UAP/UFO 101
Many people form their beliefs and convictions about this topic based on limited or unreliable information. Navigating through the sea of random (dis)information on the web can be challenging. We've identified common biases and reasons for typically dismissing the phenomenon, and we'll address them here to increase public awareness. While proving their inconsistency doesn't alone provide evidence for the non-human hypothesis behind some UAP/UFO events, it serves as a starting point for those interested in factual information rather than mere speculations. We believe understanding the facts is essential before engaging in any discussion.
Why are UAP/UFOs only seen in the US?
Incorrect. The UAP/UFO Phenomenon is a worldwide, global phenomenon with thousands of sightings reported every year by reliable observers (such as pilots, radar operators, policemen etc.) all around the world since the 40s: France, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Africa, China, Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela etc.
What does UAP mean?
UAP originally meant Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and it was converted later into Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena in order to better frame the trans-medium aspect of the phenomena, which means its capacity of moving seamlessly through space, air and water.
Why not simply calling them UFOs?
One of the reason to start using a different acronym is to reduce the stigma associated with the term UFO. It is proven that most people would immediately drop the conversation seconds after hearing the word UFO.
What does this new acronym NHI mean and why not using the term “alien” or “extra-terrestrial” anymore?
NHI means Non Human Intelligence.
One may argue that words like alien and extraterrestrial come with a huge baggage of biases and cliché that prevent people from taking them seriously as possible explanations for some UAP/UFOs and this obviously contributes to keep the stigma alive.
However, the real reason behind the choice of this new term is an attempt to include new scientific hypothesis and frameworks and avoid assigning a specific and/or a single origin to the phenomenon. As a matter of fact, we may easily establish that there is clearly an intelligence operating these crafts and that it is not human (the crafts are not made on Earth) but we cannot be sure where these crafts come from unless there is a direct communication and data exchange with the occupants.
They may be interplanetary visitors as well as inter-dimensional beings, “ultra-terrestrials” (inhabitants of Planet Earth we are starting only now to be conscious of thanks to the progress of our detection devices), humans from the future or all of the above etc. Although in absence of evidence all of this remains in the reign of pure speculation, it is scientifically appropriate not to try to assign a specific origin to the phenomena.
UAP/UFOs can’t be extraterrestrial. Distances are too big for anyone to come and visit us from a distant planet.
The old argument against extraterrestrial visitors is that distances are too vast for them to reach us. According to astrophysicist Michio Kaku, the bias here seems to be our tendency to imagine our interplanetary neighbours as only slightly more advanced than us at best. You should know that there is no valid argument in science to negate the possibility of interstellar travel but, instead, a mistrut due to what it entails. With our current technology, it would take about 6,000 years to reach Alpha Centauri, the nearest star and planetary system to Earth (4.37 light-years away).
Nevertheless, considering the estimated age of the Universe and imagining a civilization a thousand years ahead of us should raise questions about what incredible achievements they might have made for interplanetary travel.
Other renowned physicists who study the UAP/UFO Phenomenon theorize that ETs may possess an anti-gravity technology which would allow them to create their own gravity and, consequently, distort spacetime. If proven to be true, this would take the time factor out of the equation and distances would not be a problem anymore!
I don’t trust radars and other sensors that traced these UAP/UFOs. They are just not good enough and not correctly calibrated.
There’s a very weird double standard going on here, probably based on lack of sufficient knowledge on what radars (and other sensors) are and how they work.
Interesting to point out that most people trust these same systems when flying on planes (and rightfully so) , but dismiss them when detecting UFOs, which seems convenient. While recalibrating sensors is essential for better detection, it won't disprove previously traced objects. Not-calibrated sensors might explain why some UAP/UFOs go undetected, but it doesn't work the other way around as some debunkers claim.
There is no evidence!
Incorrect. The UFO Phenomenon has and always had an overwhelming amount of evidence to support its legitimacy: not direct evidence, like science would need in order to give us precise answers, but surely an aboundance of indirect evidence: radar and sensor data, photos, videos, competent observers’ testimonies, markings and traces left on the ground when the objects are reported to have landed, radiation measurements in many cases, medical data of injuries on people who alledgedly had close encounters with one of these objects, and so on.
UAP/UFOs are just a distraction!
Check out the numbers!
A YouTuber's prank racks up millions of views, while significant UAP events, breaking news, podcasts, or compelling videos struggle to reach a few thousand, with any luck.
