. Unlike fruitful areas of scientific investigation, the evidence never got better – there were no bodies, no DNA, no tested theories, just better hoaxes and more media circulating with enthusiastic commentary.
There also was more attention to local promotion. Festivals associated with local creatures became popular. Public displays became more prominent. New social media featuring existing legends, and creating entirely new ones, expanded the reach of cryptids to the younger online generation. This promotion, done on TV, YouTube and TikTok was done by non-scientists, even teens who knew little about the origins of cryptozoology.
Many cryptids are almost always associated with particular locations. The obvious are lake monsters because they are bounded by the water. (Almost every large lake has a story of a monster.) This is reasonable, as the legend is rooted in and grows around a cluster of reports. Land animals are naturally attributed to an area, like a forest or swamp. Here are some examples:
Dogman – Forests of Wisconsin and Michigan
Mothman – West Virginia and later Chicago area
Bigfoot – Typically tied to the PNW but by the 1970s became popular in many states, often referred to by a local name [Beast of Boggy Creek (Arkansas), Momo (Missouri), Skunk Ape (Florida)]. Certain areas were associated with ape-like beings and other paranormal concepts and entities – Chestnut Ridge (Pennsylvania), the Appalachians, and Skinwalker Ranch (Utah).
Ultra local stories include Loveland Frog, Dover Demon, Beast of Bray Road, Lizard Man of Scape Ore swamp, Goatman.
Of course, there are exceptions:
Chupacabra – Started as a Hispanic legend and became a catch-all term for any weird animal anywhere.
Yeti – Began as associated with the Himalayas but became iconic worldwide even though still connected to its origins in cold, mountainous regions.
Entities that may be considered “fantasy creatures” like merfolk and fairies (and related beings) show up everywhere people have brought their culture and stories with them. The same can be said for Bigfoot (wild man) and lake monsters.
Cryptids tied to locations seems to be a product of the environment + promotion. The legend will often readily morph into a mascot for a town or area. The locals may eventually embrace their monster and make the most of it. The commodification and exploitation of the cryptid aids in the drift away from the prospect of a serious scientific endeavor to find it. It also promotes fakery for attention or fun.
The Comegato
The latest invented cryptid is the Comegato of Maine, a weasel man creature featured in a “documentary” on YouTube. While I’m sticking to the U.S. in this post, see also the British Cryptid (1974) YouTube channel for invented local cryptids.
As the depiction of cryptids turns more towards entertainment and whimsy, the thought of the “-ology” part becomes less emphasized. Many people will admit they don’t want their local creature found or identified. They love the mystery and will actively seek to preserve it. Thus, the cryptids’ value lies not in zoological discovery, but in social needs. The field of cryptozoology may be doomed to further slide towards a fictionalized, pretend idea of science.
There is nothing wrong with celebrating your local legends. I think the depictions of Champ, Bigfoot, the Fresno Nightcrawler, the Hodag, and all the other crazy critters are awesome, and I want to see the statues and swag. Celebrate your local monster for all the human reasons it exists.
Old enemies of Russian tyranny - Anarcho-mystics, who tried to assassinate Stalin with astral attacks back in 1930s, has returned. Check our posts for mental attacks against Putin's Russia. Consider joining - we spread our techniques freely. Anyone can turn his mind into a weapon. (Photo - real anomaly from Moscow sky) #anarchomystic#anarchism#resistance#paranormal#Ukraine#russia#mysticism
Could some theme park malfunctions in Orlando actually be ghostly pranks? According to some Walt Disney World employees, a spirit named George haunts the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and will make it break down if no one wishes him a good morning that day. #FolkloreSunday
The Cords That Bind: A Liminal Tale in the Finding Humanity series
When Eka’s unexplained energetic connection to Rana puts his life in danger, the elders concoct a dangerous way to heal their psychic cord. Eka just needs to survive the treatment.
States and corporations have almost unlimited power over the life of simple individual. A madman on top of state hierarchy could kill 100 000 of innocents and get away with it, while you may have a prison sentence because of a comment in the web. If you, like us, anarcho-mystics – think, that this is unfair -Turn your mind into a weapon! Check our pinned posts for techniques. #anarchism#equality#capitalism#state#power#politics#corporations#paranormal#resistance
Additional info - incident took place 3.45 km from target zone. This time potential has realized in a good one.Target information, time marker, codes, key words etc - in a previous posts. We will try to do our best in making these attacks more potent and accurate in the future. People in a tyranny never sleep peacefully. #anarchism#russia#moscow#paranormal#mysticism#rebel#SlavaUkraini
I love sharing some of my author friends with y'all. Check out Geoff Habiger & Coy Kisee
Fantasy, Paranormal
The writing duo of Geoff Habiger and Coy Kissee have been life-long friends since high school in Manhattan, Kansas. (Affectionately known as the Little Apple, which was a much better place to grow up than the Big Apple, in our humble opinion.) We love reading, baseball, cats, role-playing...
Browsing a large collection of dissertations about #paranormal topics. So much good stuff. It’s a shame these inquiries haven’t reached the masses. Some are so useful.
I'm thrilled with my first review for The She-Wolf of Baker Street!!! Ashleigh Meikle says:
"As ancient & modern worlds, mythology & reality collide...this unique Holmesian adventure was brilliantly executed, & managed to traverse the fae traditions in a modern context to allow the story to work well & come to life as part of the Holmesian cannon of literature."
Danny Robins will be criss-crossing America, from New York to New Orleans, to interview witnesses about experiences that seem to defy logical explanation, with help from a new team of US paranormal experts and sceptics.
The kickstarter for Season 2 is now live! There are a range of great rewards for backers, including signed script books and a chance to be in the drama. This series is an expanded exploration of the folklore of Shropshire and its eponymous Owd Scratch. Please share as widely as possible and donate if you can so we can continue the story!
Books for sale:
Vintage #paranormal#occult#NewAge books for sale: UFOs, Bigfoot, The Bermuda Triangle, Edgar Cayce, dream interpretation, Auras, Chakras, etc
I also have a group of Agatha Christie's I'm never going to read.
Will sell them to anyone who wants 3 or more via Paypal, make an offer + add $5 for media mail shipping.
First to claim gets them
Also posting on Bluesky so act fast
The books I’m sharing are free as of today in Canada and usually the United States of America, too. If you do not live in those countries or are reading this after April 4, 2024, I do not know if they are free or available for you.
Please tag me if you want a boost for your lists of free speculative fiction books from other parts of the world. 💜
Have you become a victim of an abuse from your boss, teacher, local authorities, cops and you don’t have any ways to punish your powerful abusers with legal means? – If that is the case we, anarcho-mystics have a possible solution, that may help you – a technique that allows you to create house fires with your mind. Science does not admit existence of such phenomena – so you may use it legally. #anarchism#occult#classwar#politics#resistance#paranormal#anarchomysticism#humanrights
In a world of bloodthirsty tyrannies and greedy corporations, a mere individual, without money or high position has nothing to balance their brutal power, which is supported by latest scientific instruments. We think that is unfair – the only way to create balance is to turn human mind into a weapon. Soon we will publish some additional techniques, that you can use to inflict some damage on the state. #anarchism#anarchomysticism#occult#paranormal#state#politics#classwar#mind#spell