Is There Anybody Up There ? [- 1st instalment]

By Paul Annon

Mon, 08 Aug 2022
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25 comments
 

Is There Anybody Up There ? [- 1st instalment]

- towards a Non-definitive Guide to UFOs and Alien Visitation as a Physical, Cultural and Psycho-social Phenomenon

Where is everybody ?

Counterarguments to the Fermi Paradox

The correct solution to the Drake Equation may mean that alien civilisations are (very) few and far between and therefore beyond the range of our transmissions to date.

Alien civilisations may long ago have advanced beyond the radio-based communication technology by means of which we are reaching out to them; it follows that our search for radio signals coming from the stars may well meet with failure for the same reason. In fact, aliens may be so far advanced as to have mastered unimaginable technologies that avoid the need for engineering on a stellar scale, making them even harder to detect. *

Extra-terrestrials may have the desire and the means (ie. cloaking technology) to disguise evidence of their existence or presence.

Some UFOs may be unpiloted alien probes along von Neumann lines which might account for certain apparent oddities in their form and behaviour; in other words, the aliens may already be here without our knowledge, if only by high-tech proxy.

Another possibility is that at least some extra-terrestrial races may be unwilling to make contact with less advanced beings like ourselves either out of disinterest or because of some moral imperative similar to the ‘prime directive’ of science fiction.

Life as we don’t know it: finally, it is conceivable that extra-terrestrials and their technology may be so alien to us that we would be incapable of recognising them for what they are when in their presence.

Needless to say, the foregoing considerations tend to render the work of the scientists at the SETI Institute problematic in the extreme.

* Engineering on a stellar scale may provide astronomical evidence of the existence of alien civilisations

Notes:

The Fermi Paradox: "... is the conflict between the lack of clear, obvious evidence for extraterrestrial life and various high estimates for [its] existence. As a 2015 article put it, 'If life is so easy, someone from somewhere must have come calling by now.'"

The Drake Equation: "... is a famous formulation for calculating (or more accurately, guessing) the number of intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations with which we can communicate in our own Milky Way galaxy at a specific moment in time."

Von Neumann probes: “... [are] the most mathematically efficient method to explore space”; “A von Neumann probe is a … hypothetical self-replicating machine, specifically designed for space exploration or colonisation.”

The 'prime directive': "... (also known as ... the "non-interference directive") …The Prime Directive protects unprepared civilizations from the dangerous tendency of well-intentioned starship crews to introduce advanced technology, knowledge, and values before they are ready."

SETI [Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence]: "From microbes to alien intelligence, the SETI Institute is the only organization dedicated to the [on-going] search for life beyond Earth."; "No SETI search has yet received a confirmed, extraterrestrial signal. If [one] had, the world would know about it."

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"Authorities" on UFOS

1. Erich von Däniken [pioneer of "ancient astronaut theory" and author of the widely debunked ufology bestseller "Chariots of the Gods?"]

2.  Prof. J. Allen Hynek [respected astronomer and leading serious UFO investigator attached to Project Blue Book; employed as a consultant on the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"]

3. Coral Lorenzen (prominent civilian UFO investigator); Stanton Friedman [nuclear physicist and professonal ufologist]; Jacques Vallée [computer scientist and ufologist; leading proponent of the interdimensional hypothesis]; Nick Pope [British former civil servant assigned to the MOD office responsible for collating UFO reports]; Paul Hellyer [former Canadian defence minister and prominent UFO believer]; Giorgio Tsoukalos [overenthusiastic television pundit and UFO writer of doubtful credibility; disciple of von Däniken]; Luis Elizondo [former Pentagon intelligence officer and director of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program]; Linda Moulton Howe [prominent investigative journalist, documentary maker, ufologist and conspiracy theorist]

 

Major Official Investigations into UFOs

Project Sign; Project Grudge; Project Blue Book; Condon Report; Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP); Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF); Project Condign

 

Most Commonly Reported UFO Configurations

1. Discs, ovoids

2. Spheres; glowing orbs

3. Triangles [usually black]; pyramids

4. Cylinders

 

UFO Observables *

Hypersonic velocity [without a signature]

Low observability [through cloaking]

Trans-medium travel [ie. air-sea-space capability]

Extreme acceleration [ie. unsurvivable g-forces]

Anti-gravity [inertia-free] propulsion [without any visible means of locomotion]

* Five commonly reported features of UFOs that indicate they are products of technology more advanced than our own, according to experts.