If the intention behind UAP/UFOs was to distract, then the plan would have miserably failed.
Mainstream media are still avoiding the topic and keep ridiculing it.
Surprisingly, around 90% of the entire population, especially in Europe, remains unaware of the developments of the last 6 years regarding this subject. Almost nobody knows about the 2017 NYTimes article, the Tic-Tac, the Gimble, or the Go-Fast, and even fewer people are familiar with the name Dave Grutsch.
Why now for disclosure?
This question misses the mark. What appears as a sudden disclosure to many uninformed individuals is actually the outcome of nearly 10 years of politics, legislation, and behind-the-scenes efforts by people like Lou Elizondo, Chris Mellon, Harry Reid, Sen. Rubio and Gillibrand etc. So, if you're just now becoming aware of recent events, you might wonder why this is all surfacing so fast and "out of the blue." However, it's essential to recognize that this "blue" period spans almost 80 years and is the result of the courageous endeavors of reasearchers and activists since the 50s pushing for public engagement and demanding greater transparency on the subject.
All UFO photos are blurry and/or shaky! Why is that, considering that everybody has an Iphone or Android 4k camera on his/her pocket?
This question often comes from individuals unfamiliar with photography and its challenges. While modern smartphones have great features, they are not professional cameras. They are excellent for everyday shots, but struggle with capturing fast-moving, distant objects, especially in low-light conditions. Flashes are limited in range, making it difficult to get clear night shots. Additionally, using digital zooms on smartphones can result in shaky videos.
In 2023, professional cameras with teleobjective lenses remain more reliable for UFO photography, which is why many of the best UFO photos were taken between the 1950s and 1990s. People using reflex cameras at that time had a better understanding of photography techniques compared to the average smartphone user today.
That photo is too good! It’s definitely a fake!
This double standard is familiar to those who have studied the UAP/UFO phenomenon. Public opinion often assumes all UAP/UFO images and videos are blurry and low-quality. However, when a photo is exceptionally clear and steady, it is immediately dismissed as a hoax. As a matter of fact, there are many very good photos and videos out there that even passed the scrutiny of well-respectable photos and video analysts who concluded that the captured objects are real and not a product of photo/video manipulation.
It’s the beginning of Project Blue Beam!
This idea is one of the most prominent conspiracy theories surrounding the subject. Project Blue Beam originated from the speculations of one single journalist, suggesting that powerful entities are planning a fake alien invasion to control the population's beliefs. However, in reality, if you just take a look around you, you'll see that people are generally unconcerned about this possibility and, on the other hand, remain unaware of the true events related to the phenomenon. As a matter of fact, in order to reinforce the belief/fear of an alien invasion, one would just need to mention the well-documented UFO-nuke connection, the numerous cattle mutilations and alledged alien abductions. On the contrary, none of these topics are even mentioned in the current official UAP conversation. They still remain a taboo subject.
Witnesses with extraordinary claims should be asked to undergo a polygraphic test.
As a matter of fact, you may be surprised to know that many of these witnesses have already undergone and passed numerous polygraphic tests.
Why advanced aliens can travel all through the galaxy only to crash miserably upon arrival on our planet?
This objection is frequently raised and seems to come from an intellectually arrogant standpoint. As humans, we use different forms of transportation daily, such as cars, buses, and airplanes and espite having advanced technology and high safety standards accidents do happen. Moreover, the lack of transparency surrounding these crashes leaves the public in the dark about whether they occurred spontaneously or the crafts were intentionally brought down.
How strange! UFO stories resemble a Hollywood script. Even the gray aliens are like Spielberg’s aliens.
Many fail to realize that reality often inspires art and fiction, not the other way around. Take "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" for instance, the movie that birthed many Hollywood UFO “clichés” and shaped popular culture. It was developed under the guidance of J. Allen Hynek, the former director of Project Blue Book, who even makes a cameo in the final part of the film. The very title of the film is based on the classification of close encounters made by J. Allen Hynek.
The reluctance of pilots to report on UFOs as we see it at the beginning of the film was (and still is) a reality due to the stigma and possible retaliations suffered by those who did report. In other words, it could be a career-killer.
The look of the gray aliens was influenced by witnesses’ drawings provided by Hynek. Last but not least, the character of the French scientist portrayed in the film was inspired to real scientist, ufologist and former Blue Book’s consultant Jacques Vallée. Thus, much of what you see in such movies is fictionalized truth, not the other way around.
