#mermaid — Public Fediverse posts

Book Promotion: Myths, legends and fairy tales - new tellings of classic ideas, seek out the most appealing to you and given it a go. You may discover your next favourite author. (Also includes some romance.) #mermaid #dwarves #knaves #heroes #writing #dwarfs #boost #romantic #kiss #fedibookfair #sorcery #couple #fae #wlw #knights #ladies #lovestory #wizards #witches #romance #amreading #legendary #reading #love #sexy #dragons #readers #elves #monsters #magic #goodbooks… https://books.bookfunnel.com/myths-legends-fairy-tale-sale/xbcccdt1bz?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Book Promotion: Myths, legends and fairy tales - new tellings of classic ideas, seek out the most appealing to you and given it a go. You may discover your next favourite author. (Also includes some romance.) #mermaid #dwarves #knaves #heroes #writing #dwarfs #boost #romantic #kiss #fedibookfair #sorcery #couple #fae #wlw #knights #ladies #lovestory #wizards #witches #romance #amreading #legendary #reading #love #sexy #dragons #readers #elves #monsters #magic #goodbooks… https://books.bookfunnel.com/myths-legends-fairy-tale-sale/xbcccdt1bz?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Book Promotion: Myths, legends and fairy tales - new tellings of classic ideas, seek out the most appealing to you and given it a go. You may discover your next favourite author. (Also includes some romance.) #mermaid #dwarves #knaves #heroes #writing #dwarfs #boost #romantic #kiss #fedibookfair #sorcery #couple #fae #wlw #knights #ladies #lovestory #wizards #witches #romance #amreading #legendary #reading #love #sexy #dragons #readers #elves #monsters #magic #goodbooks… https://books.bookfunnel.com/myths-legends-fairy-tale-sale/xbcccdt1bz?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Book Promotion: Myths, legends and fairy tales - new tellings of classic ideas, seek out the most appealing to you and given it a go. You may discover your next favourite author. (Also includes some romance.) #mermaid #dwarves #knaves #heroes #writing #dwarfs #boost #romantic #kiss #fedibookfair #sorcery #couple #fae #wlw #knights #ladies #lovestory #wizards #witches #romance #amreading #legendary #reading #love #sexy #dragons #readers #elves #monsters #magic #goodbooks… https://books.bookfunnel.com/myths-legends-fairy-tale-sale/xbcccdt1bz?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Book Review: Copenhagen by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. This week, I’m sharing my review of the graphic novel, Copenhagen, by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg.

Copenhagen was published in 2024 by Dargaud and is 295 pages long.

The Plot
The story opens with a woman fatigued with her teenage daughter and craving a break. On a whim, she jets off from Paris to Copenhagen for a one-week getaway that turns into something much more unusual. Barely having unpacked, she finds the city in uproar — the body of a mermaid has been discovered, plunging Denmark into shock and disbelief.

Characters
Nana Miller
Nana is the emotional core. Initially defined by fatigue and displacement, she becomes a magnetic guide through the city’sodd rhythms. Her vulnerability — especially being physically distant from her daughter — gives the narrative emotional weight while still allowing her to be curious and resilient.

Thyge Thygesen
Thyge is a contrast to Nana’s initially tentative presence. A quirky radio host with a gentle eccentricity, he embodies Copenhagen’s offbeat charm. His local knowledge and relatability provide humour and steady companionship as the mystery deepens.

The Poodle Club
A colourful ensemble supporting the investigation, the club members add both comedy and community. They aren’t just comic relief but help crystallise the graphic novel’s theme that everyone — no matter how strange — has a place in the story.

Writing Style
Pandolfo’s writing is breezy but observant, anchored in dialogue that is sharp, humorous, and often delightfully odd. She maintains a warm narrative voice, letting humour and curiosity coexist with moments of introspection without ever becoming preachy or sentimental. The pacing is brisk: scenes shift with a blend of comic timing and deliberately understated reflection, giving readers just enough to care about the stakes without bogging them down in overt melodrama.

At its best, the script balances human vulnerability with surreal twists—like a dead mermaid being a national news event—so that the story feels both grounded and subtly magical. Sometimes the subplots threaten to pull attention away from Nana’s emotional thread, but this is a testament to the richness of the world Pandolfo builds rather than a fundamental flaw.

Artwork
Terkel Risbjerg’s art gives Copenhagen its visual soul. His style is expressive and textured, perfectly attuned to both the humour and melancholia of the script. Panels of urban landscapes feel lived-in yet slightly dreamlike, reflecting the story’s blend of realism and whimsy. Risbjerg’s character designs are distinctive, with faces and body language that communicate mood effortlessly.

His layouts are inventive without being showy; quieter moments are rendered with gentle detail, and hectic scenes retain clarity without sacrificing energy. The visual pacing — the rhythm created by the sequence of panels — complements Pandolfo’s writing and pulls the reader through the narrative without confusion.

Colour choices and shading further enhance the mood: muted tones for introspection, brighter accents for revelations and humour. This subtle visual storytelling enriches the text rather than competing with it.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Copenhagen is an engaging graphic novel that turns an unusual premise into an enjoyable blend of adventure, humour, and personal exploration. It doesn’t always go as deep as it could have—but what it does offer, it delivers with flair: likeable characters, witty dialogue, and artwork that vividly brings a city and a cast of eccentric personalities to life. Whether you’re drawn by the mystery or the beat of a woman figuring her life out in an unexpected place, there’s plenty here to reward readers who like their comics with a mix of charm and oddball energy.

I’m giving Copenhagen an 8/10.

Have you read Copenhagen? What did you think?

As ever, thanks for stopping by and reading my review!

Until next time,

George

© 2026 GLT

Book Review: Copenhagen by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. This week, I’m sharing my review of the graphic novel, Copenhagen, by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg.

Copenhagen was published in 2024 by Dargaud and is 295 pages long.

The Plot
The story opens with a woman fatigued with her teenage daughter and craving a break. On a whim, she jets off from Paris to Copenhagen for a one-week getaway that turns into something much more unusual. Barely having unpacked, she finds the city in uproar — the body of a mermaid has been discovered, plunging Denmark into shock and disbelief.

Characters
Nana Miller
Nana is the emotional core. Initially defined by fatigue and displacement, she becomes a magnetic guide through the city’sodd rhythms. Her vulnerability — especially being physically distant from her daughter — gives the narrative emotional weight while still allowing her to be curious and resilient.

Thyge Thygesen
Thyge is a contrast to Nana’s initially tentative presence. A quirky radio host with a gentle eccentricity, he embodies Copenhagen’s offbeat charm. His local knowledge and relatability provide humour and steady companionship as the mystery deepens.

The Poodle Club
A colourful ensemble supporting the investigation, the club members add both comedy and community. They aren’t just comic relief but help crystallise the graphic novel’s theme that everyone — no matter how strange — has a place in the story.

Writing Style
Pandolfo’s writing is breezy but observant, anchored in dialogue that is sharp, humorous, and often delightfully odd. She maintains a warm narrative voice, letting humour and curiosity coexist with moments of introspection without ever becoming preachy or sentimental. The pacing is brisk: scenes shift with a blend of comic timing and deliberately understated reflection, giving readers just enough to care about the stakes without bogging them down in overt melodrama.

At its best, the script balances human vulnerability with surreal twists—like a dead mermaid being a national news event—so that the story feels both grounded and subtly magical. Sometimes the subplots threaten to pull attention away from Nana’s emotional thread, but this is a testament to the richness of the world Pandolfo builds rather than a fundamental flaw.

