Comments on: Three Upcoming Bigfoot Conferences http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/bf-08/ for Bigfoot, Loch Ness, and More Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:51:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.11 by: eireman http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/bf-08/#comment-45789 Thu, 08 May 2008 17:13:26 +0000 http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/bf-08/#comment-45789 From a marketing point of view, "Bigfoot" is more attractive since it is easily recognized, visually evocative, and generally understood by everyone. In most cases, these events have to serve not only as a scientific forum but as entertainment with the goal of raising money. To that end, it is necessary to rope in the casually interested or those who might thing it was something quirk and fun to do on a Saturday. A few years back, I attended a paranormal conference in Tulsa, OK. They brought in some heavy-hitters in the field who spoke at length and in a technical fashion about the study of Hauntings, etc... You could practically hear the collective yawn (and regret) from the casually interested for having plopped down their hard earned money for the admission. They wanted fun. The researchers wanted a quality lecture. It was tough for them to find a middle ground between mass appeal and respectability. As a designer, I understand the need to communicate ideas and "sell product" but as someone intersted in the subject, I agree with you, Loren. It's a shame that there isn't a more dignified term. From a marketing point of view, “Bigfoot” is more attractive since it is easily recognized, visually evocative, and generally understood by everyone. In most cases, these events have to serve not only as a scientific forum but as entertainment with the goal of raising money. To that end, it is necessary to rope in the casually interested or those who might thing it was something quirk and fun to do on a Saturday.

A few years back, I attended a paranormal conference in Tulsa, OK. They brought in some heavy-hitters in the field who spoke at length and in a technical fashion about the study of Hauntings, etc… You could practically hear the collective yawn (and regret) from the casually interested for having plopped down their hard earned money for the admission. They wanted fun. The researchers wanted a quality lecture. It was tough for them to find a middle ground between mass appeal and respectability.

As a designer, I understand the need to communicate ideas and “sell product” but as someone intersted in the subject, I agree with you, Loren. It’s a shame that there isn’t a more dignified term.

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