Internet Prank on Bigfoot Proves Unprofitable, Fails to Generate $2 Million in Online Revenue
In the summer of 2008, a sensational news story swept across the globe, claiming the discovery of a Bigfoot corpse in the north Georgia mountains. The story, spearheaded by Matthew Whitton, a police officer on medical leave, and Rick Dyer, was first unveiled on YouTube, quickly gaining traction and sparking widespread excitement among Bigfoot believers and the general public alike.
However, the story soon took a turn for the controversial. Major news outlets, including CBS and ABC, covered the story, but ethical considerations and legal risks associated with such hoaxes began to surface. Jerry Parrino, owner of an internet Halloween costume retailer, recognised the "corpse" as one of their products after viewing photos, further casting doubt on the authenticity of the find.
The hoaxers faced public embarrassment and loss of credibility, with Whitton even facing potential termination from his job due to the fraud. The author of this article cannot help but ponder a fleeting thought: was the real hoax that the Bigfoot was real, and the hoaxers were made to discredit themselves to keep it quiet?
Despite the potential for monetization from the 2008 Bigfoot hoax, it is unlikely that the duo made significant financial gains. The potential for monetary reward from such a hoax was likely much lower than the $2 million often speculated. The author of this article, who prefers a blog free of advertisements over earning a few million dollars from it, agrees that legitimate marketing strategies are more sustainable and less risky for businesses and individuals compared to sensational hoaxes.
The "corpse" was later revealed to be a rubber gorilla costume, stuffed with opossum roadkill, entrails, and slaughterhouse leftovers, further solidifying the hoax's fabricated nature. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of critical thinking in the age of viral internet content, and the power of sensational news to generate attention, often at the expense of truth and credibility.
Interestingly, Dyer's subsequent hoax in 2012, involving another fake Bigfoot body, might have resulted in significant financial gains through charging admission fees for viewing the creature. Dyer earned close to $500,000 from this hoax, demonstrating the potential for monetization in such deceptive practices.
In conclusion, while Dyer’s 2014 hoax explicitly netted around $60,000, the 2008 hoax’s exact earnings remain unspecified but were likely substantial given the media coverage and public interest it attracted. The craze to monetize views with "click-bait" is part of what killed the Internet, reminding us of the importance of truth, credibility, and critical thinking in the digital age.
*References: [1] Bigfoot Evidence. (2014). Bigfoot Discovery. Retrieved from https://bigfooteVIDENCE.com/bigfoot-discovery/ [2] National Geographic. (2008). Bigfoot Hoax: The Real Story. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/07/bigfoot-hoax-real-story.html
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