Artwork
Terkel Risbjerg’s art gives Copenhagen its visual soul. His style is expressive and textured, perfectly attuned to both the humour and melancholia of the script. Panels of urban landscapes feel lived-in yet slightly dreamlike, reflecting the story’s blend of realism and whimsy. Risbjerg’s character designs are distinctive, with faces and body language that communicate mood effortlessly.

His layouts are inventive without being showy; quieter moments are rendered with gentle detail, and hectic scenes retain clarity without sacrificing energy. The visual pacing — the rhythm created by the sequence of panels — complements Pandolfo’s writing and pulls the reader through the narrative without confusion.

Colour choices and shading further enhance the mood: muted tones for introspection, brighter accents for revelations and humour. This subtle visual storytelling enriches the text rather than competing with it.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Copenhagen is an engaging graphic novel that turns an unusual premise into an enjoyable blend of adventure, humour, and personal exploration. It doesn’t always go as deep as it could have—but what it does offer, it delivers with flair: likeable characters, witty dialogue, and artwork that vividly brings a city and a cast of eccentric personalities to life. Whether you’re drawn by the mystery or the beat of a woman figuring her life out in an unexpected place, there’s plenty here to reward readers who like their comics with a mix of charm and oddball energy.

I’m giving Copenhagen an 8/10.

Have you read Copenhagen? What did you think?

As ever, thanks for stopping by and reading my review!

Until next time,

George

© 2026 GLT

Book Review: Copenhagen by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. This week, I’m sharing my review of the graphic novel, Copenhagen, by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg.

Copenhagen was published in 2024 by Dargaud and is 295 pages long.

The Plot
The story opens with a woman fatigued with her teenage daughter and craving a break. On a whim, she jets off from Paris to Copenhagen for a one-week getaway that turns into something much more unusual. Barely having unpacked, she finds the city in uproar — the body of a mermaid has been discovered, plunging Denmark into shock and disbelief.

Characters
Nana Miller
Nana is the emotional core. Initially defined by fatigue and displacement, she becomes a magnetic guide through the city’sodd rhythms. Her vulnerability — especially being physically distant from her daughter — gives the narrative emotional weight while still allowing her to be curious and resilient.

Thyge Thygesen
Thyge is a contrast to Nana’s initially tentative presence. A quirky radio host with a gentle eccentricity, he embodies Copenhagen’s offbeat charm. His local knowledge and relatability provide humour and steady companionship as the mystery deepens.

The Poodle Club
A colourful ensemble supporting the investigation, the club members add both comedy and community. They aren’t just comic relief but help crystallise the graphic novel’s theme that everyone — no matter how strange — has a place in the story.

Writing Style
Pandolfo’s writing is breezy but observant, anchored in dialogue that is sharp, humorous, and often delightfully odd. She maintains a warm narrative voice, letting humour and curiosity coexist with moments of introspection without ever becoming preachy or sentimental. The pacing is brisk: scenes shift with a blend of comic timing and deliberately understated reflection, giving readers just enough to care about the stakes without bogging them down in overt melodrama.

At its best, the script balances human vulnerability with surreal twists—like a dead mermaid being a national news event—so that the story feels both grounded and subtly magical. Sometimes the subplots threaten to pull attention away from Nana’s emotional thread, but this is a testament to the richness of the world Pandolfo builds rather than a fundamental flaw.

Artwork
Terkel Risbjerg’s art gives Copenhagen its visual soul. His style is expressive and textured, perfectly attuned to both the humour and melancholia of the script. Panels of urban landscapes feel lived-in yet slightly dreamlike, reflecting the story’s blend of realism and whimsy. Risbjerg’s character designs are distinctive, with faces and body language that communicate mood effortlessly.

His layouts are inventive without being showy; quieter moments are rendered with gentle detail, and hectic scenes retain clarity without sacrificing energy. The visual pacing — the rhythm created by the sequence of panels — complements Pandolfo’s writing and pulls the reader through the narrative without confusion.

Colour choices and shading further enhance the mood: muted tones for introspection, brighter accents for revelations and humour. This subtle visual storytelling enriches the text rather than competing with it.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Copenhagen is an engaging graphic novel that turns an unusual premise into an enjoyable blend of adventure, humour, and personal exploration. It doesn’t always go as deep as it could have—but what it does offer, it delivers with flair: likeable characters, witty dialogue, and artwork that vividly brings a city and a cast of eccentric personalities to life. Whether you’re drawn by the mystery or the beat of a woman figuring her life out in an unexpected place, there’s plenty here to reward readers who like their comics with a mix of charm and oddball energy.

I’m giving Copenhagen an 8/10.

Have you read Copenhagen? What did you think?

As ever, thanks for stopping by and reading my review!

Until next time,

George

© 2026 GLT

Book Review: Copenhagen by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. This week, I’m sharing my review of the graphic novel, Copenhagen, by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg.

Copenhagen was published in 2024 by Dargaud and is 295 pages long.

The Plot
The story opens with a woman fatigued with her teenage daughter and craving a break. On a whim, she jets off from Paris to Copenhagen for a one-week getaway that turns into something much more unusual. Barely having unpacked, she finds the city in uproar — the body of a mermaid has been discovered, plunging Denmark into shock and disbelief.

Characters
Nana Miller
Nana is the emotional core. Initially defined by fatigue and displacement, she becomes a magnetic guide through the city’sodd rhythms. Her vulnerability — especially being physically distant from her daughter — gives the narrative emotional weight while still allowing her to be curious and resilient.

Thyge Thygesen
Thyge is a contrast to Nana’s initially tentative presence. A quirky radio host with a gentle eccentricity, he embodies Copenhagen’s offbeat charm. His local knowledge and relatability provide humour and steady companionship as the mystery deepens.

The Poodle Club
A colourful ensemble supporting the investigation, the club members add both comedy and community. They aren’t just comic relief but help crystallise the graphic novel’s theme that everyone — no matter how strange — has a place in the story.

Writing Style
Pandolfo’s writing is breezy but observant, anchored in dialogue that is sharp, humorous, and often delightfully odd. She maintains a warm narrative voice, letting humour and curiosity coexist with moments of introspection without ever becoming preachy or sentimental. The pacing is brisk: scenes shift with a blend of comic timing and deliberately understated reflection, giving readers just enough to care about the stakes without bogging them down in overt melodrama.

At its best, the script balances human vulnerability with surreal twists—like a dead mermaid being a national news event—so that the story feels both grounded and subtly magical. Sometimes the subplots threaten to pull attention away from Nana’s emotional thread, but this is a testament to the richness of the world Pandolfo builds rather than a fundamental flaw.

Artwork
Terkel Risbjerg’s art gives Copenhagen its visual soul. His style is expressive and textured, perfectly attuned to both the humour and melancholia of the script. Panels of urban landscapes feel lived-in yet slightly dreamlike, reflecting the story’s blend of realism and whimsy. Risbjerg’s character designs are distinctive, with faces and body language that communicate mood effortlessly.

His layouts are inventive without being showy; quieter moments are rendered with gentle detail, and hectic scenes retain clarity without sacrificing energy. The visual pacing — the rhythm created by the sequence of panels — complements Pandolfo’s writing and pulls the reader through the narrative without confusion.