 

Categories of Close Encounter [Hynek Scale - extended version]

Nocturnal Lights: unexplained aerial lights seen at night

Daytime sightings: UFOS seen in broad daylight

Radar-visual contacts: sightings of UFOs that also show up on radar

Close encounters of the first kind: relatively close proximity to a UFO allowing fairly detailed observation

Close encounters of the second kind: incidents in which a UFO exerts a physical effect, e.g. by interfering with the functioning of vehicles or electrical devices, impacting contactees physiologically, or leaving behind physical trace evidence

Close encounters of the third kind: visual contact with UFO occupants

Close encounters of the fourth kind: alien abductions

Close encounters of the fifth kind: interactions culminating in direct communication with UFO occupants

 

Common Features of Alien Abduction Accounts

Missing time; induced amnesia

Invasive medical examinations, tissue sampling; alien implants

Dire warnings for mankind

 

Most Iconic UFO-related Incidents

1. Roswell crash

2. Arnold sighting; Battle of Los Angeles; Foo fighters; Chupacabra encounters

3. Rendlesham Forest incident; Jacob's Ladder; abduction of Betty and Barney Hill; Ascension of Enoch; Great Washington UFO "flap"; Travis Walton abduction; Phoenix Lights; Wheels of Ezekiel

Note also:- Malmstrom Air Force Base UFO "nukes" incident; Skinwalker Ranch phenomena; Miracle of the Milvian Bridge; Ariel School incident; USS Nimitz "tic tac" incident; Great Belgian UFO wave; Solway Firth spaceman; Socorro landing; Kecksburg incident (and the "Nazi Bell"); Black Forest UFO crash; Ascension of Elijah; Flatwoods monster; Miracle of the Sun at Fátima; Hudson Valley UFO sightings; Shag Harbour UFO incident; Mantell UFO pursuit; Japan Air Lines Alaska UFO incident; Tehran UFO Jet Chase incident; Westall UFO incident; Cash-Landrum case; Tully "Saucer Nests" incident; Lubbock Lights; Cosford UFO mystery; Levelland UFO case; Valentich mid-air disappearance; Dalnegorsk UFO incident; Trans-en-Provence UFO case; Chicago O'Hare International Airport UFO sighting; Stephenville UFO event

 

Suggested Alien Agendas

Exploration; observation and scientific enquiry

[Prelude to] peaceful contact for trade or cultural exchange purposes

[Prelude to or attempts at] benign intervention in human affairs

[Delivery of] warnings for mankind

[Prospecting with a view to] exploitation of earth's resources

Experimentation on humans, possibly to identify biological weaknesses, or with a view to hybridisation, perhaps to revitalise the extraterrestrials' race, or to facilitate infiltration or enable colonisation of earth

Assessment (and neutralising) of any threat posed by humanity

Infiltration, [vanguard of] invasion

Note: some of these motivations may overlap

 

Widely Supposed Points of Origin for UFOs and Alien Visitors (according to UFO enthusiasts)

Elsewhere in Solar System: Mars, Venus (historically); secret moonbases; Planet X/"Nibiru"

Terrestrial: secret bases located inside mountains, in Antarctica, or under the sea; hidden or lost civilisations; Inner Earth

Extrasolar: Sirius, Orion (Rigel, Betelgeuse), Pleiades, Lyra (Vega), Zeta Reticuli

Transdimensional portals/wormholes; alternative realities

The future

 

"Hotspots" and Other Locations Strongly Associated with UFOs and Alien Visitors

1. Roswell (New Mexico); Area 51 (Nevada); Bermuda Triangle

2. Los Angeles; RAF Rudloe Manor (Wiltshire, England) *; Antarctica; Chile; lunar surface; Warminster Triangle (Wiltshire, England); Skinwalker Ranch (Utah); Dulce (New Mexico) **; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio); low earth orbit; Sedona (Arizona); Falkirk Triangle (Scotland); Edwards Air Force Base (California); Perm Anomalous Zone/"M-Triangle" (Urals, Russia); "Zone of Silence" (Mexico)

* known as the "British Area 51"

** alleged location of a secret alien base

 

Most Commonly Reported Types of Alien Visitor

1. Greys

2. Reptilians; "Little green men" *; Chupacabras

3. Avians **; Anunnaki **; Pleaidians/Nordic types; Oriental types; Insectoids; Tentacled forms *; Robotic forms; "Divine", "angelic", "demonic" and other apparently supernatural entities, e.g. skinwalkers **; Transmorphic entities ***; Sirians; Lyrans; Orions; Aquatic forms **

* More common in the pages of science fiction than in reports of close encounters

** Mostly mythical creatures reinterpreted as alien visitors by "ancient astronaut" theorists   

*** More likely to turn up in theories regarding the nature of alien visitors than in reports of close encounters, this type [shapeshifting extradimensional beings composed of pure energy] overlaps with the previous category

 

[continued in 2nd instalment]

Certificate U
Non-fiction

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

yes, these and many other arguments were all explored in Star Trek. 

