Comments on: Need $20,000? Wanted: CZ Family!

By: larryd

larryd — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 18:55:06 +0000

lotsa black squirrels at Haverford college, Haverford, PA -in fact the mascot is the “black squirrel.”

By: Loren Coleman

Loren Coleman — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 13:33:45 +0000

Some more thoughts. Will this “help” the field?

Of course, I really don’t know. I guess it all depends on one’s definition of “help.” For one family, it might help them. And who knows what broader understandings or harm it could have? I don’t know.

I merely wanted to pass it along to anyone who wished to look into it, per two weeks = $20,000. Many people go onward in their lives, beyond these reality shows, to take advantage of the moments of fame to obtain remarkable kick-starts to what they really wish to do into their futures. Sort of pearls from…., well, you know what I mean.

One can make anything they wish of the possibilities presented to them.

Considering that when I got into this field in 1960, no one even used the word “cryptozoology,” I felt this ABC producer’s request, at least, spoke to the popular cultural impact cryptozoology has had.

By: kittenz

kittenz — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 16:09:21 +0000

While cryptozoology is a profession for some, the vast majority of us are “armchair cryptozoologists”. That fits the definition of “hobby”. Perhaps the term “avocation” would be less offensive than “hobby”? Either way the fact remains that cryptozoology is not the primary occupation for most of us here.

The producers are trying to appeal to a wide audience. The word “hobby” is instantly recognizable and universally understood. I don’t care if they call it a cryptozoology hobby; on the contrary, I think it would be nice if more families become aware that cryptozoology CAN be a great family activity. What starts as a hobby often ends by becoming a profession.

Let’s not get on too high of a horse here. This show may turn out to be nonsense, but it may not, and it will expose new people to cryptid possibilities. Some of those people will take up this “hobby”. Of those some may continue on to become serious amateur cryptozoologists, or maybe even professionals.

Even in such mainstream scientific professions as astronomy, some of the most important discoveries are made by amateurs. I think that the fact that these people approached Loren shows that they at least recognize his importance as someone taken seriously in cryptozoological circles. So I for one am willing to give it a chance.

I don’t think the contrasting family will necessarily be fundamentalist Christians. More likely will be some hyper-skeptical biologist or anthropologist and their family. Or someone from the skeptical journalist pool. Either way it will make people think.

Anything that presents cryptozoology to the public as a family activity can’t be all bad.

By: S.B.R.U.

S.B.R.U. — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 03:38:23 +0000

Nice!

Hope this works out for them, and I am hoping it is a bigfoot family!

By: Raptorial

Raptorial — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 21:21:47 +0000

This won’t end well…

By: Tegan

Tegan — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:09:52 +0000

Wife Swap’s goal is to set up conflict between the families. If you go into this, be aware that the other family is likely to be fundamentalist Christians who think evolution is evil, and consider cryptozoologists to be hunting for the missing link. Or something else equally as difficult to deal with. The show can be mildly interesting (I’ve seen it only once all the way through), but it’s cringeworthy at its best.

By: greatanarch

greatanarch — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:37:58 +0000

Call me Mr Cynical, but if this is anything like the UK version, the main aim is to manufacture a good row between two incompatible sets of people and make at least one group look stupid/sleazy/contemptible.

By: raisinsofwrath

raisinsofwrath — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:13:24 +0000

Did anyone happen to notice the word “hobby” in the description? Could be a little Freudian slip o’ the tongue meaning this will in no way be taken seriously.

By: lastensugle

lastensugle — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:13:28 +0000

Don’t trust television producers, they’ll manipulate you into appearing like they want you to appear. And I agree that in this case it sounds like they’re looking for a weirdo.

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:39:55 +0000

I don’t like the way they dismissed Cryptozoology as an interesting “hobby” and “pastime”. This is not knitting or something. I don’t think this is a “hobby” for people like Loren or Craig. Sounds like a compelling premise for a show, but I just feel that having a family that is interested in cryptozoology on there is setting them up for ridicule or at the very least a little ribbing. You might even get people claiming to be interested in cryptozoology just to get on the show, and then make a fool out of serious cryptozoologists. I hope I’m wrong.