If people are doing something they enjoy, and spending their time as they wish to, then of course it is worth it.

It’s not a one-dimensional thing. I like ciphers, and follow the Zodiac case mostly in that aspect. But I play guitar, I collect coins, I like to cook and enjoy food, I like to read, I like crossword puzzles, etc., etc., etc. On and on.

I don’t believe that I, or anyone here, is giving up their entire life to the Zodiac case. I KNOW that I am not.

-glurk

That’s a very good question.

Reflecting upon myself it seems that my efforts are better spent elsewhere, for instance, making the world a better place for everyone. In a way, I hope, this is happening already. The system/structure is slowly expanding, eventually it’ll span the globe and patches of extreme poverty will diminish.

For me this question also comes down to, what is the meaning of life? My answer is that there is none, everyone has to give their own meaning to life. Which most of the times is a delicate balancing act between various things.

@Eduard, are you from the Netherlands or Belgium perhaps? It’s an old name too.

Hi Jarlve,

I see you are from Belgium, I am from the Netherlands.

I used to spend a lot of free time hours into the night obsessing over this case, going through report after report, looking at hundreds of FBI files etc. Now, I jump on a few times a day, I will spend an hour at night researching, but that’s about it. I still want to see the case solved, it’s one of those things that I ‘just have to know’ the answer to. The case is like a great movie or book, that just ends….ala Sopranos,and leaves you frustrated. Like everybody else, I have hobbies that keep me busy. I love tv,movies, football, and I am spending a lot more time lately getting to the gym and getting in shape,and of course, I spend time with my Family too. All in all, it’s about balancing Zodiac, and everything else. If working on the case is costing you a marriage, or job, or a financial hardship, then it may not be worth it. My advice, don’t wind up like Graysmith did

Yes.

I look at it, like a cross word puzzle, keeps your mind sharp researching, pondering & looking at different angles. I was much more involve 4 -6 years ago, now spend a few hours a week on it, unless I’m working on something that needs more research.
I truly want to see this case solved.

Better than watching CSI.

I have asked myself this question as well. I have a family, I’m in school, I work more than full time, I play music. And even though this all happened so long ago that it is difficult to be sure we aren’t going over and over old ground (and I’m sure we are at times), I find that the case sharpens me. Maybe because it is real — the victims and their families, the actual documented history of the case. Something about the fact that it is a real part of history makes it of more interest to me than things that are fictional (as entertaining as they might be.) I know this activity isn’t for everyone, and someday it might not be for me. I sure hope it is solved before then, though.

The unsolved ciphers originally drew me to the case and, at this point, I’m happy to let others have at them. The one thing I’ve enjoyed the most is the wide variety of personalities and minds that have gathered on these forums over the years. There have been some very intelligent, well spoken posters that have graced them. Some members may have driven me nuts, but I’ve always appreciated a good blend of smarts, research, and imagination. If the case is never solved, it will still have been worth it to try.

Like others have said, depends on how you measure worth.

Has all the work that’s been done gotten us closer to solving the case? Eh…maybe.

Has all the time I spent studying every aspect of it given me some personal fulfillment? Probably not.

I used to believe that it was worthwhile to keep the case alive and to keep alive the memory of the victims. Sometimes I doubt that and think it might be better for everyone just to forget about it.

But one thing I am sure about is that I’ve met and talked to a lot of great people through this case, and that is what keeps me coming back here.

To answer my own question:

Yes it is worth it. It keeps the memory of the victims alive. For example, when I had my own site "The Cheri Jo Bates Website" I got contacted by the brother of Cheri. He was glad that someone was still trying to find out the truth. The murder of his sister had a deep impact on him. The same can be said about the suspect called "Barnett". He contacted me because he was glad the case was still be researched because he was branded a killer for all these years and never could clear himself 100%.

If we ever will know the truth and the true Identity of the killer? I do not know. Is it worth it to pursue this? Yes, for the victims we must….

I think ppl at this forum are pretty balanced about the case. No one seems too obsessive IMHO. I’ve been to other zodiac boards and have noticed through reading that many of those folks are much more inundated with the obsessive need to "solve" the case and prove themselves right. For me I just am interested in how investigations work and the Zodiac case seemed to be very unique – a case study if you will. I enjoy reading the theories and debates.

Hopefully the zodiac case will
Be solved some day.

I agree with ducking that maybe in some ways it would be better left in the past so it didn’t constantly drudge up traumatic memories for the surviving friends/family of victims and didn’t allow zodiac the spotlight he was/is desperately seeking.

But the other part of me doesn’t want those victim’s asshole murderer to get away with what he did.

To answer my own question:

Yes it is worth it. It keeps the memory of the victims alive. For example, when I had my own site "The Cheri Jo Bates Website" I got contacted by the brother of Cheri. He was glad that someone was still trying to find out the truth. The murder of his sister had a deep impact on him. The same can be said about the suspect called "Barnett". He contacted me because he was glad the case was still be researched because he was branded a killer for all these years and never could clear himself 100%.

If we ever will know the truth and the true Identity of the killer? I do not know. Is it worth it to pursue this? Yes, for the victims we must….

I agree 100% Eduard. Hugs.

Very good EV… I asked the same question to the reporter in San Francisco
About three months ago. He KF the reporter said, yes!! it is Worth it.
Because, of the victims who were murdered. I to feel the same way.
I am here, not just for the living, but, for the dead. So, they well
Not be forgotten. I asked about the Author GS the reporter told me
That GS the Author, was scared to death and wouldn’t talk to anyone.
That he himself KF could not reach him,maybe by email. And you had to
Go through people to speak to him. Oh Well…So much for that Ave.

EV! You said that you have been In touch with CJBates Brother.
Could you ask him,if his sisterCJBates had a summer job on the
Weekends before started College that semester?