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  1. mandors
    mandors March 4, 2013 at 11:57 am |

    A lot of this I think has to do with both an general tendency toward historical ignorance in this country and its median, as well as the arrogance and exclusionary tactics on the part of certain scientific fields and individuals in those fields. A parallel, odd as it is, can be drawn to exercise. Thirty years ago, health professionals, kinesiologists, biologists and others, some with PHD’s in their fields, uncovered solid, scientific evidence that exercise and weight resistance extended life and health. Doctors poo-pooed them. The medical, and hence “expert,” opinion was that exercise at best might improve the quality of life, but that was all. That was until doctors started redoing the SAME studies that other did twenty years earlier. Only then were benefits of exercise “accepted.” What must have been frustrating for the health and fitness professionals was that the doctors were given the credit by the media for “discovering” this.

    In the Montauk case, the media has a conniption (to sell newspapers and news shows), makes ridiculous comments, broadcasts hyper-dramatic stories all painting a “monster.” Cryptozoologists take a look and say,”Hmmm, raccoon.” Nobody listens, or conveniently doesn’t remember. Months and years later, “real scientists” take a look as say, “don’t be alarmed– it’s only a raccoon, you silly laymen.” What’s worse is the effect of the media cycle on the story. Outlets keep rehashing the monster to plug holes in slow news days. So the cult of the “rational scientist” is reaffirmed, and the participation of the cryptozoologist is morphed into the silly layman.

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