Colour choices and shading further enhance the mood: muted tones for introspection, brighter accents for revelations and humour. This subtle visual storytelling enriches the text rather than competing with it.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Copenhagen is an engaging graphic novel that turns an unusual premise into an enjoyable blend of adventure, humour, and personal exploration. It doesn’t always go as deep as it could have—but what it does offer, it delivers with flair: likeable characters, witty dialogue, and artwork that vividly brings a city and a cast of eccentric personalities to life. Whether you’re drawn by the mystery or the beat of a woman figuring her life out in an unexpected place, there’s plenty here to reward readers who like their comics with a mix of charm and oddball energy.

I’m giving Copenhagen an 8/10.

Have you read Copenhagen? What did you think?

As ever, thanks for stopping by and reading my review!

Until next time,

George

© 2026 GLT

Book Review: Copenhagen by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. This week, I’m sharing my review of the graphic novel, Copenhagen, by Anne-Caroline Pandolfo and Terkel Risbjerg.

Copenhagen was published in 2024 by Dargaud and is 295 pages long.

The Plot
The story opens with a woman fatigued with her teenage daughter and craving a break. On a whim, she jets off from Paris to Copenhagen for a one-week getaway that turns into something much more unusual. Barely having unpacked, she finds the city in uproar — the body of a mermaid has been discovered, plunging Denmark into shock and disbelief.

Characters
Nana Miller
Nana is the emotional core. Initially defined by fatigue and displacement, she becomes a magnetic guide through the city’sodd rhythms. Her vulnerability — especially being physically distant from her daughter — gives the narrative emotional weight while still allowing her to be curious and resilient.

Thyge Thygesen
Thyge is a contrast to Nana’s initially tentative presence. A quirky radio host with a gentle eccentricity, he embodies Copenhagen’s offbeat charm. His local knowledge and relatability provide humour and steady companionship as the mystery deepens.

The Poodle Club
A colourful ensemble supporting the investigation, the club members add both comedy and community. They aren’t just comic relief but help crystallise the graphic novel’s theme that everyone — no matter how strange — has a place in the story.

Writing Style
Pandolfo’s writing is breezy but observant, anchored in dialogue that is sharp, humorous, and often delightfully odd. She maintains a warm narrative voice, letting humour and curiosity coexist with moments of introspection without ever becoming preachy or sentimental. The pacing is brisk: scenes shift with a blend of comic timing and deliberately understated reflection, giving readers just enough to care about the stakes without bogging them down in overt melodrama.

At its best, the script balances human vulnerability with surreal twists—like a dead mermaid being a national news event—so that the story feels both grounded and subtly magical. Sometimes the subplots threaten to pull attention away from Nana’s emotional thread, but this is a testament to the richness of the world Pandolfo builds rather than a fundamental flaw.

Artwork
Terkel Risbjerg’s art gives Copenhagen its visual soul. His style is expressive and textured, perfectly attuned to both the humour and melancholia of the script. Panels of urban landscapes feel lived-in yet slightly dreamlike, reflecting the story’s blend of realism and whimsy. Risbjerg’s character designs are distinctive, with faces and body language that communicate mood effortlessly.

His layouts are inventive without being showy; quieter moments are rendered with gentle detail, and hectic scenes retain clarity without sacrificing energy. The visual pacing — the rhythm created by the sequence of panels — complements Pandolfo’s writing and pulls the reader through the narrative without confusion.

Colour choices and shading further enhance the mood: muted tones for introspection, brighter accents for revelations and humour. This subtle visual storytelling enriches the text rather than competing with it.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Copenhagen is an engaging graphic novel that turns an unusual premise into an enjoyable blend of adventure, humour, and personal exploration. It doesn’t always go as deep as it could have—but what it does offer, it delivers with flair: likeable characters, witty dialogue, and artwork that vividly brings a city and a cast of eccentric personalities to life. Whether you’re drawn by the mystery or the beat of a woman figuring her life out in an unexpected place, there’s plenty here to reward readers who like their comics with a mix of charm and oddball energy.

I’m giving Copenhagen an 8/10.

Have you read Copenhagen? What did you think?

As ever, thanks for stopping by and reading my review!

Until next time,

George

© 2026 GLT

Mervitya and Makkafish 🩷🤎

(Please don’t comment things like “I miss them”, “Fuck Mappa”, etc).

Mervitya and Makkafish 🩷🤎

(Please don’t comment things like “I miss them”, “Fuck Mappa”, etc).

Mervitya and Makkafish 🩷🤎

(Please don’t comment things like “I miss them”, “Fuck Mappa”, etc).

FLORAL MERMAY 2024 | SUNFLOWER

Mais uma das minhas sereias preferidas, e também um dos prints mais pedidos 🌻🌻🌻

#Mermay #mermay2026 #ilustracao #illustration #ilustracaodigital #DigitalArt #ArtistsOnMastodon #MastoArt #sereia #mermaid #girassol #sunflower #artistasbrasileiros

COLORFUL MERMAY 2023 | BROWN

Não tive tempo de seguir postando minhas sereias dos anos anteriores, mas nesse último dia de Mermay vou postar minhas preferidas. Essa definitivamente é uma delas, e um dos meus prints mais vendidos 🤎

#Mermay #mermay2026 #illustration #ilustracaodigital #DigitalArt #sereia #mermaid #afroart

Angel | Mermay 2021

#ilustracao #illustration #sereia #mermaid #Mermay #Mermay2026 #tbt #lapisdecor #ilustracaotradicional #drawing #MastoArt #ArtistsOnMastodon

Parade of the Sirens of New Orleans, Mardi Gras 2026
#mardigras #nola #siren #mermaid
https://raspberrypi.tailcd13e6.ts.net/2026-02-07_the-sirens-of-new-orleans.html

Late at night, I think of you.

#photo #photography #sculpture #skulptur #art #kunst #design #zypern #cyprus #mermaid #nymph #merman #meerjungfrau #myth #kryptozoologie #mysterious #night #nightvibes #history #fotografie #Cryptozoology #exhibition

Bolga and Dulfradil NYE (redux!)

I've completely redone Bolga's dress to be more elegant (and more risky!). Dulfy is his usual handsome self.

ANNOUNCEMENT: I've made a Lusty NYE pack!
https://lustycomic.itch.io/lusty-nye
29 images
Lusty, Lilya, Bolga, Dulfradil, and Rongo celebrate NYE
+ Naughty versions!

