Feb 12 2010
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Blurry Photos, Shaky Videos, and More Damn Sighting Reports
Why do people seem to hang on to the latest videos, cel phone photos and reports of UFOs? It seems like we’re monkeys continuously pushing the “feed me” button. The problem is, we seem to think that the next time we punch it, we’ll get the whole tree instead of just another banana. Maybe most people just enjoy the momentary thrill.
In the three years that this site has been in existence, we have featured some photos and video of anomalous lights and possible objects in the sky. We’ve even taken a look at some frightening “flying humanoid” cases from Mexico and elsewhere. There have been posts on notable and possibly spectacular sightings.
After over fifty years of an (occasionally) systematic study of UFOs, we seem to be nowhere nearer any good explanation than our parents and grandparents were. With all of the puzzling evidence, you would think that this mess would be solved by now. The cultural model for the phenomenon is still aliens from other planets, even though there is no verifiable evidence to back up this belief, which is presently all that we have. Many UFO researchers and fans know (somehow) that aliens are here and it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the population realizes this fact. Some of them are just waiting for that glorious “We told you so” day.
Near Borrego Springs, California, there is a monument to an old desert rat who called himself Pegleg Smith. Smith told those who would listen that he knew where a fabulous field of gold nuggets could be found in the mountains nearby. No one ever found the gold, but Pegleg kept up with his story, and other equally unbelievable yarns. About a century after Pegleg told his last tall tale, someone named “Desert Steve” put up a sign next to the main two-lane blacktop near town which still reads “LET THOSE WHO SEEK PEGLEG’S GOLD ADD TEN ROCKS TO THIS PILE.” The last time I visited the monument, the rock pile was about 20 feet high.
No matter how many rocks are added to the pile in belief of the gold nugget story, the lost field of riches still hasn’t been found. Most people are content to throw ten rocks on the growing pile of belief, but it doesn’t make the gold appear. There is a challenge to finding anything to throw on the pile these days, but tourists are still content to look and add to the monument. If anyone bothered to go looking for the lost gold today, they would probably find nothing to cash in, but they might find magnificent solitude, great views, and maybe even clues as to why Pegleg told his stories, which might be the most interesting part of the whole mess. Gold exists, but probably not where Pegleg said it did.
There is a very good chance that some sort of non-human intelligence occasionally interacts with us. What form this takes is still wide open to study and debate, but centuries of strange encounters and a myriad of sometimes reflexive phenomena makes it difficult (for me anyway) to keep stuffing everything into the “delusion” basket. Aliens could be coming from other planets, but why limit our possibilities?
There is almost certainly something to figure out with this UFO business, but gathering more rocks is probably not going to do much towards solving the mystery. Creative thought and new ways of looking at that pile of rocks will go much further than simply collecting them. I am not sure what kind of creativity will break the stalemate, but researchers and writers like Dr. Richard Strassman, Graham Hancock, Chris O’Brien, Mac Tonnies, Keith Thompson, George Hansen and Micah Hanks, and scientists working in their disciplines (such as Dean Radin, Hal Puthoff and Richard Jahn) continue to stretch the boundaries of our understanding of the paranormal. A concatenation of new thought may engender insights that could lead us to a new working model which connects ESP, cryptozoology and even UFOs in ways that we can’t imagine as yet. As we keep looking, reading, and asking questions, one of us may make that breakthrough soon enough.
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February 12th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Excellent post, Greg! I watched this “Fourth Kind” movie last night at the dollar house and its consideration of the “delusion” debate. The protagonist was either abducted by aliens or killed her own daughter after her husband committed suicide (or was himself abducted, as she felt). Does calling it abduction–by greys in ships or transdimensional non-human intelligences–keep open an important consideration or encourage irresponsible, criminals, even psychotic behavior?
February 12th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
There is a sort of rubber band feeling to all of this. It’s stretching – further and tighter – and at some point it’s gunna snap. I have NO idea what that means (snapping?) but it’s gunna happen. When? Who knows?
February 12th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
They’re a crafty bunch, UFO’s, because with all the new technology pointed at the sky, UFO videos aren’t getting any better. It almost makes one doubt, or have greater faith in UFO’s craftiness.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
I don’t long for the “I told you so” day. To be honest, I love the mystery of it all and even if the truth were something totally amazing – I probably would miss the mystery.
February 13th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Great post. But I’m surprised that you don’t consider the most likely scenario: that there is nothing to paranormal beliefs.
