Youth of Today and Bigfoot
Posted by: Craig Woolheater on June 21st, 2007
An article from The News-Review, Roseburg, OR asked several high school students if they believed in the existence of Bigfoot. Below are their answers.
TRUTH OF YOUTH: Do you believe in the existence of Bigfoot?
“Do I think Bigfoot exists? Well at this time right now … sometimes. I’m not going to say that I haven’t watched those shows on the Discovery Channel about Bigfoot, aliens, and the Loch Ness monster, because I have. Numerous times. And most of the time, after my eyes being glued to the TV for an hour, I end up believing that such a creature or creatures do exist for the rest of the day. But then I’ll wake up in the morning telling myself how stupid I am for believing in that stuff. The truth is though, there are many things in this world, and outside it, that can still be discovered, and if it’s meant for us to discover it or them, we will.”Alaina Findlay, sophomore,
Douglas High School
“I would say that I believe in Big Foot, but a belief implies faith in something’s existence without extensive proof. It is actually an undeniable fact that Big Foot existed. As Chief of the Lakota Sioux, Big Foot was a well respected member known for his skills in both diplomatic processes and battle. As an arbitrator he was in high demand among most Teton bands as he settled many arguments between rivals. In battle, he was aligned with Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse during the war in 1876-77 but unfortunately saw little action. After the surrender, Big Foot urged his people to accept the white man’s ways but maintain their own heritage. In the end, Big Foot was killed in the massacre at Wounded Knee along with almost 300 of his followers.”Mike Cox, senior,
Roseburg High School
“Bigfoot probably exists. Bigfoot is the only good explanation I know of for what my parents saw one foggy winter evening outside Sisters, Oregon.
They were driving to Blue Lake, when they saw several hundred yards ahead of them in their headlights, a rapidly moving, upright, shadowy figure. All they could see of the creature was from the waist down as it crossed the highway in three strides. Mom reported, “It looked just like what you see in the grainy videos of Bigfoot.”
The existence of Bigfoot has not been solidly proven. However, many people claim to have seen this elusive creature and in a court of law a few reputable witnesses can acquit a criminal suspect.
Until solid evidence beyond eyewitness accounts can be found, we will not know for sure, but I’m inclined to believe the existence of Bigfoot is a very real possibility.”Sierra Miller, senior,
Oakland High School
“Even though the subject of Bigfoot was my own diabolical creation, I realize that this is a silly question and therefore deserves a silly answer. So yes, I do know for certain that in a way Bigfoot does exist, for over the years I’ve had a deep and personal connection with him — a philosophical one, of course, and not a literal one. To me Bigfoot represents individualism and independence, and of carving out a life for yourself even when others misunderstand you or try to label you as odd. As an introvert and as a homeschooler, this is a romantic notion to me, because I’ve often been misunderstood by those who can’t figure out why I don’t fit into their perfect mold of what someone my age should be. I’m sure there are others who have shared my experiences, but I am probably the only one in the world who thinks of Bigfoot as a poetic metaphor, and not merely a sensationalistic hoax. That’s fine with me, though tragically it appears that my metaphor is nothing but a figment of human imagination invoked to make one feel less like an outsider, chase away boredom by causing a stir among one’s neighbors, and most of all to sell tabloid magazines. I don’t lose sleep over that fact however — I just remember that there was a time when the giant panda was considered a hoax. (I seriously doubt we’ll see Bigfoot at the zoo in our lifetimes, though!)”Alex Duvaul, freshman
Home School, Rice Hill
About Craig Woolheater
Co-founder of Cryptomundo in 2005.
I have appeared in or contributed to the following TV programs, documentaries and films:
OLN's Mysterious Encounters: "Caddo Critter", Southern Fried Bigfoot, Travel Channel's Weird Travels: "Bigfoot", History Channel's MonsterQuest: "Swamp Stalker", The Wild Man of the Navidad, Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America: Texas Terror - Lake Worth Monster, Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot: Return to Boggy Creek and Beast of the Bayou.
Don’t know how many Sierra Millers are out there. But she:
1. Trusts her totally uncool parents.
2. Maintains a healthy skepticism.
3. Understands the nature of the evidence.
In a word, hope. Not for Bigfoot. That’s neither here nor there. But a lot of people like her would be hope for the future, for sure.
The comments by these young folks are refreshing and exhibit clear thinking and mature reasoning. Kudos to them.
Also, their comments are not too far off base from the discussions we have been having here, and their answers run the gamut of what we have all laid down at Cryptomundo. From skeptic to believer to debunker, it’s all up there.
And I like the poetic metaphor idea too.
That is probably as valid as any reason to back the big hairy guy and loch ness and the rest. 🙂
We could go off on a whole discussion on the symbolic side to the whole BF question. Whether he/she exists or not, it is basically a defiance and rebellion against established scientific stance, going up against the ‘good ole boys club’ and offering something more that cannot be completely refuted no matter how hard the ESS tries.
Indeed. Would the responses correspond if the survey was taken in the Midwest, North, South or other continents?
Sierra Miller made a wonderful statement.
…” but I’m inclined to believe the existence of Bigfoot is a very real possibility.”
“Belief” and “believing in the existence of” are entirely different. An open mind is a wonderful thing.
hey craig & oregon sasquatch researchers- this is definetly a great bigfoot article. im sure in my honest opinion that oregon sasquatch activity will pick up real soon hopefully in oregon forests. thanks bill green. with the weather & great amounts food resources in oregon forests & swamps sasquatch & wildlife will probley be seen more by people now more than ever before in summer months.