#Lusty #elf #busty #Lilya #witch #petite #Bolga #AuntyBolga #milf #Dulfradil #himbo #Rongo #mermaid #blackgirl #blackmermaid #NYE #NewYearsEve

NEW CHAPTER ALERT!
We return to the wet and wild world of SODA AND THE WAZZFISH KWEENDOM! Soda and Chunks, still transmogrified into seahorse mermaids, travel deep beneath the Wormspotz Ocean and meet Supreme Kween Ureen as well as Pink Snapper (a colonoscion monognathus).
Read Free at #RoyalRoad: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/107631/sifillis-vi-soda-and-the-wazzfish-kweendom

#book #books #newchapter #newchapterinlife #newchapterbegins #newchapterrelease #ɴᴇᴡᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ #fish #lifeaquatic #mermaid #mermaids #vhs #vcr #seahorse #seahorses #bookstodon

NEW CHAPTER ALERT!
Today's episode is from SODA & THE WAZZFISH KWEENDOM! Will Soda and Chunks accept the Wazzfish Kweens' invitation to visit the Wazzfish Kweendom? They'd better, or this is gonna be a short book!
Read free here: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/107631/vi-soda-and-the-wazzfish-kweendom

#book #books #newchapter #newchapterinlife❤️ #mermaid #mermaids #seahorse #seahorses #seahorsemermaid #seahorsemermaids #zine #zines #contest #90szine #80snostalgia #bookboost #booklover #bookaddict #bookrecommendations📚❣️ #indieauthor #fart

Rumour has it that the 409th edition of #Paranatellonta has just arrived on a ship! Enjoy!
🧜‍♀️
Our new, extra Paranatellonta feature is approaching but not quite finished yet. Soon…
🧜
#nyhavn #copenhagen #wotan #mermaid #icecream #photography #flashfiction
🧜
https://paranatellonta.tumblr.com/post/793512465922211840/pastel-greeting-when-the-ship-named-wotan-arrives

Mermai(d) 31

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-1568-3b30-3452-219079757584

Mermai(d) 30

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-2568-3994-f577-327699048998

Mermai(d) 29

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-1368-38af-ed99-002889620572

Mermai(d) 28

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-2068-3758-7ae9-e35119850352

Mermai(d) 26

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-2468-34d5-625b-8ce046641425

Mermai(d) 25

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-3668-3364-1f07-d42430493716

Mermai(d) 24

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-3168-3214-c018-868046642642

Mermai(d) 23

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-1868-30dd-9144-38f873296406

Mermai(d) 22

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-9068-2f96-8b15-edb844003586

Mermai(d) 21

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-2568-2e3c-afa3-287953317883

Mermai(d) 20

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-1668-2cf5-55ae-7d7213089061

Mermai(d) 19

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-6468-2cf4-35e7-049449061314

Mermai(d) 18

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-1268-2a3d-f215-cc8798990487

Oups, j'ai oublié les dièses :
#sirène #mermaid #sirena #mermai #mermay #horsliste #drawing #dessin #gribouillage #mywork #d3 #enjomineur

2 bières, ça aide pas :D

Mermai(d) 16

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-1968-2770-89a2-cd8260719656

Mermai(d) 15

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-1968-2656-42c7-4af794211707

Mermai(d) 14

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-1868-24f7-a5d2-2a6560469177

Mermai(d) 13

https://my-place.social/display/e599373b-1068-23b0-610c-b7f588300150

Pop Cryptid Spectator 13

Hello and welcome to the Pop Cryptid Spectator no. 13.

In this edition:

• The crypt-illogical slip into the irrational
• News people don’t know their animals
• AI cryptid articles – It’s how stuff works
• Cryptid merch: Squishables Mothman series
• The Hebridean Mermaid
• Ogopogo float may sink
• Cryptid Media: More podcasts

The crypt-illogical slip into the irrational

I focus very much on the present, popular, news and views of cryptozoology, but when I look at traditional cryptozoology, I find that the most cogent writing clearly points in the direction of today’s Pop Cryptids. For example, Adrian Shine appeared on the latest episode of Monster Talk to discuss his lifelong research into sea serpents, and lake monsters claims in Scotland in his new book A Natural History of Sea Serpents. In this interview, Shine shares his wisdom gained from synthesizing decades of careful observation, and this is enlightening.

Among the wise things he said so eloquently, he noted that cryptozoology was a way to rationalize monsters. At its time of inception, that made sense: cryptozoology attempted to remove the magical aspects about mystery creatures, and apply science to the process of discovering amazing new animals. But, as he also says, hidden animals require lost worlds. We have very few of these “lost worlds” left, and people aren’t exploring them due to our natural limits (such as the ability to spend time in the deep ocean). If there are animals, there, they aren’t cryptids, they are just new to us. Therefore, that negates the formation of lore about them that defines a cryptid.

We aren’t going to find a Yeti or Nessie because it is clear after all these centuries that the stories were not reflecting real animals as collectively described, but a monstrous interpretation fed by cultural factors and confirmation bias. Current monster hunters will disagree but I’m being logical, here. The scientific evidence for real cryptids has not improved.

Today’s shift back to seeing cryptids as less zoological is, in a way, rational – in a cultural sense. As people attempt to create an alternate world of magic and mystery, adding cryptids to the fantasy environment makes sense. The colorful world of pop cryptids is what we get from that reconstruction. The cryptids don’t make zoological sense, but they make cultural sense.

As I wrote in a review of Shine’s book in PCS 7, A Natural History of Sea Serpents is a fantastic book and I could listen to Adrian Shine talk all day long, he’s astute and articulate. I deeply appreciate his careful research that helps me see old cases in a new light, find the through-lines of this complex subject, and understand the wider view.

Meanwhile, I hate to admit, the cryptid content that mostly appears in media – made by amateur researchers, people seeking an alternative reality, or just jokers – is not high quality (with only a few rare exceptions). It’s not even very creative. But because cryptids are a mainstream thing now, anything goes. And anything, no matter how poorly done, how ridiculous, or how misleading, will get clicks. See the following two examples.

News people don’t know their animals

You can bet that the “mystery animal” videos that get shown on the local news reports are going to contain some cringeworthy comments by the reporters. TV news anchors read what’s been written for them and respond and ad lib based only on whatever background info them have. They usually don’t know anything about a natural subject. One sad side effect of Pop Cryptids is that many now know the names of local cryptids and throw them out there as “possibilities”. In the process, they reveal shallow knowledge of the lore and history of the creature, and ignorance of the local wildlife. These three news personnel from Pueblo, Colorado speculate on what this animal is from a dark and grainy video. At least they recognize the red eyes may be a camera artifact, but one suggests it’s a chupacabra. In a broadcast on another station, the pair of presenters also give ridiculous opinions (such as it’s a person dressed up). The Colorado wildlife officials said it might be a raccoon with mange.

My initial thought is that it’s a coati, an animal found as far north as Arizona and sometimes kept as a pet. It’s not unusual to see coati in unexpected places. It’s unclear what it’s doing in Colorado, but it’s only a “cryptid” is the loosest interpretation of the word. Meanwhile, mystery mongering sites like Coast to Coast AM promoted this story with a sensationalist headline. This kind of treatment is really disappointing and leads to the audience being misinformed or alarmed. There is no good excuse for such awful framing of an interesting animal story.

AI cryptid articles – It’s how stuff works

I have mentioned AI generated cryptids several times in this publication – videos, photos, and monsters that came from AI image-generation apps. But now I’m starting to notice that AI-written articles on cryptids are becoming a common thing. Several “infotainment” sites quickly generate pieces to capitalize on a trending news story or subject. Cryptids are one of those topics. The popular site How Stuff Works revealed just how their stuff works, by using AI to produce a recent article on the Loveland Frog. This article followsr news coverage for the frogman’s festival in March. The content is unoriginal, just more AI slop we have to wade through.

Squishables Mothman series

Squishables are sold in many toy and gift stores across the country. Their newest series of cuddly plushies is an array of fun Mothman critters. My favorite is the Rosy Maple mothman (genius!) – modeled after the stunning yellow and pink rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda). I remember the first time I saw a rosy maple moth and could not believe it was real! And now it’s a variety of mothman. Check out the other varieties.

The Hebridean Mermaid

A woman who pretends to be a mermaid landed a gig promoting a new BBC series about mermaid tales and folklore around the waters of northern Scotland. Looks like a cool topic for programming!