Extraordinary Claims require Extraordinary Evidence! (Part I)
Certainly! However, it's unrealistic to expect a regular person to provide it all alone. They should be assisted by competent individuals and backed by a thorough investigation.
When someone reports a serious crime they experienced, they might lack direct evidence to present. That's precisely why investigators exist—to ascertain the truth and determine the validity of their claims.
I still can't believe extraterrestrials may visit Earth and not be interested in making contact with us. So, what's the point of their being here?
It's understandable to wonder why they wouldn't make contact if they're here. For instance, there's compelling evidence linking UAPs to water, suggesting they might be more interested in Earth's resources than in humans. After all, compared to them, we are a much less advanced species. Would you try to engage in a conversation with the squirrels in the park? It's possible they don't have any concern for us or our communication, and their presence might not be intended for contact.
What about that alleged UFO crash at Roswell? It was debunked, wasn't it?
Not at all! The Roswell incident remains a mystery. The initial press release by the Air Force claiming it was a flying saucer was later retracted, and it was said that a prosaic meteorological balloon was recovered. Direct witnesses and most researchers never bought into this explanation and started to call out a Cover-up. In 1994 the US Government issued a second explanation, admitting the Roswell Incident was indeed a Cover-up but not hiding an extra-terrestrial retrieved vehicle but some secret spy ballons belonging to their own Project Mogul, classified at the time when the event occured. However, researchers have found many inconsistencies in the Mogul explanation, first of all the crash-test dummies, shown in the original Government’s photo documentation, that all witnesses would have supposedly mistaken for alien creatures were, in fact, not invented until 1949, as to say, 2 years after the occurrence of the Roswell event! The truth behind the Roswell case remains uncertain. Moreover, curiously, recent whistleblower David Grusch was not cleared to answer any question about the Roswell case, which seems to contradict the supposed “case closed” explanation of Project Mogul!
SUGGESTED READING: Witness to Roswell - Revised and Expanded Edition, Thomas J. Carey & Donald R. Schmitt
There is absolutely no evidence of UFOs. It's all anecdotal!
False. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence of the UFO phenomenon: personal testimonies from credible witnesses, like commercial and military pilots, astronomers, astronauts, Government staff, people from all walks of life. Additionally, there are photos, videos, radar and sensor data, and infrared camera recordings analyzed by experts. Landed UFOs have left traces, and medical data on individuals exposed to UFOs sometimes shows serious medical alterations.
USEFUL SOURCES:
Eyes on UFOs (Eyes on Cinema): best video archive or rare and historical videos on the Phenomenon.
Why are UFOs only seen by one or 2 people only and always out of nowhere? Why are they not showing up in a city?
They did. Multiple times. Some of the most known massive sightings are the “Phoenix lights” event where a whole city witnessed a giant black triangle flying over their houses, the Ariel School case in Zimbabwe, the Westall incident in Australia, the famous Belgian Ufo Wave and all major countries’ UFO waves.
SUGGESTED DOCUMENTARIES:
I’m not convinced. I still think it’s our technology
The same technology described today had been already reported and described since the 30s, which invalidates the common argument of a possible secret technology still in its development phase. By now, we would have seen evidence of that technology employed in some militar or industrial applications, which clearly we have not.
UAP/UFOs commonly show one or more of the famous 5 observables stipulated by Lou Elizondo, former director of ATTIP:
Positive Lift (or Anti-gravity): ability to fly without apparent means of lift and propulsions.
Instantaneous Acceleration.
Low observability (capacity of cloaking, concealing itself from radar and/or visual identification).
Hypersonic velocity.
Trans-medium Travel (the objects can move seamlessly through air, space and water).
Moreover, no sound is associated with the flight of these objects, whenever the observer is close enough as to appreciate presence or absence of sound.
It is pretty obvious that the technology described is far superior than anything we currently possess and are able to build and stand as humans. The G-force produced by some of the erratic movements of these UAPs, sudden changes of directions and hypersonic jumps, would cause any biological entity piloting the craft to melt down. As far as human material science is concerned, even the craft itself would be disintegrated at such G-forces.
They must be chinese drones, lanterns, spy-balloons, birds or lens artifact. Nothing to worry about.
These are classic explanations proposed by debunkers.
Certainly most alledged UFOs turn out to have mundane explanations, including birds, drones and space junk but researchers are only concerned with those cases that remained unexplainable after ruling out any possible prosaice explanation and whose observation was corroborated by multiple sensors.
