“Mankind’s imagination has always been excited by the possibilities of unknown regions” (Nickell, 109). In the article “Mysterious Entities of the Pacific Northwest Part 1”, Joe Nickell explains the possibilities of pseudoscience, a presented scientific belief that is not yet scientifically valid, as well as the possibility of hoaxes. While there have been many claimed sightings of paranormal activity such as Bigfoot, Ghosts and the Loch Ness Monster, there has not been evidence to prove these claims as real. Almost everybody has heard their share of ghosts stories and the myths behind Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster. These stories are universally shared, and recently, people have provided evidence claiming to have seen such mysterious phenomena. Humans are enthralled by certain claimed sightings because the unknown is interesting. Since the claims of pseudoscience, there have been many people creating videos, claiming to have seen Bigfoot, dressing up in costumes and coming up with ways for the public to believe that their footage is real. Such footage brings forth many opportunities, such as large amounts of money or publicity from those who believe the footage is valid. The time and thought put in by those who create hoax videos shows their urge to believe what has not been proven yet. There have been many claims that have been proven false and others remain mysteries, but humans continue to believe that there is paranormal activity that exists in our world. Some people believe in phenomena such as ghosts and UFO’s because such mysteries are interesting and provide information about our world that could be very important in the future. Mysterious phenomena inspire harmless fascination and could provide important information t...
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... to destruction” shows that while there has not been clear evidence, the existence of such unknown creatures is not out of the picture. The search still persists for such phenomena, and there is still possible evidence to be found, and will only support the search and claim for the existence such paranormal activity.
Works Cited
Nickell, Joe. “Mysterious Entities of the Pacific Northwest Part 1.” The Culture of
Science. Eds. Patricia Oman. Eugene: University of Oregon Composition Program, 2010. 109-115. Print.
Nickell, Joe. “Mysterious Entities of the Pacific Northwest Part 2.” The Culture of
Science. Eds. Patricia Oman. Eugene: University of Oregon Composition Program, 2010. 115-121. Print.
Bauer, Henry. “Defining Categories.” The Culture of Science. Eds. Patricia Oman.
Eugene: University of Oregon Composition Program, 2010. 8-24. Print.
The mass hysteria of UFOs and the Salem Witch Trials share many similarities between each other. Some that were stated were the fact that people claim that they have witnessed UFOs or witnessed a Witch. These claims also lead to the similarities of how people were split in both topics, never agreeing to one side of the hysteria. A difference was also expressed in this paper saying that in the Trials people died compared to UFO sightings where no one died related to them. Overall they share many similarities and differences and there are many more that can be
The article, “Motivated Rejection of Science” stood out to me because the vast amount of scientific research to back up findings and the vast majority of the population that rejects it. Lewandowsky and Oberauer discuss the prevalence of false beliefs in the general population. They bring up the popular conspiracy theories that have either false or no scientific research, plaguing the minds of many. When the majority of the general population believe in a certain theory – like the vaccines that are ‘linked’ to measles, Autism, mumps, and rubella – the effects can be detrimental. The vaccine craze was felt worldwide and is the best example of misinformation.
Bigfoot’s existence can no longer be denied. No longer is it a question of Bigfoot being real, but rather a question of man’s capability in being able to believe the truth. The facts cannot be mistaken. Besides being seen time and time again, video footage has been collected. This alone is enough to make many believe, but for the rest, the physical evidence is unmistakably real. As the theory progresses, more and more credible researchers come forward to show support in such a creature’s existence. They do this at the risk of losing their own credibility. None, however, are capable of an explanation for Bigfoot’s uncanny ability to remain hidden from human observation, the nature of which remains to be a question. Perhaps, though, as more and more people start to believe in the truth, questions will be answered and the mystery solved.