Many people “become” mermaids by donning tails and learning how to dance underwater. If you aren’t aware of how popular indulging in mermaid fantasy is these days is, you can check out a series on Netflix called MerPeople. It’s an eye-opener.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7hUc8HVSFk

Old-school cryptozoologist-types reject mermaids as cryptids, calling them “fantasy” creatures. But this take is proof of how the idea of ‘cryptids’ is selective and changes over time. There are undoubtedly cases in the centuries gone by, and even now in non-Western news reports, of people who say they have seen mermaids. It’s no joke. Although many faked videos attempt to capitalize on that belief, most are poorly done hoaxes.

Remember in 2012, there was a huge hubbub about Mermaids: A Body Found aired on the Discovery Network. There was NO doubt that more than a few people who knew nothing of nature accepted that Mermaids: A Body Found was a science show about real mermaids.

Are mermaids cryptids? Absolutely. They are legendary, culturally known, and we have plenty of documented claims asserting they really exist, and some that claim they had been captured. There is no line between cryptids and folklore/fantasy creatures now. It’s all the same concept.

Ogopogo float may sink

The City of Kelowna, B.C. has had a parade float for decades. The most popular design for the float has been that of the local Lake Okanagan monster, Ogopogo. According to The Kelowna Courier, for more than 50 years, the float has featured various representations of Ogopogo. Back in 2016, there was an idea to highlight other tourism opportunities of Kelowna with the float. That didn’t go over well, and after a public outcry, the town’s beloved cryptid was restored. Now the float requires repairs and the city council determined they just can’t afford the steep price tag. So, Canadian parades will be without Ogopogo for a time.

Cryptid Media: More podcasts

Here’s another podcast recommendation. Check out Squaring the Strange episode no 250 – Cryptids go Pop! where I was invited to discuss my interests, and this publication, with Ben and Celestia.

For some deep dives, check out the Bigfoot two-part episode and the Loch Ness Monster three-part treatment from the Mythillogical podcast – a well-researched tour through the folklore aspects of these two cryptids. If Charles and Crofty are reading, feel free to message me if you need help with North American pronunciations.

Thanks for reading! Send comments, questions, or suggestions to sharon(at)sharonahill.com. If you want to send some cryptid plushies or other merch, or books to review, email for my physical mailing address.

For more, click on Pop goes the Cryptid landing page. Make sure you subscribe to all the posts – it’s always free and I don’t send annoying spam. 

Pop Cryptid Spectator is also available on Substack. Please share this with cryptid fans you know!

Pop Cryptid Spectator 12

Pop Cryptid Spectator 11

Pop Cryptid Spectator 10

Pop Cryptid Spectator 9

Pop Cryptid Spectator 8

Pop Cryptid Spectator 7

Pop Cryptid Spectator 6

Pop Cryptid Spectator 5

Pop Cryptid Spectator 4

Pop Cryptid Spectator 3

Pop Cryptid Spectator 2

Pop Cryptid Spectator 1

#1 #chupacabra #cryptid #Cryptozoology #deathOfAUnicorn #popCryptid #reddit #rollerCoaster #scientific #seaSerpents #Skinwalker #Wendigo

https://sharonahill.com/?p=9144

Pop Cryptid Spectator 13

Hello and welcome to the Pop Cryptid Spectator no. 13.

In this edition:

• The crypt-illogical slip into the irrational
• News people don’t know their animals
• AI cryptid articles – It’s how stuff works
• Cryptid merch: Squishables Mothman series
• The Hebridean Mermaid
• Ogopogo float may sink
• Cryptid Media: More podcasts

The crypt-illogical slip into the irrational

I focus very much on the present, popular, news and views of cryptozoology, but when I look at traditional cryptozoology, I find that the most cogent writing clearly points in the direction of today’s Pop Cryptids. For example, Adrian Shine appeared on the latest episode of Monster Talk to discuss his lifelong research into sea serpents, and lake monsters claims in Scotland in his new book A Natural History of Sea Serpents. In this interview, Shine shares his wisdom gained from synthesizing decades of careful observation, and this is enlightening.

Among the wise things he said so eloquently, he noted that cryptozoology was a way to rationalize monsters. At its time of inception, that made sense: cryptozoology attempted to remove the magical aspects about mystery creatures, and apply science to the process of discovering amazing new animals. But, as he also says, hidden animals require lost worlds. We have very few of these “lost worlds” left, and people aren’t exploring them due to our natural limits (such as the ability to spend time in the deep ocean). If there are animals, there, they aren’t cryptids, they are just new to us. Therefore, that negates the formation of lore about them that defines a cryptid.

We aren’t going to find a Yeti or Nessie because it is clear after all these centuries that the stories were not reflecting real animals as collectively described, but a monstrous interpretation fed by cultural factors and confirmation bias. Current monster hunters will disagree but I’m being logical, here. The scientific evidence for real cryptids has not improved.

Today’s shift back to seeing cryptids as less zoological is, in a way, rational – in a cultural sense. As people attempt to create an alternate world of magic and mystery, adding cryptids to the fantasy environment makes sense. The colorful world of pop cryptids is what we get from that reconstruction. The cryptids don’t make zoological sense, but they make cultural sense.

As I wrote in a review of Shine’s book in PCS 7, A Natural History of Sea Serpents is a fantastic book and I could listen to Adrian Shine talk all day long, he’s astute and articulate. I deeply appreciate his careful research that helps me see old cases in a new light, find the through-lines of this complex subject, and understand the wider view.

Meanwhile, I hate to admit, the cryptid content that mostly appears in media – made by amateur researchers, people seeking an alternative reality, or just jokers – is not high quality (with only a few rare exceptions). It’s not even very creative. But because cryptids are a mainstream thing now, anything goes. And anything, no matter how poorly done, how ridiculous, or how misleading, will get clicks. See the following two examples.

News people don’t know their animals

You can bet that the “mystery animal” videos that get shown on the local news reports are going to contain some cringeworthy comments by the reporters. TV news anchors read what’s been written for them and respond and ad lib based only on whatever background info them have. They usually don’t know anything about a natural subject. One sad side effect of Pop Cryptids is that many now know the names of local cryptids and throw them out there as “possibilities”. In the process, they reveal shallow knowledge of the lore and history of the creature, and ignorance of the local wildlife. These three news personnel from Pueblo, Colorado speculate on what this animal is from a dark and grainy video. At least they recognize the red eyes may be a camera artifact, but one suggests it’s a chupacabra. In a broadcast on another station, the pair of presenters also give ridiculous opinions (such as it’s a person dressed up). The Colorado wildlife officials said it might be a raccoon with mange.

My initial thought is that it’s a coati, an animal found as far north as Arizona and sometimes kept as a pet. It’s not unusual to see coati in unexpected places. It’s unclear what it’s doing in Colorado, but it’s only a “cryptid” is the loosest interpretation of the word. Meanwhile, mystery mongering sites like Coast to Coast AM promoted this story with a sensationalist headline. This kind of treatment is really disappointing and leads to the audience being misinformed or alarmed. There is no good excuse for such awful framing of an interesting animal story.

AI cryptid articles – It’s how stuff works

I have mentioned AI generated cryptids several times in this publication – videos, photos, and monsters that came from AI image-generation apps. But now I’m starting to notice that AI-written articles on cryptids are becoming a common thing. Several “infotainment” sites quickly generate pieces to capitalize on a trending news story or subject. Cryptids are one of those topics. The popular site How Stuff Works revealed just how their stuff works, by using AI to produce a recent article on the Loveland Frog. This article followsr news coverage for the frogman’s festival in March. The content is unoriginal, just more AI slop we have to wade through.

