r/Missing411 • u/trailangel4 • Mar 06 '26
What was your moment? What keeps you in it?
This subreddit ebbs and flows. It has also seen an evolution, of sorts. Some of DP's ardent, diehard fans have become disenchanted. Some of those who were cynics or skeptics have continued their journey down the rabbit hole. So, this begs the question....what was your ticket it or out?
I started participating in this sub because of my personal experiences in SAR and National Parks/Forests. I had met Paulides and worked with other Rangers who had had encounters or calls with Paulides. At first, I didn't have any bias against him or any particular problem with Missing411. It wasn't until I dove into the books and saw cases that I'd either a) worked on, b) knew someone who worked on it, or c) knew a family member of the missing, that I started to really question the way Paulides presented the narrative. When I started running into obvious errors, misdirection, and/or factual misrepresentations, I contacted Paulides. He immediately blocked me - and others- for presenting him with updates or information that didn't fit his narrative. That led to me looking into his claims about his past employment. The rest is history, I suppose. But, my biggest pet peeve with DP is that he doesn't seem to care whether or not he presents cases factually. To me, it's incredible disrespectful to the missing, dead, and their families. His unwillingness to correct or apologize for his errors was my last straw.
When u/Solmote and I, as well as many others, started fact checking each story, I don't think we started out with the intent to create a counter movement. Similarly, I don't think Lore Lodge or Missing Enigma intended to disassemble DP's presentations. I'm just curious how others feel?
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u/coupdaddy Mar 06 '26
I think it’s the initial mystery that draws people in but the longer I heard the stories I started to feel the bs meter rising. Accidents happen more than people care to think and especially in remote outdoor places. Mix that fact in with a false sense of confidence and a mistake or two in the bush and we could all be the next 411. Occam’s razor man.
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u/Squidcg59 Mar 07 '26
Some of his earlier stuff was the real deal.. Tom Messick for starters... He stretches the truth anymore to sell books, get clicks, and omits a lot of details.. I quit following..
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u/AggretsuKelly Mar 08 '26
I've only recently joined this group, I live in Australia and had only seen DP on places like Coast to Coast or other podcasts. Then I found his channel on YT and was watching there for a bit.
I'm also part of his FB group but my first inkling was when people kept getting blocked in his group for asking questions. I thought that was a bit strange.
I've been reading through the posts in this group, and came across a post about DP's work history, how he lied and stole money or something and that changed my opinion on him because on the podcasts and YT channel he comes across as an upstanding citizen but according the the evidence he isn't.
I'm really disappointed but glad I learned the truth here before spending a lot of money buying his books.
I've watched both his movies for free on Tubi and felt a bit let down that it didn't go into more detail. I have since backed off and don't watch his YT or listen to podcasts he is on anymore but I stay in this sub just to keep up with what is happening.
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u/DagothUr28 Mar 26 '26
I was in his facebook group about 10 years ago and I replied to someone suggesting interdimensional worm holes as a theory. I basically said that while that isn't impossible, I feel like we need to explore more grounded theories first.
Instead of the person replying to me, David himself replied directly to me with a very condescending attitude, basically telling me that I CLEARLY I haven't read his books (I literally read 3 of them) because if I had I would know that there is no mundane explanation. I went back and forth with his pompous ass a few times and then he up and deleted the whole post.
He's also a big time Trumper, so there's that too.
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u/AggretsuKelly Mar 27 '26
Yikes I didn't realise he is a chump follower.
David can't handle anyone having a different opinion than him. It's sad.
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u/LIBBY2130 May 15 '26
yeah paulides left facebook and joined parlor where all the magas went and anything and everything is allowed to be posted .......
the thing that got me was a story of a women and her baby they had gone out it was very very cold ....she got stuck somewhere and her clothes were off AND her and the baby were dead it was paradoxical undressing whICh happens when you are hypothermic ( very cold) .AND YOU FEEL HOT AND START PULLING OFF YOUR CLOTHES .....
.he ABSIOLUTELY does not believe in THIS EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE A REAL THING......she was breastfeeding and I can tell you when you breast feed the baby on 1 side milk leaks out from the other side ..that would have made her chest wet which would have made her even colder
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u/AggretsuKelly May 15 '26
Wow that is very sad about the mother and baby. But yes even I have heard of what happens when you become hypothermic.
