From a modern, Science-based perspective, this massive influx of merpeople sightings mentioned in the introduction seems to be a kind of mass hysteria, or an obsession with grasping at the unknown. Men traveling the Atlantic and Pacific seas may have been losing their minds, but what if they weren’t? The human mind is certainly capable of creating illusions or hallucinations, but the ancient sea, which is still widely untouched, may be holding more than we may ever know. Did they see an actual human-fish hybrid? probably not, but they could have seen creatures beyond their comprehension or get crazy weird vibes off the water they were sailing. Word of mouth and drawings on maps were all they had, and influenced them in their travels. If the greatest of minds during this time period were so invested in understanding these merpeople and the New World, then why shouldn’t it be considered science?