THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

       

                    THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

                         

                                                                     

                                                                                                   

INTRODUCTION.

As Mankind has evolved, and spread across the Globe to become the Dominant Species, knowledge of Science and Nature has not come easy.

Developing the Rules of Logic, and creating the Scientific Method, were often established only by necessity, and trial and error.

Yet, even today, we find people throughout the world, clinging to and accepting ideas and concepts that were discarded years ago.

No, I am not referring to Religious Faith.  By its very description, it cannot be, and is not explainable by discovering and revealing the Laws of Nature.  The Physical Universe operates separately from the Supernatural and the Spiritual.

Unfortunately, sometimes misguided individuals try to use Faith based belief systems to undermine Scientific Truths. This is because factual evidence does not support their preconceived conclusions about reality.

This is not found just among the adherents of certain religions, by also groups that include;

-  CONSPIRACY THEORISTS.

-  CRYPTOZOOLOGISTS.

-  UFOLOGISTS. (PAST AND PRESENT).

-  PSYCHICS.

...AMONG OTHERS.

So this page will be dedicated to looking at some of the Mysteries that still spark interest and controversy.

THE FIRST SUBJECT-  THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE.

LOOK FOR IT COMING SOON.

Date-  11/7/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE.  PT 1.

Example of a story, that emphasizes the Paranormal Normal reputation of this "Area" located in the Atlantic Ocean.( Fictional, but it includes many things in common with the typical BERMUDA TRIANGLE STORY, MYTH, LEGEND etc..)

MISSING SHIP FOUND.

BOSTON, MA. Dec, 2.

On November 23rd, Captain Bernard Wallace, Master of the Brig JUPITER, claims to have found the missing Schooner ALBATROSS, adrift some 75 Nautical Miles South/Southwest of Bermuda. 

The ALBATROSS was due into Port on, or around Nov. 18th.

No one was found aboard, although the ship showed no signs of foundering.

''Tis a queer thing," Captain reported to Maritime Officials in Boston, upon arriving in port two days ago.

The Captain also stated that;  "We had just turned into the wind, when she was spotted off the Starboard Foredeck.  Since it was mid-day, under clear skies, we were able to make her out pretty clearly.  She was under close- trimmed sails, but  not following any course I could make out.  We approached as close as possible, and were able to make out her out as ALBATROSS."

Captain Wallace went on to further report, "We hailed her for a good twenty minutes, but received no response.  Stranger yet, her decks were clear of any life that we could see.  The crew made no appearance."

Boston officials asked Wallace what he did next.

"I ordered my First Mate, Mr. Martin, to take the Launch and a boarding  party of three men, and search the vessel for any sign of life, or possible reasons for abandonment."

The following was taken from the narrative and testimony of Donald Martin, First Mate on the JUPITER.

"In odedience to the Captains orders, Myself and three of the crew, brought the Launch alongside the ALBATROSS.  Leaving one man in the Launch, Me and my two other shipmates secured the line to port side aft railing of the ship, and climbed aboard to start the inspection."

END PT 1.

11/8/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE.  PT 2.

First Mate Martin continued with his testimony.

"I sent Crewmen Drury and Lyons forward, to inspect the Foremast and Sail, and the Bow section. I remained aft, to check the Masters Cabin.  All three of us would inspect the hold."

"Entering the Masters cabin, I found it to be in tidy shape. I could not find the Ships Log on the small writing desk, and the Sea Chest was stowed securely under the Bunk. There were no Navigational Instruments to be found, and this remained the case throughout the ship. No Sextant, Compass or Charts were found aboard."

The Boston Maritime Officials then inquired about the Ships Boats.

"That was a bit strange." The Mate replied. "The Tackle used to swing out the Starboard side Dinghy had been engaged, and it appeared to have been Launched.  However, it was done either in great haste, or by someone unfamiliar with the mechanism. The Gears appeared to have jammed several times, and it was swung out from the ship at an awkward angle.  If it was launched like that, there is a good chance that it capsized."

A question was then asked about the condition of the main deck.

"Well, the Ships Wheel,"  Martin had reported, "wasn't lashed down, which explains the lack of a set course. Other than that, and the affair with the Dinghy, not much else was out of sorts.  Drury and Lyons reported that the Foremast and Sail were in good condition, and the Bow showed no evidence of a possible collision with another Vessel."

Finally, the condition of the Hold was brought up, as well as the nature and type of Cargo stowed below.

Martin, it was reported, went silent for several moments.

"You understand," he said finally, "that my shipmates and I are only reporting what we found.  As to the how and why, that is your duty."  

END PT 2.

