...so I will attempt to recall as much as possible of the original post.(Perhaps a mod was a little sensitive to my exact quote from another user whom I did not name, which I used to ask if said user's concept of fiction was shared? If so... seriously? My post was in no way offensive or attacking said user??? And said user even PMed me complaining it had been removed before they could comment?)
A century ago wolves (and here in Oz, Dingos) were seen as merely dangerous vermin to be eradicated. In many areas they literally became extinct, which was applauded as a great achievement.
Then writers, most famously Jack London with Call of The Wild, White Fang, etc began writing fiction expressing the world as seen from the perspective of the animals.
These books apparently triggered compassion and understanding in the human population for these animals, eventually resulting in them being protected and even large funds being allocated for the recovery of their species before they became fully extinct.
Of course Jack London was NOT a wolf. He could not possibly KNOW how a wolf actually thinks. His writings (and those of others) were pure speculation.
For many years I have been active on forums such as this one, joining in on discussions speculating on why the Hairy Blokes do what they do.
The greatest resource IMO on this topic comes from eyewitness reports... all of which exclusively describe the encounter from the perspective of the witnessee.
Yet in reading or listening to these encounters I personally felt anxious... not for the human, but for the Bigfoot. It seems to me that the human almost inevitably misunderstands the situation, leading to great fear and potential tragedy (especially if said human is armed).
For example... rock throwing.
Humans tend to perceive this as a threat display, an attempt to hurt them. Surely if the Bigfoot/Yowie WANTED to hurt them with a thrown rock they likely would never even know what hit them? It is more likely IMO a 'poke with a finger'... an attempt to get attention and generate a reaction out of simple curiosity.
Such encounters (especially the near-constant calls for one to be shot) prompted me to do what I could to hopefully trigger some understanding and compassion for these animals. And so I started writing stories of fiction, speculatively exploring possible reasons for reported behaviour and explaining it in an entertaining and educational way (of course, like London, I am not a Sasquatch... despite what my wife thinks) and I am restricted to pure speculation on my part.
It has been said that my "presence on this website as a sceptic fiction writer, is the biggest insult of all. Using this site for ideas to weave your fiction, and then using this forum to advertise your fictional works, while scoffing at reports, is nothing short of pathetic... You contribute nothing towards research or the aims of this forum."
What do members think?
Does fiction play a role in learning about this topic?
If the consensus is that it does not, then I will respect the opinions of members and refrain from publishing any more of my work on this site.
ATTENTION PLEASE MOD: We are all adults here are we not? This topic is not intended to be an argument. It is a discussion. I am in no way offended by the quote I used above and in no way intend it to be offensive to the member who wrote it. Both he and I cordially agree there is no need to remove this post.
