For something as potentially as big as Nessie? The creature may not give a darn about noises from a radio controlled boat so who knows – Mr. Holmes could get lucky and get the Video of the Century. The fact is most if not all suppositions on why Nessie does whatever are just that – suppositions – so why let that guesswork get in the way of discovery? Personally, I envy the gent for having the opportunity to make such an attempt and wish him the best of luck in his endeavors. Lord knows, when he flicks the switches on his new (or old) fangled contraptions, he’s going to need it.

Welcome, Sir!!!

DOGU4:

I would second what you are saying although I would also submit to you that ANOTHER reason the media is “confrontational” is the fact that, at least in cases like these where there is “maybe/maybe not” aspect to the subject they’re covering, they DO NOT want to be seen as being “biased.” (We’ll leave out FOX NEWS for a moment, OK?). In cases like this or paranormal, UFO-related, or just plain out-of-this-world bizarre, the major Networks and Cable News Shows would have skeptics, scientists, cynics and debunkers all over their tails screaming “You’re biased! You’re pushing nonsense on the public” if they were to (let’s say) have Loren Coleman or Craig Woolheater on exclusively. Nobody likes to be accused of only favoring one point-of-view over another (again, FOX NEWS is an exception). So they make sure the skeptic side is shown. If they happen to be confrontational, well, that’s ratings…

As a caveat, I would say CNN, MSNBC, and other networks are ALSO biased in one way or another towards certain points of view, just NOT as pronounced as FOX NEWS.

As for the Loch Ness Monster. Even if he gets another picture, the mystery will remain. As long as they keep looking for something that can’t be there, such as a giant reptile or mammal, I suppose they’re bound to fail, I’m afraid. Better to do a truely comprehensive study of the lake’s muddy bottom with an eye towards signs of a creature that needs only a rare and occasional feeding, has indeterminate growth, and is inactive for most of its life as it waits for food to sink, decay and trigger appropriate responses. I do like little remote control thingees, however.

Your suggestion about assumptions is valid, although we all bring assumptions to the table unwittingly. For instance, you assumed my question implied the cover design was endorsed by you and your co-author. Let me make the following assumptions: the cover editors for the Field Guide did not read your book, or the book’s text did not identify the “surgeon’s photo” as a diving otter, or the cover editors ignored the text and designed what they thought would sell best. In any event, I’m otterly concerned why a book about “lake monsters” by advocates would have a diving otter on its cover (even if beyond the control of its authors).

And I’m curious. What is the current status of the Holmes film in crypto circles? It seems that it has been discounted somewhat at Cryptomundo.

I’m new here, and would like to say hello to everyone. This seems like an enjoyable and informative site, and a great place to discuss cryptozoology. Nice to be here.

I must say I fall on the side of those who view this video as yet another ambiguous piece of evidence on the existence of Nessie. I can’t really see much in the video that I find compelling; it is small, shaky, and grainy, and I couldn’t see an example of a neck rising out of the water. To my eyes, it doesn’t show much more that a small unidentified creature swimming in the loch, which also allows one who is inclined to believe it is Nessie to do so, as there can be no clear identification of what type of animal it is from the film alone. I want to believe as much as anyone, but I need infallible evidence before I can say a monster or unknown animal exists in the loch, or anywhere else for that matter.

It’s good to know that Mr. Holmes is making another effort to find evidence of Nessie with a potentially better method, but his disclaimer is disheartening. I think darkshines nailed it on the head; Mr. Holmes saying that the gear is not guaranteed to work at the crucial moment does set the expedition up with wide latitude, allowing him to present any grainy, fuzzy, or blurry image of anything or nothing in the loch as proof of a monster.

To Mr. Coleman, I’d like to say it’s nice to see you posting here. I can see why CNN would not reveal that Joe Nickell would appear on the program with you; the theme of confrontation seems to be pervasive in modern media, and what better way to create genuine confrontation than to have somebody with a dissenting view of the video waiting in the shadows for you? They’re more concerned about ratings that uncovering the truth about a mystery such as Nessie. I can also see why your publisher would use the “Surgeon’s Photo” image of Nessie; hoax or not, it is the most iconic and recognizable image of a lake monster across the world.

Not getting my hopes up.

Do you think CNN told me that Joe Nickell was going to be on this program before I went on?

The realities of life for an author seem to be much different than the conventional wisdom, I guess.