11/12/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY.  PT 1.

They would be hard to miss, especially on the Large Cable Networks.  T.V. Shows based on the Search for Earths most Legendary and Elusive Creatures.

It could be BIGFOOT, YETI, LOCH NESS MONSTER, MOKELE-

MBEMBE, or dozens of others.

They can be found on virtually every Continent, and in all the Seven Seas. 

It could be the Desert, Jungle, Forest, Mountains etc., no Habitat is lacking their presence.

Stories about their Existence, Manner of Living, and Cultural Influence are found in the History of many different Populations and Societies.  They are part of Religious Belief Systems, and are often claimed to have "Supernatural" and "God Like" Powers.

Many famous people have believed in, and searched for, Physical Evidence of their existence. Time and Money were often considered to be Unimportant, it was a labor of love. Lack of success, never seemed to discourage many searchers. Expeditions were mounted and carried out, regardless of past results.

Yet, CRYPTOZOOLOGY, (The study of such Creatures), is considered to be Pseudoscience.  The Academic World dismisses this subject, and considers it to be Irrelevant when discussing Nature, and the Animals that are part of it.

Why is this?  Because Cryptozoologists make the same mistakes that are found in other Fringe and Unverified Theories.

END PT 1.

Date-  11/16/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY.  PT 2.

So why is CRYTOZOOLOGY a PSEUDOSCIENCE?  Here are a few reasons:

-  Starting with a Conclusion, and working from there.

-  The Extensive use of ANECDOTAL TESTIMONY.

-  Improper Methodology.

-  Financial Incentives that are much Greater if the Legendary/Mythical Creature exists, at least in the mind of Die Hard Believers.

-  Taking what little Physical Evidence there is, and not subjecting it to proper Laboratory Analysis by Credible Sources.

-  Not using the Scientific Method and, in some cases, rejecting Natural Law all together. 

-  Not Understanding the Cultural, Religious or Social Traditions that are the Foundation for many of these Beliefs. 

-  Counting on "EVIDENCE" that cannot be Properly Verified, Studied or Analyzed.

-  Falling into the Logically Invalid Category that says the More Evidence you have, the more likely that your Conclusion is True. 

IN SCIENCE, NOT ALL EVIDENCE IS CREATED EQUAL.

These are some of the points about CRYTOZOOLOGY, that will be covered in future posts, in regards to specific subject matter.

Don't get me wrong.  I would love to believe that BIGFOOT, SEA MONSTERS, AND GIANT SNAKES/REPTILES etc.,  ACTUALLY DO EXIST. The World would definitely be a more interesting place, and the Travel Industry would be Booming.

However I, like many others, refuse to toss out COMMON SENSE, THE RULES OF LOGIC, AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, TO SUPPORT A SHARED DELUSION.  WANTING SOMETHING TO BE TRUE, IS A POOR SUBSTITUTE FOR REALITY.

LOOK FOR PART 3.

Date-  11/20/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE.  PT 3.



















The story told by First Mate Martin of the JUPITER, regarding the investigation of the Hold on the ALBATROSS, has caused quite a stir in this Seaside Metropolis.

Boston Maritime Officials have not commented on this Testimony, but sources say they are quite perplexed.

Here are portions of the Further Sworn Testimony given by Martin, the facts which were affirmed by the two crewmen who accompanied him. This concerns the exploration of the Hold.

Martin- "As we went below, a strong odor of Decay was noticed.  There was very little water, so she still seemed watertight.  The smell was terrible, like rotting food left out in the Sun.  I sent Drury Forward, and Lyons Aft, while I remained Amidships.  The Cargo, if there ever was any, was gone.  There were a few mostly empty Barrels turned over, but nothing else.  It was, as if, she been unloaded in a a hurry. All we found were scraps of what seemed to be well cooked Beef and Mutton, sticking to the insides of the Barrels."

Martin was questioned as to the General Condition of the Hold.  "Well, my Mates and I did notice a couple of things.  There was a Green Type of Growth, almost like Mold, covering much of the Deck and Walls.  It seemed to be everywhere, and was starting to cover the stairs leading up to the Main Deck."

When asked if he was sure that it was Mold, and nothing else, Martin replied, "Well I don't know what else to call it.  But, when I touched it, it didn't feel right. It was warm, and the surface felt like Skin, Hard and Rough.  I know I said it seemed like Mold, but I won't swear an Oath to it."

