The biggest secret of them all

2. The biggest secret of them all • Fundamental to conspiracy theories is that history and reality are not as you think • The New World Order presumes that the world is organised in the interests of an elite – works because it seems possible or likely; what distinguishes theory from theory is how elaborate and baroque each is • But what about an order of the world that goes beyond the planet? • Question asked of those in power today

3. “Cosmic Watergate” • Stanton Freidman (54 min doc) has pursued evidence to prove the existence of a huge conspiracy • In his own way is a debunker of UFOs, seeking “serious” rational enquiry • Friedman and others have been diligent critics of Government secrecy • Disclosure organisations such as CSETI • Defining the motives of ufologists is complicated…

4. “Flying Saucers” • Modern UFO era begins with 1947 sighting by Kenneth Arnold. Coined the phrase flying saucer – interesting wrinkle in this term • In the following decade became mainstream • Represented in film and fiction, eg 1950s SF movies • Subject of official investigations 1970s such as USAF Project Blue Book and the Condon Report • Subject of private/popular investigation by popular organisations such as NICAP and MUFON • A proportion of sightings / incidents are admitted by all sides as unresolved (= U in UFO)

5. Explanations? • Extra-terrestrials (of various kinds) • Man-made, eg secret aircraft such as Aurora • Man-made via “reverse engineering” alien tech • Natural phenomena such as clouds, mirages, ball lightning, natural gas • Frauds or hoaxes (notably Gulf Breeze) • Social anxieties / hallucinations (Barkin article) • inc. Karl Jung’s theory (UFOs: A Modern Myth) • Truly exotic – time-travellers, 5th dimension, etc

6. The bigger narrative • The Roswell Incident July 1947 • Crashed flying saucer (CNN); touristic base • Area 51 • Establishment of secret military base in Nevada; regular visits by ETs • Majestic or MJ 12 • Document proof • Collaboration /struggle with ETs (or EBEs) • Mythology of the “Men in Black” • Many contributions of one John Lear

8. “Dark Ufology” • Term applied to a particular version of the narrative grown since the late 1980s/1990s • Aliens are conspiring with Govt (or others) • Particular type - the “Greys” (EBEs) • Notably Alien Abduction – humans taken in trade • David Jacobs, John Mack, Bud Hopkins • A Grey-Human hybrid breeding programme • Nb female focus • Fictionalised in the X Files and well known now

9. What does the Grey alien mean? • Jodi Dean in Aliens in America– grey alien has become an objectification of the anxieties of modern America • Aliens and our alienation from society? • Abduction and our feelings of loss of control • Relationship to women/feminism is investigated by Dean – claims is empowering • Dean notes that abduction scenario is different from invasion

10. How many? • Think there is something in it… • Do you think there is intelligent life somewhere in the universe, other than on Earth, or not?Yes..............54%No...............32%Not Sure*....14% • Do you think intelligent beings from other planets have ever visited Earth, or don't you think so?Yes..............30%No...............54%Not Sure*....16% • Do you think the U.S. government is withholding information from the public about the existence of UFOs, or don't you think so?Yes..............49%No...............40%Not Sure*....11% • In your opinion, are UFOs real or just the product of people's imaginations?Real............43%Imaginary....42%Not Sure*....15% from LIFE POLL 2000 also ROPER POLL 2002

11. Proof? • Close Encounters • I sighting / II effects / III contact • Categories of proof which map onto conspiracy theories generally: 1) Testimony of witnesses – or “contactees” or “abductees” 2) Physical proof – marks, bodies, documents 3) Images

14. Image evidence • Still images aplenty • Film such as • Classic footage • Recent footage – the Phoenix AZ lights • NASA footage • The notorious Alien Autopsy tape (FAKE!) • Recently a grey caught on tape! • Sheer ease of fakery