Step One — Honesty in Experience and Perception

To begin unpacking UFO sightings, we must recognize the anthropocentric nature of our responses. While the subject may initially appear to concern extraterrestrial life, it fundamentally reflects human self-perception. Our assumptions, emotions, and knowledge shape how we interpret our experiences. This tendency to anthropomorphize leads people to view human beings as the standard for all things.

To counter this bias, we need to focus on human experiences. Although UFO sightings are usually reported by individuals, each sighting is ultimately a human interpretation. There is substance to these sightings, yet the ambiguous nature of the phenomena invites subjective interpretations.

Our understanding is influenced by our past experiences and current expectations, a concept I refer to as "semantic resources." This idea is particularly relevant when analyzing UFOs. People's descriptions of sightings often evolve alongside technological advancements. For example, sightings were once attributed to dirigibles due to the knowledge available at the time.

Additionally, film narratives, such as The Day the Earth Stood Still, have shaped perceptions of UFOs as potential threats. The prevailing mindset during the Cold War fostered the belief that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations would be interested in humanity, often focusing on our military capabilities.

We tend to project human characteristics onto potential extraterrestrials, assuming they will resemble us in some way. However, we cannot know how they might look or behave. We must set aside our biases and genuinely observe UFO phenomena if we seek to understand them.

Different individuals interpret experiences uniquely. When I ask my philosophy students to count the trees outside, they may respond with a single number, but I remind them that there are as many trees as there are perspectives in the room.

What do people experience during UFO sightings? A variety of interpretations arise from different encounters. It is crucial to analyze both the tangible aspects of UFO experiences and the psychological dimensions—how much of what individuals report stems from external stimuli versus personal interpretation and psychological needs. Some may seek attention, while others may misinterpret natural phenomena.

We are all interpreters of our experiences, and it is human nature to adjust them according to our desires. Thus, each case warrants a critical yet open-minded examination. We must be willing to investigate how cultural narratives about extraterrestrials influence personal accounts and how some may fabricate stories for attention.

Moreover, there are those who experience genuine confusion upon witnessing something in the sky. UFOs are real occurrences, shaped by a collection of objective phenomena. However, the variability of human experiences complicates our understanding of these sightings.

A sincere inquiry into UFOs requires a balanced perspective between skepticism and the assumption of alien involvement. By collectively engaging in open-minded exploration, we can develop the tools necessary to comprehend whatever lies behind the sightings and the varied responses they elicit. The outcome of such inquiries remains uncertain, but it is a pursuit worth undertaking.

Step Two — Moving Beyond Cold War Narratives, Part One

This section primarily discusses the United States, as other cultures have distinct experiences and perspectives.

From the iconic robot in The Day the Earth Stood Still to the Pentagon's recent rebranding of UFOs as UAPs, Cold War narratives have significantly influenced perceptions of these phenomena. Films from the 1950s often portrayed UFOs as vessels for alien invaders, reflecting American anxieties about a potential Soviet threat. Conversely, The Day the Earth Stood Still suggested that extraterrestrials were monitoring humanity to prevent global conflict. These conflicting themes have shaped public perceptions of UFO sightings.

Both themes emphasize the military's role, as it is tasked with protecting the nation from perceived threats. During the Cold War, the fear of Soviet invasion justified a heightened military presence, saturating American society with paranoia.

Consequently, sightings in the sky became a matter of national defense, leading to two prevailing ideas: first, that UFOs likely serve as transport for threatening entities, and second, that the military should address these aerial occurrences. These fictional narratives reinforced the belief that UFOs are a military concern, a perception that persists today, complicating our understanding of UFOs/UAPs.

The Disclosure Narrative: A Byproduct of Cold War Thinking

Military operations inherently require a degree of secrecy, especially during the Cold War, which demanded unprecedented levels of operational confidentiality. This era of paranoia fostered a connection between the following ideas:

• We are under threat.
• The military must protect us.
• The military must keep secrets.

From this perspective, it follows that:

• The military is concealing information about UFO-related threats.

While this seems plausible, it raises the question: what evidence supports this claim?

The notion that the military and government possess knowledge unknown to the public stems from a 1950s mindset. Newsreels from that era reflect a public belief in a benevolent government acting in the best interest of its citizens. The U.S. was viewed as a protector of freedom, with its military at the forefront of this mission. Thus, it was assumed that the military had access to information about possible threats, including UFOs.

During the 1950s and early 1960s, questioning the government was seen as unpatriotic. However, by the mid-1970s, post-Vietnam and post-Watergate sentiments shifted public perception. The belief that the military and government were, in fact, nefarious entities gained traction.

As UFO sightings increased, so did inquiries about government knowledge. The perception evolved from the assumption that the military knew more than the public to questioning why such knowledge was not being shared.

The Disclosure narrative emerged to fill the void of information regarding UFOs, propagated by authors and advocates claiming that the military was withholding critical knowledge. This conspiracy theory suggests that the military has long known about extraterrestrial spacecraft and has deliberately concealed this information. Variants of this narrative include concepts of crashed saucers, hybrid programs, and secret space fleets.

The government inadvertently fueled this narrative through projects like Blue Book, which became synonymous with misinformation. Rather than clarifying questions about UFOs, such initiatives often appeared to conceal information, leading to the perception of a cover-up. After the project's closure in 1969, the military remained silent.

