World UFO Day 2015: Why do people believe?

[Still Waters]

Belief in UFOs is a global phenomenon, with millions of people subscribed to ideas of unidentified flying objects, aliens, abductions and government conspiracies about the likes of Roswell and Area 51.

There are around 4,000 members of the Mutual UFO Network and according to URL metrics, the site UFO Sightings Daily gets over a quarter of a million monthly page views - with an estimated value of $27,453 (£17,450).

And this belief has led to the creation of World UFO Day on 2 July, an event set up in 2001 to commemorate the supposed UFO crash in Roswell in 1947.

http://www.ibtimes.c...uctions-1508163

[Lilly]

Well, I believe that there is an odd phenomena (of some type) that people see in our skies. I believe this because I've personally seen it. As for all the other stuff about aliens, abductions, Roswell and Area 51, I'm not at all convinced.

[Zalmoxis]

I think there is sufficient recorded evidence to prove that people are seeing what appear to be manned aircraft not of human origin. People generally do not believe what they never see in regards to fantastic and phenomenal things.

[S2F]

I think there is sufficient recorded evidence to prove that people are seeing what appear to be manned aircraft not of human origin. People generally do not believe what they never see in regards to fantastic and phenomenal things.

So you prescribe to the "you gotta see it to believe it" mantra? I prefer the "you gotta believe it to see it" one.

*Clarification. Regarding alien craft specifically, not UFO's.

Edited June 27, 2015 by S2F

[Skep B]

I think the idea that there are things bigger/more than us is appealing. Whether it be God or aliens, or extra dimensional beings, it allows us to have a feeling of perspective that there are things separate but above us. We're always troubled by questions of who are we, why are we here, where are we going, etc. SO by having a thing liek this, it can be comforting that there is something else beyond us at play for some people.

[Hawken]

So you prescribe to the "you gotta see it to believe it" mantra? I prefer the "you gotta believe it to see it" one.

*Clarification. Regarding alien craft specifically, not UFO's.

If it's Black Ops classified aircraft that a lot believe then those in charge aren't doing a great job keeping it such by

flying them over populated areas. If you don't want people to know...don't be seen.

[bee]

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World UFO Day - yeeeeeeeeeeeee ha!!

The party guests are arriving -

Little Quinnie from Quintonia has popped by to celebrate -

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Edited July 2, 2015 by bee

[bee]

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and Skinny Bob, all the way from from Zeta Reticuli -

[bee]

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How exciting -

Even the Cumberland Spaceman has made it this year -

[HMS Dreadnought]

I had a packet of these today to celebrate.............

[bubblykiss]

I think there is sufficient recorded evidence to prove that people are seeing what appear to be manned aircraft not of human origin. People generally do not believe what they never see in regards to fantastic and phenomenal things.

Pfft, it was either the planet Venus, swamp gas or a kick-ass trans-dimensional machine built to defy the laws of god and gravity, powered on the tears of Vestal Virgins in their light gossamer gowns of misery blue, and piloted by dinosaur time refugees who have crossed the vast gulfs of time-space for no reason other than checking up on birds, mostly sparrows, because they are the only birds that really matter.

[raaq666]

Well, I believe that there is an odd phenomena (of some type) that people see in our skies. I believe this because I've personally seen it. As for all the other stuff about aliens, abductions, Roswell and Area 51, I'm not at all convinced.

I agree with this personally.

Would you be in any way interested in sharing your sighting?

[Sweetpumper]

She has, I'm sure she'll post it for you.

[SurfinTiki39]

It's a very well-held belief that there is life out there somewhere, most likely, other intelligent life. I don't think believing they've visited Earth is any crazier than believing that God created the Earth in six days or that ghosts of the deceased walk among us..

[Astra.]

It's a very well-held belief that there is life out there somewhere, most likely, other intelligent life.

Yes - and there are many folk who would agree.

I don't think believing they've visited Earth is any crazier than believing that God created the Earth in six days or that ghosts of the deceased walk among us..

I totally agree -

In the grander scheme of things I feel that the possibilty of a far more sophisticated and intelligent species from else where in the vast universe - who have 'possibly' visited us - and know we are here - probably holds more water to it - than cryptids, such as Bigfoot, the Lochness monster, the Abomible snowman etc.....IMHO.

I am not criticizing those who believe in such things - to each his own - hence why I have no interest - therefore I don't

usually get involved.

It just seems to me though - that the UFO/ET phenomena seems to get a lot more attention - for debate and or ridicule.

Why does this particular subject attract more scrutiny and analytical interest more than - well ..lets say - Bigfoot ?

[Hawken]

Yes - and there are many folk who would agree.

I totally agree -

In the grander scheme of things I feel that the possibilty of a far more sophisticated and intelligent species from else where in the vast universe - who have 'possibly' visited us - and know we are here - probably holds more water to it - than cryptids, such as Bigfoot, the Lochness monster, the Abomible snowman etc.....IMHO.

I am not criticizing those who believe in such things - to each his own - hence why I have no interest - therefore I don't

usually get involved.

It just seems to me though - that the UFO/ET phenomena seems to get a lot more attention - for debate and or ridicule.

Why does this particular subject attract more scrutiny and analytical interest more than - well ..lets say - Bigfoot ?

I think the reason the UFO phenomena gets more attention is because of the background of people that witness these sightings.

Police Officers, Commercial Airline Pilots and Military Personnel. People that would seem credible due to their occupational skills.

IMO It is these people with their job skills that give support to the regular Joe and Jane that have sightings.

[Sweetpumper]

Why does this particular subject attract more scrutiny and analytical interest more than - well ..lets say - Bigfoot ?

