The Truth behind Mermaids
The idea of mermaids has fascinated the human mind since time immemorial. Sometimes, it is out of pure fantasy and at other times, individuals and organizations front evidence to support the claims on the existence of mermaids. However, no single answer has been agreed upon despite the debates that this question has faced. I have always doubted the existence of a half human in water. I have believed the issue to be a strong myth. However, the mention of mermaids in different forums and disciplines as well as numerous researches and documentaries on the existence of mermaids carries significant weight and probably mermaids do exist. This research proposal will seek to respond to the question, “do mermaids really exist?” as I seek the truth on this fascinating yet controversial debate that has raged on for thousands of years.
In order to research this subject appropriately, I will have to assiduously analyze the points provided by both sides of the aisle, that is, those who say that mermaids do exist and those who refute the concept of mermaids. Only after listing down the arguments and counter arguments will I be better able to understand the concept and reach an appropriate conclusion. Moreover, I will research about the credibility of the resources that I use in order to substantiate the claims made on both sides. The mere opinion will distort the research essay. I will have to separate opinion and hearsay from the solid facts.
Moreover, while researching about the existence of mermaids, I will also have to study some ancient myths and trace their source. Sometimes, stories that we presume to be myths today were actually based on some real event in the past centuries. Therefore, discarding myths merely on the basis of their being called so would not be advisable in my research. I will have to trace every detail to its origin as far as possible in order to determine its truth. In reaching my conclusion, I will make sure I point out the exact arguments that made me incline towards the conclusion that I penned down.
Some of the sources I am going to use will be leading websites in discussing controversial matters. The first of these is slate.com which carried an article titled “No, Mermaids Do Not Exist” by David Shiffman. Shiffman is a Ph.D student at the University of Miami’s Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. He writes for numerous science magazines and sites such as Southern Fried Science. In this article, he dispels claims by Animal planet which aired two documentaries claiming that there is scientific evidence on the existence of mermaids. He reveals several issues about the ocean to counter the allegations in the documentaries and asserts that indeed mermaids do not exist. The seriousness of this source stems from the scholar being a marine biologist and the valuable evidence that he fronts in an organized manner.
Another article titled “Mermaids do not exist, and five other important things people should, but do not, know about the ocean” in the Southern Fried Science by David Shiffman also seeks to dispel the existence of mermaids. In this case, Shiffman educates people on issues about the oceans such as the exploitation of marine resources; presence of rare marine life among others issues (Shiffman, 2015). Though related to the first, the knowledge about marine life helps the research to evaluate the soundness of a humanoid or a half-human to exist in water for all its life.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is claimed to have fronted claims on the existence of mermaids and its assertion renders the research as a balanced exploration of the research topic. A blog claims that the NOAA wrote an article titled“Conclusive Evidence of the Existence of Aquatic Humanoids” in which it asserts on the existence of mermaids using Paleolithic evidence and the prevalence of mermaids in cave paintings. The blog bears video links to the figures that are claimed to be mermaids and this serves as a good source to explore the validity of the claims. Later the NOAA claimed that there is no evidence of aquatic humanoids. However it gives credit to the belief that has existed in varying literatures for many years. It somehow leaves the debate open to historians, anthropologists and historians.
The assertion by NOAA denouncing the existence of mermaids prompted Joseph Castro writing for livescience.com to write an article titled “are mermaids real?”. Castro was prompted by a show that aired in the Animal Planet television channel in 2012 claiming that mermaids exist. The video is one of the main basic of the research and watching it will open a gateway into studying to verify or denounce the existence of mermaids. Shortly after the documentary was aired, NOAA denounced claims stating that there is no evidence on the existence of mermaids. However, the existence of mermaids bears weight given the high prevalence for belief in their existence and the many years that people have, written, researched, and even claimed to have interacted with the mysterious humanoids.
References
Castro, J. (2014, May 25). Are Mermaids Real? Retrieved February 29, 2016, from Livescience: http://www.livescience.com/45733-are-mermaids-real.html
Mermaids are real, says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2015, February 5). Retrieved February 29, 2016, from https://missiongalacticfreedom.wordpress.com/2015/02/05/mermaids-are-real-says-the-national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminsitration . (2015, February 26). Are mermaids real? Retrieved February 29, 2016, from http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/mermaids.html
Shiffman, D. (2015). Mermaids do not exist and five other important things people should, but do not, know about the ocean. Retrieved February 29, 2015, from http://www.southernfriedscience.com/mermaids-do-not-exist-and-five-other-important-things-people-should-but-do-not-know-about-the-ocean/
Shiffman, D. (2013, September 3). No, Mermaids Do Not Exist. Retrieved February 29, 2016, from http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/05/mermaids_aren_t_real_animal_planet_s_fake_documentaries_misrepresent_ocean.html
