What does it mean to be a "Bigfoot Skeptic"?
Editor’s Note: Steven Streufert operates Bigfoot Books in Willow Creek, CA. He is a professional bookman and bookseller and has studied Bigfoot since the late 90s. Accolades includes, PGF History / Bluff Creek Film Site Project, Coast to Coast AM, and BIGFOOTER OF THE YEAR 2011. You can visit his blog at bigfootbooksblog.blogspot.com or join his Facebook group, Coalition for Reason, Science, Sanity in Bigfoot Research.What does it mean to be a "Bigfoot Skeptic"? Does it mean that one "does not believe in" Bigfoot? Or, rather, can it mean that one is skeptical from WITHIN Bigfooting?
Can one not consider the evidence presented and debunk much or most of it, and still consider the possible or probable existence of Bigfoot? It is, in fact, important to the study of such a thing to be skeptical.
Without critical thinking no one can tell what is false, and if so no one can tell what is true. The desire to eliminate falsity is actually identical to the desire for the truth, for reality, whatever it is. And THAT is what matters, not articles of "faith" and dogma.
Couldn't agree more. Dr. Michael Shermer's rag should be titled Debunker rather than Skeptic.
ReplyDeleteWho is Dr Michael Shermer ?
DeleteA total common sense denying geek.
DeleteJames Randi lover.
DeleteAnd smarter than anyone here, including myself. Being a skeptic and looking at the piles upon piles of "evidence" that doesn't add up to proof certainly leads any reasonable, thinking person to the conclusion that it's just not out there. That won't change the minds of believers, because being a believer means to hold an opinion in spite of evidence to the contrary.
DeleteIt's reasonable if you have a true interest in the squatch, always good to have both sides/back forth banter
ReplyDeleteBut, whats strange is people that dont, and continually bark on like a little chihuahua
Some kind of new psych disorder
Bigfoot Skeptic ?.....LOL
ReplyDeleteI like people who are open minded enough to say it may or may not exist, the ones that say bigfoot absolutely DOES NOT exist are strange as there is really no way to know that. They take on FAITH the fact that there is no further evidence out there waiting to be found.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't believe in bigfoot I believe in the possibilty of bigfoot, anything is possible afterall.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying bigfoot absolutely does not exist. In fact that is the default position.
DeleteDefault according to whom? The gulf between saying bigfoot is improbable and bigfoot is impossible is massive, I would accept that it is improbable but not impossible.
DeleteIf you say bigfoot does not exist it is an absolute, there is no wriggle room, even if a body or even a living specimen comes to light you've already said it doesn't exist and must maintain that position. Therefore it's an unscientific position as science must always be open to new evidence and paradigm shifts, absolute statements leave no room for them.
The default according to science, logic and reason. You know the same field that has lead to the technology for you being able to post on this very forum. Science works. Apply bigfoot to science and it's one massive joke.
DeleteAnon 3:17,
DeleteYou are so full of shit. What fantasy world do you fucking live in? Science makes MANY absolute statements. And it describes MANY things as impossible. A layman’s knowledge of physics will tell you that. Conservation of energy, conservation of mass, and conservation of charge all describe some things as being IMPOSSIBLE. If you don't like it then fuck off and die you scum. You don't live in a world where “anything is possible afterall”. In the real world scientists have said lots of things are impossible and if that doesn't jive with your distorted view of reality then that is just tough shit. You and your sophistry are a disease.
Wow that rant was incoherent to say the least. When it comes to Sasquatch then science is lazy, they have no more room for a large new hominin because it means they weren't doing their job of paying attention and researching in the first place. Complacency and paychecks. They only have themselves to blame how they deliberately let this one slip by unnoticed it'd only disrupt the status quo they're all equally interested in keeping.
DeleteWhy such an emotional and abusive response? The search for sasquatch is a relatively benign pursuit, I don't know why the so called skeptics get so emotional and abusive about it.
DeleteEven the laws of physics must be amended if contradictory observations are made especially as our understanding ofthe universe grows. Anyway proving the existence of very basic laws of nature is far easier than proving the non existence of certain creature. How do you prove non existence? What natural law does the existence of sasquatch break?
Sasquatch may be unlikely but not impossible, even Stephen Hawking himself is open to the idea of the existence of aliens, for all we know sasquatch could be alien, however unlikely that is.
I just can't see why one of the many hominids that once existed surviving to this day is so impossible, improbable perhaps but not impossible, there is no natural law that rules it out.
"One sure mark of a fool is to dismiss anything that falls outside his experience as impossible."
DeleteMeaning; A hypocrite will be willing to dismiss anything, whether or not they can prove or disprove it.
You cannot prove something without 100% proof, but neither can you disprove it.
In the end, no one is right unless we have physical specimens with consistent, repeating DNA evidence. Either that, or everyone who believes is lying.
