Retiring “Johor Hominid”
Posted by: Loren Coleman on August 4th, 2006
Sometimes people back themselves into corners. I think this happened with Vincent Chow, who became, it seems at this stage of the game, a victim of his own desires and hopes for the reality of the Johor Hominid pictures. As I said often, if we had the photographs, this matter could be resolved, perhaps, quickly. A sliver of an image appeared, not another drawing, and poof, it was.
The era of an active cyberspace cryptocommunity is upon us. There are thousands of eyes out there, thanks to the internet, various sites, and, modestly I must note, Cryptomundo, looking for the answers. I wish to, once again, congratulate Cryptomundo reader and French hominologist Jean-Luc Drevillon for his sterling work on this matter.
Skeptical and hopeful, I wanted this to be more, but feared for the worse, and it turned out to be less. Now that this harsh outcome has occurred, I find the need for a sharp linguistic line in the sand, so to speak.
On July 2, I wrote: "Johor Hominid probably will catch on because of its naturally simplistic combination of a regional name and a scientific-based anthropological noun, mixed with a little alliteration, as a focused cryptid label."
But there is no more Johor Hominid, in my nonfiction view of this subject. Henceforth, I will be referring to the on-going sightings and historical reports from Johor of these unknown upright hairy hominoids as Orang Dalam, Hantu Jarang Gigi ("Snaggle-Toothed Ghost"), or even Malaysian Bigfoot.
Except with reference to this hoaxed photographic fiasco, I will no longer make use of the Vincent Chow-coined "Johor Hominid," which was incorrectly based on photos, images, thoughts, drawings, and theories not linked to the reality of what’s happening on the ground in Malaysia. There is still much work to do, to backtrack, and to collect the good accounts. The size differences and supposed erectus feet on Chow’s hominids never made sense; the giants are what are being seen.
The time is here again, to listen to the local people and overcome this hoax that has so distracted the media and serious researchers in Malaysia. You will see me going back to using Orang Dalam more often. (See this February 26, 2006 blog, "Malaysian Zoologist: Call Them Orang Dalam".)
Of course, the Western media may use these photos to publish another one of those summer stories they love about a cryptid being a "hoax," but we all will still be here, after this blows over, searching.
Language is important, and I want to make this distinctive division clear: For me, "Johor Hominid" is gone from these pages. Those two words will remain a phrase that shall correctly forever be associated with the 14 photographs that had nothing to do with Malaysian, Cambodian, or Southeast Asian hominology or cryptozoology – except with regard to fakery. You will not see my blog using "Johor Hominid" again, unless I am talking about this hoax specifically.
Well, thank goodness. The reality behind these shadowy, hidden photographs is now known. I have come to understand what the "JH Guardians" were guarding. They were protecting mistruth, as well as the truth.
For a complete rundown on all the August 4th breaking news on the "Johor Hominid" hoax discovery, please see:
1) Johor Hominid Photos: Hoax!,
2) Johor Pix Hoax: More, and
3) More Johor Fallout: Peter Loh Reacts.
Onward now, and back to digging into the recent initial Orang Dalam sightings that began the serious examination of this matter in late 2005. Were those encounters, indeed, actual or planted events?
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.
Kudos to that!
The cartoons are awesome! I too agree we should close this case and mark it “HOAX”.
Ciao!
Told you it was hoax!
LOREN, GREAT JOB GOOD CARTOON STRIP YOU ARE THE MAN. You are a credit to cryptozoology. Your hard work is very much credited. Cryptozoology has been damaged from this farce that happened. So i ponder this question what happens now? we look for the Orang dalam that may be are only hope.
My fear Loren, is that this will drive away the serious research that still needs to happen. What of the National Geographic funded expedition in Asia to capture images of Orand Pendek? Do you believe that such a venerable institution will ever again stick its neck out to such a degree? I don’t think so. This has done damage. Major damage to the field both from within and certainly the coming onslaught from with out. The “era of an active cyberspace cryptocommunity” may very well be upon us but unless bigfoot is logged on, nothing will be proven by it. The community is great for debunking hoaxes based on presented evidence but this kind of arm chair quarterbacking does not accomplish any actual research. Research requires money and time. Money and time are meted out by organizations such as Nat Geographic and the Smithsonian. As I stated above, that type of funding and accreditation will forevermore be denied because of debacles such as this.
I believe Vincent Chow did not hatch a hoax. He is a victim also. He is so much engrossed and passionate in his belief that makes him blind to other things, including accepting and endorsing the photographs. He has done great work for Malaysia Nature Society, and is genuinely concerned for nature and endangered animals. I hope he recover soon to contribute more to the true endangered wildlife of the Malaysian jungles – the sunbear, the tapir, the rhino, the tiger, proboscis monkey, sea turtles, orang utans (East Malaysia) etc.
But we must realise that these photographs that suddenly come out of the limelight and the sightings by aboriginal eyewitnesses are different matter. There is still something out there in the Johor forest …….
re what “# JRC Says:
August 4th, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Do you understand that what’s done is done? Nothing can change the past, but we CAN change the future through hard work. REF– USE to worry about what’s already taken place!
Cryptozoology, first and foremost, is fun, FUN, FUN, FUN. People who follow it know with absolute certainty that sooner or later, some new species will be discovered that will cause a big stir. Of course I’m talking about something more interesting than a new Sub-Species of insect (YAWNNN).
Photographs in this field are extremely fun too, but in of themselves, prove 100% absolutely nothing, unless they are PRECEEDED by unquestionable national level, scientific analysis.
