UFOs & Aliens

Unidentified Flying Objects

An unidentified flying object, or UFO, is in its strictest definition any apparent object in the sky that is not identifiable as a known object or phenomenon. However the term is widely used in popular culture to refer more specifically to supposed observations of craft of extraterrestrial origin. Most UFOs are later identified as conventional objects or phenomena (e.g., aircraft, weather balloons, clouds). Some of them are not identified, either because of lack of evidence or because no conventional explanation can be found despite extensive evidence. Some people consider the latter cases as possible observations of extraterrestrial space craft.

UFOs and Aliens – What Science Says | Donald Prothero

UFO sightings have been reported throughout recorded history and in various parts of the world, raising questions about life on other planets and whether extraterrestrials have visited Earth. They became a major subject of interest – and the inspiration behind numerous films and books – following the development of rocketry after World War II.

Questions Remain Though

While some believe that extraterrestrial beings may have visited our planet, others remain skeptical and seek scientific evidence to support such claims. The fascination with this topic has inspired a wide array of literature, films, and media, contributing to the modern UFO mythos. The reasons behind a potential visitation by extraterrestrial beings, assuming they have mastered interstellar travel, remain a matter of conjecture. Furthermore, the possibility of alternate explanations for UFO sightings, such as elaborate pranks or misinterpretations of natural phenomena, cannot be discounted.

If we were to explore the concept of alien visitations further, it may also be worthwhile to consider the broader context of multidimensional realities, parallel universes, and the complexities of space-time, as contemplated in scientific theories and fiction. In conclusion, the question of whether aliens come to Earth sparks curiosity and contemplation, fueling the ongoing quest for understanding and exploration of the unknown.

The Origin of UFOs

Wanted: A Science of UFOs | Alexander Wendt | TEDxColumbus

Was it possible that the so-called UFOs were not from somewhere far away but rather from within the Multiverse, from a Parallel Universe (a hypothetical self-contained reality co-existing with one’s own) or even a matrix-style world?

ETs and their UFOs might not be from too far away after all. Perhaps a portal between Dimensions (let’s just call it like that) was discovered or we perceive phenomena from within the Quantum Foam or simply make something out of the Akashic Records?

Every major trope of the modern UFO mythos can be traced to previous media images and themes. The three major types of aliens of UFO literature – Nordics, Grays, and Reptilians – can all be traced to media prototypes, as can tales of Alien Abductions, Alien Implants, and the imagery of Flying Saucers. The chief media sources of these tropes are movies, television, pulp magazines, and comic strips. But earlier literature and even ancient myths were also precursors of the modern UFO myths. That this new mythology came into being in the 20th century reflects the greater emotional and visceral impact of film and television compared to that of the written word.

“Evolution has ensured that our brains just aren’t equipped to visualise 11 dimensions directly. However, from a purely mathematical point of view it’s just as easy to think in 11 dimensions, as it is to think in three or four.”
– Stephen Hawking

Since the 1940s and 50s, reports of “flying saucers” have become a cultural phenomena. Sightings of strange objects in the sky inspired Hollywood to present visions of potential threats. Posters for films, like Earth vs. the Flying Saucers from 1956 illustrate these fears.

Connected to ongoing ideas about life on the Moon, the canals on Mars, and ideas about Martian Civilizations, flying saucers have come to represent the hopes and fears of the modern world.

Don’t You Get Fooled

One of the most elaborate UFO pranks ever staged was on April Fools’ Day in 1989 over London. Virgin, the famous venture capitalist conglomerate, is known for its April foolery, and the mastermind behind their pranks is Virgin’s founder Sir Richard Branson. The mission to fly a UFO over London began as a top secret project code named “Project Wedgewood.” Cameron Balloons Limited in the town of Bristol, a bit less than 2 hours from London by car, was commissioned to build a massive UFO hot air balloon fully kitted out with strobe lights.

World UFO Day, July 2 2013

As to what happened next, Branson detailed the execution of the prank in a blog on World UFO Day (July 2) in 2013. Branson says they took off in the balloon at approximately 4 am, the strobe lights blinking every 10 seconds. By the time the first light of dusk could be seen they had reached a major motorway leading into London. Branson writes, “We could see every single vehicle grinding to a halt and hundreds of people looking up at the UFO flying over them.”

Newspapers said that Branson and his UFO were blown off target. The plan was to land in London’s Hyde Park, instead Branson had to set the UFO down in Surrey Field. Branson says they hadn’t realized the extent of the commotion their stunt was creating while they were in the air. The police and army had been alerted to their presence, and radio and TV stations were reporting the UFO over London.

