I’m getting dragged by aliens!
Musing
Lately, UFO true believers have been savaging me online, calling me every possible name, from “NASA shill” to Neil Degrasse Tyson knockoff. But, indeed, Skepticism towards the existence of ‘nonhuman intelligence’ visiting the earth is the most scientific position to take.
Doubt in UFO believers stems from several rational considerations, beginning with the scant evidence supporting their existence. While several pilots, including past guest Ryan Graves, claim eyewitness evidence for UAPs operating near military locations, in terms of evidence hierarchy in a court of law, eyewitness testimony does not rank as highly as physical evidence (such as DNA/XNA, hardware recovered, lab experiments by third party experts, and forensic evidence) in terms of reliability and objectivity. Physical evidence is less susceptible to the biases, inaccuracies, and inconsistencies affecting human memory and perception. Believers should maintain the highest standards, above even those accepted in courts. After all, as Carl Sagan said, “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,” and eyewitnesses, no matter how brave, trained, or fairminded, do not rise to the level of extraordinary.
The scientific community’s reticence is justified, given the prevalence of hoaxes and a general disregard for the rigorous methodologies that underpin genuine scientific inquiry. The association of UFO claims with conspiracy theories further muddies the waters, complicating the discernment between fact and fiction.
Practical observations about technological limitations and the nature of exploration also fuel the skepticism. For instance, the question of why aliens would traverse vast interstellar distances only to crash upon arrival can be paralleled to human aviation, where a significant fraction of accidents occur during landing or approach — a phase that represents a minimal fraction of total flight time. This analogy underscores the complexities and risks of navigating unfamiliar terrains, potentially explaining why evidence of extraterrestrial visitations might manifest as crashes.
Critiques concerning the poor quality of purported UFO footage, such as those highlighted by Elon Musk, reflect a misunderstanding of technological progression. The expectation for high-definition evidence ignores the reality that any visiting extraterrestrials might not prioritize or possess technology compatible with our expectations, much like how Jane Goodall wouldn’t expect gorillas to capture her research on iPhones.
Moreover, discussing whether aliens discovering string theory versus metallurgy affects believability introduces a false dichotomy. The essence of scientific skepticism lies not in what extraterrestrials might discover but in the evidence supporting their presence. Ultimately, faith cannot replace facts. I despise when people say, “I want to believe”. No, one should want data, not faith. The demand for irrefutable proof remains paramount, underscoring the necessity for a grounded, empirical approach to the UFO phenomenon.
Until next week, have a M.A.G.I.C. week!
Appearance
I was on with my friend James Altucher recently discussing science and life on campus for Professors. He and I are discussing the possibility of forming a regular chat, maybe even a new podcast.
Topics would be much wider than typical of The INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE Podcast. We’d include musings on life, finance, technology, and fatherhood and feature a new guest each time…. let me know your recommendations!
Genius
I found this brilliant website for making fun, free clip art icons, and I promptly wasted hours getting an avatar of me just right.
What do you think?
Image
Speaking of extraterrestrial technology, here’s a picture of a recent SpaceX Falcon 9 launch I caught from my backyard in San Diego. This one had Starlinks aboard, not alien biologics 😀!
Conversation
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