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

“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…

“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)

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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