What are your thoughts on the possible scientific discovery of Bigfoot and the implications that follow?
aaahh I like this question!
well the most immediate thought is that it would certainly set a precedent for the discovery of other cryptids. the hunt for the yeti, the skunk ape (the two of which might be related to Bigfoot), the Loch Ness monster, the Lake Champlain monster, the Beast of Bray Road, etc. would probably be reinvigorated, at least to some degree
but what would REALLY have my interest is the hard scientific effect it would have. the discovery of a new bipedal hominid in North America would pose so many questions. is it a descendant of Gigantopithecus holdouts that somehow managed to cross over from Asia via the Bering Strait (a theory I’m admittedly not convinced by due to anatomical differences)? is it something else that evolved independently? how close is its relation to humans? what is its place in the evolution of humans, if any?
I’m honestly very skeptical of Bigfoot’s existence (at least as we think of it) given the climates it’s been reported in and the size a consistent breeding population would have to be, which would tend to produce a lot more sightings than there have been, but it’s definitely fun to think about. It’s entirely possible that there is something here in the Americas that we haven’t scientifically cataloged yet that could account for the sightings. Whether it’s a giant hominid is up for debate.