Because it can't be proven on the web with the telling of experiences...pics and vids will always be dismissed because of Photoshop and CGI, and those who attack it on forums know that and can't be wrong about it. It's easy and gives people purpose, I guess. Bigfoot is the same if you check that out too. If you agree with them, it will be back-patting and complements all around and with little experiences of their own, if they do have some, they are exaggerated with incredible detail, and by the way, memory and witness studies never seem to apply in their 'cases'. They're made up for credibility purposes. It's a pathetic train wreck and fun to watch sometimes. Bottom line, some have real questions and then there are some that want to be interweb dominant, and I don't want to know how bad real life is for that to be a priority.

Real life calls and I'm heading out to catch some pike off of the cabin porch this weekend again. See you Monday. Have fun!

[Astra.]

I think the reason the UFO phenomena gets more attention is because of the background of people that witness these sightings.

Police Officers, Commercial Airline Pilots and Military Personnel. People that would seem credible due to their occupational skills.

IMO It is these people with their job skills that give support to the regular Joe and Jane that have sightings.

Absolutely Hawks - we can't just sweep those type of folk under the carpet, and forget about what they had to say.

I know that many would like to though - I'm not talking about the folk on a public forum.

It goes a lot higher than that

[S2F]

It just seems to me though - that the UFO/ET phenomena seems to get a lot more attention - for debate and or ridicule.

Why does this particular subject attract more scrutiny and analytical interest more than - well ..lets say - Bigfoot ?

Because space is still a new frontier where people believe that anything may be possible....even though it isn't. Cryptids for example, are a terrestrial phenomena which puts definitive borders around where they may be found and the more people look the less likely these crypids seem to be. Aliens on the other hand have the entire universe to hide in and are spoken of with an 'anything goes' attitude and given god-like technologies or abilities simply as a reason to explain their apparent elusiveness and requests to substantiate these claims be damned. To put it succinctly, with alien visitation the imagination is often unrestrained. Aliens are the new version of the Gods of Olympus. It is comprised of mostly backward thinking coupled with specious reasoning which some people feel threatens intellectual progress on a personal and potentially social level.

[Astra.]

Real life calls and I'm heading out to catch some pike off of the cabin porch this weekend again. See you Monday. Have fun!

Sounds wonderful - have a top w/end

[psyche101]

It's a very well-held belief that there is life out there somewhere, most likely, other intelligent life. I don't think believing they've visited Earth is any crazier than believing that God created the Earth in six days or that ghosts of the deceased walk among us..

True, but belief in a God has caused wars, terrorism, slavery, oppression, and for thousands of years. Swapping one silly belief for another is not a step forward, nor does one make the other "acceptable". Believing in God is superfluous, it has no bearing wny why people feel a need to make up alien stuff, nor does it mitigate that dishonesty. Whilst a few claimants believe in what they are saying, I simply cannot believe that all of them do, or that they have the inside information they claim to, if they really did, the question would not still be a question. It is one huge scam. Paul Hellyer claims to be "in a position to know" Yet when he shows up at Greers circus, he recites UFO novels and charges a fortune for the privilege of having him read to you, and then tell you how a fictional novel is fact. That my dear college is what is described as "Batshit Crazy".

What you are essentially saying is if some people can believe stupid crap and push it, then everyone should, aren't you?

Edited July 10, 2015 by psyche101

[psyche101]

Why does this particular subject attract more scrutiny and analytical interest more than - well ..lets say - Bigfoot ?

I think you are just a bit late to the party. 20 years ago, many believed Bigfoot was as real as they were. Today, there are still many proponents including academics such as the dubious Jeff Meldrum. Cryptids are actually what brought me to this site, my first thousand or more posts are purely Crypto. Had quite a interest in the Yowie myself, and I used to take my son on "Yowie hunts" back in the day. Then I got all academic on the subject and realised that such a creature cannot exist on our climate. Debunked a local Yowie even. Put that argument against the US model, and I felt that took out about 70% of the probability alone.

One Yowie novelist actually visited the forum and confirmed that I happen to live in what they consider "Good Yowie territory" and indeed the Yowie Restaurant is only minutes drive from my location.

I suspect the ETH will go the same way as NASA ramps up it's efforts and we learn more about space. The current ETH is mostly based on old ideals that thought aliens came from Mars and Venus. It just has not caught up with itself as yet.

You know how much you like Hynek, you do realise he specifically stated that Pilots make the very worst witnesses?

ETA - One Cryptid has actually been found, The Hoan Kiem Turtle. To date cryptids already have a better track record than UFOlogy.

Edited July 10, 2015 by psyche101

[psyche101]

I think the reason the UFO phenomena gets more attention is because of the background of people that witness these sightings.

Police Officers, Commercial Airline Pilots and Military Personnel. People that would seem credible due to their occupational skills.

IMO It is these people with their job skills that give support to the regular Joe and Jane that have sightings.

All these people are from the 50's and 60's telling ancient chinese whispers though, how does that apply to "today"??

As I pointed out to Astra, one of the best researchers to ever glance upon the field says Pilots make the worst witnesses. But then I am sure you know what they say about assumptions.

[Hawken]

All these people are from the 50's and 60's telling ancient chinese whispers though, how does that apply to "today"??

As I pointed out to Astra, one of the best researchers to ever glance upon the field says Pilots make the worst witnesses. But then I am sure you know what they say about assumptions.

Hynek also stated this when Hector Quintanilla was head of Bluebook. "The flag of the utter nonsense school was flying at it's highest".

It was Quintanilla's ridiculous explanations what people witnessed helped convince Hynek to do an about face.

[Hawken]

Real life calls and I'm heading out to catch some pike off of the cabin porch this weekend again. See you Monday. Have fun!

Nothing like fishin' and chugging a brewsky.