A More Plausible Hypothesis than the Disclosure Narrative

It is understandable that individuals might believe the military is withholding information about UFOs. However, failing to critically analyze the underlying reasons for military secrecy is misguided. A wise approach requires following the evidence and adapting beliefs to align with it.

The Disclosure narrative posits that the U.S. military and government have concealed knowledge for up to 75 years regarding extraterrestrial spacecraft visiting Earth. Upholding this narrative necessitates belief in the military's exceptional ability to maintain secrecy while silencing numerous witnesses.

Moreover, proponents of this theory must explain why the military would go to such lengths to hide an extraterrestrial presence. To explore this, we must consider the military's motivations.

Historically, the U.S. military has capitalized on fears of foreign threats to justify its existence. If no threats existed, the military's rationale for funding would diminish. The military has demonstrated a willingness to present evidence of foreign threats, even when fabricated. If an extraterrestrial threat were real, it would be leveraged to enhance military funding and influence.

The opposite hypothesis is more likely: the military lacks knowledge about UFOs, fully aware of its ignorance regarding these phenomena. To illustrate, consider this thought experiment:

Imagine you hold a position of authority within the military, responsible for national security. You are aware that the military is regarded as the defender of freedom. Suddenly, a report crosses your desk concerning UFO sightings. Experts indicate they cannot explain the phenomena or ascertain any potential threat to national security.

What would you do? If you suggested admitting to the public that there are unexplainable occurrences in the sky, you would be naïve. Your role demands maintaining the perception that the military can handle any threat. Acknowledging uncertainty would undermine national security.

Furthermore, as a military official, your training emphasizes operational security. You would likely file away the UFO report to preserve the military's reputation.

In essence, the military's secrecy likely stems from its inability to explain UFOs rather than concealing knowledge of extraterrestrial craft. This "know-nothing" hypothesis aligns more closely with past military behavior and is easier to maintain.

Step Two — Moving Beyond Cold War Narratives, Part Two

As previously mentioned, the Cold War influenced assumptions that UFOs function as transportation devices. While the idea that aerial phenomena might represent vehicles predates this era, Cold War paranoia fueled speculation that UFOs could be monitoring us. Cinema of that time often portrayed UFOs as hostile entities, while films like The Day the Earth Stood Still presented a more benign narrative of alien observation.

Regardless of whether one imagines benevolent beings or threats aboard these crafts, such portrayals reflect the era's obsessions with paranoia and technology. While it is possible that UFOs are extraterrestrial spacecraft, it is essential to recognize that this is not the sole explanation and should not dominate our understanding.

Why must we move beyond the assumption that UFOs are alien spacecraft? Premature conclusions can hinder investigations, as they prevent an honest evaluation of evidence. This assumption not only stifles research but also leads to speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding UFO sightings.

The prevailing assumption that UFOs are alien craft often dictates the discourse, with many equating the question of “Is that a UFO?” with “Is that an alien spacecraft?” Even recent programs like AATIP start from the premise that UAPs are aircraft, subsequently interpreting phenomena to fit this framework. Rumors often spiral into elaborate narratives of crashed alien vessels based on tenuous claims.

The dominant assumptions surrounding UFOs contribute to a culture of conspiracy rather than genuine inquiry. This has stifled critical examination of the phenomena, relegating the discourse to rigid narratives. Within UFOlogy, one either aligns with the Disclosure narrative or faces accusations of complicity in a government cover-up, stifling diverse exploration of the topic.

This brings us back to anthropomorphism. The tendency to view UFOs as extraterrestrial ships reflects a human projection rather than an objective assessment of the phenomena. UFOs could encompass a wide range of possibilities, including:

• Weather or energy phenomena
• Biological organisms
• Alternative dimensional phenomena
• Consciousness-manipulating occurrences
• Unknown phenomena beyond our current understanding

Those who adhere strictly to the assumptions of alien spacecraft and government concealment may overlook these various possibilities.

Summary — A Call for Honest Engagement with UFO Experiences

We are presented with a wealth of credible UFO sightings, yet the discourse surrounding them is often co-opted. On one hand, sensationalist UFOlogists and conspiracy theorists promote extreme ideas, while on the other, skeptical debunkers dismiss claims without thorough consideration.

Who is genuinely investigating UFO phenomena?

The UFO inquiry is continually evolving, responding to global events, technological advancements, and cultural shifts. However, the swirling narratives often obscure the underlying complexities and hinder thorough examination.

We require more evidence-driven, reality-focused discussions regarding UFO phenomena. We must gather data and pursue where it leads, even in the absence of definitive conclusions.

Currently, there is no substantial evidence confirming the existence of extraterrestrials or suggesting that they are visiting Earth. Therefore, there is also no credible evidence supporting the idea that the military is concealing such knowledge. A sober examination indicates that any military investigations likely yielded no conclusive findings, prompting silence out of embarrassment.

The subject of UFOs remains taboo, likely due to the military's own uncertainties. Upon evaluating the evidence, we can conclude that the Disclosure narrative is speculative at best, more likely an urban legend. This narrative presumes that if there is a suggestion of knowledge, there must be a foundation for it. However, upon closer inspection, we find that the perceived knowledge is merely fog without any substantive evidence.

There is a real phenomenon behind UFO sightings, despite the distractions created by grifters, attention-seekers, and skeptics. It is crucial to delve into the fundamental experiences associated with UFO sightings, as various intriguing possibilities await exploration with open minds.