Squishables Mothman series

Squishables are sold in many toy and gift stores across the country. Their newest series of cuddly plushies is an array of fun Mothman critters. My favorite is the Rosy Maple mothman (genius!) – modeled after the stunning yellow and pink rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda). I remember the first time I saw a rosy maple moth and could not believe it was real! And now it’s a variety of mothman. Check out the other varieties.

The Hebridean Mermaid

A woman who pretends to be a mermaid landed a gig promoting a new BBC series about mermaid tales and folklore around the waters of northern Scotland. Looks like a cool topic for programming!

Many people “become” mermaids by donning tails and learning how to dance underwater. If you aren’t aware of how popular indulging in mermaid fantasy is these days is, you can check out a series on Netflix called MerPeople. It’s an eye-opener.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7hUc8HVSFk

Old-school cryptozoologist-types reject mermaids as cryptids, calling them “fantasy” creatures. But this take is proof of how the idea of ‘cryptids’ is selective and changes over time. There are undoubtedly cases in the centuries gone by, and even now in non-Western news reports, of people who say they have seen mermaids. It’s no joke. Although many faked videos attempt to capitalize on that belief, most are poorly done hoaxes.

Remember in 2012, there was a huge hubbub about Mermaids: A Body Found aired on the Discovery Network. There was NO doubt that more than a few people who knew nothing of nature accepted that Mermaids: A Body Found was a science show about real mermaids.

Are mermaids cryptids? Absolutely. They are legendary, culturally known, and we have plenty of documented claims asserting they really exist, and some that claim they had been captured. There is no line between cryptids and folklore/fantasy creatures now. It’s all the same concept.

Ogopogo float may sink

The City of Kelowna, B.C. has had a parade float for decades. The most popular design for the float has been that of the local Lake Okanagan monster, Ogopogo. According to The Kelowna Courier, for more than 50 years, the float has featured various representations of Ogopogo. Back in 2016, there was an idea to highlight other tourism opportunities of Kelowna with the float. That didn’t go over well, and after a public outcry, the town’s beloved cryptid was restored. Now the float requires repairs and the city council determined they just can’t afford the steep price tag. So, Canadian parades will be without Ogopogo for a time.

Cryptid Media: More podcasts

Here’s another podcast recommendation. Check out Squaring the Strange episode no 250 – Cryptids go Pop! where I was invited to discuss my interests, and this publication, with Ben and Celestia.

For some deep dives, check out the Bigfoot two-part episode and the Loch Ness Monster three-part treatment from the Mythillogical podcast – a well-researched tour through the folklore aspects of these two cryptids. If Charles and Crofty are reading, feel free to message me if you need help with North American pronunciations.

Thanks for reading! Send comments, questions, or suggestions to sharon(at)sharonahill.com. If you want to send some cryptid plushies or other merch, or books to review, email for my physical mailing address.

For more, click on Pop goes the Cryptid landing page. Make sure you subscribe to all the posts – it’s always free and I don’t send annoying spam. 

Pop Cryptid Spectator is also available on Substack. Please share this with cryptid fans you know!

Pop Cryptid Spectator 12

Pop Cryptid Spectator 11

Pop Cryptid Spectator 10

Pop Cryptid Spectator 9

Pop Cryptid Spectator 8

Pop Cryptid Spectator 7

Pop Cryptid Spectator 6

Pop Cryptid Spectator 5

Pop Cryptid Spectator 4

Pop Cryptid Spectator 3

Pop Cryptid Spectator 2

Pop Cryptid Spectator 1

#1 #chupacabra #cryptid #Cryptozoology #deathOfAUnicorn #popCryptid #reddit #rollerCoaster #scientific #seaSerpents #Skinwalker #Wendigo

https://sharonahill.com/?p=9144

Pop Cryptid Spectator 13

Hello and welcome to the Pop Cryptid Spectator no. 13.

In this edition:

• The crypt-illogical slip into the irrational
• News people don’t know their animals
• AI cryptid articles – It’s how stuff works
• Cryptid merch: Squishables Mothman series
• The Hebridean Mermaid
• Ogopogo float may sink
• Cryptid Media: More podcasts

The crypt-illogical slip into the irrational

I focus very much on the present, popular, news and views of cryptozoology, but when I look at traditional cryptozoology, I find that the most cogent writing clearly points in the direction of today’s Pop Cryptids. For example, Adrian Shine appeared on the latest episode of Monster Talk to discuss his lifelong research into sea serpents, and lake monsters claims in Scotland in his new book A Natural History of Sea Serpents. In this interview, Shine shares his wisdom gained from synthesizing decades of careful observation, and this is enlightening.

Among the wise things he said so eloquently, he noted that cryptozoology was a way to rationalize monsters. At its time of inception, that made sense: cryptozoology attempted to remove the magical aspects about mystery creatures, and apply science to the process of discovering amazing new animals. But, as he also says, hidden animals require lost worlds. We have very few of these “lost worlds” left, and people aren’t exploring them due to our natural limits (such as the ability to spend time in the deep ocean). If there are animals, there, they aren’t cryptids, they are just new to us. Therefore, that negates the formation of lore about them that defines a cryptid.

We aren’t going to find a Yeti or Nessie because it is clear after all these centuries that the stories were not reflecting real animals as collectively described, but a monstrous interpretation fed by cultural factors and confirmation bias. Current monster hunters will disagree but I’m being logical, here. The scientific evidence for real cryptids has not improved.

Today’s shift back to seeing cryptids as less zoological is, in a way, rational – in a cultural sense. As people attempt to create an alternate world of magic and mystery, adding cryptids to the fantasy environment makes sense. The colorful world of pop cryptids is what we get from that reconstruction. The cryptids don’t make zoological sense, but they make cultural sense.

As I wrote in a review of Shine’s book in PCS 7, A Natural History of Sea Serpents is a fantastic book and I could listen to Adrian Shine talk all day long, he’s astute and articulate. I deeply appreciate his careful research that helps me see old cases in a new light, find the through-lines of this complex subject, and understand the wider view.

Meanwhile, I hate to admit, the cryptid content that mostly appears in media – made by amateur researchers, people seeking an alternative reality, or just jokers – is not high quality (with only a few rare exceptions). It’s not even very creative. But because cryptids are a mainstream thing now, anything goes. And anything, no matter how poorly done, how ridiculous, or how misleading, will get clicks. See the following two examples.

News people don’t know their animals

You can bet that the “mystery animal” videos that get shown on the local news reports are going to contain some cringeworthy comments by the reporters. TV news anchors read what’s been written for them and respond and ad lib based only on whatever background info them have. They usually don’t know anything about a natural subject. One sad side effect of Pop Cryptids is that many now know the names of local cryptids and throw them out there as “possibilities”. In the process, they reveal shallow knowledge of the lore and history of the creature, and ignorance of the local wildlife. These three news personnel from Pueblo, Colorado speculate on what this animal is from a dark and grainy video. At least they recognize the red eyes may be a camera artifact, but one suggests it’s a chupacabra. In a broadcast on another station, the pair of presenters also give ridiculous opinions (such as it’s a person dressed up). The Colorado wildlife officials said it might be a raccoon with mange.