You are absolutely correct that after 60 years, we are not even one step closer to any new understanding of UFO’s. Instead of coalescing into some sort of viable theory, we still are stuck with a scattershot collection of reports, most of them easily dismissed, a few of them not so easy (but that doesn’t mean anything paranormal, it may have much more to do with poor witness testimony, hoaxing, or just plain not enough information or manpower).
For UFO believers, it is still 1947.
And the whole idea gets sillier in a more and more undeniable way as technology changes. We have cameras pointed everywhere but still the evidence (which should be there if, for instance, we believe “researchers” like Budd Hopkins: under his belief system, the skies should be absolutely full of saucers flitting about picking up their millions of abduction victims).
And yet we still just get pitiful unconvincing crap and obvious hoaxes.
The government gave up on saucers long ago. But since it really is a great and emotional story, the public won’t let it go. Ever.
Now it simply a sort of religion with the believers refusing to acknowledge the grim indictment of time.
The human capacity to believe things despite all evidence against them, is quite overwhelming.
I am reminded of believers in faith healing who somehow manage to hold onto the magic that God is healing their cancer, their back problems, their migraines, etc. while poor amputees sit by wondering why God never, never bothers to restore their lost limbs.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:05 am
Greg speaking of amazingly crazy “true believer” ETH hogwash — this new book by James Carlson is a brilliant expose on Robert Salas and Robert Hastings’ whole “UFO and Nukes” claim — specifically Malstrom:
I just got back from ATS debating Hastings and another poster — basically when it comes to the “true believers” then there’s really no point in considering evidence.
February 14th, 2010 at 11:16 am
The funny thing is, the UFO mystery *was* solved years and years ago. And what is that explanation that can explain every sighting ever made? Mass delusion. People, in general, aren’t interested in the truth, they are interested in sensationalism and fanaticism.
February 14th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Henry,
Sometimes I get the suspicion that the phenomenon stays out of our collective definition of what is considered “real” due to some deep-rooted connection to our understanding of our agreement on what constitutes reality or evidence.
February 14th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Lesley,
I sometimes think that if the mystery is “solved” a new one will take its place. Either that or it will never be completely explained because it will change to stay just out of our understanding. Or we will understand the paranormal, but there will still be no way to control it, sort of like the weather.
February 14th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
lance,
I don’t consider the most likely scenario is that all incidents and occurrences are delusional because there are too many indications (at least to me) that there is something going on besides our imaginations and wishful thinking. As yet, I can’t abandon the study of something because there is no accepted explanation for it yet (besides delusions, incomplete data, and hoaxes.)
Perhaps the bottom line in the skeptic/ UFO researcher debate is if we really understand enough about the nature of reality, our technology, and ourselves to make conclusions about what is referred to collectively as “the paranormal.”
Besides, even if it is “only” our wish for something unexplained, that’s interesting too.
February 14th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Drew,
I’ll have to look at that. I never considered Salas to be delusional. If he’s mistaken, that’s another story.
February 14th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Sage,
Yes, most people don’t care enough about the subject to consider that many sightings and reports are incomplete or prove nothing. Their beliefs are often based mostly on hope.
There are some cases (like radar/ visual reports) however that indicate to me at least that there is something to study.
February 14th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
“People, in general, aren’t interested in the truth”
Mirror, mirror…
February 14th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Hard to find any answers when you don’t know the questions to ask. A bunch of you so called ‘Ufologists’ are lamenting lately how you aren’t any closer now than you were before. Well what did you expect? The answers you seek aren’t coming out of a textbook but you just keep up your inside the box investigation and then wonder why you aren’t getting anywhere. The thought that the present ufology is going to provide any answers is laughable.
February 14th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
relayer,
1) If you think that I refer to myself as a “Ufologist,” you’re wrong. I never have and I never would. It’s a meaningless and maligned term.
2) The post was ABOUT how UFO study is barking up the wrong tree, and how it can possibly be changed.
I hope that clears things up and shows that we most likely agree on the subject!
February 14th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Greg, I enjoyed this article immensely. It parallels many of my own thoughts on UFOs and raises the question why, if there are UFOs about we really do not have a single decent photo of one when over a quarter of the people on the planet carry cameras with them at all times in the form of cell phone cameras.
I believe that there are probably many advanced civilizations out there and I have three possible hypotheses as to why we do not have any hard evidence for their existence. While these ideas are original to me, I am sure they have all been thought of before.
1. A civilization would have to be somewhere within 5,000 years of our own development for there to be any meaningful interaction. Since the universe is billions of years old the odds of us meeting a civilization within a time range for meaningful intercourse would be very small.
