Pseudoscience is by definition,"a collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on scientific method." And as we have learned through our course, pseudoscience relies on fast thinking and heuristics, whereas science relies on slow and critical thinking. Please keep that in mind when you read this post about the New Jersey Devil and draw conclusions based on your own beliefs.
According to AtlanticCounty.org, there are many stories about the New Jersey devil and his origins. One of the most common stories takes place in Leeds Point, and on a stormy night a woman known as mother Leeds (who had been known to be a sorceress) gave birth to a deformed child. This child was confined until he one day broke free, creating the birth of the Jersey Devil. His birthplace is called the pine barrens which is located 1700 square feet across southeastern New Jersey.
There have been many word of mouth stories of sightings from 1735 until this day. However, things turned when actual police reports were filed after nearly 30 sightings of the Jersey Devil in one week around 1909. At this point scientists were asked to help determine what this creature could be- a prehistoric creature? Was the creature a sandy hill crane, or something else? No one could or can come up with an answer.
As the Jersey shore has become a very populated and place for vacation, less sightings of the devil have been reported. However people still believe in his existence and more stories of the Jersey Devil are certain to come. Personally, it is hard for me to fathom the idea of the Jersey Devil without any real scientific backed evidence. Theres no proof of him, not even a scale or a piece of his body- whatever it may be made of.
Pseudoscience contains many different beliefs in many different topics, such as the Loch Ness monster, the Abominable snow man and even topics such as astrology. For me, I need to see it to believe it. When I think slowly and critically as science requires, it is hard for me to imagine such things existing without any sort of proof. Until the day evidence proves me wrong, these topics will remain unbelievable to me.
resources:
https://www.atlantic-county.org/history/jersey-devil-pg3.asp
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Melinda, I have also wrote about the Jersey Devil for our blog. I agree with you that it is very hard to believe without seeing with your own eyes. Proof is a huge factor in making these myths and legends come true and without them, it's just hard to imagine.
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