My initial thought is that it’s a coati, an animal found as far north as Arizona and sometimes kept as a pet. It’s not unusual to see coati in unexpected places. It’s unclear what it’s doing in Colorado, but it’s only a “cryptid” is the loosest interpretation of the word. Meanwhile, mystery mongering sites like Coast to Coast AM promoted this story with a sensationalist headline. This kind of treatment is really disappointing and leads to the audience being misinformed or alarmed. There is no good excuse for such awful framing of an interesting animal story.

AI cryptid articles – It’s how stuff works

I have mentioned AI generated cryptids several times in this publication – videos, photos, and monsters that came from AI image-generation apps. But now I’m starting to notice that AI-written articles on cryptids are becoming a common thing. Several “infotainment” sites quickly generate pieces to capitalize on a trending news story or subject. Cryptids are one of those topics. The popular site How Stuff Works revealed just how their stuff works, by using AI to produce a recent article on the Loveland Frog. This article followsr news coverage for the frogman’s festival in March. The content is unoriginal, just more AI slop we have to wade through.

Squishables Mothman series

Squishables are sold in many toy and gift stores across the country. Their newest series of cuddly plushies is an array of fun Mothman critters. My favorite is the Rosy Maple mothman (genius!) – modeled after the stunning yellow and pink rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda). I remember the first time I saw a rosy maple moth and could not believe it was real! And now it’s a variety of mothman. Check out the other varieties.

The Hebridean Mermaid

A woman who pretends to be a mermaid landed a gig promoting a new BBC series about mermaid tales and folklore around the waters of northern Scotland. Looks like a cool topic for programming!

Many people “become” mermaids by donning tails and learning how to dance underwater. If you aren’t aware of how popular indulging in mermaid fantasy is these days is, you can check out a series on Netflix called MerPeople. It’s an eye-opener.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7hUc8HVSFk

Old-school cryptozoologist-types reject mermaids as cryptids, calling them “fantasy” creatures. But this take is proof of how the idea of ‘cryptids’ is selective and changes over time. There are undoubtedly cases in the centuries gone by, and even now in non-Western news reports, of people who say they have seen mermaids. It’s no joke. Although many faked videos attempt to capitalize on that belief, most are poorly done hoaxes.

Remember in 2012, there was a huge hubbub about Mermaids: A Body Found aired on the Discovery Network. There was NO doubt that more than a few people who knew nothing of nature accepted that Mermaids: A Body Found was a science show about real mermaids.

Are mermaids cryptids? Absolutely. They are legendary, culturally known, and we have plenty of documented claims asserting they really exist, and some that claim they had been captured. There is no line between cryptids and folklore/fantasy creatures now. It’s all the same concept.

Ogopogo float may sink

The City of Kelowna, B.C. has had a parade float for decades. The most popular design for the float has been that of the local Lake Okanagan monster, Ogopogo. According to The Kelowna Courier, for more than 50 years, the float has featured various representations of Ogopogo. Back in 2016, there was an idea to highlight other tourism opportunities of Kelowna with the float. That didn’t go over well, and after a public outcry, the town’s beloved cryptid was restored. Now the float requires repairs and the city council determined they just can’t afford the steep price tag. So, Canadian parades will be without Ogopogo for a time.

Cryptid Media: More podcasts

Here’s another podcast recommendation. Check out Squaring the Strange episode no 250 – Cryptids go Pop! where I was invited to discuss my interests, and this publication, with Ben and Celestia.

For some deep dives, check out the Bigfoot two-part episode and the Loch Ness Monster three-part treatment from the Mythillogical podcast – a well-researched tour through the folklore aspects of these two cryptids. If Charles and Crofty are reading, feel free to message me if you need help with North American pronunciations.

Thanks for reading! Send comments, questions, or suggestions to sharon(at)sharonahill.com. If you want to send some cryptid plushies or other merch, or books to review, email for my physical mailing address.

For more, click on Pop goes the Cryptid landing page. Make sure you subscribe to all the posts – it’s always free and I don’t send annoying spam. 

Pop Cryptid Spectator is also available on Substack. Please share this with cryptid fans you know!

Pop Cryptid Spectator 12

Pop Cryptid Spectator 11

Pop Cryptid Spectator 10

Pop Cryptid Spectator 9

Pop Cryptid Spectator 8

Pop Cryptid Spectator 7

Pop Cryptid Spectator 6

Pop Cryptid Spectator 5

Pop Cryptid Spectator 4

Pop Cryptid Spectator 3

Pop Cryptid Spectator 2

Pop Cryptid Spectator 1

#1 #chupacabra #cryptid #Cryptozoology #deathOfAUnicorn #popCryptid #reddit #rollerCoaster #scientific #seaSerpents #Skinwalker #Wendigo

https://sharonahill.com/?p=9144

Pop Cryptid Spectator 13

Hello and welcome to the Pop Cryptid Spectator no. 13.

In this edition:

• The crypt-illogical slip into the irrational
• News people don’t know their animals
• AI cryptid articles – It’s how stuff works
• Cryptid merch: Squishables Mothman series
• The Hebridean Mermaid
• Ogopogo float may sink
• Cryptid Media: More podcasts

The crypt-illogical slip into the irrational

I focus very much on the present, popular, news and views of cryptozoology, but when I look at traditional cryptozoology, I find that the most cogent writing clearly points in the direction of today’s Pop Cryptids. For example, Adrian Shine appeared on the latest episode of Monster Talk to discuss his lifelong research into sea serpents, and lake monsters claims in Scotland in his new book A Natural History of Sea Serpents. In this interview, Shine shares his wisdom gained from synthesizing decades of careful observation, and this is enlightening.

Among the wise things he said so eloquently, he noted that cryptozoology was a way to rationalize monsters. At its time of inception, that made sense: cryptozoology attempted to remove the magical aspects about mystery creatures, and apply science to the process of discovering amazing new animals. But, as he also says, hidden animals require lost worlds. We have very few of these “lost worlds” left, and people aren’t exploring them due to our natural limits (such as the ability to spend time in the deep ocean). If there are animals, there, they aren’t cryptids, they are just new to us. Therefore, that negates the formation of lore about them that defines a cryptid.

We aren’t going to find a Yeti or Nessie because it is clear after all these centuries that the stories were not reflecting real animals as collectively described, but a monstrous interpretation fed by cultural factors and confirmation bias. Current monster hunters will disagree but I’m being logical, here. The scientific evidence for real cryptids has not improved.

Today’s shift back to seeing cryptids as less zoological is, in a way, rational – in a cultural sense. As people attempt to create an alternate world of magic and mystery, adding cryptids to the fantasy environment makes sense. The colorful world of pop cryptids is what we get from that reconstruction. The cryptids don’t make zoological sense, but they make cultural sense.

As I wrote in a review of Shine’s book in PCS 7, A Natural History of Sea Serpents is a fantastic book and I could listen to Adrian Shine talk all day long, he’s astute and articulate. I deeply appreciate his careful research that helps me see old cases in a new light, find the through-lines of this complex subject, and understand the wider view.

Meanwhile, I hate to admit, the cryptid content that mostly appears in media – made by amateur researchers, people seeking an alternative reality, or just jokers – is not high quality (with only a few rare exceptions). It’s not even very creative. But because cryptids are a mainstream thing now, anything goes. And anything, no matter how poorly done, how ridiculous, or how misleading, will get clicks. See the following two examples.