2. We are under constant surveillance by perhaps many space faring civilizations but due to their immense technological superiority it is hidden from us. Think of animals in the jungle being watched by night vision cameras.
3. My third hypothesis, if you can even call it that, is that we are making assumptions and failing to ask the right questions about the nature of our own existence/reality so that until another Einstein or greater intellect comes along we will not realize that we a failing to frame the question of the existence in of UFOs in a meaningful, realistic fashion.
February 15th, 2010 at 12:29 am
Art Bell has a great analysis of UFO photos/videos. If they are blurry the critics say, “That’s so blurry — that could be almost anything.” If they are well focused with large objects the critics say, “That’s too sharp — obviously the result of hoaxing or manipulation.”
February 15th, 2010 at 2:12 am
In this day and age of video cameras with anti-shake features there is no reason why a good film of a UFO has not been taken. I have shaky hands and my cheap camera takes very clear videos!
February 15th, 2010 at 2:18 am
Enjoyed reading your Feb. 12 entry. I have no doubts that people all over the world in the ancient past, present, and, no doubt, in the future have seen and experienced a variety of unexplained phenomena. If I may share something as food for thought concerning supernatural phenomenon – “and there will be signs in the sun and the moon and stars and upon the earth – dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” This prophecy was spoken by a first century Rabi, Y’shua, or as He is more commonly referred to, Jesus. Peace, grace, and understanding of the not yet known for all of us.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:37 am
“Creative thought and new ways of looking at that pile of rocks will go much further than simply collecting them.”
I could not agree more with you.
It is actually what I am trying to do. For more, you can visit my blog.
February 15th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Greg,
I didn’t think you called yourself a ufologist, just brandished the term loosly, I apologize for the insult. After you named my families case in your Fortean top 10 UFO cases a couple of years ago, I sent you some emails asking for some direction and never heard a peep. You’re not the 1st person studying this field I’ve heard lamenting about the lack of progress lately, my point was that for those of us that have been there, why you guys aren’t getting anywhere is obvious. I justed wanted to blow a little steam off at you, if you think it’s frustrating for you, think how we feel.
February 15th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Adding to the pile of rocks is not just a statement about your faith in Pegleg’s mythical gold, but also a way to partake in the fun of the mystery. to have some sort of atemporal communion with Pegleg, as it were.
Yes, it doesn’t provide more clues about the damn gold’s location. But the rocks represent a more visceral human need.
Retaking some of the ideas exposed by Mac Tonnies (and Mike Clelland!) with their metaphor of the laser pointer & the cat (check out Posthuman Blues or Hidden Experience if you don’t know what I’m talking about) you understand that the cat doesn’t *want* the laser point to stop dancing around the furniture and the walls; that would mean the end of the game!
And it keeps the kitten lean and healthy too
As someone who defends the need to study the subjective aspect of a UFO sighting, I would have hope you had more respect for that, Greg
February 16th, 2010 at 1:10 am
jpahere,
Valid points, but as you might have noticed, I’m pretty tired of the ETH.
Hypothesis #3 is most in line with my current interest.
February 16th, 2010 at 1:13 am
BrianJ,
Well, I guess it comes down to what you believe that determines what people sometimes capture on digital cameras and video. To me, the best images simply tell us that there is something as yet unidentified captured on tape or data card.
February 16th, 2010 at 1:15 am
Eric,
It’s funny what people choose to pay attention to when you write an opinion piece. I’m sure you’ve encountered that with your blog. I usually try to provide some sort of hope rather than simply complaining!
February 16th, 2010 at 1:25 am
relayer,
You probably sent your emails to an address I never check anymore. Please don’t take it personally.
Also, I think that if you go with someone’s “expert” opinion you will probably be screwed form the get-go. probably the vast majority of those who study this phenomenon do so in a vacuum without considering other paranormal issues, psychological influences, alternate explanations, etc. It’s usually going to be an effort to prove that aliens from another planet visited you.
Of course, that may have happened, but if I remember, your family had a strange and pretty frightening experience with noises, lights, and nighttime disturbances in the home. Is that right, or was it another case?
Generally, I try to be a cheerleader for alternate explanations and avenues of thought and research. I make no claims of any expertise or authority on anything, except perhaps some of the subjects covered in my book Project Beta…and I’m not totally sure about that either!
February 16th, 2010 at 1:28 am
Bruce,
That prophecy seems like a pretty safe bet.
