Bigfoot Reporter Speaks Out
Posted by: Loren Coleman on October 22nd, 2009
Michael Rugg’s Bigfoot Museum just had their third annual conference, entitled “Bigfoot Discovery Days III.”
Sharonlee, who has been involved in the Bigfoot field for six years, was there as “The Bigfoot Field Reporter™.”
She overviewed the speakers quickly in her blog, then speaks out about one person who made an appearance:
“Finally, the most difficult presentation to sit through was that of David Paulides….
I had no idea who this Paulides guy was, but I guess I should have! In his words, he is the best researcher. His organization is the best. He doesn’t consider individual people researchers. He insulted Michael Rugg, the host of the event, by telling Mike that he was not a researcher, but just a museum.
He then went on to talk about what a bad rap he gets, and how no other organizations will step forward to work with him. Gee, I wonder why? This guy had no shortage of arrogance!
I felt really badly for Mike Rugg. He has dedicated his life to bigfoot research and to be insulted at his own event that Paulides was invited to, was so disrespectful.”
- Similar Phenomena:
Two thumps up, to Sharonlee for a an honest critique without being rude or demeaning.
It sounds to me like his search organization is in the business of making money. Why else would you advertise like they do on the website and like he obviously did at this conference?
I guess Paulides wanted to plug his OWN organization at the expense of others. That’s his problem. Sheesh.
This is the kind of “infighting” that further demeans the discipline of Cryptozoology and further exposes it to ridicule from the “usual” people. Good reporting by Sharon, though.
It’s a natural fact: every subculture has its own Kayne West.
I was there at the gathering and met Mr. Paulides and he was not the boogyman everyone makes him out to be. With his background he is no nonsense for sure, but he was approachable and easy to talk to and has a real passion for solving the BF mystery. He never said that the NABS was the best or better than other BF groups out there, but did state that they were using new methods in the field that other groups were not using. IMO you have to be ambitious to want to solve this mystery. He did talk about how BF groups do not want to cooperate together and share information which truly is the case. Just go on those BF chatrooms and witness the petty whining and jealousies that go on there. He did tell Mike Rugg that he considered him more a museum than a researcher but the tone was not degrading and he probably did not know Mike’s background. Overall it was an informative and good day for bigfooting.
Also, who could forget the fact that Mr. Paulides is now championing M.K. Davis’ works….do I need to say Bigfoot Massacre?
I actually read Mr. Paulides’ book “The Hoopa Project” and I thought it was quite a good book overall and thought that he seemed to be a very good investigator/researcher. I haven’t bought his new book “Tribal Bigfoot” but I probably will. It’s just too bad that he got himself mixed up with M.K Davis.
I can’t help but notice a similar theme between the two, where they both start as respected researchers/investigators and the bigfoot community accepts them with open arms only to see them both fall from grace, and both over the Patterson/Gimlin film.