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

What is this Fermi Paradox can you formulate it? And the Drake equation? Are you talking about logic and scientific fact, or speculation and SciFi? Mind you if this is actually true it is probably better we don't know about it.

Apart from that all your remarks appear simple perfect common sense. But I do also wonder about your Neumann lines. I don't really have access to the internet nor the time.

Very interesting, keep well, stay well don't get abducted!

Tom Brown

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

This Fermi Paradox sounds interesting Paul I'll take your word for it, but it doesn't seem to be of any consequence in everyday life but as you say they could be hiding and preparing for attack and conquest as in war of the worlds while we crawl around busy busy like little ants. Improbable but could be … how would you know? “Guessing” is the word.

Thanks for clearing up the question of the Fermi Paradox. As for “Von Neumann probes” a self-replicating machine? How close can you get to life, how do you define life?

See you! Tom Brown

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

You haven't mentioned the SETI program is that still going on? It is a very "concrete" effort do you know if there has been any success? Some people took it very seriously.

It is great you write about these things on Abc many people are interested.

Cheers! Tom

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

The possible points of origin you give are purely speculation and guesswork and seem very convenient and very unlikely explanations. Are you speaking of the real origin in other words the very beginning of the other life form?

It might even be possible also that if there are extraterrestrials perhaps that live in a sense parallel to us our sun and solar system meaning they cannot physically communicate or influence each other in any way ever, that it is physically not possible. Never the twain shall meet. But in that case it doesn't matter if they exist or not as it is of no consequence? The one cannot know the other, for instance considerations as time light cones and an event horizon as in relativity.

There are planetary star systems, other stars that have planets in obit, of which thousands are now known and then have you heard of the "goldilocks zone"? Indeed such candidates have been discovered.

Thanks for you explanations so far Paul it helps to clarify matters considerably.

Cheers, keep well! Tom

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

The (pseudo) research of Eric Von Daniken might interest you it is about extraterrestrial (very advanced alien) visits to the earth in the very far past and to the ancient civilisations, but to be expected it is imaginative far-fetched and sensational. There are a few books famous would be his “Chariots Of the Gods” and he wrote more paperbacks. Also mostly speculation but his theories are quite convincing. Movies scifi type of stuff.

Like in Egypt and South America also China and India and different continents very similar ideas often synchronised the same pyramids and so and around the same time, that is that ancient civilizations built structures pyramids all kinds of religious structures temples and artefacts art and some known history. All kinds of things. Their typical space ships are even described and how they work.

He comes out with a lot of facts it's just the interpretations that are very suspect and so weird and wonderful. All of it made up I believe.

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Thanks for all the answers & happy alien hunting. Sounds harmless enough.

Tom Brown

 

Submitted by Paul Annon on

 

Paul Annon

Submitted by Paul Annon on

 

Paul Annon

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Might as well throw some Hawking in as well he is the greatest mind since Newton and Einstein you know. He's an expert at this stuff.

Thanks for the acknowledgement Paul and making such a very good overview. You made the best of it for sure, couldn't have done better myself. Makes one think …

This class of work is on master's level. What's the newest project? Bit of archaeology would be nice. Modern physics quantum mechanics is just as bizarre and how about relativity theory. Or the book of Revelations is the fashion these days. Nostradamus was a disappointment too.

By the way what is the blank comments for? Sometimes it just happens spontaneously like Richard also hhas the problem.

Thomas the Unbeliever

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Might as well throw some Hawking in as well he is the greatest mind since Newton and Einstein you know. He's an expert at this stuff.

Thanks for the acknowledgement Paul and making such a very good overview. You made the best of it for sure, couldn't have done better myself. Makes one think …

This class of work is on master's level. What's the newest project? Bit of archaeology would be nice. Modern physics quantum mechanics is just as bizarre and how about relativity theory. Or the book of Revelations is the fashion these days. Nostradamus was a disappointment too.

By the way what is the blank comments for? Sometimes it just happens spontaneously like Richard also hhas the problem.

Thomas the Unbeliever

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Just wondering now Paul, but could events as accidents and serious problems in (also commercial missions) space exploration have to do with extra terrestrial activities? I think for instance of Apollo 13 and the space shuttle explosions and more recently of 40 satellites of Space X. Although I am not sure of the facts. There was some story about a Apollo astronaut seeing an alien space ship? And a Mars explorer that crashed? Anyway we do have a very good track record.

