May 28, 2008
Dwain Walden, Sceptic Bigfoot Disbeliever
Dwain Walden likes to write about Bigfoot, but he doesnât believe they exist. Heâs editor and publisher of the Moultrie Observer in Georgia, and probably from his point of view, they arenât much of a threat. Sitting inside a safe newspaper office, you donât get worried about whatâs behind the next tree. I was amused by a few of his comments in his May 21, 2008 editorial, Bigfoot may be therapy for some.
Walden wrote that he believes âthe search for Bigfoot is simply a form of escapism,â and that wilderness searches are therapeutic for some people. He says people are chasing monsters âknowing full well that these beings are mythical and they wonât find any.â
I donât know what kind of therapy this would be for me. I live in the wilderness so I donât need to escape to it. I donât know that Bigfoot is merely mythical, ....
The funniest part of Waldenâs column, for me, was when he wrote that Bigfoot researchers might âdevelop a sort of camaraderie â the kind of bonds that come from sitting around campfiresâ¦â. Iâve been around a few other Bigfoot researchers and definitely donât think that kind of camaraderie is what Iâm after. Iâve met so many big egos online and off in this field. People seem to want to be at the top, with the best evidence, the best (stolen or sometimes faked) photos, stolen or phony footprints, and of course, the best stories to lay claim to and put on the web. Thereâs not much friendly camaraderie in the Bigfoot community unless youâre willing to bow down to someone elseâs big ego. Maybe thereâs friendships in small groups until they have a falling out then regroup magically into other alliances. But overall, Iâm happy being a solo researcher, with the help of my partner and best friend (my boyfriend)