JEFFERSON CITY – Is Bigfoot real? Well, that depends on who you are talking to, according to Dr. Christine Boston, an anthropology professor at Lincoln University.
Boston recently gave a talk called “Bigfoot: The Cryptid, the Legend, the Reality?” at Missouri River Regional Library discussing the authenticity – and lack thereof – of the legendary Bigfoot and its various other forms, such as the Yeti and Momo, the Missouri monster. Nearly 50 people attended the talk, including LU students and local community members.
As Boston explains in her discussion, Bigfoot is a popular pop-culture topic that has been around since the Cheyenne Native American tribe, but Bigfoot didn’t pop up into mainstream American culture until the 1800s. Stories of Bigfoot sightings have captured the attention of people so much that the elusive creature has dedicated television shows on channels such as the History Channel and The Discovery Channel.
Many of these sightings have been debunked as hoaxes; however, many people still claim and believe that Bigfoot is out there roaming the wild. In fact, one woman from Idaho recently claimed Bigfoot distracted her while driving, causing her to crash.
Boston’s interest in Bigfoot began when one of her colleagues assigned a paper to her students about primates, and about half of the papers were about Bigfoot.
Naturally, everyone wants to know one thing: is he real? “It is possibly plausible there is a Bigfoot,” says Boston, noting that there isn’t any empirical evidence to assert that he is, in fact, real. But, according to Boston, people will still try to investigate to prove that Bigfoot exists.
“Human desire to know and understand drive our curiosity into the unknown,” says Boston.
Steven B
“…there isn’t any empirical evidence to assert that he is, in fact, real…”
She needs to sit down with Dr.. Bindernagel for a chat. I don’t think she has delved into the subject deep enough to make that statement.
pam
Here Here!
joe r
Here, Here, Here !!
Glen K
(New Jersey) Definition of “Empirical” –Verifiable or provable by means of observation or experiment.
Perhaps she needs to know the definition of “empirical.” She should also become a member of Sasquatch Chronicles. Maybe she could Learn a thing or two!!
Marco F
Dr. Boston is correct from an academic view. I am a Dr. In the health care field and have taught at major universities. I also am a former federal agent. I also believe there is enough circumstantial evidence to know there is something out of the norm going on in our forest and national parks. The evidence that has been presented so far is not irrefutable. Videos are not significant enough on their own merit because it only catches a glimpse. We aren’t seeing a creature feeding, defecating, sleeping, interacting with others of its kind. Vocalizations although frightening, have not been recorded while the animal is seen making them. Eyewitness accounts, no matter how numerous can be argued to be misidentifications or hallucinations. It would have to be numerous people, from different vantage points seeing the same thing. I’m not questioning the credibility of the eyewitness, it’s just the argument that can be made a sighting. The fact remains that where there is smoke there usually is fire is a valid one, but if you can’t see the fire you don’t know for sure. In the end, Wes is correct in that a creature will have to be taken down by a lay person and then not allow the “authorities” take away the evidence. It will eventually happen, someone will have a negative encounter and will end up on the good side of it then the cat will be out of the bag.
You have to think of BF being like a great white shark, it exists but most have never seen one. People still go and swim in the oceans. We are just more careful in certain areas. If you happen to encounter one, you hope its a peaceful one and go on your way. If not it will have the advantage on you and your survival will depend on your will to fight and what kind of fuss the shark is willing to bother with.
Charles B
Track lines are empirical evidence, people have observed, and even filmed the creatures making the tracks.
Charles R
The only ones I know of that have been debunked are the obvious you tubes, but then these folks are trying to put one over on the public. I am most certain the vast majority of those done by reputable agencies such as Bfro, Gcbro, Kentucky Bigfoot Org. Pa. Bigfoot and Research Org., Oregon Bigfoot Organ. and there are several others are genuine. Same goes for the Sasquatch Chronicles.