When asked if he had anything more to add about the condition of the Hold, Martin had hesitated.  When prompted again by Officials, he replied: "Maybe it's was just Nerves, but I always had a feeling of being watched, at least when we were below. I know your probably thinking that I was spooked. or a bit daft. But Drury and Lyons felt the same thing.  Never was I more relieved then when we returned to the

Main Deck, with the Feel of the Sun on my face.  You want to know what was in the Hold?  The Look, Smell and Feeling of Death."

END PT 3.

Date-  11/25/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE.  PT 4.





After the inspection of the hold, First Mate Martin told the Inquiry that he ordered the return to the 

JUPITER by the Boarding Party.

"Finding no Trace of the Crew, we returned to the Launch, and proceeded back to the Ship.

Captain Wallace, Master of the JUPITER, was then brought back to be questioned by Maritime Officials.

When asked what he did after receiving First Mate Martins report, Wallace replied that the apparent Abandonment of the ALBATROSS, by its crew, made no sense.

"She was reported to be Sound and Watertight, the reason for leaving her was puzzling."

Wallace then continued, "I realized little could be accomplished by remaining alongside this Ship, and being on a Schedule with the JUPITER, I raised Sail and continued on Course to the next Port of Call."

-----  Well that is the end of the story.  As I said at the beginning, this is a work of Fiction.  However, it has Elements in it that are common among many Weird Stories and Legends told about the BERMUDA TRIANGLE.

However, it is these similarities among many of the stories that casts doubt on the Reality or Truth regarding many parts of the Tale.  In fact, sometimes it leaves us with the Conclusion that the Story is 100% Fiction.  The Reason is simple;  That the Research is often incomplete, and that many of the related facts are of Dubious Quality.  Additionally, the Omission of Certain Data makes Identifying the Story as a real event virtually impossible.

What do I mean?  Lets take a look at the body of the story.

1)  The story Initially starts out as relating a story that seems to be taken from a Newspaper or Periodical.  Yet, the name is never revealed, nor is the Identity of the Writer or the Reporter.  The Complete Date may not be revealed, making Research Verifying the details very difficult.

2)  Official sounding Terms like "Maritime Officials", "Inquiry", "Testimony" are often included to give the story an Illusion of Authenticity, since "Government" became involved in the Mystery.  They are also Vague Enough to sound Realistic and Plausible, but Specific Agencies and Individuals are not named or Identified.

Sometimes, it's what is not said or revealed in the story, that gives us the biggest clue about the Authenticity of the Tale.

END PART 4.

Date-  12/3/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY.  PT 3.

















Before you can even begin to Scientifically Justify a Belief in the Existence of a Legendary or Mythological Creature, several Criteria must be met.

1)  What Type of Physical Evidence are you using to back up the Claim? Is it still Available for Study and Analysis by Independent and Qualified Researchers, who have access to the Best Technology?

2)  How was any and all Evidence 

Obtained?  The Who, What, Where,

When and How Set of Questions that can Validate or Invalidate any Conclusions regarding the Reality of the Creature in

Question?

3)  Is the Evidence best explained by the Introduction of a Previously Unknown Member of the Natural World, or do the Laws of Probability Indicate a more likely Solution?

4)  To what Degree are you Relying on Anecdotal or Eyewitness Testimony to Support a Conclusion that Asserts the Existence of a Real and Tangible Entry into the Animal Kingdom?

5)  If these Creatures Exist in the Wild, and their numbers are Large Enough to Populate an Extended Area or Region, how many must be living to Overcome the Problem of Genetic Diversity?

Remember, much of what you see on Television regarding Cryptozoology is Virtually Worthless, from a Scientific or Critical Thinking Perspective.  These Shows present Certain Speculative Ideas as the Result of Meaningful Thought Processes.

However, when you Ignore the SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND THE RULES OF LOGIC, YOU ARE LEFT WITH OPINIONS THAT ARE LITTLE MORE THAN EMPTY WORDS.  THESE ARE OFTEN USED TO DUPE THE GULLIBLE AND THE DESPERATE.

A Good Start to Identifying this Line of Irrational Thinking, is to see how they stand up to the Questions that are asked above.

Real Science is done when these, and Other Pertinent Questions are Answered, and not Ignored.

In the next Installment, we will begin looking at the Different Creatures that make up the Cryptozoological World.

END OF PART 3.

Date-  12/9/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE.  PT 5.

As I said in Part 4, there are things that are not revealed in a story you may read about a case involving the Bermuda Triangle, that give an indication about the "Reality" of the facts given in the story.

                                                             

For example, in my sample story the Abandoned Schooner "ALBATROSS", was searched and then left to the Elements.  This would probably have never happened in a True Story.  

