Are UFO sightings linked to sci-fi films ?

[UM-Bot]

Image credit: Alvim Corréa

Recently released documents in the UK have shown that UFO sightings over the country increased five-fold in the same year that the movie Independence Day was released in cinemas, suggesting a link between UFO sightings and sci-fi films.

"Newly released documents show that UFO sightings in the UK leapt five-fold in the same year that the alien invader blockbuster Independence Day was released. So is there a link between UFOs and science-fiction ?"

View: Full Article | Source: BBC News

[Alchera]

I see two arguments here. One being that people's imagination runs wild. Another that it makes people more aware and therefore more likely to view the phenomenon.

[WoIverine]

UFO sightings pre-date the film industry. This article fails.

Edited August 20, 2009 by SpiderCyde

[Cookes453]

UFO sightings pre-date the film industry. This article fails.

That's irrelevant. The article is stating that UFO sightings went up after the release of science fiction movies, which makes sense because as Warbringer said, "People's imagination run wild."

[jbondo]

I see two arguments here. One being that people's imagination runs wild. Another that it makes people more aware and therefore more likely to view the phenomenon.

Likely a combination of both.

[Lt_Ripley]

That's irrelevant. The article is stating that UFO sightings went up after the release of science fiction movies, which makes sense because as Warbringer said, "People's imagination run wild."

I wouldn't call it irrelevant.

remember sightings went up , but a bulk because of experimental craft .Especially through the fifties. what also isn't taken into account is media to produce those reports. The same amount of unknowns may have been sighted previous to movies and air craft ... but pre tv ,radio ......... news was far and few between. Just as people say there is more crime today . well it's reported more widely. coast to coast. crime has always been a certain percent of the population it's just media coverage wasn't as wide. Same with war. limited coverage and very censored made for very patriotic war/people. Now that coverage is more varied and media in the arena we are seeing more truth to it. Not so popular or patriotic anymore. people actually question the governments motives now. hopefully.

while people have wild imaginations and many make false claims and hoax..... many do not and know what is usual for our skies . They sure did in Neurmberg Germany in 15?? ( can't remember exact ) where crowds watched as various 'tubes' and circles 'fought ' in the sky for about an hour. as reported in their press and a wood cut made of it.

just one example ....

ps - what movie has caused the increase world wide lately ? ( from Stevensville to England today )

Edited August 20, 2009 by Lt_Ripley

[:PsYKoTiC:BeHAvIoR:]

That's irrelevant. The article is stating that UFO sightings went up after the release of science fiction movies, which makes sense because as Warbringer said, "People's imagination run wild."

Well, Science fiction movies may be a contributing factor, but in the last century, we successfully have many vehicules and gadgets up in the sky. Although some objects are common knowledge, I'm sure a few is out there we have no clue. So, increase sightings of UFOs is to no surprise for me, but for most cases, nothing extra-terrestrial or foreign about it.

[shaka5]

I wouldn't call it irrelevant.

remember sightings went up , but a bulk because of experimental craft .Especially through the fifties. what also isn't taken into account is media to produce those reports. The same amount of unknowns may have been sighted previous to movies and air craft ... but pre tv ,radio ......... news was far and few between. Just as people say there is more crime today . well it's reported more widely. coast to coast. crime has always been a certain percent of the population it's just media coverage wasn't as wide. Same with war. limited coverage and very censored made for very patriotic war/people. Now that coverage is more varied and media in the arena we are seeing more truth to it. Not so popular or patriotic anymore. people actually question the governments motives now. hopefully.

while people have wild imaginations and many make false claims and hoax..... many do not and know what is usual for our skies . They sure did in Neurmberg Germany in 15?? ( can't remember exact ) where crowds watched as various 'tubes' and circles 'fought ' in the sky for about an hour. as reported in their press and a wood cut made of it.

just one example ....

ps - what movie has caused the increase world wide lately ? ( from Stevensville to England today )

i agree just because more of us have a chance to hear about something doesnt mean it wasnt there before

[lookingfortruth]

it hurt me to read this. our swim team size doubled the year after the olympics and michle phelps medals, it was the biggest increase ever. since this movie got people hyped up over ufos, wouldnt it be logical to say the same thing happened?

[KillerRabbit]

Makes sense. Most Ufos reported are planes, ballons, stars, etc . After seeing a Sci_Fi movie people may mistake these for Ufos, As their mond is on UFos, and aliens.

[MID]

UFO sightings pre-date the film industry. This article fails.

That's irrelevant to the premise of the article.

There is actually little doubt that the media intensifies the awareness of UFOs and certainly has an effect on reports of encounters and such.

Especially after a ridiculous movie like "Independence Day".

[Cookes453]

That's irrelevant to the premise of the article.

There is actually little doubt that the media intensifies the awareness of UFOs and certainly has an effect on reports of encounters and such.

Especially after a ridiculous movie like "Independence Day".

That's what I meant, perhaps I should've said it in a different way, my apologies lol. Good points here though.

Edited August 20, 2009 by Cookes453

[UtahRaptor]

So, I guess all of the people in every single ancient human culture watched SiFi movies when they invented algebra, trig, calc, open heart surgery, blood transfusions, brain surgury, C-sections, and super advanced methody of construction that with all of our technology today can't even duplicate. It's nice to know that our ancient ancestors from 2,000 years ago to 50,000 years ago also had Comcast. I guess that cable and satillite TV is where they got the silly notion that extraterrestrial people came down and tought them all of the things I mentioned and more.

Comcast so rocks!!!

Edited August 24, 2009 by UtahRaptor

[Rory]

When the television show Torchwood was released the amount of reports of Unidentified Flying Objects being spotted increased dramatically, strangely enough in the Cardiff area. . .

[behaviour???]

I see two arguments here. One being that people's imagination runs wild. Another that it makes people more aware and therefore more likely to view the phenomenon.

And you seem to notice that most of the are hoaxes? Arising possibility to the first one rather the second

Thanks

B???

[behaviour???]

When the television show Torchwood was released the amount of reports of Unidentified Flying Objects being spotted increased dramatically, strangely enough in the Cardiff area. . .

Very true....most of them wanted Acess to that programme....

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B???