It just seems like a lot of money to prove a point to a bunch of close-minded jer-… I mean, people. Truthfully, would it really be better to prove the existence of this animal than to have it’s mystery as a mythical creature? Legends are, well, legendary! Look at the gorilla, it was once a mythical beast. It was the object of mystery, an enigma. Now you can go to the zoo any day of the week and see one playing with it’s genitals behind plexiglass. Is that really and truly what we want for Patty?

Between History, NationalGeo, Discovery, and Travel channels there is a Crypto night at least every two weeks, and sometimes more than one. However, I have noticed a trend amongst the Discovery Networks to present a skeptical case in the guise of a serious documentary. Travel Channel seems to deliver the most open-minded views. They run their’s about once a month on Fridays. This Friday is Bigfoot day I think, starts around 6 or 7PM.

On one hand, I wish to be taken seriously, YES, and the fact that I’m female (and blonde) works against me from time to time. I’d prefer people focus on my work and not my face or gender. I take this subject, and my place within it, seriously. I’d rather be regarded in terms of my contributions to this field, just like anyone else male OR female… we all have to earn respect.

However, I don’t believe Cabochris intended any disrespect by his comment. Some may feel his choice of words was misguided. We can sit all day and discuss semantics - whether Chris meant it as diminutive, or an old-school “female” version of the term, in humor, as a form of derision… instead, I tend to look at the INTENT, and I believe his intent was to refer to me kindly and affectionately. If it’s a left-handed compliment… well, we all stick our foot in our mouth on occasion.
Kittenz, I appreciate your support. Being a woman in a field mostly dominated by men is often frustrating. Filming a show while being 5 months pregnant WAS definitely a challenge. And being exhausted most of the time, I’m sure you can understand my desire to pick my battles. I simply chose to let this one go.
Best,

Autumn

Of course anyone can see that the original researcherette comment was made in a joking tone, and was intended as a compliment to Autumn.

My comment was simply intended to remind everyone that female researchers are every bit as serious, competent and dedicated as any of their male colleagues. Plus they also have to overcome generations of subtle and sometimes not so subtle gender bias. It took guts and determination for a woman to make this film while coping with the physical demands of pregnancy.

I’m sure that Autumn can weigh in on how she would feel about being called a Bigfoot researcherette if she feels like it.

In my eyes Autumn is as competent as any person and more-so than me or you, man or woman or whatever, when it comes to Bigfot research! You obviously did not read how I praised her. I do not believe I should have watch my Ps and Qs for overly sensitive readers!

Please do not turn this Blog into a “Gender Equal Rights” debate! This is about Bigfoot for me. What is it for you? After all, you certainly did not come to the rescue of Boston Rob and all the poor comments made about him- why not?

A female researcher is not a “researcherette”. To says so is disrespectful. A researcher who is female is no less a researcher than her mail colleagues. It’s the quality of the research and the dedication of the researcher that counts, not the gender.