Mixed thoughts on whether the solution should be released.

[davebakedpotato]

Just wanted to note that, like most searchers, I would love closure on knowing the solution to the riddle. Even just where WWH. Because we all invested so much in it, not just time and money, but also something else. Let's call it 'soul'.

On the other hand, the final spot was very special to Forrest, and fair play to Jack, his view is that even though there's no chest there nor a certain fighter pilot gallery owner, it doesn't feel appropriate to release the location and inevitably turn it into a tourist spot.

So, what would you do?

Say you continue to try and solve the riddle. What happens if you do? Why?

[paddock]

My take on this is that not releasing the solve is entirely down to Jack.

Forrest (conspiracy theories aside!) had no control over who found the treasure and therefore must always have accepted and probably expected that the finder would reveal both the solve and the location as many would have done so.

Initially I thought that the finder was keeping the solve secret in order to monetise it - book, documentary etc. This may yet prove to be the case of course.

[bdalameda]

WWH

Near Warm Springs Creek near Dubois at the Halt Uranium Occurrence. I'm pretty sure this is it.

[gnossos]

POWERBALL: There was a Jackpot Winner for today's drawing..

EVERYBODY: Goody, what were the numbers?

POWERBALL: UM, not gonna say...that is up to the winner. :-P

[annie]

Sooner or later, someone else who has studied the poem and analysed it correctly will work out the solution. Something made Jack absolutely certain that he had found the right section In which to hunt BOTG. - it should still be possible to get as far as the area leading to the blaze (even though the rock formation or whatever has been destroyed or fractured). I would keep trying to work out the poem and what it means, nothing to gain, but nothing to lose either.

[bartleby]

When so many put so much effort into understanding hundreds of clues, and bought three books, and spent many thousands of dollars searching, it’s not right to leave them hanging.

I think it’s more than curiosity, and closure. It’s being able to learn from your efforts, to learn what ideas were far off and what ideas were on the right track.

There must be more to Jack’s reluctance to reveal the spot. The number of visitors and damage would be a temporary thing that would decrease in time. If it is on private property, it makes sense and should be revealed. But presuming it’s on public land, then there seems little justification for withholding the place - let those who oversee the property manage it.

People will continue to search for it. I agree it will likely be found without Jack’s help. But there could be more avoidable injuries and deaths.

[indulgenceseeker]

One takeaway for me from the unedited NM Tourism video is the lesson in his story of the gallery with the “you touch it; you own it” signs. He took the exact opposite approach in his gallery and never had a customer break anything.

Eventually, his special spot will be known. What if the same lesson of touching the artifacts is applied to protecting his spot. FF didn’t want the area to be spoiled. You can do that by keeping it a secret. But what if you accomplish the same goal by allowing the search community to act as a sort of Fenn’s Treasure Site Preservation Society (FTSPS) where the search community are the caretakers. Let folks know and manage the flow. Still allow physical travel to the site within bounds that are established in conjunction with jurisdictional authorities but work towards limiting physical impacts. The locals/neighbors will also contribute in these efforts as they benefit in the site's preservation.

Here’s an idea: Put multiple cameras with 24/7/365 feeds of the site. The cameras can serve as a window into Fenn’s special spot as well as a security measure to prevent vandalism. The FTSPS could create a digital remembrance book where any and all could pay respects without having to travel there.

Indulgence Seeker