I agree that critical thinking is extremely important. I do think that there is a good possibility that Bigfoot exists. The forests are a vast place and most areas are rarely accessed by humans.
ReplyDeleteWhile we do have evidence of Bigfoot in the form of film, video, photos, foot prints etc., we don't have a real benchmark with which to compare other evidence to.
Any of the evidence that has been claimed by experts to be authentic, genuine or "real" could in fact be hoaxes or fakes. On the other hand, the evidence could be real.
All we have are "expert" opinions on how or why evidence is deemed authentic. I honestly don't believe that are any true experts on the subject of Bigfoot. If there were,then these experts would be studying Bigfoot and interacting with them on some level.
Most hoaxes in the form of video are fairly easy to spot and some are more difficult to spot. Then there are videos that leave the viewer wondering.
Bigfoot is an interesting and fascinating subject, but it can also be a difficult and frustrating one as well.
I'll just be completely honest. I'm open to the possibility of it existing based 99.9% on the huge number of eyewitness accounts across America. Surely not every single event has been a misidentification when you consider a good number of those sightings have been from seasoned outdoorsmen?
ReplyDeleteNow, straight to the point. I believe the vast majority of the footage is a hoax, Freeman and PG included. The one video I find the most intriguing is the Georgia footage where the girl (I think) yells "hey Bigfoot".
Oh dear those two are definitely no hoaxes you can bet your life on that, Mr. You're basically saying no footage's real but most sightings were? LOL
DeleteWhy would you identify something as bigfoot if you didn't believe in the possibility to begin with? That's who is reporting bigfoot sightings - believers.
DeleteI'm one of the eyewitness they are real
ReplyDeleteyer a lying attention starved fool
DeleteAnon 7:50 your an idiot!
DeleteThe footers hate skeptics. They hate their fantasy to be shown for the fraud it is.
ReplyDeleteIf footers wanted a little bit of respect they would welcome skeptics because that's how real science works. When something is shown to be incorrect then it it's accepted and the research moves on. In bigfooting no such thing happens. The footers sick their fingers in their ears and shout lalalalalala. The truth hurts them, they don't want to hear it.
Sketics hate when footers are right. U can see how vulgar and the personal cut downs they use on this site
DeleteAnon at 2:53 AM
DeleteYour comment is unfair and inaccurate, but it's your opinion. I can only speak for myself when I say that I welcome skeptics who provide valid arguments against any evidence presented.
I find that good skeptics point out things that didn't occur to me.
I could say skeptics are "deniers" and won't accept or consider any evidence what so ever but I know that's not true.
Comments such as yours are counter productive in my opinion and serve no purpose in the debate of Bigfoot.
It would really be nice if everyone could act mature and discuss the topic in a more mature fashion.
How are we to sort through the hoaxes and evidence if we spend most of the time making derogatory comments at each other?
This Us vs. Them attitude is childish.
+ 10
Delete@ 2:53
DeleteAre you pretending not to believe ?
Yes he is a typical immature troll, but the more immaturity they sport the better and more serious the Bigfoot field looks.
DeleteWhat are "footers" right about?
DeleteI'm more skeptical of humans and their beliefs than I am of Bigfoot, actually.
ReplyDelete+1 !!
DeleteI don't understand what that means.
DeleteBefore Shawn became buddies with Team Tazer, he posted a story titled "Skeptic Rambles About How Unconvinced He Is About Certain Bigfoot Evidence" on 1/22/12. It was a video made by TTBF founder V00D00SIXXX (those are zeros)...
ReplyDeleteEVERY researcher should review this excellent video if for nothing more than the bi-pedal bear footage. Use the Search Function here to see it.
I saw that particular video and it's a good illustration at misidentification.
DeleteWhen you watch the entire video of the bear walking you'll notice that the fore legs hang down in front of the body and there is a lack of human like shoulders.
While the video that V00DooSIXX put up is valid to a certain degree, it can't explain away all Bigfoot sightings.
I do agree that it's a video worth watching.
One day when I was out in the woods I heard very load crashing noises in the trees and I spotted a large dark object through the thick tree cover. All I saw was a shoulder at this point.
After following the sounds with my eyes for a few seconds, two moose came running out in to a bit of a clearing. I didn't even see the second moose in the tree line.
I do not beleive bigfoot has been proven to exist. I beleive it is highly improbable that such a creature could exist, but not impossible. Saying you don't beleive in bigfoot is not the same as saying it is impossible for it to exist. If people choose to form the beleif that bigfoot exists based on eyewitness accounts and the incidents of physical phenomena such as alleged track and hairs etc then really that is their own business, but they shouldn't expect others to beleive it on this basis.
ReplyDeleteyou are right, but they do expect someone of authority to look into it..whether academic or government...why won't they?
