Mobile phone video footage of what appears to be a gnome has sent locals in a South American town into a wave of fear.
There is very much a cult following building up around the gnome. And the phenomenon is already going global, with other gnome sightings reported in Switzerland. There's no news as to what the gnome actually is, so for now we can only take it at face value and believe that there is a creepy gnome on the run.
Watch the video to check out the phenomenon for yourself.
Storybook Character Sightings
Gnome Spotted in South America
Trend Themes
1. Mythical Creature Sightings - There is an opportunity for businesses specializing in augmented/virtual reality experiences to create immersive and interactive experiences around sightings of mythical creatures like gnomes.
2. Viral Fear Phenomena - The rise of citizen journalism and social media has led to the quick spread of viral fear phenomena, creating opportunities for businesses to monitor such phenomena and offer solutions to mitigate fear and panic.
3. Cryptozoology Tourism - There is potential for the travel industry to tap into the growing trend of cryptozoology tourism by offering curated tours and experiences designed for enthusiasts of mythical creature sightings.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can leverage the popularity of mythical creature sightings and viral fear phenomena by creating movies, TV shows, books, and games around them.
2. Technology - The flying drones, mobile cameras, and artificial intelligence technologies can be used to fuel the hype of mythical creature sightings and viral fear phenomena.
3. Hospitality - Adventure-themed hotels and resorts could benefit by offering rooms and experiences that cater to cryptozoology tourism.