# 1832/whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [November 26, 2016, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019 "2016-11-26T05:37:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/21 "2016-11-28T18:52:51Z")
> [@HenryG](#): > > WATCHWOLF49 > However, it actually really easy to prove Global Warming isn’t happening … just measure the temperatures over 100 years … and here’s the results … this is real science !!! > > FTG > A few weeks ago in the far Canadian Arctic temps were 40 degrees F above normal. The ice coverage in the Arctic started to go down. In October. When ice normally increases fastest. > > Folks, you are missing the point. The issue is not whether or not global warming exists. The issue is that there is no way of telling whether global warming (if any) is due to humans or due to non-human phenomena. We cannot tell because we cannot set up an experiment to tests it. > > For Nessie, the same analogy applies. We cannot set up an experiment, to be run under controlled conditions, to determine the monster’s existence. We can look, but if we find nothing we will not be able to decide whether that result is due to poor searching or because there is nothing to find. As I said, believe what you want to believe. “Keep looking until you find it!” isn’t science-it’s wishful thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Trancephalic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trancephalic/32/380_2.png) [@Trancephalic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancephalic)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/22 "2016-11-28T21:52:51Z")
[Here’s an interesting breakdown of the LNM.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3MzM1gFDZs) King Kong as a catalyst is an interesting angle to take. Though it kinda interesting that Avatar didn’t spawn a whole new bestiary of cryptids–testament how inconsequential it is as a cultural touchstone, methinks. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/23 "2016-11-29T05:57:31Z")
The OP should not was authoritative on subjects he seems to know nothing about. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/24 "2016-11-29T14:02:26Z")
> [@HenryG](#): > > We cannot tell because we cannot set up an experiment to tests it. This is a fundamental failure to understand the basics of Science. Take the Earth being round. (I hope, hope, hope you’re not a Flat Earther as well.) Why is it round? Due to the enormous pressure of gravity. But can we do an _experiment_ to prove this? That is, can we assemble a planet size mass and see if becomes round over time? Of course not! What do we have instead: data, calculations, etc. Exactly like with human caused global climate change! I have no idea why people with such an deep lack of basic knowledge about something question the results produced by experts. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/25 "2016-11-29T17:40:06Z")
I’ve often wondered if it was a big hoax by the locals made in order to bring in tourist money. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/26 "2016-12-05T21:13:29Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > I’ve often wondered if it was a big hoax by the locals made in order to bring in tourist money. Yep, I’ve seen the promotion materials - “Tired of freezing Titan? Come visit Earth, it’s nothing but warmth, warmth, warmth, all Earth-year long. Earth - we’ve got nowhere to go but up!” ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2016, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/27 "2016-12-06T03:13:55Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > I’ve often wondered if it was a big hoax by the locals made in order to bring in tourist money. Such a thing has been done. IIRC It was the Silver Lake Serpent. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/28 "2019-09-09T17:39:32Z")
Updating this thread depressing news: > [@](#): > > The Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel, according to a fishy new theory that will keep Highland tourists guessing. > > In one of the biggest DNA studies of its kind, a team of scientists from New Zealand’s Otago University found the presence of about 3,000 species in the deep murky waters of the Scottish loch. > > Most of the creatures were very small, and while they did detect DNA from pigs, deer, sticklebacks and humans, there were no monsters. But Prof Neil Gemmell, who led the study, said he couldn’t rule out a theory that eels in the loch have grown to an extreme size. > **[Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel, say scientists](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/05/loch-ness-monster-could-be-a-giant-eel-say-scientists)** > > Otago University researchers confirm the loch contains no monster – or dinosaur – DNA ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/29 "2019-09-09T18:14:01Z")
> [@](#): > > You could make the same three observations about the existence of human-created global warming. No, not until you take away the “air quotes” from the word “evidence”. There is scientific evidence that clearly shows that humans are pouring greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at an alarming rate. We know exactly what carbon dioxide and, even worse, methane do from laboratory experiments. We can clearly measure how much CO2 is being belched into the atmosphere. We clearly see evidence of the warming earth releasing pockets of what used to be frozen methane into the atmosphere. It’s not AT ALL like the Loch Ness myth. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/30 "2019-09-09T18:50:53Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Updating this thread depressing news: > > [Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel, say scientists | Science | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/05/loch-ness-monster-could-be-a-giant-eel-say-scientists) I don’t see that as depressing – those motherfuckers are HUGE. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/31 "2019-09-09T18:58:48Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I don’t see that as depressing – those motherfuckers are HUGE. But are they _screaming_ eels? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/32 "2019-09-09T19:31:40Z")
And is your hovercraft full of them? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/33 "2019-09-09T20:49:09Z")
Just as a heads-up, this thread was started 3 years ago, and the OP has not been active for more than a year. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/34 "2019-09-13T12:05:49Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > The OP should **not was** authoritative on subjects he seems to know nothing about. [WAS (not was)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgiDcJi534Y) 😃 Apologies for the earworm! ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019/35 "2019-09-13T12:15:08Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Updating this thread depressing news: > > [Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel, say scientists | Science | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/05/loch-ness-monster-could-be-a-giant-eel-say-scientists) Interesting… no mention of catfish or sturgeon DNA which I assumed were the prevailing theories these days. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1832-whats-the-verdict-on-the-loch-ness-monster/773019.md?page=1)