DeleteI don't care what skeptics believe, I know they're wrong and as a witness I'm right. That's all there is to it, so all this song and dance they muster is sadly amusing for it demonstrates the limited intelligence and sorry state of modern man, aka regression. These losers have a job to do here maintaining the status quo of science and the social/money rulers, they aren't interested in the reality of Bigfoot for all kinds of reasons figuring the denial and covering up has worked so far. Now though they realize it's dangerously close to ending.
DeleteI think if people just beleived what they were told that would really be a sorry state. IF people don't beleive you, stop telling them as it might be the only way to keep yourself sane.I think the only people who are in it for money are the hoaxers. I am sure many who appear skeptcial would love BF to be proven, I know I would. I dunno about that last sentence of yours though...sounds kinda doomy. This is a forum and the definition of a forum is a public meeting space for open discussion so every view must I suppose, be tolerated. Even poeple who post as both beleivers and the next as a skeptic. There are plenty trolls doing that here I am sure. Truth is though my anonymous friend, you do care what skeptics think. And they care what you think. Thats why we're all here.
DeleteBelief is a ridiculous motion and I wish people would stop using that word. It either exists or it doesn't, and right now the overwhelming lack of proof suggests it doesn't. That is a point you cannot deny.
DeleteNobody is trying to convince you or anyone else it's real. When asked I say they are. When people find out about my involvement they go on the attack mode ( skeptics) right out of the gate and then I have to defend myself. I don't walk around going " Hey Bigfoot is real !" to everyone I meet and beat them to the ground about believing it! This sight is a forum for people to look at evidence that perpetrates the idea they exist. If a skeptic comes here for a fight sure I'm (we) will defend our position. Change a skeptic mind? Hell no! I don't have enough days in my life to waste doing that. So I wish people would stop saying we are trying to change your mind. We just keep bringing info to light and work with legitimate scientists, Bioligists, and Wildlife officials who are interested in the idea they exist and want to learn about them. Most what u see on this site ( as far as skeptics) are people who comment on this site and have absolutly no Interest in believing in the subject and just want to bash everything put on here. Then you see a natural reaction from semi-bleevers and footers having to defend themselves. That's not trying to change anyone's mind!
ReplyDeletebut both sides are the same. You could use what you wroe and change 'skeptic' to 'beleiver'. People are too entrenched in the extremes. But hey, it's a free world.
DeleteSteven has a great attitude in regards to the "Bigfoot phenomenon". He is not here to cheer lead and calls crap evidence what it is. He has also experienced first hand the loony world most Bigfooters live in. Don't take shit and Stay gold, pony boy.
ReplyDeleteJC
I believe in bigfoot but am skeptical of 99.999% of the people trying to prove it's existence. The current researchers using flawed science, a bunch of followers so eager to prove bigfoot that any scientific method or objectiveness is throw out the window. Bunch of fucking retarded yes men that don't understand the difference between definitive proof,evidence,hearsay, and circumstantial evidence. Even if you see a bigfoot that is not proof. If you don't understand this go back to school or read a book.
ReplyDeleteThere should be NO dogma about things we cannot prove or have not proven. Applying logic is not dogmatic. It is simply abiding by the rules that govern clear thought and language. Beyond that, we have empirical methods such as the Scientific, and we have common sense. I simply choose not to believe things that are ludicrous on the face of it. Beyond that I will consider possibilities. In the realms of interpretation and theory, I look for coherency and reasonability. In "the field" I look for evidence while using parsimony, all while trying the best I may to learn very well what is already known, and to temper my mind with Reason in all situations save the purely recreational. In the realm of recreation, all sorts of Science Fiction and Fantasy are acceptable.
ReplyDeleteJoin in the discussion here:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/smartbigfoot/
I have long held the belief that the biggest enemy of Bigfootery is the sorted group of conmen, hucksters and attention hounds that populate the "researchers" element. Many of these people are more interested in self promotion and ideas of "cashing in" than in any sort of scientific endeavor.
ReplyDeleteBut, there's no requirements to be an "expert researcher" so I guess there isn't much you can do to stop them. I guess you could spread the word to not use them as guides , or get Shawn to put some serious scrutiny on everything they claim is true.
Get rid of the scumbags and promote the more critical thinking folks who don't think "squatch" everytime there's a rustle of leaves.
Nick they are in every subject and site! That's human nature to be at both extremes and all points in between!
DeleteI'm not talking about the people who comment. I mean the people who seem to be much of the "insider" group of Bigfoot.
ReplyDeleteMoneymaker, Biscardi,Fasano,all the You Tube people like FB/FB... there is no science going on with these people
Good points well made. Nice to see a full comments Page without any childish trolling. I maybe they have gone?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeletePretty fast response there,you old troller.
DeleteI think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post. big fan, thank you!