Okay. This is better.
Coyote Peterson and his team have addressed the most controversial part of their previous Bigfoot video.
A new video on the Brave Wilderness channel clearly states that what Coyote did in the first video's hypothetical (fictional) narrative was NOT what you're supposed to do.
They don't directly address the controversy itself (obviously because this was all filmed before any of that). But at least they DO address the problem of depicting Coyote "smuggling" out a great ape skull from a national park.
Coyote also released a new Instagram post that directly addresses the same issue. Unlike the video, this post seems to have been written within the context of the backlash.
Many of the comments from viewers and followers are... less than understanding. And, frankly, most of the complaints and criticisms from fans and experts have been completely legitimate and warranted. But I also want to give credit where credit is due.
I don't think it's right to call this a hoax.
Clickbait? Publicity stunt? Yes. But not a hoax.
I think it's clear that Coyote's intent was not to deceive, but to entertain. And, within the context of the video alone, a very important question is raised: why HASN'T anyone like Coyote Peterson or any number of Bigfoot enthusiasts found a Bigfoot skull yet?
Perhaps the idea was to create a kind of ARG (alternate reality game) for his audience. And in another context, that would be a great, engaging idea.
But context is everything. And when ARG-style content is presented within the context of educational material, with no disclaimer or additional contextual clues, problems are inevitable.
Again, Coyote's videos DID contain clear disclaimers. But the Instagram post--the thing we saw first, and which informed everyone's initial responses to the videos--had no disclaimers at all.
I do still respect and admire Coyote Peterson and the Brave Wilderness crew's work. I am confident that they will address the controversy directly soon, and I am sure they never intended to actually deceive their audience.
But mistakes are mistakes. And, though he is one of my personal heroes in the realm of online content, I wouldn't be a very good hoax blogger if I didn't broach this topic and recognize this Bigfoot debacle as what it is: a problematic and poorly executed publicity stunt.
Safe travels,
--Sean
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