News people don’t know their animals

You can bet that the “mystery animal” videos that get shown on the local news reports are going to contain some cringeworthy comments by the reporters. TV news anchors read what’s been written for them and respond and ad lib based only on whatever background info them have. They usually don’t know anything about a natural subject. One sad side effect of Pop Cryptids is that many now know the names of local cryptids and throw them out there as “possibilities”. In the process, they reveal shallow knowledge of the lore and history of the creature, and ignorance of the local wildlife. These three news personnel from Pueblo, Colorado speculate on what this animal is from a dark and grainy video. At least they recognize the red eyes may be a camera artifact, but one suggests it’s a chupacabra. In a broadcast on another station, the pair of presenters also give ridiculous opinions (such as it’s a person dressed up). The Colorado wildlife officials said it might be a raccoon with mange.

My initial thought is that it’s a coati, an animal found as far north as Arizona and sometimes kept as a pet. It’s not unusual to see coati in unexpected places. It’s unclear what it’s doing in Colorado, but it’s only a “cryptid” is the loosest interpretation of the word. Meanwhile, mystery mongering sites like Coast to Coast AM promoted this story with a sensationalist headline. This kind of treatment is really disappointing and leads to the audience being misinformed or alarmed. There is no good excuse for such awful framing of an interesting animal story.

AI cryptid articles – It’s how stuff works

I have mentioned AI generated cryptids several times in this publication – videos, photos, and monsters that came from AI image-generation apps. But now I’m starting to notice that AI-written articles on cryptids are becoming a common thing. Several “infotainment” sites quickly generate pieces to capitalize on a trending news story or subject. Cryptids are one of those topics. The popular site How Stuff Works revealed just how their stuff works, by using AI to produce a recent article on the Loveland Frog. This article followsr news coverage for the frogman’s festival in March. The content is unoriginal, just more AI slop we have to wade through.

Squishables Mothman series

Squishables are sold in many toy and gift stores across the country. Their newest series of cuddly plushies is an array of fun Mothman critters. My favorite is the Rosy Maple mothman (genius!) – modeled after the stunning yellow and pink rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda). I remember the first time I saw a rosy maple moth and could not believe it was real! And now it’s a variety of mothman. Check out the other varieties.

The Hebridean Mermaid

A woman who pretends to be a mermaid landed a gig promoting a new BBC series about mermaid tales and folklore around the waters of northern Scotland. Looks like a cool topic for programming!

Many people “become” mermaids by donning tails and learning how to dance underwater. If you aren’t aware of how popular indulging in mermaid fantasy is these days is, you can check out a series on Netflix called MerPeople. It’s an eye-opener.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7hUc8HVSFk

Old-school cryptozoologist-types reject mermaids as cryptids, calling them “fantasy” creatures. But this take is proof of how the idea of ‘cryptids’ is selective and changes over time. There are undoubtedly cases in the centuries gone by, and even now in non-Western news reports, of people who say they have seen mermaids. It’s no joke. Although many faked videos attempt to capitalize on that belief, most are poorly done hoaxes.

Remember in 2012, there was a huge hubbub about Mermaids: A Body Found aired on the Discovery Network. There was NO doubt that more than a few people who knew nothing of nature accepted that Mermaids: A Body Found was a science show about real mermaids.

Are mermaids cryptids? Absolutely. They are legendary, culturally known, and we have plenty of documented claims asserting they really exist, and some that claim they had been captured. There is no line between cryptids and folklore/fantasy creatures now. It’s all the same concept.

Ogopogo float may sink

The City of Kelowna, B.C. has had a parade float for decades. The most popular design for the float has been that of the local Lake Okanagan monster, Ogopogo. According to The Kelowna Courier, for more than 50 years, the float has featured various representations of Ogopogo. Back in 2016, there was an idea to highlight other tourism opportunities of Kelowna with the float. That didn’t go over well, and after a public outcry, the town’s beloved cryptid was restored. Now the float requires repairs and the city council determined they just can’t afford the steep price tag. So, Canadian parades will be without Ogopogo for a time.

Cryptid Media: More podcasts

Here’s another podcast recommendation. Check out Squaring the Strange episode no 250 – Cryptids go Pop! where I was invited to discuss my interests, and this publication, with Ben and Celestia.

For some deep dives, check out the Bigfoot two-part episode and the Loch Ness Monster three-part treatment from the Mythillogical podcast – a well-researched tour through the folklore aspects of these two cryptids. If Charles and Crofty are reading, feel free to message me if you need help with North American pronunciations.

Thanks for reading! Send comments, questions, or suggestions to sharon(at)sharonahill.com. If you want to send some cryptid plushies or other merch, or books to review, email for my physical mailing address.

For more, click on Pop goes the Cryptid landing page. Make sure you subscribe to all the posts – it’s always free and I don’t send annoying spam. 

Pop Cryptid Spectator is also available on Substack. Please share this with cryptid fans you know!

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#1 #chupacabra #cryptid #Cryptozoology #deathOfAUnicorn #popCryptid #reddit #rollerCoaster #scientific #seaSerpents #Skinwalker #Wendigo

https://sharonahill.com/?p=9144

#SchönesGegenDoofes

Das hat mir meine beste Freundin heute zum Frühstück mitgebracht. Einfach so.

Beste Freundin von allen... 😍🧜‍♀️

#Meerjungfrau #mermaid #Becher #Radiergummi #BuntStattBraun

#SchönesGegenDoofes

Das hat mir meine beste Freundin heute zum Frühstück mitgebracht. Einfach so.

Beste Freundin von allen... 😍🧜‍♀️

#Meerjungfrau #mermaid #Becher #Radiergummi #BuntStattBraun

Lusty Advent!
~~~~~~~~~~
24 - Merry Christmas

Each day of December from the 1st to the 24th I posted a new little drawing from the world of Lusty.
I hope you enjoyed it <3

Support me on Patreon!
https://patreon.com/danmappart

#LustyAdvent #Lusty #Nysma #Tikki #Snakelord #Dulfradil #Badru #Lilya #Rongo #Lme #Bolga #Ashmodai #Swig #LewdFairy #Jellifer #elf #werewolf #witch #slimegirl #bunnygirl #demon #monster #fairy #cthulhu #mermaid #AdventCalendar #Christmas #screenreaderfriendly

#mermaid #sirenas #ocean #water #oceano #oceanography #mermaids

Das Buch „Meerjungfrauenträume“ von Kathrin welche unter Katalina Farnur schreibt ist jetzt auch als eBook zu bekommen.
Den Link zum Verlag wo ihr beides bekommen könnt findet ihr unter https://www.katalina-farnur.de

#katalinaFarnur #meerjungfrau #mermaid #mermaids #siren #mermaidlife #mermaidtail #meer #mermaiding #nixe #meerjungfrauen #sirena #thelittlemermaid #mermaidart #water #art #underwater #fantasy #sea #sereia #arielle #mermaidlover #mermaidlove #sirene #Schriftstellerin #bookondemand

"Deep" tea tableau for 08/07/24

#Tea #Teableau #TeaCozy #TeaCosy #GreenTea #Mermaid #TreasureChest #Octopus #Ocean #Sea #GlassArt #ArtGlass #VintageChina #AdagioTea #Summer

Las sirenas probablemente deberían ser consideradas mamíferos marinos. Aparte de la mitad humana que puede respirar fuera del agua, mueven la cola como los delfines. Son mamíferos con escamas. #showerthoughs #mermaid #sirenas