Last but not least, it is worth noting that UFOs with the same flight characteristics as the ones we see today have been reported since the 30-40s, where drones had not been invented yet and planes were still pretty rudimental compared to the ones we fly today.
Nope! I’m only convinced if astronomers tell me it’s true.
As shocking as it may seem, astronomers may not be the best experts to study UFOs since they focus on celestial objects and space. For UFO phenomena are in our atmosphere, they constitute a reality of our planet not of outer space: pilots, forensic investigators and physicists could provide more relevant insights unless, of course, our most powerful telescopes were to be pointed to our skies instead to try and capture high-definition satellite imagery of UAPs to share with the public.
The reason why everybody immediately associate UFOs and Astronomy is because of the public perception of the supposed origin of the UFO phenomenon: we assume they are space visitors therefore we need Space experts! You may see by now why the most recent NHI term can be less biased and useful to enhance the conversation that the old, beloved word “extraterrestrial”.
I’m skeptic so I only trust debunkers.
Every person who’s seriously interested in finding out the truth behind the phenomenon needs to adopt a skeptical - whilst open - approach to the observations/evidences in order not to jump to conclusions, no matter if those imply extraordinary or mundane explanations.
One should try to approach the topic with the least amount of pre-existing biases. Unfortunately “professional debunkers” operates on a big initial bias, which is their determination to demonstrate that something (a conclusion, a statement or a photo/video) is false or showing something different than what it is said to be showing.
A typical habit of most debunkers is to intentionally ignore the context (or parts of it) of what they are trying to disprove: for instance, if there is a video of a UAP/UFO event they may try to replicate the visual by any means to prove their point but in order to do so they may ignore the accompanying audio - where pilots are heard to confirm the object/s with their own eyes or through other sensors - or any other data available.
This is obviously not critical thinking and definitely not how science and/or forensic investigation works. Context is critical.
As an example, imagine debunkers trying to prove that a police video of a pickpocketing is a hoax or that it is not showing what it appears to be showing. They may easily replicate the visual part of it by asking actors to replicate the pickpocketing proving that such an event can be easily faked or they may demonstrate that the camera angle is what gives the erroneous impression that the suspected person is putting his/her hand into the victim’s pockets but what if there are witnesses or other important pieces of the puzzle? What if the victim is seen to be in possession of his/her wallet a few seconds before the interaction caught in the video and realizes that somebody stole it a few second after and we clearly see that no other event occurred in the meanwhile that may explain the disappearance of the wallet. In other words, let’s put the video into context. Images are just one part of it.
Similar consideration must be made of course for all those individuals who want to necessarily prove a specific theory behind all UAP/UFOs (i.e. they are aliens who are here to protect us, what we see now is all man-made but reverse engineered from alien spacecrafts, they are demons etc.).
A serious investigator should follow the evidence, wherever it leads, not trying to bend it to his/her biases, wishes or theories to prove.
To quote Sherlock Holmes, the famous fictitious investigator created by Arthur Conan Doyle: “When you have eliminated all which is impossible then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
What’s the reason for all the secrecy?
There are many speculations as to why the reality of UAP/UFOs may have been kept secret in the first place. 1947 saw the beginning of the fever of flying saucers’ sightings all over the world and Governments may have considered it too destabilizing to acknowledge the public that something was going on, right after the end of WWII, in fear of spreading panic and causing economical instability.
If UFOs did crash on Earth and the remains were retrieved and reverse-engineered (successfully or not) that may explain why Governments working on those programs kept them secret, to try and understand the technology before adversaries.
In light of recent testimonies to US Congress the latter would seem to be the case: multi-decade UFO reverse engineer legacy programs could be the reason for over 80 years of Cover-Up.
Are Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs) a joke?
No, USOs are real and confirms that there is a strong connection between UAP/UFOs and water, as also shown by the Tic Tac incident among many others.
The “Tic-Tac”, “Gimbal” and “Go-Fast” videos and all others coming from the military are so bad and all grainy! Is it too much to ask for a decent video or photo of a UFO?
We are all waiting for the definitive picture/video of a UFO that can put all doubts to bed, aren’t we? But the truth is, this is just an excuse to justify our laziness in searching what is already out there. There are already plenty of amazing shots and video captures of UFOs, available to anyone who’s just taking the time to go and find them: images and videos that were taken all throughout the last 50 years at least and underwent scientific and meticulous scrutiny (some of them are still being analysed as we speak and keep proving to be genuine), corroborated by multiple witnesses and/or sensor data and free for anyone to see. In order to make your research easier we are providing many reliable links to sources, articles, videos etc. in the LINKS section. Make sure you take a look at it.
