Alt weekly The Boston Phoenix has cast its eye on cryptozoology in a long article featuring BB pal Loren Coleman who has been exploring the realm of hidden and unknown animals for 50 years. "Cryptids are recession-proof," Loren says. The online version of Mike Miliard's article includes a delightful slideshow from the incredible International Cryptozoology Museum which is in dire need of donations. From the article, titled "Where the Wild Things Are" (photo by Matthew Robbins):
"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"Where the Wild Things Are" (The Phoenix), Loren's take on the article (Cryptomundo)
Venture out into the waters and woodlands of New England, and there's a chance you'll bump into "Champ," America's own Loch Ness Monster, who allegedly plies the muddy ripples of Lake Champlain. Or, perhaps, the Gloucester Sea Serpent. Or the Granite State Bigfoot. Or Connecticut's Winsted Wildman. Dare you wander into the dark-woven forests of Maine or the eerie and unexplored Hockomock Swamp, smack in the middle of the Bay State's allegedly supernatural "Bridgewater Triangle"?
You well may. After all, could what's living in there be any scarier than what's living out here? We find ourselves in a world where presidents swindle their countries into wars, governors shake down children's hospitals, and con men abscond with $50 billion from their investors, many of them charities. Is it any wonder that some people spend hefty chunks of each day dreaming of a world inhabited by unseen creatures untouched by the mean banality of mankind?
Can it be a coincidence that the field of cryptozoology – literally, the study of "hidden animals" – has evolved from a discipline cloaked in shadows and pooh-poohed by science into a full-fledged pop-cultural explosion? In short: the world of late has gone cryptid crazy.