Contact With Aliens? Think Before You Call.

My e-mail is generally larded with interesting nuggets, similar to this revelation:

«The aliens have been in touch. They underline certain strange words on the screen whenever I use my computer . It really is a note.»

Possibly. Then again, perhaps the correspondent should turn off the spell-check on his word processor.

It really is as predictable as a low-grade sitcom, but every single day I arrive at my office knowing that before quitting time, i am going to get one or more phone call or e-mail from anyone who has news so startling, it should rock the planet like Mick Jagger on tour. Generally, these people are ringing or writing to report something strange when you look at the sky or an oddity in an image. Occasionally they inform me that smooth-skinned beings from another global world, clearly overstepping the bounds of polite behavior, have abducted them for a few hours of malicious molestation.

These correspondents, each of whom are patently sincere, mostly want to share incontrovertible proof of alien presence or influence. A few claim to are suffering from a breathtaking theory of physics that renders all graduate-level courses in the subject obsolete.

Either will be knowledge of a high order. Either would alter the future trajectory of humankind. I will feel flattered that someone wants us to be one of the primary to understand.

On the years, I’ve dealt with 1000s of such communications, and I suppose it really is inevitable that I’ve become slightly jaded by the stories — which are largely repetitive. It is hardly a secret that I’m skeptical of declarations that the aliens are on trips on the planet.

Still, I try to answer each one of these mails and phone calls because, after all, it is not a violation of physics to visit from a single star system to another. Difficult that I erect a shield against considering possible new evidence as it is, I resist the temptation to become so hardened in my skepticism.

Indeed, an inflexible mind-set is one of the two principal arguments produced by the UFO community to explain why mainstream scientists are doubtful of their claims: They lament that pointy-headed scientists just will not go through the evidence. So I take that as a caution.

Their other argument, that the best evidence is being hidden because of the government, is silly. It implies a world-wide conspiracy of governments, along with an uncanny ability that is alien make sure all proof of their presence is exclusively collectible because of the military or secret federal agencies.

But I really do endeavor to keep an mind that is open. In the end, anybody can make a scientific discovery. If that someone is outside of the cozy halls of academe, and unburnished by both professional credibility and a wall of framed sheepskins, how can they generate their case? Unlike the research establishment, they neither know — nor would know — how to deal with the refereed journals which can be the billboards of science.

So they plead their case to someone they may be aware of or can easily find, like me.

However, I wish to offer an FAQ service for those who would call or write with extraordinary claims. These are things to avoid, or at the least know about, before you reach for the device or open your laptop:

1. Do not assure me which you have unique proof of aliens on the planet. Everyone says that. It’s a red flag. So just tell me what the evidence is.

2. Don’t ask us to go to start to see the evidence. Write it up, or photograph it.

3. Don’t expect us to «finish the analysis for you personally.» Newton did not ask some other person to function out of the details of classical mechanics once he saw an apple fall.

4. If you’ve got mysterious objects in photos, seek advice from a friend that is photographer. The majority of the supposed «otherworldly craft» I’ve seen on photos are generally good candidates for airplanes or are well-known camera artifacts, such as for instance internal reflections when you look at the lens. In the event your evidence isn’t any more than a bright blob in a photo, it is totally ambiguous and won’t convince anyone.

5. Keep in mind that you can find organizations that specialize in investigating UFO sightings and similar events. MUFON (the Mutual UFO Network) has a button on its home page where a sighting can be reported by you. Most academic and research organizations are unlikely to help you much. They do not have the full time, money or requisite background.

6. Do not send e-mails to everyone you can think of, including the current occupant associated with White House, the Pentagon, NASA and all the experts you have seen on TV — unless it gives you satisfaction to pad their spam folders.

7. If I sound skeptical, please don’t tell me «I’m sure what I saw!» whatever you see is filtered during your visual system (imperfect) and your brain (also imperfect, despite exactly what your mom told you). Witness testimony is the kind paper writing service that is worst of evidence in science.

I don’t promise to be convinced, but I actually do try to listen.