Scientific Proof of a Mysterious Creature
The top scientists in the world were baffled. There were reports of sightings of some strange new creature, a creature so alien and unlike what was known, that it could only be a fantasy or a figment of the imagination of those reporting the creature. The only proof the scientists had were eye witness reports and crude drawings. Perhaps this creature was just something more common, an animal well known that was being mistaken for something else in shadows and half life. Perhaps those reporting this creature were listening the the stories and fables of the poor native people, people full of superstition and fantasy. Despite the reports being made by all sorts of people, including explorers and scientists, accounts were dismissed because of lack of evidence. Until one day, a dead creature was delivered to the top biologists and other scientists in England. Scientists at first suspected a hoax, surely such a creature was stitched together from various parts! But after careful examination the scientists had to agree that as fantastic as the reports were, people had been telling the truth.
That truth was, the PLATYPUS was REAL.
Sound familiar? Alien visitation and Bigfoot believers like to use the story of the platypus and the mountain gorillas as an example of how close minded science can be. But, for some of us the story isn't one of close mindedness, but one of how science demands a level or proof beyond hearsay. Science was correct in wanted to see a platypus before confirming their Resistance. As today, science is overwhelmed with reports of mermaids, lake monsters, Yeti, Big foot, fairies and other creatures of cryptology. If science had a lower standard, such as well enough people have reported them and we have some nice drawings much time and money would be wasted on trying to find and understand these elusive creatures. People often complain that science and government aren't doing enough to look for aliens and Bigfoot. But, until there is definitive proof, such as an alien body or a Big foot body, perhaps even a Loch Ness Monster egg, science will keep it's focus and limited time and funds on very necessary scientific work.
We have to remember also that the platypus and other unknown animals such as the gorilla were never really unknown. Certainly people living in Australia and Africa knew of these animals. The problem with aliens and Bigfoot is that so far, we only have hear say and certainly no one that can say they are to be found there. While a gorilla is perhaps not easy to find, you can go on a trip and be fairly sure of seeing one. If not in Africa at least in a zoo. The platypus is also fairly easy to find if you travel to the right parts of the world.
Should science devote resources to looking for Big Foot, or should biologists devote resources to studying how viruses pass from birds and pigs to humans? Should astronomers and NASA spend their time looking on Earth for aliens, or should they direct their research to space where asteroids and comets potentially threaten the Earth? Also, there are enough amateur astronomers along with radar at every major airport to alert us to an Earthly visitation. Astronomers with funds to spare would rather look out to see if there are any planets like Earth. Planets with a star like our sun, that could potentially have life forms much like ourselves.
Amateurs are welcome to spend time and money looking for aliens or Big foot. Millions of telescopes are owned by people across the world for their personal use. The best person to look for and find a Big foot is a person familiar with the areas where Bigfoot supposedly lives. In this case a local hunter is far better suited than a scientist unfamiliar with the area and wildlife.
While we may laugh that at one time the platypus was a matter of doubt, think how very unusual the platypus is. A duck billed mammal that lays eggs? The platypus is a good example of how evolution is more about what works than perfection.
What would have been wrong is if science, when confronted with a dead platypus and finding no sign of faking, had continued to deny it's existence. The day a Bigfoot body or alien body is brought to science, or perhaps dumped in the front lobby of the New York Times, is the day science will embrace and devote time, energy and funding for research and study.
Viewpoint by Kitty Mervine