Dr. Gregory Boyd is a professor of theology at Bethel College. He attended such universities as the University of Minnesota, Yale Divinity School, and Princeton Theological Seminary. As well as being a professor he is a preaching pastor at Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has authored three books and several articles. This particular book is a dialogue between he and his father, Edward Boyd. Edward lives in Florida and worked for 35 years in sales management. He has six kids, 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Though there are many mysteries in North America to tell at campfires or when outside to insight fear, Bigfoot has always been one of the most well known. This mysterious beast is a representation of our culture and displays how the things we believe to be real, could just be a figment of our imagination. Ultimately, there have been thousands of “witness report encounters” with the mystery creature known as Bigfoot. This Yeti-like creature has aroused many questions that date back to the early seventeenth century. Over all these years, people have been searching for Bigfoot and camping out to be one of the first to have very hard evidence of him. Because it is very difficult to tell if Bigfoot is real, people have questioned his existence over these years, as well.
1. Consider the scenario involving Pseudo-religions. Do you think that someone who claims to believe in a particular religion but who is not living up to the teachings of that religion is pseudo-religious or a hypocrite?
Through the years there has been many ideas to what goes bump in the night. Mysterious, unsolved happenings blamed on the so-called supernatural. There are many myths, legends and lore based on these so called mysterious happenings. Through this research paper I am going to help to explain the biggest threats, conspiracies, and misunderstandings of aforementioned legends, myths, and lore.
For more than 400 years people have reported seeing large, hair-covered, man-like animals in the wilderness.Misidentification, hoax, or the real thing these sightings still continue today. In 2007 the Bigfoot Field Researches Organization or the BFRO put some photos out were they thought was a juvenile Bigfoot, others thought the photos were a bear with mange, and other people thought the creature was a chimpanzee. Many misidentifications happen and many hoax also happen to. Hoaxes happen many times, in July 2008 these two guys posted a video on youtube claiming they had discovered a dead Bigfoot in a forest. An investigator was called to investigate the body and the two guys received $50,000 as a reward. Soon after a meeting the dead Bigfoot body was delivered in a block of ice. When the body was thawed out they found out that the whole Bigfoot was fake. The two admitted that it was a hoax. Now if you try pulling one of the hoax remember that it could be dangerous. In August 2012 a man in Montana was pretending to be a Bigfoot using a suit and got hit by a
As said by Yale professor of psychology and cognitive science, "Religion and science will always clash." Science and religion are both avenues to explain how life came into existence. However, science uses evidence collected by people to explain the phenomenon while religion is usually based off a belief in a greater power which is responsible for the creation of life. The characters Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth in Nathaniel Hawthorne 's novel, The Scarlet Letter, represent religion and science, respectively, compared to the real world debate between science and religion. Roger Chillingworth is a physician who is associated with science. (ch. 9; page 107) "...made [Roger Chillingworth] extensively acquainted with the medical science of the day... Skillful men, of the medical and chirurgical profession, were of rare occurrence in the colony...They seldom... partook of the religious zeal that brought other emigrants across the Atlantic." The people of the Puritan community traveled across the Atlantic for religious reasons, and because men affiliated with medical science did not tend to practice religion, they rarely inhabited this community. Chillingworth, falling under the category of "skillful men of the medical and chirurgical profession," would not be expected to reside in this community. The narrator through emphasizes this with his rhetorical questioning, "Why, with such a rank in the learned world, had he come hither? What could he, whose sphere was in great cities, be seeking in the wilderness?" These questions demonstrate that it was so strange for Chillingworth to appear in this community because of his association with science. Perhaps, the phrase "with such rank in the learned world" could yield the narra...
It is important that people learn from history. Recently, it has become apparent that myths and folk lore may be an important part of history to consider. Convincing geological evidence has been discovered that link major geological phenomenon with myths from that region. In the Pacific North West there are legends of a boulder that is haunted by A’yahos, a spirit that can turn a person to stone and shake the ground. Geophysical images from the 1990s showed that there is a hidden fault line traversing Seattle that would have caused earthquakes.
