Editorial Commentary

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” as spoken by Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Gordon T. Holmes (above) is doing himself no favors by adding more information and speculation to his university-hosted website. In addition to coming up with some rather bizarre theories, he now is sending out appreciation for the feedback he’s receiving, while also saying no one can refer to his material any longer.

What?

Mr. Holmes continues to add more and more details to his staff pages at Bradford University; see here.

First, Mr. Holmes, says he has discovered new 2006 sonar that he can’t release yet showing what he takes to be front and back flippers “estimated to be 12 foot long.” I’m assuming he means the contact (creature?) not the flippers.

Side note here: Mr. Holmes use of capitalization and spelling, for a university-based “scientist,” is quite shaky, (e.g. “Fort Agustus” for “Fort Augustus” – twice, so he must think he’s spelled this location correctly – and “National Geographical” for “National Geographic”).

When talking again about his 2007 video, Mr. Holmes thanks people for the feedback after he writes about his new theories:

The two local Experts are dropping hints that this 2007 phenomena might be due to atmospherics. However, it is early days but I must admit their early analysis is possible. Although, the images I have obtained from the film strongly suggest two animate objects but not of a Species I am familiar with.

After approx 43 seconds, I’m sure I can clearly see a long neck thrusting through the waves. Also, occasionally there seems to be a tow-wire but this might just be a shadow effect.

Other possibilities, but a bit far-fetched include:-

Star Wars Laser testing on the Loch from a Satellite, a bit far-fetched but who knows.

Caused by periscope moving just below the surface (note two submarines for the two objects spotted).

Miniature Black Holes, anytime soon the new European Accelerator is attempting to produce them, perhaps they have already started! Yes a bit far-fetched again.

It is great reading every ones feedback on the Net. Keep up the good analysis.Gordon T. Holmes

After discussing “How to Build a Time Machine,” his “First Ever Radio Image of Martian Lightening?” and the other things I’ve mentioned before (fairies, black cats, and all), Mr. Holmes issues a new declaration about his copyright.

Holmes has added this notice to the bottom of his page: “COPYRIGHT This Web Page was Designed and Developed in 8/6/2007 It must not be considered as an instruction or means to use in any way. Anyone who wishes to refer to any part of it, must acquire confirmation from the Author.”

Of course, copyrights need to be respected, but there’s not a court in the UK that would rule against anyone making an intellectual “comment” or even an opposing “commentary” about what someone has posted on their website. Mr. Holmes is the guy who freely shared his video and gave the media interviews. If he’s upset because people are not lock-step in unison with his multiple theories or insights on the material, that seems very strange indeed.

“Come, Watson, come!” he cried. The game is afoot.” as said by Sherlock Holmes to Dr. Watson, in The Adventure of Abbey Grange by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

If I might make a suggestion, Gordon T. Holmes needs to realize that if there is any worth to his Nessie footage, the more he puts his foot in his own mouth, the worse this gets. Why come up with more and more incredible theories to explain the video? Perhaps a little thoughtful quiet would be important on Mr. Holmes’ part? It almost seems that if anyone wanted to have any questions about the credibility of this video, all they had to do was wait for Mr. Holmes to start talking and writing about it.

Perhaps Gordon Holmes sees himself as a “scientist,” and no doubt he has a legacy, technically, which might give him the right to call himself that at his university. But, frankly, Mr. Holmes is giving everyone else in the world plenty of information for calling him a few other names too. At this point, with his new theories and new copyright notices, I am afraid that the main person hurting the case of his Nessie video is none other than Mr. Holmes himself. Credibility is everything, and I fear that Mr. Holmes is his own worse enemy in this case.

It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

With no disrespect to Mr. Holmes, I certainly would have appreciated a little more upfront analyses of the raw digital video footage, and a lot less talk from Mr. Holmes about what he thought it could be.

But by saying so much, now the Nessie video will always be viewed through the screen of who made it, not merely by its content alone. That, ultimately, is the way it should be, but I am dismayed by how this has all turned out.

If there is anything on this video, we might have learned something worthwhile about the natural fauna of Loch Ness, be it a seal, an eel, a Nessie, or, yes, even an otter. But as it is currently, the image on the video will never be the story. It is the man behind the camera, once again, who may overshadow the total equation here, when equal parts of personality and picture should have been in the mix.

Here and there a tawny brook prattled out from among the underwood and lost itself again in the ferns and brambles upon the further side. Save the dull piping of insects and the sough of the leaves, there was silence everywhere–the sweet restful silence of nature. – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in The White Company.

Yes, Mr. Gordon T. Holmes, there are many truths in that old saying: “Silence is golden.”