Are they ignoring the evidence?
Confirmation BiasConfirmation bias plays a large role in why some people believe in cryptid hoaxes. In many cases, the arguments made by believers are irrelevant because they are only focusing on how these creatures are real instead of looking at the evidence that goes against their beliefs. Although there ARE some individuals that are open to new information, others have closed minds and are not ready to absorb anything that may disprove their own theories.
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C. Coville takes on a very sarcastic tone with his audience as his article progresses in talking about different hoaxes. He elaborates on the issue of admitted hoaxes not being taken seriously. Even though, for example, a doctor admits to taking this fake photo of the Lochness Monster, there are still people who are determined that there is no possible way that this photo could be faked. That is where it is difficult to determine true believers from hoaxers. Some people may come straight out and confess to this deception, where others may continues to deny the fact that these cryptids may not actually exist.
In some cases, people devote their whole lives to proving that these elusive creatures are real. What Coville is suggesting is that maybe these people who claim to truly believe, may only be "believers" in these cryptids for the financial benefits. There are many businesses that exist solely to show tourists around an area where creatures such as Bigfoot and Nessie have been spotted. In this case, drawing the line between hoaxers and believers can be difficult. Coville is merely stating that the people who put a lot of effort into promoting different evidence may have ulterior motives in doing so. |