I was thinking about creating a database for all things default replacements
I use replacements for almost everything in my game and I think I can track down original posts of most of them. The only problem is I know nothing about Tumblr themes and its organizing methods (and I am VERY organized irl). The only thing I can think of is using tags and then creating a sort of dedicated pages like on my own blog. But also, how should I handle completely unavailable posts or posts with broken links? Is reuploading ok in this case? I like how @sims2packrat is made and also @plumbtales‘s @ts2lotmakeoverdbbut it seems so complicated and overwhelming to me (from the maintaining perspective), I feel like I’ll never be able to maintain such large bases...
My thoughts on Cryptozoology
A personal perspective
Intro
Like many who follow this blog I got into Cryptozoology when I was a teenager. I can’t say I was drawn specifically to the topic but was rather guided there by my love for monsters and mysteries. For years I simply believed, whether it be because I was young and naive or because I simply never stopped to ask how or why. Each creature has its own story, its own identity molded by eye witness accounts or by hearsay. I always thought, "I can't believe someone saw that!". Of course as I got older and "wiser" I started saying the phrase differently. "I really can't believe someone saw that”.
Realization
When I came to this crossroads I suddenly started looking at cryptozoology differently. I began questioning more, and tried to deduce logically whether or not a cryptid could even exist. I realized then that the lines between cryptozoology and urban legend/folklore had seriously been tangled. These lines need to be fixed or Cryptozoology will forever be stuck in Pseudo-Scientific limbo.
Taking A Step Back
I know how easy it is to get caught up in a story, to read or hear an eye witness account and get excited. "I wish I could see that" you might say. I believe its here where our emotions get the best of us. We stop asking questions, and its there that Cryptozoology suffers. Its fun to believe in the many creatures that are said to exist but when logic rears its ugly head you find many of those same creatures have vanished.
Logic
Its a tough process but a necessary one in life and Cryptozoology is no exception. Whenever I see or hear about a cryptid I ask myself one single question, "could it exist?". Its a question I don't think is asked enough. It truly shocks me to see the amount of creatures that slip into the realm of Cryptozoology. So again I ask “could it exist?” If the answer is no my next question is “How could it?”
This is the second chance every cryptid deserves. An example would be the “Ahool”. Described simply as a flying primate, pterosaur or giant bat. Logically I immediately say “There are no flying monkeys this isn't the wizard of oz”. Pterosaurs did exist millions of years ago but not today, they also may have had feathers but not fur, certainly not covered with it. So, logically the only remaining possibility is a giant bat, truthfully not so farfetched, we know giant versions of creatures did exist and still do today. Just like that the Ahool stands the test and I give it a skeptical pass.
There are, however, creatures that are considered cryptids that I either don't believe to exist or believe them to be in the wrong category. Goatman for example, logically it just doesn't add up and fits nowhere in the animal kingdom. Many hybrid creatures like that cant logically exist. I believe it to be more of an urban legend than a cryptid.
So wheres the line?
I only see a few types of cryptids existing in the real world. These would include ones relating to other animals, color variations, larger sized animals, extinct animals, and prehistoric counterparts. The ones I don't see existing would be many hybrids (nature doesn't work that way), those of extraterrestrial origins (they may exist but are not cryptids) and the one timers (seen once, or only seen in a small time period).
What is a cryptid then?
This is the most important question, in my opinion. To me a cryptid is an animal that not only could exist in the wild as a legitimate species/subspecies but one that also has enough evidence to suggest it exists but not enough to document it. Unless its an animal on its last leg of survival you would expect to find, eventually, a nest or pocket of the animal in question living in the wild.
The word cryptid reminds me a lot of the abbreviation U.F.O, which simply means unidentified flying object. Of course when you hear or see that word you automatically think "space alien". Even though we know not every light in the night sky is an alien we still make the association. I believe the same goes for the word cryptid, people see and hear strange noises and sights and assume its a monster or some kind of cryptid when in reality its probably something more basic most of the time.
Some final thoughts
Don't get me wrong I really love the cryptid community, the creatures involved and the incredible stories behind them. Its what made cryptozoology what it is today. The fact that so many people have open minds and are willing to believe what others refuse is an incredible thing. However, we still need to stay skeptical and lead with logic.
To end this, please understand this is not a rant. This is just a few of my personal opinions on the topic of cryptozoology. If you would like to continue the discussion, read on some topics and discuss cryptozoology with other cryptid fans head over to http://cryptozoology.freeforums.net/
Also feel free to send me your own thoughts on cryptids/cryptozoology!
listen it is 2021 and i just wanna know WHERE is my girls sports manga/anime with all the same intensely gay undertones and good character dynamics that the guys get HUH