One of the most well-known urban legends told is the story of Bigfoot. Much of the research has shown that there are several names assigned to the mammoth ape. According to Napier (1973), Bigfoot would be the creature found mostly in Northwest America, Sasquatch would be a creature named in British Colombia, the 49th parallel in the north-west states of America and Northern California, and the Abominable Snowman, or the Yeti would be the creature named in the Himalayas. Of course, “Wild Man” and “Savage” have also been names used to identify the creature. There’s been thousands of sightings across the world, but there have also been many misidentifications where those who think they have seen Bigfoot have really just seen an ordinary animal or person. Arment (2006) states an individual’s perception may color the eyewitness account. Such misidentifications include: hermits, fugitives, refugees, bears, gorillas, and simply people making up stories or rumors. In addition to sightings, there have been photos, videos, movies, and TV shows that strongly indicates the possibility of the existence of this creature. Though there is much evidence from sightings, myths, and recordings that Bigfoot exists, there is also much proof that it could all be a hoax. Incorrect sightings have led skeptics to argue over the existence of this being stating Bigfoot is really just a fable. So one has to ask oneself, does Bigfoot really exist or is it just another urban legend?
Maybe, one time you were camping in the woods. You saw something, lurking in the woods. You saw something unlike anything you’ve ever seen before in your life. You think it looked like the legendary Bigfoot. You know, the one you watched those Animal Planet shows on. You didn’t really believe what those guys were saying. You thought those guys were just talking crazy for thinking it was real. Maybe one time, you were on the lake. You saw something that looked like a log, swimming across the lake. You thought nothing of it. You didn’t think it might have been the Loch Ness Monster. It could have been the one they have the History Channel documentaries on. Maybe you saw a coyote looking thing attacking a farmers goat. You didn’t think much of it, thought you would be crazy to think it was a supposed “Chupacabra”. Cryptid animals have been a big part in American culture, from making TV shows about them to being a cultural phenomenon.
Since the beginning of settled civilizations, people have had more mutual sharings than ever before. By the same token, there have been some conspiracy theories that are usually against the culturally accepted beliefs of religions, science and society. A conspiracy theory can be described so differently. However, as in his text, Marshall Brain explicates, a conspiracy is generally defined as a theory seeking to explain a disputed case or matter as a plot by a secret group or alliance rather than an individual or isolated act (Brain). Especially, after the new media has become quite popular, more and more conspiracies are theorized every single day, which aim to catch society’s attention via such media tools as the internet, journals and newspapers. Thus, people who theorize those conspiracies tend to use such objects as spiritual and mysterious ones in order to interest people. To illustrate, many examples can be given. For instance, many people have claimed that they were abducted by aliens, although they could show no evidences. Here, a citation from Blackmore could facilitate to understand the circumstance better. She states that people occasionally claim that they have been abducted from public places by aliens, in this case that may provide them with witnesses and affirmations but no evidence could be shown so far (Blackmore). As it is well known, only a small number of people believe such alien abductions, however, rating of this kind of news is quite high on media, because humankind has been wondering if there are extraterrestrial creatures out of the earth. Another example can be conspiracy theories which are about the origins of religions such as the rejection of Jesus Christ. There are some people who pay attention to...
The article “Cinema Fiction vs. Physics Reality: Ghosts, Vampires, and Zombies”, written by Costas J. Efthimiou and Sohang Gandhi. The authors try to explain or prove that ghosts, vampires and zombies do not exist through scientific methods and explanations. The authors main argument to show that these claim are false, they say” we point out inconsistencies associated with the ghost, vampire, and zombie mythologies as portrayed in popular films and folklore and give practical explanations to some of their features” (Efthimiou and Gandhi “Cinema Fiction vs. Physics Reality: Ghosts, Vampires, and Zombies”) Their argument is obvious that they will point out the
The Fear of Science To live in the today's world is to be surrounded by the products of science. For it is science that gave our society color television, the bottle of aspirin, and the polyester shirt. Thus, science has greatly enhanced our society; yet, our society is still afraid of the effects of science. This fear of science can be traced back to the nineteenth century, where scientists had to be secretive in experimenting with science. Although science did wonders in the nineteenth century, many people feared science and its effects because of the uncertainty of the results of science.