Nevertheless, to go back to those Navy and military photos and video…you should know that most of them are NOT simple photos or videos but, instead, sensor images whose purpose is not to win the World Press Photo Prize for Picture of the Year but to provide lots of valuable datas that a photo cannot register: most UFO images for example are thermal images, detecting temperature of the object which is far more informative than just a clear shot since it gives researchers very important information that help excluding certain mundane possibilities. For instance, most of these objects are cold and we very well know that any craft we possess that flies at high speeds produces a lot of heat! Likewise, birds are also warm (they are very much alive). Are you seeing where this is going? Sensor images are meant for scientific analysis, Iphone photos to best capture our family, friends and pets’ best moments.
What does “ontological shock” mean and why am I hearing this word associated with the UAP/UFO topic so often?
Ontological shock (or Epistemological Shock like Harvard Psychiatrist John E. Mack used to call it) simply indicates “the state of being forced to question one's worldview”. The sudden understanding of a totally new reality like UAP/UFOs strikes one’s worldview to the core, literally causing a shock, which eventually proves to be necessary to adjust one’s worldview to the complexity offered by new insights on the reality we live in.
The UAP/UFO Phenomenon does not simply inform us that we are not alone, aspect that many mainstream medias keep trying to confine the topic within. It is a paradign shift. We are not talking about a “signal for a far planet” that would give us a safe distance to look at it and process the information. It is a Earth phenomenon, something that is taking place here and now, in “our” home as we speak.
The 3 Rules of UAP/UFO Debunkers
According to Nuclear Physicist Stanton T. Friedman, in his own words, this are the 3 rules followed by UAP/UFO Debunkers:
1. Don’t bother me with the facts, my mind is made up.
2. What the public doesn’t know, I’m not gonna tell them
3. If you can’t attack the data, attack the people
We have been witnessing these behaviours since the 40s whenever acclaimed UAP/UFO debunkers are involved: they are not interested in facts, they conventiently omit context and additional corroborative information and since they are unable to attack the real data, they try to discredit the people: direct witnesses, experiencers, whistleblowers etc. Just see the personal attacks suffered by key UAP/UFO Transparency advocates like Lou Elizondo and, just recently, Dave Grusch.
Food for thought!
What is “Confirmation Bias”
According to its definition “Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values. People display this bias when they select information that supports their views, ignoring contrary information, or when they interpret ambiguous evidence as supporting their existing attitudes. The effect is strongest for desired outcomes, for emotionally charged issues, and for deeply entrenched beliefs. Confirmation bias cannot be eliminated, but it can be managed, for example, by education and training in critical thinking skills.”
We are all potentially affected by Confirmation bias on our daily life. Concerning the UAP/UFO topic, Confirmation bias is operating both for debunkers and the so called “UFO-believers”. That’s exactly why it is fundamental not to believe or disbelieve the UAP/UFO Phenomenon but, instead, collectively try to investigate it with critical thinking, engage in an honest discussion for the sake of the truth, whatever it may be and respresent.
What is the Zoo Hypothesis?
The zoo hypothesis is a speculative explanation for the Fermi paradox, addressing the behavior of advanced extraterrestrial life and their supposed avoidance of direct contact and communicaton with the human species. According to this hypothesis, aliens deliberately refrain from communication to allow for natural evolution and sociocultural development of our species and avoid interplanetary contamination. They may be observing us, like we observe animals at a zoo.
The purpose of the zoo hypothesis is to make sense of the apparent absence of a clear manifestation of extraterrestrial life, despite its generally accepted plausibility. Another variation of this idea, known as the "laboratory" hypothesis, suggests that humanity is being subjected to experiments, with Earth acting as a vast laboratory.
While some consider this notion scary and/or highly improbable, it's also conceivable that these experiments could be altruistic, aiming to accelerate our civilization's progress and prevent self-destruction until we are ready to establish meaningful contact, as suggested in the original zoo hypothesis.
The reason for this lack of contact might be that aliens wait for humans to reach certain technological, political, or ethical standards before initiating communication. Alternatively, they may hold back until humans themselves attempt contact by sending a spacecraft to an alien-inhabited planet. This cautious approach could stem from a desire to minimize risks, as direct contact might pose potential dangers.