Maritime Salvage Laws would have allowed a Prize Crew to be placed Aboard the Deserted Vessel, who would then Sail the Ship into Port. This would mean a Substantial Reward for the Captain and Crew of the JUPITER, either from the Owners, or the Insurance carried against loss.  Leaving a Seaworthy Ship in the Middle of the Ocean would make little sense. 

Getting back to the story itself, there is other information not given that would cast doubt about the Details being a Road Map to the Truth.















How so?

-  We have the Name of the Deserted Ship, and its supposed Destination, but not its Port of Embarkation and Cargo.

-  The Ships Master, and the Current Owners are not revealed.

-  In Fact, other then the Name "ALBATROSS", and that it is a Schooner, nothing else is revealed to aid in Researching the Event of its Disappearance.  Things such as Launch Date, Sailing History, Home Port, and Ownership History are not reported.

This was, of course, a Fictional Story.  However, when you read some of the "Strange Tales of the Sea",  that are included in the Bermuda Triangle Legend, look for Omissions like these, and consider how Plausible the "TRUE STORY" really is.

Look for Specific Examples given in Future Posts.

Date-  12/13/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

AMONG THE MISSING-   INTRODUCTION.

Is there anything more Naturally Creepy than a Disappearance that can't be explained, at least according to the Best and Most Recent Evidence?

World History is full of Famous and Not-so Famous Individuals who have seemed to Disappear Without a Trace.

Such Incidents Have Occurred in every corner of the Globe, and Cultures from Ancient to Modern Contribute Their own unique Stories to the Legend of "THOSE LOST WITHOUT A TRACE."

However, it is not just Single Individual Vanishings that cause the Most Debate and Controversy.  Sometimes it is;

SHIPS-  MARY CELESTE. (Passengers and Crew).

EXPLORERS-  HENRY HUDSON.

AIRCRAFT AND AVIATORS-  AMELIA EARHART.

SETTLERS AND COLONISTS-  THE LOST COLONY OF ROANOKE.

FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS FIGURES-  JUDGE CRATER.

...and Many More.

This Sub- Category of THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD will look at some of the Most Famous and Puzzling Stories and Legends that have Baffled Investigators, and look for Possible Answers that may have been overlooked.

For Certain Reasons I will avoid Discussing Disappearances that;

-  Are Associated with the Bermuda Triangle.  Those Stories will be

Analyzed under the Heading that I have already created for this page.

-  Deal with Certain CRIMINAL ACTS, where the Probing into such 

Events will serve no useful purpose.

-  Are Basically, THROUGH SLANDEROUS OR LIBELOUS TESTIMONY,

JUST TOOLS TO HARM INNOCENT PEOPLE. 

These Stories and Legends will also include Incidents that are, almost certainly, Pure Fiction.  Yet, the Telling and Re- Telling of such Tales over the Years, has caused them to take on a Life of Their Own.  Sometimes the Existence of such Events is so Ingrained into the Fabric of Society, that the Truth has been lost through the Mists of Time.

LOOK FOR THE FIRST INSTALLMENT.

Date-  12/17/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. 

AMONG THE MISSING- PT 1. WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Missing Persons, Ships and Planes etc., are  a Fact of Life Throughout Recorded Human History.  No Matter how many Times that Bad Weather, Natural Disasters and Man- Made Misadventures have caused Great Loss and Suffering, if Someone or Something VANISHES SUDDENLY, MANY PEOPLE TURN TO SUPERNATURAL  EXPLANATIONS FOR ANSWERS.

            

It seems that this Type of Mindset will often Deliberately Ignore More Rational and likely Scenarios, to Promote Explanations that are, At Best, A Wild Stretch of the Imagination.  This is sometimes a Desperate Attempt to explain Disappearances, that Quite Simply Don't leave enough Evidence to Supply a Definite Explanation.

                      To Illustrate what I mean, consider the Fate of the Aircraft Nicknamed:                                                             

                                                               STAR DUST.

THE STAR DUST was the Nickname of a BRITISH SOUTH AMERICAN AIRWAYS AIRCRAFT that Crashed into a Mountain in the ANDES on August, 2, 1947. 

However, at the TIME OF THE CRASH, This was not Known.  THE PLANE- AN AVRO- LANCASTRIAN, REGISTRATION # G- AGWH, Had Radioed into SANTIAGO, CHILE, (ITS FINAL DESTINATION, IT TOOK OFF FROM BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA.), that it would be landing within minutes. Nothing Further was heard from the FLIGHT CREW, and it was Presumed Lost and Missing.

An Extensive Search was conducted by OTHER BSAA AIRCRAFT, AS WELL AS THE CHILEAN AND ARGENTINE GOVERNMENTS. Nothing was found at the Time in Terms of Wreckage, or a possible Crash Site. This is where the Case stood for about Fifty Years.

