When I launched The Curious Toad, the concept stemmed from my innate curiosity. I love to learn about new topics and hear new ideas. I enjoy challenging the status quo. I enjoy the wonder of “What if…?” Not in a fearful way, but rather with wonder.
The intrigue of the unknown is appealing to countless folks like me. We wonder about—literally—everything. We appreciate conspiracy theories but don’t stake our lives on the them. We question everything. Some say we’re oppositional. I say it’s good to learn, explore, and wonder about the world around us.
Recently, during an Easter trip to Loch Ness, Canadian expats Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman photographed a mysterious object in the water, sparking speculation that it could be the Loch Ness Monster. While the couple remains skeptical, they submitted the image to a sightings website for fun, leading to widespread media attention as the first alleged sighting of 2024. Although they suspect the object might have been a seal, the couple enjoys the excitement and the sense of wonder it has reignited in their lives.
That sense of wonder is what it’s about. At least for me. And it led back to the childhood legend of the Loch Ness Monster.
What is the Loch Ness Monster?
The Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie, is a legendary creature said to inhabit Scotland’s Loch Ness. Described as large with a long neck and humps, Nessie has been a part of Scottish folklore for decades. Public interest surged after George Spicer’s alleged July 22, 1933 sighting, leading to numerous reports of a mysterious creature.
In November 1933, Hugh Gray's published photograph sparked global interest, leading to countless sightings and theories about the creature. Ninety years after the first alleged photograph of the Loch Ness Monster was published, the debate between fiction and reality persists.
When I consider the existence of such a being, I think of a water-dwelling brontosaurus, and pictures from my childhood still come to mind. Fact or fiction, the images remain.
Perception and imagination fuel belief in such legends and folklore, with minimal evidence to sustain them. Despite advances in technology, the allure of mystery and the reinforcement of preconceived beliefs keep myths alive.
Despite the clear lack of substantial evidence, we still wonder. We allow curiosity to swirl and ideas to develop. According to Brittanica.com, researchers conducted a DNA survey of Loch Ness in 2018 to determine what could be living in the waters of Scotland’s Loch Ness. “No signs of a plesiosaur or other such large animal were found, though the results indicated the presence of numerous eels. This finding left open the possibility that the monster is an oversized eel.”
Although no definitive findings were achieved, the ongoing fascination with the Loch Ness monster emphasizes the blurred line between myth and reality. The tension lies in how easily myths can take root with minimal evidence, often due to human perception, imagination, and a desire for mystery. Sometimes, this desire can overshadow the truth.
One thing is certain: the legend of Nessie remains popular and profitable. Thanks to curious travellers, adventure seekers, and even scientists, Scotland's economy benefits from $80 million annually.
Stay Curious.
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