Sasquatch Author Talks ‘Citizen Science’ at Centralia College’s Free Lecture Series

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David George Gordon cannot definitely prove that the Sasquatch exists, but he isn’t willing to rule out the possibility.

“I would just like to see in my lifetime someone resolve this,” Gordon said. 

Gordon is the author of “The Sasquatch Seeker’s Field Manual: Using Citizen Science to Uncover North America’s Most Elusive Creature” and his lecture was one of ten that Centralia College will host as part of its weekly Lyceum lecture series.

“He’s kind of a quirky guy,” said Shelley Bannish, who is the director of Student Life & Involvement and organizes the lectures. “I’ve had him here twice doing his presentation as the ‘bug guy.’ … I knew he did this other presentation as well and I thought it would be interesting to bring that topic to the campus, too.”

Gordon also wrote “The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook,” in which he outlines 40 ways to cook various bugs. Bannish said that many of her colleagues have requested that she book more speakers to discuss the Sasquatch mystery, and she thought of Gordon.

Gordon’s presentation focused on how people can become “citizen scientists,” which he believes will bring society closer to uncovering the mystery of the Sasquatch. Citizen scientists are people who are properly trained to collect accurate information and data about nature and the environment that experts can later analyze.

“What we need is some fresh evidence,” said Gordon during the lecture.

Although he hears stories of Sasquatch evidence from many credible sources, Gordon said that scientists are often concerned about their status in academia. Should they say the Sasquatch may exist, it could hurt their credibility.

“It could hold back your promotion or something if people think you’re a flake,” Gordon said. “It’s kind of unfortunate, because, if anything, you’re showing that your’re naturally curious.”

The people who study creatures who are only rumored to exist are called “cryptozoologists.” Gordon noted that although people in academia may be cryptozoologists on the side, he meets many cryptozoologists in training.



“I think there are a lot of amateur cryptozoologists,” Gordon said. “It’s funny because when I give these talks, I’m often talking to a kind of brainiac 10-year-old who dragged their parents to my talk.”

Gordon noted that there are many animals that are commonly known today that society didn’t always know existed. He used the giant panda as an example.

“As recently as 1905, people outside of China had not seen this creature,” Gordon said.

Gordon said that he wants society to solve the mystery of the Sasquatch in his lifetime. To do this, he shares what he knows and encourages others to collect evidence through his writing and lectures.

“People crave mystery,” Gordon said. “We don’t want to know everything even though we keep finding more, and more, and more detail about things. I think there are a lot of people who can really relate to this sort of wild spirit.”

This presentation was part of Centralia College’s weekly Lyceum lectures that are free and open to the public. The remaining lectures in this quarter include “Feminism and Popular Culture,” “Listen to Your Gut! Learn How to Brew Your Own Kombucha and Why,” “International Student Panel,” “Introducing a Modern Holistic Anthropology Program at Centralia College” and “The Growing World of ESports.”

Bannish said that she is just beginning to schedule the winter Lyceum series, and that people may reach out to her with ideas for speakers or topics. There will be 10 lectures in the series.

The lectures take place from 1-1:50 p.m. on Wednesdays in Washington Hall room 103 at Centralia College. For more information, go to https://www.centralia.edu/news/lyceum-schedule.html.