Through the Years a number of Explanations were Put Forth, Contributing Various Scenarios about the Final Fate of the STAR DUST.  They Included the Possibility of SABOTAGE, OR AN ENCOUNTER WITH A UFO. Unfortunately, All Speculations led to nothing.

However, in 1998 Physical Evidence came to light from an Unrelated Activity, and just plain luck.

(THIS IS THE FLIGHT THAT PRODUCED THE "STENDEC"  LEGEND.  I am not going to Address this Story, because I Feel it is a NON- ISSUE IN EXPLAINING THE ACCIDENT, BOTH THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE CAUSE.)

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY.  PT 4.



BIGFOOT-  SECTION 1.

What awaits us in the Deepest Parts of the Unexplored Forests of the Pacific Northwest ?

-  or maybe its the Mountains of Appalachia?

-  Could it be the Remote Back Roads of New England, New Jersey, or New York?

-  What about the Lands around the Great Lakes, and the Upper Mid-West?

Come to think of it, there is one Type of Cryptid that seems to have found a Home in every one of the 50 States in the U.S., and All the Provinces and Territories of Canada.

CRYPTID-  A LEGENDARY OR MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE WHOSE EXISTENCE HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN, OR EVEN REASONABLY POSTULATED BY EVIDENCE AVAILABLE FOR TESTING OR ANALYSIS.

Cryptozoology, is the one area where Evidence does not Have to meet any Kind of Scientific, or Critical Thinking Criteria.  So, that is where we find the continued insistence that such Improbable Creatures actually do exist.

The Number of Cryptids that are Promoted as Real by Cryptozoologists are Numerous, and are said to exist just about everywhere on Earth.  However, to begin with, Lets look at the Most Famous Example found on the NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT.  I am Referring to the Backwoods Beast known as 

BIGFOOT.

When Starting a Discussion about any possible living thing, particularly one that is Unlikely to Exist, the MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS TO ACTUALLY DEFINE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, AND WHAT WOULD CONSTITUTE VALID QUALIFYING EVIDENCE PROVING ITS REALITY.  

That is the First Problem, and it Points out something that will be a Detriment when Talking about any CRYPTID;

THAT WITH ONLY PURELY SUBJECTIVE TESTIMONY OFFERED AS THE "BEST EVIDENCE",  A PROPER DEFINITION IS NOT REASONABLY POSSIBLE.  IT CAN BE CHANGED EASILY, SINCE IT IS NOT BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF SCIENTIFIC THEORY.

That brings us to first IMPORTANT QUESTION-  WHEN SOMEONE WRITES OR TALKS ABOUT BIGFOOT...

... WHAT ARE THEY REFERENCING?

SEE SECTION 2.

Date-  12/26/2014.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE? #1.

If you are the Type of Person who likes GHOST STORIES, TALES OF ALIEN VISITATION, LEGENDARY MONSTERS etc, AND OTHER SUCH  STAPLES OF POPULAR FICTION, OLD TIME RADIO SHOWS, FEATURE FILMS, AND OF COURSE T.V., YOU ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE COME ACROSS DISCLAIMERS LIKE:

-  "BASED ON ACTUAL EVENTS."

-  "ACCORDING TO WITNESS TESTIMONY."

-  "REPORTED BY RELIABLE PERSONS, WITH

    NO REASON TO LIE."

-  "THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COULDN'T ALL BE WRONG."

AND SO ON....

The Problem is, you have almost no way of knowing the Accuracy or the Truth Contained Within these Statements.  You Hear the Characters, (or the Witnesses, if it is some form of Documentary), relate information that seems Genuine and Sincere, but is in Fact Unreliable Dialogue promoting a Particular Point of View.

This could lead to an Individual Making a Decision Based Upon Factors that have been placed within the Content of the Story, encouraging  them to be less OBJECTIVE, and MORE ACCEPTABLE OF SHODDY, UNRELIABLE, AND INADEQUATE ANALYSES OF THE SUBJECT MATTER, THAT CANNOT STAND UP TO PROPER SCRUTINY. (WHICH, IN MANY WAYS, MIRRORS THE STRATEGY OF POLITICIANS RUNNING FOR OFFICE.  HOWEVER, YOU CAN READ ABOUT THAT ON OTHER PAGES OF THIS WEBSITE.)

