@ mystery_man: Thanks also, I really am doing my best on this. I think in a real way we all really are on the same side; we’re all trying to understand these things. I take this subject seriously, I spend a lot of time and effort trying to solve these things.

To you all and everyone else, I think your trust will be rewarded.

I’m under the impression that this excursion was not a waste of time. I think in this field, we have to take what we can get, with the time and resources we are allotted, since there isn’t a whole lot of grant money floating around for these sorts of excursions. I appreciate Ben’s efforts, especially since it seems that this was more than just a “camping trip” after all. I support any efforts to sincerely get to the bottom of these mysteries.

I don’t have as much of a problem with Ben Radford as many here seem to have. He is trying to get to the truth of the same mysteries that we all are, and it is nice to have input from all sides of the argument. You can’t really be scientific if you are not open to the possibilities other than what your own notions of them are. I think the balance between skeptic and proponent is crucial in that they keep each other honest with their research and conclusions. A sort of peer review process if you will.

As for the ongoing discussion here on Radford’s book, all I can say is that it seems a little premature to be throwing out criticisms and judgments on its quality before the book has even been released. I for one think that one should read the book before making such statements.

I for one think that whether Radford’s book solves the mystery or not, it will most certainly bring up new points of discussion and can only bring us closer to understanding the mystery. But let’s at least read it first before pointing fingers or making accusations.

Anyway, Ben, your efforts and the time and effort you’ve taken to compile your book are appreciated by me.

Well, that certainly seems to be the case in this regard. Just because some Latin American accents tend to ‘cut off’ the S at the end of some words —e.g. the Cuban accent— it doesn’t mean we should be allowed to cannibalize the language.

Atentamente,

Miguel Romero

That said, after reading the article in question, Loren’s post and Ben’s reply, I have to say I do understand the difficulties in trying to locate this creature in a region that does not have the richness of sightings as the more ‘traditional’ locations under less than ideal circumstances. And yes, I was a bit disappointed in the article, but please do not take that as a reflection on Ben Radford! It’s my view that he did the best he could with what he had at the time.

I also look forward to Ben’s book, as I simply love books on Crypids, the paranormal, the occult and other Fortean subjects. Just one more reason to haunt the bookstores in Toronto, as if I really needed one!

korollocke, I find that you are being unnecessarily beligerent here. Clearly you have next to absolute zero grasp about the publishing industry. Once a manuscript reaches a certain stage in the publishing process, the author is generally advised to maintain a degree of silence about the contents of the book, be it a Harlequin drugstore romance novel, the latest in the flavour of the month tween garbage series, a tome on the life of Ghengis Khan, or a book about the Chupacabra. If Mr. Radford is not presenting you with what you feel you deserve to know (?) it’s not because he’s being all Mr. Purposefully Mysterious, but simply because the book is in that damn stage that ALL books go through. For Mr. Radford to give you what you are demanding right now would be a breach of contract for him.

If you want to base your opinion on a book that hasn’t even hit the bookshelves yet and hasn’t even had the blurb on it’s back cover finalized on a brief article in a magazine and a couple of blog comments from the auther, that’s your call. But do try to drop the snark, and stop demanding that someone breach contract, ok?

But I personally make it a point to buy just about every book on cryptozoology, not only because I want to be informed about the subject, but because I want to support other researchers– even those who I may disagree with).Benjamin Radford

Best comment I have seen in ages Brad Renjamin! Right on the mark. I do exactly the same thing.

Maybe korollocke can provide some of the book titles they have written so we can see where the right to say put up or shut has come from.