Even if someone claimed that Elvis had been living in his basement since ’77 and released dozens upon dozens of crystal clear up close images of the King reading last weeks New York Times, and photo experts perfectly matched every known facial nuiance known about Elvis with the
person shown in the recent images, I still would not be fully convinced until he was brought in, blood drawn, lie-detectors applied, questioned by his former closest friends who aferwards say they have no doubts that HE is Elvis, would I accept it as true.
By all means, keep those blurry pictures coming, until one day when some are proven as a new find, it’s fun to dream.
If I am not mistaken, Rick Noll is still over there. Let’s hope he turns up some evidence of the “real” thing and this distraction known as the Johor Hominid fades quickly away.
caddo21,
Thank you. Thank you very much. I agree.
Loren,
Thanks for bringing us the latest. I looking forward to reading Vincent’s reaction.
I realy was hoping this would be the real thing. But I’m glad it’s over. Dos this mean Jean-Luc wins the big prize?
To me personally i feel that the field of cryptozoology has been crippled with this outcome. I dont care who was involved this has ruined all the reasearch that all the scientists have done, all the time and effort we now have no chance in finding the HUMANOID APE LIKE CREATURE. Every thing was just a waste.
Sounds like Rick would have more luck in South Dakota. The best evidense of BF has come from this continent. Patty, footprint casts with dermal ridges etc.
We don’t need the rest of the world we’ve got it all right here. Bigfoot, Lake Monsters, Chupacabras, Tunderbirds, River Dinos, Tom Biscardisaurs….
Not so fast…
It ain’t over ’till the fat lady sings.
I second apiraymond’s comments on Mr. Chow. If he wasn’t involved in the hoax – and it sounds like he wasn’t – he is probably the most damaged by it. Remember, he said he wasn’t releasing the photos because the “guardians”, who had possession of the pictures and the “rights” to the pictures, didn’t want him to. So if he wasn’t in on the hoax everyone should really just leave him alone.
People… we were all sucked in once, please don’t let it happen again. Vincent didn’t release the photos because he knew. The “guardians” were just another layer of an elaborate (or so they thought) hoax.
I too am saddend by this turn of events. Chow has done some pretty significant damage to research in general. Let’s not make excuses for him.
I say, let’s put this behind us and move on….Pine Ridge?
How about publishing a special area of cryptomundo that lists the names of known con artists fakers and not publishing anything that comes out of their organizations.
Sooner or later we will have only the real researchers putting up web sites etc. and the trash will be in the bin where it belongs.
Gosh, “oldbutnotstupid” is kidding, hopefullly. This is not your grandfather’s Cryptozoology or Bigfoot website. We don’t run lists, or name names via any permanent archival lists on this site. We are here to inform, transmit news and information, and share commentary.
The legal issues for anyone on any kind of website doing what is suggested regarding alleged “con artists” and other people involved in fakery or hoaxing would be a major headache.
We can editorialize on this site about various people’s alleged activities, but you won’t find Cryptomundo publishing a list like that one. Ever. Besides, it would change tomorrow.
Cryptomundo wants to be there tomorrow, not yesterday!
Well it is over the damage is done but we will go on.
SASQUATCH AND VOODOCHILD YOU AND THE REST HERE HAVE GOOD COMMENTS . I appeciate your view points. At least we only just don’t have bigfoot here at the website. River Dinos and Dinosaurs living in the lakes i agree are out there. To all the hunters that are out there they need to come up with a plan on trying to capture or i hate to say this but maybe shoot one because the only way to solve this is to get a body of the specimens. The videos dont show any proof they are all to dark or not clear.
The only way a real scientist could react to all this (and still be one in my opinion):
A hoax is a hoax, and says nothing about the reality of what’s out there.
If you think a hoax means no one’s seen anything worth looking into, well, go have a seat over there with the Pyramid Power people and talk some science.
When I read yet another scientist saying that the existence of Bigfoot is unlikely, I have three questions:
1. Does (s)he know how much evidence there is?
2. Does (s)he REALLY believe that ALL of it is either hoax or misperception?
3. ALL of it? Over all this time, in all those places? (Heh heh, OK, four questions.)
Careful how you answer; your credentials are on the line. Scientists without open minds are, IMHO, not.
This becomes a question of labels. Is there evidence of an unknown ape-or-prehuman in reports of the area? The answer is a resounding “Yes”. This has been known since Sanderson’s book came out to the reading public–what is less widely known is that “Monkey-men” have been rumored in the Malay peninsula since the Europeans first arrived.
Is there possiobly a Hominid in the Johor region? That too is possible. The mere fact that a hoax was perpetuated using that name does not invalidate the possibility. Personally, I have seen various accounts that lead me to belive that there are several hairy unknowns in the area, and probably in different categories that are unrelated to one another. I am personally more involved in the most apelike variety, but the more humansized-humanlike and even giant forms are supported by local reports.
We just have got to be careful when using such terms as “Johor hominid” or even “Malayan bigfoot” because they are made up by journalists to cover concepts that are overly simplified representations for complex and highly ambiguous local situations. Cryptozoology is full of such situations and such journalistic labels used to represent them.
The retiring of the Chow-Ang “coined” name was directly related to it being tied to and invented to describe the “beings” in the photos, which turned out to be hoaxes.
There is no reason to make this more complex than it is.
It had nothing to do with the reality or non-reality of whether or not the actual reports noted “hominoids,” “hominids,” or “anthropoids.” It had everything to do with the hoax pictures promoters using the words “Johor Hominids” to talk about them.
Hoax discovered, name discontinued.