#1.  GET THE REAL STORY-  Researching the Paranormal, to find information that has A Direct Relationship or Bearing on the Truth of the Given Legend or Myth, is not always easy.  The Lack of Supporting Evidence on Many Claims Leads Some Adherents or Believers to MANUFACTURE, CREATE, OR EMBELLISH INFORMATION AND DATA THAT LENDS CREDENCE TO THEIR CLAIMS. This can become more Prevalent Depending on the # OF TIMES IT HAS BEEN RETOLD OR REPUBLISHED, WITH EACH SUCCEEDING "AUTHOR," ALTERING THE STORY TO REFLECT THEIR PERSONAL BELIEFS, AGENDA, OR PERSPECTIVE AUDIENCE.

For Example, Researching the BERMUDA TRIANGLE LEGEND IS PERHAPS THE MOST TIME CONSUMING, WITH THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF DISAPPEARANCES VARYING BETWEEN AUTHORS. Explanations for the Losses run from the Mundane and Commonplace, to the Bizarre, Irrational, and quite frankly, Stupid. 

However, the BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO OVERCOME IN VERIFYING THE TRUE NATURE OF THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE MYTH, IS FINDING THE ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL THAT PROVIDED THE INITIAL INFORMATION REFERENCED FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL EVENT.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE? #2.

That leads us to the First Major Problem that is encountered when Researching any Subject Dealing with THE PARANORMAL.  Just because a Book, or any Published Work lists a BIBLIOGRAPHY, DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT HAS BEEN RESEARCHED PROPERLY.  Listing Source Material is Meaningless, if the AUTHORSHIP IS OF DUBIOUS OR QUESTIONABLE RELIABILITY.

I Mention the BERMUDA TRIANGLE, because there is perhaps no Greater Fabrication of a LEGEND THAT HAS NO REAL BASIS IN FACT, AND IS BASICALLY THE CREATION OF A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL. ( I will Discuss This in a Future Post.)  However, for this Post, let us begin to ask some basic questions, and see if we can understand the Reasoning behind the MYSTERY.

I Published a Map of the Area in Question in an earlier Post, so you can Reference it by Scrolling Up.

That brings me to the First Point:

I CAN DRAW A CIRCLE, SQUARE, TRIANGLE, TRAPEZOID etc., around any area of the GLOBE, AND FIND EXAMPLES OF MISSING PERSONS, BOATS, PLANES. This is especially TRUE IN BODIES OF WATER, AND MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS, WHERE DISCOVERY AND RECOVERY OF EVIDENCE WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

However, for the sake of Argument, let us say that this area has more Incidents of UNEXPLAINED DISAPPEARANCES THAN SIMILAR REGIONS IN SIZE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. How could this be Explained?

THIS BRINGS US TO THE NEXT POINT:

UNEXPLAINED AND UNEXPLAINABLE DO NOT MEAN THE SAME THING. 

UNEXPLAINED-  A DEFINITIVE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND.  ALTHOUGH

DIFFERENT EXPLANATIONS MAY BE OFFERED, THE AMOUNT OF RELIABLE AND TESTABLE EVIDENCE IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO ALLOW US TO DRAW A CONCLUSION WITH REASONABLE CERTAINTY. 

UNEXPLAINABLE-  THAT THE INCIDENT, BY ITS VERY NATURE AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING IT, CAN NEVER BE REASONABLY EXPLAINED, REGARDLESS OF THE QUALITY OR QUANTITY OF THE EVIDENCE FOUND, AND PROPERLY ANALYZED.

One Question that is often asked, when we examine Popular Myths and Legends,

is why are so many "INCIDENTS" OR "EVENTS" LISTED AS UNEXPLAINABLE?

THE ANSWER:  LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUALS MAKING SUCH JUDGMENTS, AND THE POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF MAKING SUCH ILL-INFORMED DECISIONS. 

AFTER ALL, POLITICIANS DO IT ALL THE TIME.

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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE? #3.

For the Truly Open- Minded Individual, when you are Reading and Considering the Evidence Presented by an Author Making Claims to Support a Specific Conclusion, ask yourself the Following Questions:

"IN ORDER FOR ME TO PROMOTE THE CONCLUSION AS FACTUAL, WHAT EVIDENCE AND ARGUMENTS MUST I ACCEPT AS TRUE?  FURTHER, AM I ACCEPTING THEM BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY CAN BE PROPERLY DEFENDED AGAINST ANY OPPOSITION, OR IS PERSONAL ACCEPTANCE JUST A SYMPTOM OF MY DESIRE THAT THE CONCLUSION BE ACKNOWLEDGED AS TRUE, WHETHER OR NOT CRITICAL ANALYSIS BACKS UP SUCH A DECISION?"

