Boston Phoenix: Where The Wild Cryptids Are
Posted by: Loren Coleman on January 8th, 2009
Rarely do I see a weekly newspaper create a cryptozoological magnum opus. But it may have happened.
The Boston Phoenix has published a long, indeed, a very long essay that fairly and, in great detail, profiles cryptozoology and me. Their extraordinarily lengthy Lifestyle Features article on cryptids, the International Cryptozoology Museum and more can be found in their January 7, 2009 edition, which went live online late Wednesday, and will be at New England newstands all this week.
Reporter Mike Miliard’s “Where the wild things are” begins by noting, “As our planet edges closer to the apocalypse, the escapist, fantasy world of cryptids is suddenly coming to life.”
“Cryptids are recession-proof,” says Loren Coleman (no relation to Norm), who lives in Portland, Maine, and is perhaps the world’s foremost promulgator of cryptozoological wisdom.– Mike Miliard, Boston Phoenix.
Hardly ever does an article on our field not drift away from the topic at hand. But as you will see, Miliard’s is an excellent example of an on-target treatment, done sincerely and seriously. It is well-written, and filled with quotes from some of my favorite New England friends ~ John Hodgman, Jeff Belanger, and Chris Balzano.
“For every square mile that man has walked on the Earth, three hundred square miles exist that have never been touched by human feet — but may indeed have been touched by the hooves, paws, tentacles, and horrid tongue-foot-pads of the cryptids.” — John Hodgman
See the four-part piece here.
(In celebration of a world of few errors, the article contents only one nit-picking stumble: The Bigfoot on the porch is covered with tanned legal musk oxen hides, not yak fur.)
For the “Slideshow: Cryptids In Maine,” of the great photographs by Matthew Robbins, click here.
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Donations to the Save The Museum fund can be delivered via PayPal to [email protected] or snail mailed to International Cryptozoology Museum, PO Box 360, Portland, ME 04112, USA.
Lil’ Bigfoot Cartoon Credit: Cunningham/Pittz
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
The Article in the Boston Phoenix was a very good read! Presented Loren and Cryptozoology in a very good way
Very nice, balanced article, Loren…
Although I must question this particular bon mot:
“Cryptozoologists think that paranormal investigators are crazy, and we all hate ufologists.”
I have to honestly disagree with that statement, Loren. Nick Redfern (whose cryptozoology blog I go to on a regular basis) is ALL of those things. Paranormal investigator, Ufologist, Cryptozoologist, you name it. Is he to be hated because he’s a “Jack of all disciplines?” I don’t know where Boulanger got that statement from—YOU deal with subjects other than purely cryptozoological ones, Loren!!! If one wants to be fair, I guess one could say it would be better to say Cryptozoological, Ufo-related and Paranormal happening overlaps, and some “purists” don’t want to acknowlege that in order to keep the disciplines “separate.”
It ultimately goes back, I guess, to the oft-discussed subject of whether sightings or reports of cryptids that have “paranormal” or “Ufo”-related overtones to them should be acknowledged as worthy of study. In other words—are Nessie or Sasquatch or Ufos “supernatural?” Some people simply want to study them in purely scientific, “materialistic” terms.
Just wanted to comment on that strange comment of Boulanger’s. Over and out.
Christopher Balzano of Massachusetts Paranormal Crossroads is responsible for this statement: “Make sure you mention that none of us get along. Cryptozoologists think that paranormal investigators are crazy, and we all hate ufologists.”
It is his opinion, but I have the feeling he said it with some bit of humor, as a way to talk about the multiple backgrounds of the folks involved in some New England investigations.
It, however, is a quote from Chris, and not from Jeff Belanger or Loren Coleman. I would never say something like that, even in jest, because it has a way to come back and haunt you (pun intended).
I always love it when legitimate news sources treat the subject of cryptozoology with respect and a level head rather than letting it fall into sensationalism, cheap entertainment, or the butt of jokes. Not only written publications, but television news sources as well. Some other news agencies could take a hint from the tone and accuracy of this outstanding article (Like a certain media agency that rhymes with Socks Shoes. Hint- It’s Fox News.).
Unfortunately, these sorts of respectful treatments by the media on the subject are the exception rather than the rule. I keep hoping that articles such as this start a new trend.
Sorry about that, Loren. The comment was from Balzano. My “Bad.” Did the write-up from memory. Thanks.
Mystery_Man:
You are right, BTW.
Respectable & professional journalism is nowadays as elusive and rare to find as… well, you know 😉
Maybe I shouldn’t say this, because, yes, crypto is still unfairly sludged by the mainstream, and mainstream authors have to retain some cred with their audience to get their points across.
But there still seems a weetad too much wink-wink in this one. I’d give examples, but there are in truth too many from which to choose. You all will know what I’m talking about when you read it.
This is better than most; but it’s not the best I’ve read. Just sayin’; I agree that we should never look a gift horse in the mouth.
i think that any unknown creatures that anybody finds should not be harmed unless in self-defense because if we just kill them for no reason we could kill an entire species