My e-mail is generally larded with interesting nuggets, similar to this revelation:
«The aliens have been in touch. Whenever i personally use my computer, they underline certain strange words on the screen . It really is a message.»
Possibly. On the other hand, possibly the correspondent should turn the spell-check off on his word processor.
It is as predictable as a sitcom that is low-grade but every day I arrive at my office comprehending that before quitting time, i am going to get one or more phone call or e-mail from someone who has news so startling, it should rock the world like Mick Jagger on tour. Generally, these folks are writing or ringing to report something strange when you look at the sky or an oddity in a photograph. Occasionally they inform me that smooth-skinned beings from another world, clearly overstepping the bounds of polite behavior, have abducted them for a couple hours of malicious molestation.
These correspondents, each of whom are patently sincere, mostly desire to share incontrovertible evidence of alien presence or influence. A claim that is few have developed a breathtaking theory of physics that renders all graduate-level courses when you look at the subject obsolete.
Either could be understanding of a high order. Either would alter the trajectory that is future of. I will feel flattered that someone wants us to be among the first to understand.
Over the years, I’ve dealt with large number of such communications, and I suppose it really is inevitable that I’ve become slightly jaded by the stories — that are largely repetitive. It really is hardly a secret that I’m skeptical of declarations that the aliens are on trips on our world.
Still, I try to answer every one of these mails and phone calls because, all things considered, it is not a violation of physics to travel from a single star system to another. Difficult as it’s, I resist the temptation in order to become so hardened in my skepticism that I erect a shield against considering possible new evidence.
Indeed, an inflexible mind-set is one of many two principal arguments made by the UFO community to spell out why mainstream scientists are doubtful of these claims: They lament that pointy-headed scientists just won’t go through the evidence. So I take that as a caution.
Their other argument, that the evidence that is best is being hidden because of the government, is silly. It implies a world-wide conspiracy of governments, in addition to an uncanny alien power to make sure that all evidence of their presence is exclusively collectible because of the military or secret federal agencies.
But I really do try to keep an mind that is open. All things considered, anybody can make a scientific discovery. And when that someone is outside the cozy halls of academe, and unburnished by both credibility that is professional a wall of framed sheepskins, how do they generate their case? Unlike the research establishment, they neither know — nor would know — dealing with the refereed journals that are the billboards of science.
So they really plead their case to someone they might have heard of or can easily find, anything like me.
However, I wish to offer an service that is FAQ those that would call or write with extraordinary claims. These are things to avoid, or at the least be aware of, before you reach for the device or open your laptop:
1. Do not assure me which you have unique proof of aliens in the world. Everyone says that. It is a flag that is red. So just let me know what the evidence is.
2. Don’t ask me to travel to start to see the evidence. Write it up, or photograph it.
3. Do not expect us to «finish the analysis for your needs.» Newton didn’t ask somebody else to work the details out of classical mechanics once he saw an apple fall.
4. If you’ve got mysterious objects in photos, seek advice from a friend that is photographer. The majority of the supposed «otherworldly craft» I’ve seen on photos are generally candidates that are good airplanes or are well-known camera artifacts, such as for example internal reflections into the lens. If your evidence is custom writing no more than a bright blob in a photo, it really is totally ambiguous and won’t convince anyone.
5. Remember that you can find organizations that specialize in investigating UFO sightings and events that are similar. MUFON (the Mutual UFO Network) has a button on its home page where a sighting can be reported by you. Most academic and research organizations are unlikely to help you much. They do not have the time, money or background that is requisite.
6. Do not send e-mails to any or all you can think about, like the current occupant for the White House, the Pentagon, NASA and all the experts you have seen on TV — you satisfaction to pad their spam folders unless it gives.
7. If I sound skeptical, do not let me know «I know the thing I saw!» whatever you see is filtered using your visual system (imperfect) along with your brain (also imperfect, despite what your mom told you). Witness testimony could be the worst kind of evidence in science.
I do not promise to be convinced, but I really do attempt to listen.