When the balloon set down Branson says they were surrounded by police. The police appeared a bit hesitant to approach the strange aircraft. Branson says they “sent one lone policeman with his truncheon across the field to greet the alien.” He continued, “The UFO’s door opened very slowly, with tonnes of dry ice billowing from it. A dwarf that we had carried on board, dressed in an ET outfit, walked down the platform towards the bobby. He promptly turned and ran in the opposite direction!”

Sir Branson of course thought this prank was pretty funny, but the police were not amused, at least not at first. Branson says, “The police initially didn’t see the funny side of it and threatened to arrest us for wasting their time. But they soon joined in the general merriment of it.” Branson says, “Every April Fools Day we love to come up with a major fun prank that pulls peoples legs and makes them smile.”

What About Aliens?

The topic of extraterrestrial life has fascinated and intrigued people for centuries. The possibility of life beyond our planet continues to be a subject of scientific research, philosophical debate, and popular culture. From speculative theories about microbial life on Mars to the search for habitable exoplanets in distant solar systems, the exploration of extraterrestrial life captivates the imagination and pushes the boundaries of human knowledge.

The potential discovery of extraterrestrial life would have profound implications for our understanding of the universe and our place within it. It could provide insights into the origins of life, the conditions necessary for its existence, and the potential diversity of life forms. Furthermore, it may prompt us to reconsider our perspectives on the uniqueness of Earth and the likelihood of encountering intelligent civilizations.

Exobiology

While definitive evidence of extraterrestrial life remains elusive, ongoing scientific endeavors such as the search for biosignatures on other planets and moons, and the study of extremophiles on Earth, offer promising avenues for exploration. As technology advances and our understanding of astrobiology deepens, humanity stands on the cusp of unprecedented discoveries that could reshape our view of the cosmos.

Maybe we’re the first civilization to emerge in the history of the cosmos capable of radio astronomy. Maybe all technical civilizations culminate in their own self destruction.

It’s also quite possible that they’ve tried contacting us, and we were just too dumb, or less evolved to understand it. But we’ve also been trying to contact them: Exobiology covers the search for life beyond Earth.

First Contact

And how can we be so sure that the aliens haven’t contacted or visited our planet before? According to the Drake equation and the Fermi paradox, we would have already been visited by them, right? Maybe they are here, in hiding, because of some ethic of non interference, or for their own safety. If there were Aliens out there, do you think they would communicate with us human beings here on earth? Probably not:

They’re not close to us. If there are technological aliens, they’ll almost certainly be a long way from us, thousands or millions of light-years away.
There are most likely no other technological civilizations. The acquisition of technology can be (as we see in our own example) a cause of species extinction. If there was any intelligent species out there and it reached the technological stage… it is assumable that by now it will already be extinct.
Alien species that advanced wouldn’t bother contacting us. We are not a threat and don’t hold anything valuable. We’re just mites living on a tiny mote of dust.
We’re intelligent life? What makes us think that? We’re comparing ourselves to the species we’ve encounter on this planet. Life on Earth began approximately 3.5 billion years ago. What about species that have existed for 10 billion years and have evolved twice as much as we have? All our species has ever done is raise the temperature of that tiny mote of dust by a few degrees. That’s the net physical contribution of the human species to the universe.
We don’t have anything valuable either. Water, you say? Any species that is capable of interstellar travel would’ve perfected atomic fusion, enabling them to produce water from the hydrogen present in stars. Even if they haven’t perfected fusion, they would easily find water (as vapor or ice) on planets or comets nearby. No one would need any raw materials or water from our planet. We’re not a threat to them either. We’re insignificant.
We’re not even a dot on the solar scale, and much less on an interstellar one. The universe is fucking huge, and every depiction of the solar system you’ve seen is not accurate.

Where are all the aliens? | Stephen Webb

However, if they would communicate with us what would a first contact with aliens look like? The beliefs of so many people would be challenged! Many will loose the reason to live (for an after life) For others, racism will get a totally new meaning.

Alien first contact would probably happen in one of two scenarios:

In the first scenario, first contact will be a devastating military strike that all but obliterates us, followed by systematic looting of our resources.

In the second scenario, scientists will realize one day that a bunch of odd stuff they couldn’t really explain was related to aliens, and, having realized an alien connection, will then see aliens everywhere, going about their business, not paying too much attention to us. Attempts at contact will be marginally successful at best, as the aliens just aren’t very interested in us.

And what kind of aliens would come? According to the List Of Alleged Extraterrestrial Beings, three species of aliens, we all have learned of in one way or another, were the Martians, the Greys and the Plejaren (previously known as Pleiadeans from the Pleiades).