Is Cryptozoology for Idiots?

The fact of the matter is, in our modern world where we wield such technological wonders as commanding on-demand performances of the resurrected 90210 from our wondrous Tivo, we have become skeptical of anything deemed "unscientific." Many find joy in jeering those who think on the perimeters of what is known, perhaps out of a discomfort of dealing with the unknown. It can take a brave person to step forward and report seeing something they do not completely understand, or to dedicate themselves to understanding such reports.

Mania.com ran an interesting story on cryptozoology by accomplished paranormal writer Nick Redfern. In the piece, Redfern describes the experience of interviewing a man who - several years previously - claimed to have seen a strange creature in New York's Central Park of all places. On break from his work across the street from the park, the man said a very short, hairy creature came running onto the path in front of him. The creature, which did not appear human in any way, stopped to look at the man momentarily before running in the same direction. Redfern remarked the man had nothing to gain from telling the story and seemed embarrassed to even be recounting what he saw. No other reports of such creatures in Central Park or elsewhere have been recorded before or since. The occurrence illustrates the strength it can require for someone who is otherwise normal and rational who has witnessed something inexplicable.

American cryptozoologist Robert Rines passed away last week. Rines was famous for his efforts to uncover evidence proving the existence of the Loch Ness Monster, after reportedly seeing the creature at the loch in 1972. Rines would return to the loch every few years, looking for the creature. Two pictures Rines took of the creature were published in 1975, creating a huge media stir. In the face of skeptics, many of whom were scientists, Rines pushed on for more proof of the cryptid. Did a belief in the monster mean Rines was an idiot? Not so, argues Ben H. Winters of the Huffington Post. Winters, and others, point out Rines was not only a cryptozoologist but also an accomplished inventor as well as intellectual property lawyer. Rines founded the Franklin Pierce Law Center along with obtaining over 800 patents in his career. Winters does an excellent job of pointing out that such fringe thinkers are ridiculed by society until they are proven right. At that point the fringe thinkers become geniuses who had the guts to stick with what they knew in their gut to be right (think Albert Einstein).

Society often is not comfortable with the fringes - they are dark and scary and full of the unknown. To study what is known, what is established is a much more inviting proposition. Thankfully there are those willing to step outside of the accepted areas of study to push the limits and question what others fear to approach. Perhaps one day Rines will be proven right on Nessie, or maybe not. The point is he tried to uncover the truth of what he saw, despite the ridicule of those who would not believe. If only more had that level of integrity we would be living in a truly changed world.

For more on Rine's life click here