Bigfoot Research

I have been a delinquent blogger, I know. But keep in mind that delinquent blogger = non-delinquent post-doc, so it isn't such a terrible thing. I mentioned last week that I would say a few words about the 9th Annual Texas Bigfoot Research Conference which was held in mid-September at the University of Texas-Tyler (a sister school!) since I, too, like research. For those of you who don't already know, although the mythos of Bigfoot (aka Sasquatch, the Yeti, the Abominable Snowman-- take your pick, different names but the same hairy, giant, elusive, hominoid-like creature) is worldwide, it has certain areas of high concentration. Like Canada (where I am from). And Texas (where I now live). Although I wasn't able to attend this particular conference, several delegates from my department went, including Christian Cox (pictured above with typical Bigfoot evidence and namesake; happy birthday Christian!) These colleagues of mine attended, in addition to 400+ other people (who presumably did NOT go as a joke), reported back on the latest findings, and, of course, brought me a t-shirt. The annual meeting consists of a full day of 40 minute talks from experts on a variety of topics ranging from "Sasquatch 101" to this year's special guest, Bob Gimlin (Mr. Gimlin is one of two people credited for making the only not-revealed-to-be-a-fake-yet 1967 Sasquatch video still in circulation; see still frame below). Unlike what you might expect of a research conference, the talks aren't so much about evidence for Bigfoot as much as they are about how to catch/prove/photograph/depict/describe Bigfoot more effectively during inevitable future encounters. It also sounds like there is a fair amount of Bigfoot-skeptic bashing, Bigfoot belief-declaring, and Bigfoot sighting retelling. My understanding is that pretty much everybody there has either a) seen Bigfoot or b) expects to, which would indicate maybe Bigfeet aren't so rare afterall, since the conference is so well attended. In addition to the researchers interested in Bigfoot, there were researchers interested in people interested in Bigfoot -- from the psychology department. They passed out surveys to everyone in the audience in hopes of continuing their efforts to identify what characteristics typify Bigfoot believers and, perhaps more interestingly, Bigfoot researchers, such as those attending this conference. Their data reveal that typical Bigfoot believers tend to come from low income households and usually have little to no education. But Bigfoot researchers? Interestingly, they defy definition, fit no profile, and typically represent no single demographic category. Why? Well, perhaps it is hard to predict exactly what kind of scientist would risk their career and credibility chasing after a legendary creature most often shown to actually be someone running around in an ape suit or a misidentified bear. However, in the spirit of scientific objectivity, after devoting an entire post to the topic, I feel obligated to provide the link to where you should file a report (hopefully more peaceful than the one recounted by this nature-loving mountain climber, above) if you should see one. And for those of you who have now come to expect an interactive blog reading experience or simply want to avoid doing research (on Bigfoot or any other topic), check out the song/video by Tenacious D called Sasquatch on youtube here.

Coming later this week! A Reader's Choice Poll to pick the band name before Shane and I go on tour at Thanksgiving. Remember-- this is what everyone is getting for Christmas because no one is actually going to buy our concert t-shirts-- so make your voice heard above the din of the other 2 or 3 voices! Like they say in Chicago-- vote early, vote often!