All the same, I have to admit but your evidence is overwhelming and cannot be conveniently just ignored. One should think much wider you know, even ideas and descriptions of angels demons supernatural entities and mythological figures heavenly and earthly unknown living bodies should be considered and how they could fit in. Would a rose by any name?

On the Bible I think of Ezekiel's visions and of wheels on wheels as you mentioned, and the ladder Jacob saw going up to heaven, when he wrestled the angel. And also the Ascension there are many events that may be explained in this manner. Even as far as Jonah and the giant fish? Why not? There is a lot more material. This is not the same as "conspiracy" theories and by no means.

Are they a danger?

There is only one thing more scary than a handful of Jews controlling the world, that is, a handful of Jews not controlling the world. And with "Jews" now substituted by "Aliens".

See you. Glad to be part of your project.

Tom Brown

 

Submitted by Paul Annon on

 

Paul Annon

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Looks very good but there is still a lot of work, you should write the facts in a form of coherent continuous prose and write up as true statements just facts, like you've done here. You understand what I'm saying just a fact without interpretation speculation or your own views or opinions.

Describe the research in a way that it would be hard to argue that would mean in effect disproving each claim and all information. In principle logically any one might as well be right? Why not? It is possible to prove existence of an alien life form if there are. On the other hand it is impossible to prove there is none! Does sound very unusual but no problem there.

This will be your biggest task. I think there are magazines which will be interested you already have an audience on Abctales. For myself, I don't know what to think at this stage the facts you give speak for themselves and can't be ignored. But unfortunately I doubt very much there will be any university, or academic journal interested.

Tom Brown

“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance- that principle is contempt prior to investigation.” –Herbert Spencer

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Very impressive! you can feel proud of your work. I'm also working on something ...

Cheers! Tom

 

Submitted by Paul Annon on

Many thanks for all your suggestions, encouragement, and kind words. Best of luck with your own project.

  Kind regards,

      >P.

Paul Annon

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Paul I've written my first story on extra-terrestrials you must go and have a look, but it is humour and very lighthearted. A much different style than your own also it is prose instead of collections information. The others to follow are more serious.

Are you also working on a new project? Cheers have a good week! Tom

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Another Update? Excellent Paul! You are in danger of becoming an authority yourself! Great stuff. It might be a good idea at this stage to divide your work into contributions of more accessible parts.

By the way I am quite serious about publications and academic journals, this is far more scientific and logic grounded than most of religion studies. And based on solid facts simply. Honestly. They will catch up.

I trust you've read my own contributions on aliens I'm done for now. Working on other essays there was a bit of mathematics the other day and doing a bit more on personal life stories.

Had a rather long power blackout. Glad the lights are on!

Keep well! Tom Brown

 

Submitted by Paul Annon on

  Thank you for your latest advice. I have now split my 'non-definitive guide' into two instalments. I have also been thinking about trying to interest a publisher (although I am not sure exactly how I would go about it). Incidentally, I have been reading some of your more recent efforts. Keep up the good work!

    Regards,

       Paul

Paul Annon

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Newest, Paul don't be discouraged many people read our work only a few write comments just lazy. I like the way you did the last part, a bit of effort to read but very effective. Good to see how much interest there is and the topic taken seriously. We are open minded readers.

On the radio the other day they told of a far solar system mission probe (a voyager I think) that was dead shut down for very long they couldn't reboot it and out of the blue spontaneously the computer booted again by itself and the still works. Unexplainable events of human space exploration. Add to the list.

Cheers! Tom

 

Submitted by Paul Annon on

 

Paul Annon

Submitted by Paul Annon on

 

Paul Annon

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Newest update, Quite a document you've got here! It looks like more people now are taking this serious and collecting possible evidence.and investigating claims.

Keep well! Tom

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

"Invasive medical examinations, tissue sampling; alien implants" I think is taking a bit far, is there any actual physical proof? I'm still wondering about that other business of a serious interdisciplinary objective investigation on the existence of ufo's etc, revealing of government secret files and other witheld information made public. They were making a big deal of it apparantly all quiet now.

See you! Tom Brown

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Discs, spheres, glowing orbs, pyramids; cylinders etc. Pyramids to me most imressive, a shape that isn't found often in nature.

Have you acually seen a alien spacecraft? imagine what a thrill! I've only seen some meteorites (falling stars) disappointing actually.

See you! Tom