I’ve already commented on the historical nature of the Malaysian reports of what is unfortunately being called a "Bigfoot." (Hey, what’s wrong with using the local name for this cryptid? Maybe Orang Dalam, perhaps?)
So, today, I just wanted to mention a brief informal statistical media analysis that is being noted by the media itself. The essence of what is occurring is that the news organizations are realizing this story is sweeping the media.
Yesterday and today, for example, Reuters spread their story that basically said: "Bigfoot fever is gripping Malaysia, with local newspapers and the official news agency reporting sightings of a huge ape in southern rainforests."
The media self-referencing included this: "The Malayasian press is enjoying the story, running headlines like ‘Rangers on the trail of Bigfoot’ and ‘Villagers’ close encounter with Bigfoot.’"
Indeed, one Australian newspaper used this headline "Going Ape Over ‘Bigfoot’" today.
Since December 24, 2005 through January 4, 2006, over a hundred papers around the globe have published articles on the sightings in Malaysia of unknown hairy bipedal hominoids. Many or most are showing up multiple times on websites, in blogs, and thus in email messages worldwide.
We are in the midst of a bona-fide major "monster flap," and it’s time to realize it. The newspapers traditionally foreshadow an indication of what the electronic broadcast media will "discover" is hot within the next two weeks. Watch for mainstream television and cable news outlets to hint at the reports of these Malaysian "Bigfoot" sightings. Then, they will be followed by documentary film companies deciding if they should include the accounts in their future proposed reality programming. We may be hearing about "Malaysian Bigfoot" accounts for some time.
How long will this flap last? And of course, the big question, can any legitimate funding be found for such cryptozoological investigations, which, if you read carefully, was a reason behind why the local officials started talking about these reports? Will any of this Malaysian media madness foretell any truly scientific expeditions, which will produce concrete helpful evidence? Only time will tell, but for now, we are definitely in the midst of a cryptozoological nine-day wonder.
See also Craig’s recent postings on the story as it developed, from the oldest to the newest: