Overview
In a recent commentary titled Something Strange Is Happening, Joe Hawkins argued that UFOs, Bigfoot, cryptids and other unexplained encounters are moving from the fringes into the mainstream. Hawkins suggested that what was once dismissed as tabloid fodder or internet curiosities is now being discussed more openly by major news outlets, referenced in government reports, preserved in academic archives, and debated by a public that appears increasingly willing to entertain the possibility of the paranormal.
Hawkins framed the trend as more than a pop-culture curiosity. “Something strange is happening,” he wrote, adding that he does not mind the strange and even enjoys science-fiction television such as Fringe and The X-Files. But beneath that tone, he raised a larger question: whether growing interest in bizarre sightings and unexplained phenomena could be preparing people for “something much larger.” He also tied that question to a biblical worldview, pointing to Scripture’s references to angels, demons, giants, supernatural manifestations and spiritual warfare.
Bigfoot and Other Cryptid Reports
Much of Hawkins’ column focused on Bigfoot sightings, which he presented as evidence that extraordinary claims are gaining wider attention. He pointed to a reported sighting in rural Connecticut this summer, near Pachaug State Forest, where the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) said a witness described an encounter in the early morning hours of July 5. According to Hawkins, BFRO investigators considered the account credible enough to assign it their highest level of confidence.
The Connecticut report was not the only example he cited. Hawkins noted that similar stories have surfaced across the country, including reports from Northeast Ohio involving alleged tracks and unexplained howls, as well as strange accounts emerging from Ontario. While such reports remain unverified and often disputed by local residents, Hawkins argued that their repeated appearance in public conversation shows that cryptid lore is no longer confined to obscure corners of the internet.
UFOs, UAPs and a Broader Cultural Shift
Hawkins also linked the rise in cryptid stories to the broader public fascination with UFOs and UAPs, which have been the subject of sustained government interest in recent years. He argued that disclosure efforts, media coverage and ongoing debate have helped normalize discussion of unexplained aerial phenomena. In his view, the same cultural shift that has brought UAPs into the mainstream is also creating space for other strange narratives, from ghostly encounters to legendary creatures.
That normalization, Hawkins suggested, may be part of what makes the current moment unusual. For years, he wrote, these topics were often associated with “late-night radio shows” or sensational outlets. Now, they are increasingly treated as legitimate subjects for investigation, even if the underlying claims remain highly contested. The result, he implied, is a public atmosphere more open to mystery than skepticism alone.
What the Trend Means
Hawkins’ central thesis is not simply that people are reporting strange things, but that society may be becoming accustomed to the extraordinary. He stopped short of making a specific prediction, but suggested the growing visibility of paranormal and unexplained stories could be a sign that “something bigger” lies ahead. Whether viewed through a religious lens, a cultural one or a skeptical one, his column reflects a broader reality: interest in UFOs, cryptids and other anomalies is no longer confined to the margins.
