UFOs: A Cultural Obsession

It can be challenging to determine when a topic is trending, especially with the media's unpredictable nature. However, are we now at a point where the existence of UFOs can no longer be dismissed?

An article from Politico titled Turns Out Presidents Are as Hooked on UFOs as the Rest of Us feels transformative. It shifts the narrative from "You conspiracy theorists" to an inclusive "We." A review of articles from 2017 onward reveals a fascination with UFOs often linked to a 'mania', suggesting a psychological issue rather than an extraterrestrial one. The acknowledgment that various Presidents have shown interest in UFOs shouldn't be surprising. There are indications that President Kennedy may have been assassinated due to his inquiries into the subject, particularly after he signed a directive demanding transparency from the government regarding what they knew.

Presidents Ford, Reagan, and Trump have all been associated with UFO phenomena. You can explore the linked article for a summary, but it's essentially just that—a summary. For those who have followed UFO narratives for over 75 years since Roswell, this information may not seem groundbreaking. However, it illustrates how the media has shaped public perception of this subject. Why is this information becoming prominent now?

What has changed to warrant this newfound urgency?

UFOs and Non-Human Intelligence

The phrase "It turns out" often implies a revelation that should have been apparent all along. It's as if the message is, "We’ve been concealing this information, but now we’ll act as if we've just uncovered it."

Another Politico piece titled We Have a UFO Problem. What We Don’t Have (Yet) Is a Serious Answer conveys a sense of deception. Recent commentary from Dr. Kirkpatrick of the AARO—established by Trump—indicates frustration, suggesting it's either extraterrestrial or a foreign power behind UFO activity, while providing a brief overview of UFO history that leans away from foreign involvement. This article traces UFO sightings back to 1947.

Whistleblower David Grusch dates the phenomenon back to the 1930s, while the Dallas Times claims sightings occurred as far back as 1897 in Aurora, Texas. Carl Sagan even theorizes that connections might reach back to the Sumerians, supported by evidence in Chariots of the Gods. Doctors Kirkpatrick and Loeb have published findings on potential alien probes visiting our solar system.

We already possess answers, albeit ones that aren't being taken seriously.

UFOs: A Lighthearted Mystery?

A piece from the LA Times discusses Garrett Graff’s book, UFO: The Inside Story of the U.S. Government’s Search for Alien Life Here — And Out There, which presents the UFO narrative in a more playful yet urgent context.

The statement "The scariest thing about UFOs (it’s not the aliens)..." raises eyebrows. If aliens aren't the source of our fears, then who is? Could it be the secretive entities that have suppressed UFO information for decades? This suppression is evident in the backlash faced by Harvard psychiatrist John E. Mack when he claimed that witnesses to UFOs and alien encounters were not delusional.

> Garrett M. Graff is an experienced journalist focused on U.S. military and security issues, having authored works like The Threat Matrix and Raven Rock. His new book, UFO, explores the government's historical collection of data on unexplained aerial phenomena, while simultaneously withholding information from the public.

This article begins with a revelation of government conspiracy, a concept UFOlogists have been discussing for 75 years. Leslie Kean's 2017 New York Times article echoed similar sentiments. How many journalists and whistleblowers have voiced these concerns? Is this revelation truly groundbreaking?

The narrative will likely present substantial evidence supporting the reality of UFOs and government concealment, yet just this week, an article insisted there is no conspiracy. Meanwhile, Vanity Fair seems to sympathize with the government’s predicament.

The article titled Why UFOs Freak Out the Government discusses Graff's findings, indicating that it's the government, not the public, experiencing panic. The citizens are aware of the misinformation and are growing weary of the lies, which may lead to an awakening event. Historians might understand why governments react defensively when their secrets are revealed.

If governments worldwide have misled their citizens for the past 75 years, this poses a critical issue extending beyond just the U.S. The global implications are immense.

There's even evidence suggesting the U.S. government may have orchestrated Kennedy's assassination to maintain UFO secrecy, raising troubling questions. Some influential figures appear to have profited from this arrangement, as indicated by the recent sealing of documents for another 50 years. Why the continued secrecy? UFOs are real, potentially of alien origin, and linked with a Galactic Federation, according to Haim Eshed, former Israeli Space Defense Minister.

Once the world accepts that UFOs are extraterrestrial, numerous uncomfortable inquiries will arise, demanding serious responses.

The government should be alarmed. Their actions appear suspicious, and while their rationale for withholding information may be justifiable, only time will reveal whether their motives align with humanity's best interests or if they have hindered our evolution as a species.

Diverse Perspectives on UFOs

Opinions about UFOs are varied. I lean towards the notion of benevolent extraterrestrials guiding humanity toward a brighter future, reminiscent of a Star Trek ideal.

Yet, a darker side exists.

Cognitive dissonance stems from deception. Humans often lie, and the reasons are complex, often rooted in fear. Those in the know may have been driven by fear, which is understandable. However, despite the years of secrecy, aliens haven't descended upon the White House demanding submission. Perhaps they are benign.

Conversely, there are instances of abduction, raising ethical dilemmas. Perhaps these actions serve humanity's greater good, akin to taking pets to the vet for their health. I'd like to believe I possess more agency than a pet, but I recognize that I, too, can succumb to fear and freeze in the face of the unknown.

Not all encounters are negative. This paradox suggests we may not be as autonomous as we think. We might be mere tenants on this planet, lacking control over our lives.

Nevertheless, we don’t need a UFO conspiracy to realize that, in reality, we’re engaged in a game of Monopoly where no one truly owns anything. We perpetually pay for necessities like water and electricity, despite having already funded their infrastructure through taxes. Why isn’t access to these essentials free in a society that relies on them?

> Garrett Graff, author of UFO, reflects on the potential for a government cover-up regarding extraterrestrial life.

Is society only now awakening to what some of us have always known? And do we genuinely believe we’re in charge?

These are indeed fascinating times.

Recommended Reading

• Turns Out Presidents Are as Hooked on UFOs as the Rest of Us

  From Truman to Obama, presidents have had questions about what's out there. But they haven't gotten satisfactory answers.

  www.politico.com

• We Have a UFO Problem. What We Don't Have (Yet) Is a Serious Answer.

  It's time to take this out of the hands of the military and give it to scientists equipped to ask and answer the questions.

  www.politico.com

• The scariest thing about UFOs (it's not the aliens)

  Garrett Graff explains why his new book, UFO, is an urgent history and tries to reclaim serious discussion of the phenomenon.

  www.latimes.com

For a contrasting viewpoint, revisit this Washington Post article:

• Dear Earthlings: Please stop obsessing about UFOs

  Even respectable voices have recently indulged the fantasy that aliens might have visited us. Sorry to disappoint...

  www.washingtonpost.com