Cryptid
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| - | A '''debunker''' is an individual who discredits and contradicts claims as being false, exaggerated or pretentious. The term is closely associated with [[scientific skepticism|skeptical investigation]] of topics such as [[Unidentified flying object|U.F.O.]]s, claimed [[paranormal]] phenomena, [[cryptid]]s, [[conspiracy theories]], [[alternative medicine]], [[religion]], or [[pseudoscientific]] research. | + | In [[cryptozoology]] and sometimes in [[cryptobotany]], a '''cryptid''' (from the Greek "κρύπτω" (''krypto'') meaning "hide") is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but that is unrecognized by a [[scientific consensus]], and whose existence is moreover often regarded as highly unlikely. Noted cryptids include [[Bigfoot]], [[Yeti]], [[Chupacabra]] and the [[Loch Ness Monster]]. |
| - | ==Etymology== | + | |
| - | The [[American Heritage Dictionary]] traces the passage of the words bunk (noun), debunk (verb) and debunker (noun) into American English in 1923 as a belated outgrowth of "[[bunkum]]", of which the first recorded use was in 1828, apparently related to a poorly received "speech for [[Buncombe County, North Carolina|Buncombe]]" given by [[North Carolina]] representative [[Felix Walker (American politician)|Felix Walker]] during the [[16th United States Congress]] (1819–1821). | + | |
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| - | The term ''debunk'' [[neologism|originated]] in a 1923 novel ''Bunk'', by [[United States of America|American]] [[novelist]] [[William Woodward (novelist)|William Woodward]] (1874–1950), who used it to mean to "take the [[wikt:bunkum|bunk]] out of things." | + | |
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| - | Often the term "debunkery" is not limited to arguments about scientific validity. It can also be used in a more general sense at attempts to discredit any opposing point of view, such as that of a political opponent. | + | |
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| - | == Notable debunkers== | + | |
| - | * [[Harry Houdini]] debunked [[spiritualism|spiritualists]]. | + | |
| - | * [[James Randi]] has exposed [[faith healing|faith healers]], [[psychic]]s and others claiming to have [[paranormal|paranormal powers]]. | + | |
| - | * [[Martin Gardner]], mathematics and science writer who has extensively debunked [[parapsychology]]. | + | |
| - | * [[Ray Hyman]], psychologist known for debunking some [[parapsychology|parapsychological]] studies. | + | |
| - | * [[Penn & Teller]] demystify magic tricks and illusions. They have also debunked many other aspects of popular belief, on their show, ''[[Penn & Teller: Bullshit!]]''. They take a similar approach to fields of serious scientific inquiry, such as climate science. | + | |
| - | * [[Philip J. Klass|Philip Klass]] was a pioneer in the field of [[Scientific skepticism|skeptical investigation]] of [[unidentified flying object|UFOs]]. | + | |
| - | * [[Donald Menzel]] was Philip Klass' predecessor in debunking UFOs. | + | |
| - | * [[Carl Sagan]] debunked purported [[close encounter]]s such as the [[Betty and Barney Hill abduction]], and [[pseudoscience]] such as [[Immanuel Velikovsky]]'s [[Worlds in Collision]]. | + | |
| - | * [[Phil Plait]] debunks [[astrology]] and end-of-the-world scenarios. | + | |
| - | * [[Stephen Barrett]] founded [[Quackwatch]] and writes on medical [[quackery]]. | + | |
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| - | == Organizations == | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]] | + | |
| - | * [[The Skeptics Society]] | + | |
| - | * The ''[[MythBusters]]'', a program on the [[Discovery Channel]]. Two former [[special effects]] technicians, [[Jamie Hyneman]] and [[Adam Savage]], use modern technology to test the validity of [[urban legends]]. | + | |
| - | * The [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]] debunked the [[World Trade Center controlled demolition conspiracy theories]]. | + | |
| - | * [[Popular Mechanics]] has released several publications also debunking 9/11 conspiracy theories, in particular those mentioned in [[Loose Change]]. | + | |
| - | * [[Snopes]] debunks or validates [[urban legend]]s. | + | |
| - | * [[Quackwatch]] | + | |
| - | * [[SourceWatch]] | + | |
| - | * The website [[Bad Astronomy]], by the American astronomer [[Phil Plait]], debunks [[astrology]] and other myths related to the sky. | + | |
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| - | == See also == | + | |
| - | * [[Scientific skepticism]] | + | |
| - | * [[The True Believer]] | + | |
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| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Animalia Paradoxa]] | ||
| + | *[[Crypsis]] | ||
| + | *[[Cryptobotany]] | ||
| + | *[[Cryptozoology]] | ||
| + | *[[Kraken]] | ||
| + | *[[List of cryptids]] | ||
| + | *[[List of legendary creatures]] | ||
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Revision as of 18:17, 28 September 2013
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In cryptozoology and sometimes in cryptobotany, a cryptid (from the Greek "κρύπτω" (krypto) meaning "hide") is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but that is unrecognized by a scientific consensus, and whose existence is moreover often regarded as highly unlikely. Noted cryptids include Bigfoot, Yeti, Chupacabra and the Loch Ness Monster.
See also
- Animalia Paradoxa
- Crypsis
- Cryptobotany
- Cryptozoology
- Kraken
- List of cryptids
- List of legendary creatures
Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Cryptid" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.