Remember, Logic and the Scientific Method are Tools for Deriving the Reality of the Subject Matter, and not a set of Opinions that Automatically Accepts Certain 

Claims or Assertions as True, While others are cast aside as False. To Often Believers and Promoters of the Paranormal Criticize Science for being Dogmatic, and not Open to knew Ideas. Nothing could be further from the Truth.

Think of all the Scientific Theories that we take for granted as True Today, that were Opposed and Scoffed at because LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD OR UTILIZED AT DIFFERENT PERIODS IN HUMAN HISTORY.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

-  THE LAWS OF MOTION.

-  THE BEGINNING AND  FORMATION OF THE UNIVERSE.

-  THE CAUSES AND CURES FOR DISEASE.

-  HOW LIGHT AND SOUND BEHAVE UNDER DIFFERENT 

   CONDITIONS.

-  HUMAN EVOLUTION.

ETC...

In the Above List, you have areas of Science that, until relatively

recently in HUMAN HISTORY,  VERY LITTLE WAS KNOWN ABOUT

THE MECHANISMS AND PROCESSES THAT DRIVE EACH. This didn't

change because someone stood up and declared THAT SCIENCE SUPPORTS

THESE CONCLUSIONS, AND WOULDN'T CONSIDER OTHER POSSIBILITIES.

LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD DON'T WORK THIS WAY, AND IN THE 

NEXT POST ON THIS TOPIC, WE WILL LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT THESE 

DISCIPLINES, AND HOW THEIR USE HAS CHAMPIONED MANS ABILITY TO 

UNDERSTAND THE NATURAL WORLD.

Date- 4/30/2016.

Scroll down for future posts.

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE? #4.

As we Analyze the DISCIPLINES OF LOGIC, AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, ONE THING BECOMES PERFECTLY CLEAR:

That when used properly, THE TWO ARE SO SIMILAR AS TO MAKE THEM ALMOST INTERCHANGEABLE.  AT NO TIME CAN WE SAY THAT THE 

RULES OF ONE STANDS IN CONTRADICTION TO THE OTHER. The Ultimate Goal of each is to find "TRUTH", either as an "ABSOLUTE" which cannot be Reasonably Denied, OR THE Most "PROBABLE" According to the Information given.

As we have seen throughout World History, understanding the UNIVERSE AND THE NATURAL WORLD BECAME EASIER, AND MUCH MORE BENEFICIAL FOR MANKIND, AS THE PROCESS CALLED THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD REPLACED SYSTEMS BASED ON SUPERNATURAL BELIEFS. NO LONGER DID MAN JUST ACCEPT HIS FATE, COUNTING ON FAITH AND DOGMATIC ACCEPTANCE TO EXPLAIN THE JOYS AND MISERIES THAT WERE INFLICTED UPON HIM BY A MYSTERIOUS AND UNKNOWABLE UNIVERSE.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD became the TOOL THAT ALLOWED HUMANITY TO NOT ONLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURAL WORLD, BUT ALSO TO ANTICIPATE, CONTROL, AND CULTIVATE CERTAIN SUBSTANCES AND SPECIFIC PHENOMENA FOUND IN NATURE TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL. For this to happen, Two things had to occur:

1)  Convincing Ecclesiastic Authorities that CONCEPTS OF GOD, AND THE SPIRITUAL WORLD, WERE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE FROM FORMING AND CREATING SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES.  YOU COULD HAVE FAITH, DEVOTION, AND OBEDIENCE TO THE DEITY AND SCRIPTURE OF YOUR CHOICE, WITHOUT ABANDONING INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT, AND RATIONAL INQUIRY. 

2)  THAT SCIENCE, ITS METHODOLOGY, RULES, AND GOALS MUST HAVE UNIQUE AND UNALTERABLE RULES THAT WOULD MAKE UP THE FOUNDATION AND CORE OF THIS NEW DISCIPLINE.

ENTER LOGIC, AND ITS LAWS.

Date-  7/9/2016.

Scroll down for future posts.

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY. PT 4. BIGFOOT- SECTION 2.

So, when you see a TV Promotional Ad Touting a NEW "BIGFOOT" HUNTING SERIES, what should you expect to see by turning in?

If you cut out the Hyperbole, not much of any Real Value.

WHY?

Nearly All of the Current information Regarding Bigfoot, or any of the Numerous Variations found around the World, Falls into Three Categories:

A)  Legends and Stories passed down by Native and Indigenous Peoples, regarding Creatures that are part of Their Religious and Cultural Mythology.

B)  Anecdotal Stories told by those who claim to have Encountered Such Beings in the Wild. 

C) "EVIDENCE" such as Footprints, Hair Samples, Scat, etc.

Unfortunately, None of this Results in an Actual Living/Breathing Member of the Animal Kingdom.  Legendary and Mythological Entities are a Part of the Cultural Identities of Societies Throughout the World.  The Reality of Such Stories, and the Existence of the Creatures that are Described Within the Bodies of the Tales, are of Secondary Importance to the Message and Lesson Imparted  to the Listener.

Personal Observations, without any Corroborating Evidence to Support Such Reports, are of Little Value to the Sciences of Biology and Zoology.  To Many Factors play into how we Observe, Comprehend, or Understand the World Around us.  Preconceived Notions,Individual Expectations, and Personal Biases can cause us to Misinterpret something Occurring right before our eyes.

"Hard Evidence" such as Plaster Casts of Footprints, Skin/Hair Samples, and Fecal Material Must be HANDLED, DOCUMENTED, STORED, TESTED AND EVALUATED COMPETENTLY, OR THEY ARE VIRTUALLY WORTHLESS IN ESTABLISHING THE EXISTENCE OF A NEW CLASS OF LIVING BEINGS.

In case your wondering, I haven't included any Videos or Photos in the Hard Evidence Category, quite simply because from what I have been able to Find through Research is Minimal, and Seriously Lacking in Credibility.   (THIS INCLUDES THE PATTERSON- GIMLIN FILM, WHICH DOES NOT STAND UP TO CRITICAL ANALYSIS. IT IS A CASE OF WISHFUL THINKING OVER REALITY.)

Anyone making Claims about the Existence of a Creature with Specific Physical and Behavioral Characteristics that make it a new and previously Unclassified Life Form, must do more then make Unsubstantiated Assertions in front of a Camera.

However, just what are people talking about when they describe encountering a BIGFOOT, and does this give us a window into the Nature of Such Encounters? 

LOOK FOR BIGFOOT SECTION 3.

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY. PT 4. BIGFOOT- SECTION 3.

There is One Thing I Want to make perfectly clear;  I Have never come across an ANTHROPOLOGIST, ZOOLOGIST, NATURALIST, BIOLOGIST etc;  WHO WOULD NOT WELCOME SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE PROVING THE EXISTENCE OF A BIGFOOT TYPE CREATURE LIVING IN THE WILD. 

WHY WOULD THEY BE AGAINST SUCH GROUNDBREAKING INFORMATION?

The Primary Goal of Science is to LEARN NEW THINGS.  NOT MUCH CAN BE ACHIEVED IN TERMS OF ADVANCING SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IF THERE ARE NO DISCOVERIES TO BE MADE, INVENTIONS NEEDED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS, OR NATURAL MYSTERIES TO UNCOVER.

Anyone who claims that "THE SCIENTIFIC ESTABLISHMENT" is against such Research is probably either Lying to create controversy, or has a RESEARCH METHODOLOGY SO POOR THAT NO SERIOUS SCHOLAR OR ACADEMICIAN TAKES THEM SERIOUSLY.

What Science will not do, is ALLOW QUESTIONS LIKE THE FOLLOWING TO BE IGNORED, OR ANSWERED WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION SHOWING THE PROCESS THAT LED TO THE THEORIES AND CONCLUSIONS BEING OFFERED.

-  TO MAINTAIN A SUSTAINABLE POPULATION, THERE MUST BE A LARGE ENOUGH COMMUNITY OF GENETICALLY COMPATIBLE INDIVIDUALS TO BREED SUCCESSFULLY, BUT WITH ENOUGH VARIATIONS TO KEEP DIVERSITY IN THE GENE POOL.

-  OVER-USED AND TIRED EXCUSES SUCH AS; "THE REASON NO BIGFOOT REMAINS HAVE EVER BEEN FOUND IS THAT THE WILDERNESS ENVIRONMENT CAUSES A RAPID DECOMPOSITION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, THROUGH SCAVENGERS AND INSECT LIFE.  HOW OFTEN DO YOU FIND DEER, BEAR OR ANY ANIMAL CARCASSES POST MORTEM."

THE PROBLEM IS THAT, WHILE IT IS RARE TO FIND THE PHYSICAL REMAINS OF MANY NATIVE SPECIES IN THE WILD, IT DOES HAPPEN ON OCCASION.  SKELETAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN FOUND AND ANALYZED FOR SUCH WILDERNESS FAUNA AS DEER, BEARS,etc.

HOW MUCH HAS BEEN FOUND INDICATING THE POSSIBLE EXISTENCE OF A BIGFOOT TYPE CREATURE- NONE.