The whole topic is just a psyop!
Psyop means psychological operation (a form of propaganda).
In order to dismiss the veracity of the UAP/UFOs phenomenon many debunkers use the psyop theory and claim that the purpose of the whole topic is to scare people in order to raise more money for the military apparatus.
Of course, even if there is only a slight possibility for them to be true, all theories and suppositions should be brought to the table until proven wrong, but the psyop theory doesn’t seem likely after an in-depth analysis.
It is peculiar to see how serious UAP/UFO analysts, respectable pilots & astronauts who engaged with the phenomenon, investigative journalists and scientists determined to get to the bottom of the mystery are often labelled as “conspiracy-theorists” - no matter how much data and evidences they bring - while much more attention is paid to debunkers who use real conspiracy theories (the UAP psyop) without providing any credible evidence to support it and, even more important, in clear contrast with any objetive analysis of the current situation.
There’s no need for a UAP psyop in order to secure more money for the military complex. The on-going wars, geopolitical tensions and the constant menace of a possible nuclear war are way more convincing arguments! After all, who believes and/or is afraid of an alien invasion? Just look around you if you have the slightest doubt!
On the contrary, what we have been witnessing for the last 6 years, since the UAP/UFO topic was brought back to public attention as a consequence of the NYTimes article in 2017, is a fierce war of government factions between those who would like transparency and those want to keep the secrecy. Attempts to put the genie back in the bottle and let the public forget once more about this fundamental topic are being made as we speak, which doesn’t seem a solid plan in order to execute a pysop.
What is “Deflection”?
According to the Manhattan Mental Health Counseling “Deflection is a defense mechanism characterized by redirecting a conversation away from a challenging topic or issue to something less emotionally charged.
It can manifest in various ways, such as changing the subject, asking a question, making a joke, or even becoming defensive or aggressive. Deflection is often associated with denial and blame-shifting, which involve evading unpleasant thoughts or feelings and attributing responsibility for undesired outcomes to others.
However, deflection differs from denial, as denial implies outright refusal to acknowledge a problem, whereas deflection merely redirects the conversation without necessarily denying the issue’s existence.”
It goes without saying that you can witness this behaviour on a daily basis on social media, especially with UAP/UFO related topics. Again, knowing and recognizing a problem is the first step in order to be able to move forward. Whatever the truth behind this complex phenomenon is, we’re not going to find it unless we get rid of all biases and defense mechanisms we use to approach it.
Extraordinary Claims require Extraordinary Evidence! (Part III)
At the beginning of a recent interview on The Impossible Podcast, Dr. Brian Keating asked Dr. Avi Loeb, Harvard Astrophysicist and Professor, if there is such a thing as extraordinary evidence, quoting the famous Carl Sagan’s sentence, commonly used to downplay the legitimacy of the phenomenon and the need to put serious efforts and fundings in the investigation of it. Here is Loeb’s answer:
“I do think that it is all about the evidence and the quality of the evidence but when people make that statement unfortunately they are not seeking the evidence. It’s a circular argument. […] I just don’t think that this argument brings us to a good place because you can argue also that dark matter is an extraordinary claim. We haven’t seen it but nevertheless we invested billions of dollars trying to find what it is. We haven’t witnessed it in the solar system. We believe it exists because we see that gravity is much stronger than you can associate with matter that we can see but it’s also possible that gravity is modified.”
(Then Loeb makes a similar argument talking about String Theory, broadly accepted by the scientific community but equally unproven).
“If we are pursuing a theoretical idea because it looks compelling or because the implications are large it’s not because we already have evidence for it. It’s because we find this intriguing and exciting. It’s like a detective story, (we) try to figure it out and there is nothing more exciting than trying to figure out if we are alone. […] We should invest billions of dollars in that search rather than pushing it aside and saying - it’s extraordinary to think that we have (cosmic) partners. I think it’s the other way around, it’s arrogant to think that we are alone.”
Watch the complete interview here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlrDky-fCtc
The only reason why UFOs can’t be identified is because there is not enough data!
This argument have been used since the very dawn of Project Blue Book up to the present (see both Scott Bray and Sean Kirkpatrick’s comments in the first 2 UAP “hearings” to downplay the anomalous nature of hundreds of unidentified cases. According to them, most cases would probably be “easily” resolved if more data was available.
It’s worth mentioning how, even back at the time of Project Blue Book, this argument was used by its spokepersons to downplay the whole UFO Phenomenon while their own data and conclusions were actually proving the opposite.