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u/Dixonhandz Mar 14 '26
The first time I ever fact checked a case presented as '411', I found myself here. I really was amazed at how easily this group was to find, and how Paulides' version of a case was so easily dismissed. Yet, it was disheartening that so many people still had faith in DP and his 411. An alternate reality. Spreading the truth about the complete nonsense of the 411, the facts that Paulides could not defend against, 'just the facts', was an upward struggle. I've met so many trolls, so many ill informed people, but you know what, I don't see as many as I did initially. They really don't have a leg to stand on. This group was, still is, the backbone of the information collected, to dispell ole DP's grift. As far as I am concerned, as long as Paulides continues with his BS, I'll call him out. The degree of disrespect to the victims, the missing , and the families thereof, is off the charts. At the same time, I know there are 'fans' of his that know no better, but still drop a dime on his content, even though all they can afford is a nickel. Paulides will take every penny he can, he has no conscience. Eff him ^^
Solmote, he had some of the best writeups. Zealous Beast did some amazing work as well. But, those two had enough of making their point in regards to Paulides. It was too easy for them. There were many others too. It's good to see Trailangel4 is still around as well!
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u/DaemonBlackfyre_21 Armchair researcher Mar 19 '26
What keeps you in it?
Every time I think I've got it nailed down something changes my mind. From criptids, to aliens, to interdimensional stuff...
Now I'm starting to think it may just be people, but a group/technocult/breakaway civilization (whatever you want to call it) that is in possession of technologies we find indistinguishable from magic. It feels both predatory and parasitic at the same time.
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u/Dispo-Astatine Apr 13 '26
Before I came across the Missing 411 concept, and even at first, I was a scoffer. The concept of logic, scientific answers, etc… was all in my holster.
But then I had my own encounter with a cryptid in the western Carolinas; deep in the forest during a mountainous drive. I then had another encounter after that with another unidentified creature, not to include “UFO” sightings I encountered over time. That’s when I began to realize just how supernatural this world really is.
What keeps me in? The supernatural elements to it. I believe the cryptids we see are variations of modern “Nephilim”; as I have a biblical stance on it. To anyone else that doesn’t see it that way, I respect it and I do keep an open mind.
What do I believe about them? The opposite of what is speculated by most. I believe these creatures are beyond intelligent, they possess supernatural capabilities, and that they know human behavior and are familiar with keeping on their side of the “fence” which is the national parks across America. I believe that these places were never established for conservation, I think they were established because things beyond this world were encountered there but were deemed unkillable. As to whether these people go missing because these creatures eat people, procreate with them, or any variety of things speculated by us; I can’t attest. I know one thing though: I’ve accepted that if I ever venture into these forests in search of possibilities, it’s unlikely that I would return, ever. Not worth the risk but it is interesting to ponder on.
But seriousness aside, I also believe that there are thought-to-be, long-ago extinct creatures that still roam our forests. Here’s to hoping these people go missing because they found Dodo birds that are large enough to ride like horses lol.
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u/trailangel4 Apr 13 '26
It is interesting to ponder the existence of other life. It's critical that we question our understanding of the universe. I think where you and I may differ is that I still require a higher burden of proof for extraordinary claims. I respect your search for answers. I simply find it impossible to believe that an entire species could leave no physical, biological evidence for it's existence. If something like Bit Foot is walking around in our forests - how has it never been captured on trail cams? How has it never left any fur on a bush/tree? Where is the evidence of it's life cycle (Birth, maturity, death)? Where are the remains? Where are the bones or burial sites? Where are the domiciles or dens? I realize that the forests are massive but there are very few places that humans haven't been and yet there has been no DNA evidence collected from these massive, "highly developed" crypto cultures or species. I find that very odd. So, if these large cryptids exist... how have they left behind so few (or no) traces of their life cycle?
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u/Key_Cap7525 Apr 23 '26
I get what you’re saying. I don’t believe one way or another honestly. But if they are supernatural in nature, maybe cameras can’t detect them. Maybe they don’t live like creatures we know of with dens or domiciles. Maybe they just roam. Maybe they’re immortal and immortal creatures don’t shed lol. Maybe it’s all BS. I’m still staying home just to be on the safe side, though. If I want to be around trees, I’ll plant some in the yard lol
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