"Skeptics" Late to Debunking Bigfoot

Today SkepticBlog wrote a post about a video they received a link to. They thought they would make fun of it and call themselves skeptics.

Didn't Autumn Williams already debunk this a month ago? Yes she did. Thankfully those "skeptics" did their research. No body minds them helping us out to filter the real deal, but we think some credit would be nice. Lets go to the ScepticBlog first and we will get back to Autumn Williams in a sec.



SkepticBlog is a collaboration among some of the most recognized names in promoting science, critical thinking, and skepticism. It also features the cast and producers of The Skeptologists, a pilot skeptical reality show.

The gist is they get this youtube video link and the guy, Johnny Walker, says he wants the video to get into the right hands.



And they spend more time making fun of it then doing any actual investigating.

Maybe it is a Bigfoot. Maybe it’s a guy in a suit, one that flares out bellbottom style, like my own cheap-ass gorilla suit does. Maybe it’s an autonomous robot in a suit. Maybe it’s a Bigfoot in a Bigfoot suit. Maybe it’s an example of high-end composite work combined with low-end 3D modeling, all rendered on Renderman.

The fact is that we can’t really know or conclude much of anything about this video, and the million others like it. We can’t prove it’s a fake any more than we can prove it’s a real Bigfoot. What it is is crappy evidence. It’s not testable. It’s fun, and it’s interesting, but its value as evidence is zero. Its value as an anecdote is that it suggests a direction for research. So to all who feel motivated: Grab your 3CCD cameras and head on up to Greenhorn, Oregon. A bellbottomed Bigfoot might be waiting for you.--Brian Dunning, Skepticblog

Autumn Williams had a different approach, she dug a little deeper:

I’m not sure what to say here. No offense intended if you’re trying to be serious (it sure sounded that way?), but the hair is obviously synthetic, the face appears to be a poor reconstruction of a “planet of the apes” theme, the makeup pitiful, the movements awkward, the staging is obvious, subtle references to the Patterson film are rather amusing… and I’d have to say, if it’s not an attempt at a hoax on your part, you’ve been hoaxed. Somehow, though, I find it difficult to believe that you could follow something for that long and NOT know it was someone in a stovepipe-legged, poorly-made suit. I didn’t even need to pause the footage to tell that...

...Finally, asking people for “offers” and having “james randi” in your tags in your youtube account is a dead giveaway that you’re looking for money. I’m sorry, but ol’ Jim won’t buy it, and I doubt anyone else will either.

Kudos for Autumn Williams to debunking this way before the "skeptics", and actually discerning motive. Maybe she should be in their new pilot TV show. If you want to see how a hoaxer with video gets debunked by a professional check out Autumn Williams post at OregonBigfoot.com.

EXTERNAL LINKS
SkepticsBlog
Autumn Williams at OregonBigfoot.com
Oh yeah JohnnyWalker's Youtube Page

Amateur Primatology is Bigfooting

We talked to a seasoned Bigfooter the other night and he compared Bigfooting to amateur astronomy. Immediately we "got it," and thought it was a perfect analogy. Why? Let's see what Wikipedia has to say on the subject of amateur astronomy.

Amateur astronomy, also called backyard astronomy, is a hobby whose participants enjoy watching the night sky (and the day sky too, for sunspots, eclipses, etc.), and the plethora of objects found in it, mainly with portable telescopes and binoculars.

Even though scientific research is not their main goal, many amateur astronomers make a contribution to astronomy by monitoring variable stars, tracking asteroids and discovering transient objects, such as comets. Such efforts are one of the relatively few ways interested amateurs can still make useful contributions to scientific knowledge.

Its that last sentence that's the kicker. Just the same as amateur astronomers monitor, record, study and report. We too, are contributing to science as amateur primatologist.

Another sentence about amateur astronomy that we found inspiring was:

The typical amateur astronomer is one who does not depend on the field of astronomy as a primary source of income or support, and does not have a professional degree or advanced academic training in the subject.

Bigfoot Lunch Club has grown in the community and we have a lot of our readers to thank for it. In the spirit of tolerance and respect,we believe in truly open minds that are not afraid to question both the assumptions of science and the dogma of fanatics. Most importantly, we believe in a world bigger than the sum of our present knowledge that still holds mystery, wonder, and a place for a creature known as Bigfoot.

Thank you all you amateur primatologist--and the professional ones too!

Fisher Price $100 Bigfoot Toy

There is no doubt, Bigfoot hasn't been this popular since the wake of the Patterson/Gimlin film in the early 70's. He's been on every educational cable channel (History, Discovery and NatGeo), and two new television series debuted with Bigfoot as the subject.

What's next? A hundred-dollar bigfoot toy. Fisher-Price is bringing Imaginext Bigfoot the Monster to Toy Fair 2010 in New York, which opens Sunday the 14th.

This remote-controlled big boy is intended for kids ages 3 to 8; with the included remote, kids will be able to have him walk, express emotions, do somersaults, and perform lots of other actions. And he'll have "interactive touch points" on his mouth and tummy that evoke sounds and actions, as well.

You can expect your own personal sighting of Bigfoot some time this coming June, when he'll ship to stores; the price is expected to be around $100.

Apparently this is a pretty big Deal because its on the WallStreet journals radar. Their web publication market Watch says the timing is right for this kind of product:

EAST AURORA, N.Y., Feb 09, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- It all began a few years ago, when BIGFOOT sightings started popping up just beyond the world headquarters of Fisher-Price, Inc. (a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. NASDAQ:MAT) in East Aurora, N.Y. Although the scientific community considers BIGFOOT to be a combination of folklore and myths, that didn't stop toy designers from setting out to capture the legendary, elusive creature. Fisher-Price found BIGFOOT and brought him back to its world-renowned Play Laboratory where designers unfolded the complicated, misunderstood monster who, surprisingly, wooed them with his charm. After years of intense research (and a few laughs) with BIGFOOT, Fisher-Price is ready to share his engaging personality with the world by introducing Imaginext(R) BIGFOOT The Monster at New York Toy Fair, Feb. 14 -- Feb. 17.

"BIGFOOT The Monster is completely on-trend for 2010. Fisher-Price has interpreted a classic play pattern for contemporary kids," says Chris Byrne, content director for TimetoPlayMag.com, aka The Toy Guy(R). "Inspired by the legendary 'BIGFOOT,' Fisher-Price scores again with a toy that effectively combines the fun and engagement of R/C robotic play with technology that's easy and engaging for preschoolers to use. BIGFOOT is feature-rich, offers long-lasting play value and reflects a preschooler's sense of humor, all of which deliver on the value consumers are looking for this year. "

Promotional Video Below.



EXTERNAL LINKS
Original Post at GearLog
Fisher Price Bigfoot Site
Wall Street Journals take