As beautifully illustrated by Nuclear Physicist Stanton T. Friedman - paraphrasing his own words - the biggest study ever done during Project Blue Book was Project Blue Book special report number 14. It covered 3201 sightings. 21.5% of the cases couldn’t be identified after investigations by professionals spending full time trying to resolve them. The better the quality of the sightings the more likely to be unidentified, which is “what you’d expect if they were real”. These 21.5% anomalous and unexplained cases were completely separate from the 9.3% that were listed as “insufficient information”, therefore proving that the claim that the only reason they couldn’t be identify was because of the lack of sufficient data was absolutely false.
The study also statistically cross-compared all data they had collected and came to the conclusion that the probability that the unknowns were just misknowns was less than 1%, which basically disproves the claim of misidentifications commonly made by debunkers.
An advanced civilization must be wise and full of good intentions. They are definitely here to save us from ourselves!
This is a logical human thought but unfortunately it is nothing more than a mere speculation unless supported by evidences.
Likewise, any theory about a possible evil intent of these visitors belongs to the realm of intellectual speculation. For all of the above it is fundamental to work collectively and together as a species in order to unravel the mystery and understand capacities, motives and intents of these potential visitors.
What is cognitive dissonance and why am I hearing this word associated with the UAP/UFO topic?
Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort produced by the clash of 2 conflicting beliefs or values into one’s mind. A new idea, acknowledgement or understanding that contradicts or challenges any pre-existing belief system generates an uncomfortable, often unbearable sensation and inner tension inside the individual, who may react in one of the following ways:
dismissing, minimizing, riduculing and even rejecting the new information.
Acting in an aggressive/defensive way to protect the pre-existing belief system.
responding out of social pressure even if that isn’t what he/she would like to do.
etc.
You can easily see by yourself why this concept is often associated to the UAP/UFO topic. You can see these reactions taking place in the social media arena on a regular basis. Digesting the UAP/UFO reality is not an easy process since it questions and challenges everyone’s beliefs and though process to the core.
Extraordinary Claims require Extraordinary Evidence! (Part II)
Associate Professor Matthew Szydagis, interviewed by Ryan Graves for his MERGED Podcast, offered a fascinating perspective on this well-known statement. He questioned the evidence supporting the belief that we are alone in the universe, suggesting that assuming our isolation is the extraordinary claim here, not the opposite. Considering the vastness of the universe, of which we know only a tiny fraction, it would be arrogant to believe for a moment that we are the sole intelligent life inhabiting it.
Watch the whole interview here:
https://youtu.be/4knd6hQbHZI
Only drunken people and crackpots see and/or believe in UFOs. Why are there not scientists, pilots, astronauts and politicians seeing them?
Many credible witnesses have reported UFO sightings. There are numerous official reports, conversations between commercial pilots and control towers, and testimonies from astronauts like Edgar Mitchell and Gordon Cooper. Recently, fighter pilots Cmdr. David Fravor, Alex Dietrich, and Ryan Graves have also come forward about their UFO encounters, reducing the stigma surrounding the topic.
Presidents and politicians have released numerous statements to address and/or confirm the veracity of the UAP/UFO phenomenon, including Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Marco Rubio, Kirsten Gillibrand, Harry Reid, Bill Nelson, John Ratcliffe, Scott Bray, John Podesta, Hillary Clinton etc.
To see a list of famous politicians and scientists’ quotes confirming the reality of the UAP Phenomenon please refer to: https://www.uap.guide/quotes/introduction
What about people who claim to have been abducted by aliens? Those are just fabricated stories.
This is obviously a highly controversial topic and, for its nature, very difficult to corroborate beside denoting disturbing characteristics. Therefore this topic may be hard to approach for a newbie to the Phenomenon. If you want to dig more into it, the right place to begin is certainly the work of American psychiatrist, professor and head of the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, John E. Mack, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1977 for his book “A Prince of our Disorder” on T.E. Lawrence.
SUGGESTED READING: Abduction: Human Encounters with Aliens, John Mack
If that is true, why is there not even a single case of abduction with witnesses? How convenient!
Again, incorrect. There are. One for all, check the Travis Walton abduction, witnessed by his 6 co-workers who faced criminal accusations for supposedly murdering Travis Walton before he reappeared a few days later in terrible conditions and charges were withdrawn.
SUGGESTED DOCUMENTARY: Travis: The True Story of Travis Walton, Jennifer Stein
Many UFO cases have prosaic explanations, right?