February 16th, 2010 at 1:42 am
RPJ,
I don’t advocate that people stop growing the database, what I was trying to convey was that an obsession with it and the occasional “big case” doesn’t seem to be moving things forward.
With someplace to report sightings, there is also a service that is provided to witnesses: basically a sympathetic ear. This is needed of course.
So, as you should know, nothing is black-and-white in my opinion. The post was an attempt to jiggle our chains with regards to obsessive data collection with no other purpose in mind. MUFON is (or was) trying to gather all of its information in one database for a project to look at it in new ways. I have posted about and applauded this. The effort is called Project Pandora, if I remember correctly.
I am aware of Mac’s (and Mike’s) reference to the cat and laser. Mac actually read that passage on my show. As for the “subjective” aspects of UFO sightings/ encounters, I have advocated collection of subjective impressions from witnesses. The subjective experience (for the researcher) of collecting the hard data in the first place is not what I was criticizing. If they get some enjoyment out of it, fine, but something new must be done with it. Too much collecting, not enough analysis. That’s my subjective opinion!
February 16th, 2010 at 3:08 am
Greg-man,
Just read your brief reply. It’s obvious to me that you are a bright, well read, and thoughtful person. Bet you are familiar with the work of L.A.Marzulli. If not, may I suggest his book Politics, Prophecy, and the Supernatural. A perceptive look at current events,prophecy and scripture, and supernatural occurrences. There is an ongoing deception taking place right here, right now on this planet. For those that have ears to hear, there is an angel of light who is working with all kinds of miracles, signs, and false wonders. I think these lying wonders are already taking place. Satan is the prince of the power of the air and controls the air space, at least over certain geographical areas on the earth. Yeah, there is a “Great Deception” coming on the earth – but there is Good News in these crazy, last days. My hope is that each of us have the courage,conviction, and the grace to seek out the truth.
Peace, grace to you and those who seek the truth.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:33 am
“I am aware of Mac’s (and Mike’s) reference to the cat and laser.”
Oh, of course I know you were. The mention was for the benefit of other members following this thread.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Hello Greg,
I am not sure if I interpret correctly your suggestion about giving hope, but I consider my entire effort as trying to give hope in showing that there are other ways to get closer to an answer, however complicated such answer might be. Yet, if leaving people with hope means to encourage them, nevertheless, to continue to pursue a path that has not been fruitful for a long time (the ETH), then I do not think it is about hope. It might be comforting; it might increase one’s readership; it might be more “fitting in” with the UFO crowd, but I really think that encouraging people to get out of their comfort zone in this context is more much ethical. In the end, they will do whatever they want and judge for themselves, but at least they are aware that are other options available.
February 16th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Eric,
I tried to make it clear in the post and comments that the whole purpose of the piece was to get people out of a comfort zone of collecting UFO reports and images without doing anything with them or looking at the data in new ways was getting old. Or has been for many years.
The “hope” is that more will actually do this. I offered what I thought were pathways (authors and researchers who I think are or have been thinking in original ways) to the reader to further their own research and thinking.
February 16th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Thanks Greg.
I did not interpret your additional comments correctly. Once again, I think we are in full agreement.
On another topic, I haven’t read all your posts on this blog, so please excuse my ignorance, but do you have another UFO-related book in the making?
February 18th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
I share a similar sentiment. I want to believe, but…
I challenge anyone to sit down at Youtube for 4 hours, or even an hour a night for a few weeks, and simply watch every relative video they have posted.
Do that and you’ll have a full understanding of the the Author here is making so abundantly clear.
Just a little hint: All you’ll find are hundreds of hours of obvious hoaxes and well meaning people who can’t seem to distinguish between planes, flares, mylar baloons, chinese lanterns, blimps, et al. Of course the most convincing pictures are virtually all filmed at night. I wonder why that is?
February 18th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
jake,
You’re right. I’ve been looking at these videos and films and pictures for years now, and not only do they seem to get worse, people seem to be more interested in them than ever.
It’s gotten to the point where I actually enjoy a well-crafted hoax. One: Because each one raises the bar, and two: People seem to go nuts over them even more than the “real” footage.
March 1st, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Greg,
After reading what you said in your replies, I agree with you that you and I see things pretty much the same. This probably isn’t the right forum to be doing it so I apologize, but I’d like to pose my original question to you… Do you know of anybody that has studied a creature (mainly in the southeast) called ‘The White Thing’? That is the right case you mentioned in your reply and we heard something similar to this during our encounter.
Thanks