Correct. Only a small percentage of reported cases are truly anomalous, and they are thoroughly investigated to rule out ordinary causes before being labeled as UFOs.
Why haven't aliens destroyed us all if they are already here?
Speculating on their motives is challenging and not necessarily productive. Advanced beings might not need to wage wars like humans, and their interactions with us (or our resources) could be for other reasons, unknown to us.
If Aliens are here, why don’t they fly over the White House instead of flying over desert areas?
The “take me to your leader” approach is how we would act in the same circumstances but we cannot presume that an alien species would act like us. So, flying over or landing on the White House could not be their modus operandi.
Nevertheless, UFOs did fly over the White House in Washington D.C. multiple times (see the 1952 Washington D.C. Ufo Incident). The incidents were witnessed and documented by air traffic controllers, radars, pilots, eye witnesses and the national press. Jets were scrambled to intercept the objects, which, on all occasions, just vanished both on radars and visual upon the pilots approached them.
The official explanation provided by the Airforce according to which it was a case of “temperature inversion” was rejected by most officials. Edward J. Ruppelt confirmed that the Air Force's explanation was not compatible to what radar, control tower personnel he spoke to, as well as some Air Force officers had detected.
Is it true that UAP/UFOs seem to be attracted by nuclear weapons and power plants?
It is. UAP/UFOs were and are spotted around nuclear arsenals since the 40s. As a matter of fact, the first detonation tests of atomic bombs seem to be connected with an increase of sightings and UFO incidents in the nearby areas.
One of most famous and documented case was the Malmstrom Air Force Base incident which took place in 1967. The case was brought to public attention by Robert Salas, USAF captain, directly involved in the event.
SUGGESTED READING: UFOs & Nukes: Extraordinary Encounters at Nuclear Weapons Sites, Robert Lambert Hastings.
UFO enthusiasts and believers are like conspirational theorists and flat-earthers!
Language has always been used conveniently in order to discredit and ridicule people and ideas considered as uncomfortable, undesirable or dangerous. Labeling UFO researchers as mere "enthusiasts" or "believers" is just a language trick that downplays their serious investigative efforts. In reality, many involved in the UAP/UFO discussion are professionals like historians, scientists, journalists, pilots, congress members, sociologists, psychologists, and medical doctors. They approach the subject with critical analysis and evidence-based research, the opposite of conspiracy theorists and flat-earthers. Interestingly, some debunkers behave similarly to flat-earthers. They quickly jump to conclusions even in the most anomalous cases, ignoring pilots' testimonies and radar data, often offering nothing more than speculative explanations like attributing sightings to mundane objects or camera artifacts without considering crucial context or bringing any evidence. In summary, it is crucial not to misrepresent UFO researchers and their investigations, as they undertake rigorous research to understand the phenomenon. Unfairly comparing them to conspiracy theorists and flat-earthers only serves to undermine their legitimate efforts to get to the bottom of the issue and demand transparency.
Why is there no satellite imagery of any UAP/UFOs?
According to what John Ratcliffe, US Director National Intelligence, recently said in an interview on Fox, there is satellite imagery of UAPs. Christopher K. Mellon, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence said that government is withholding satellite imagery of UAPs from Congress.
Is the extraterrestrial hypothesis the only exotic one considered?
No, there are other possibilities besides aliens from space. Some theories suggest inter-dimensional or ultra-terrestrial origins, while others propose time-traveling humans as a potential source. However, no conclusive evidence supports any of these theories.
Why do only United States seem to believe that UAP/UFOs may have an extra-terrestrial explanation?
They are not the only one. The Cometa Report, an independent report on UFOs written by the French association COMETA details the results of a study by the Institute of Higher Studies for National Defense and its conclusion was that the most logical and probable explanation for the most anomalous UAP cases was the extra-terrestrial hypothesis.
I’m a physicist and there are no peer-reviewed studies on the topic.
Unfortunately, there is still a huge stigma preventing most of the scientific community to engage with the topic. Nevertheless, more and more scientists are beginning to take a profound interest in the data available and there are already a few peer-reviewed papers available. One example is the work of Kevin H. Knuth, Associate Professor of Physics at the University at Albany (SUNY), titled Estimating Flight Characteristics of Anomalous Unidentified Aerial Vehicles.
Download here “Estimating Flight Characteristics of Anomalous Unidentified Aerial Vehicles”.
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