The biggest secret of them all Fundamental to conspiracy theories is that history and reality are not as you think The New World Order presumes that the world is organised in the interests of an elite – works because it seems possible or likely; what distinguishes theory from theory is how elaborate and baroque each is But what about an order of the world that goes beyond the planet? Question asked of those in power todaytoday

“Cosmic Watergate” Stanton Freidman (54 min doc) has pursued evidence to prove the existence of a huge conspiracyStanton Freidman 54 min In his own way is a debunker of UFOs, seeking “serious” rational enquiry Friedman and others have been diligent critics of Government secrecy Disclosure organisations such as CSETICSETI Defining the motives of ufologists is complicated…ufologists

“Flying Saucers” Modern UFO era begins with 1947 sighting by Kenneth Arnold. Coined the phrase flying saucer – interesting wrinkle in this term Kenneth Arnold In the following decade became mainstream Represented in film and fiction, eg 1950s SF moviesSF movies Subject of official investigations 1970s such as USAF Project Blue Book and the Condon ReportProject Blue Book Condon Report Subject of private/popular investigation by popular organisations such as NICAP and MUFONNICAPMUFON A proportion of sightings / incidents are admitted by all sides as unresolved (= U in UFO)

Explanations? Extra-terrestrials (of various kinds)various kinds Man-made, eg secret aircraft such as Aurorasecret aircraft Man-made via “reverse engineering” alien tech“reverse engineering” Natural phenomena such as clouds, mirages, ball lightning, natural gasclouds Frauds or hoaxes (notably Gulf Breeze)Gulf Breeze Social anxieties / hallucinations (Barkin article)Barkin –inc. Karl Jung’s theory (UFOs: A Modern Myth)Karl Jung’s theory Truly exotic – time-travellers, 5 th dimension, etc

The bigger narrative The Roswell Incident July 1947Roswell Incident –Crashed flying saucer (CNN); touristic baseCNNtouristic Area 51 –Establishment of secret military base in Nevada; regular visits by ETs Majestic or MJ 12Majestic –Document proofDocument Collaboration /struggle with ETs (or EBEs) –Mythology of the “Men in Black”“Men in Black” –Many contributions of one John LearJohn Lear

“Dark Ufology” Term applied to a particular version of the narrative grown since the late 1980s/1990s Aliens are conspiring with Govt (or others) Particular type - the “Greys” (EBEs) Notably Alien Abduction – humans taken in tradeAlien Abduction –David Jacobs, John Mack, Bud HopkinsDavid JacobsJohn MackBud Hopkins A Grey-Human hybrid breeding programmeGrey-Human hybrid –Nb female focus Fictionalised in the X Files and well known now

What does the Grey alien mean? Jodi Dean in Aliens in America – grey alien has become an objectification of the anxieties of modern AmericaAliens in America –Aliens and our alienation from society? –Abduction and our feelings of loss of control Relationship to women/feminism is investigated by Dean – claims is empowering Dean notes that abduction scenario is different from invasion

How many? Think there is something in it…something in it… Do you think there is intelligent life somewhere in the universe, other than on Earth, or not? Yes % No % Not Sure*....14% Do you think intelligent beings from other planets have ever visited Earth, or don't you think so? Yes % No % Not Sure*....16% Do you think the U.S. government is withholding information from the public about the existence of UFOs, or don't you think so? Yes % No % Not Sure*....11% In your opinion, are UFOs real or just the product of people's imaginations? Real % Imaginary....42% Not Sure*....15%from LIFE POLL 2000 also ROPER POLL 2002LIFE POLL 2000ROPER POLL 2002

Proof? Close Encounters –I sighting / II effects / III contact Categories of proof which map onto conspiracy theories generally: 1) Testimony of witnesses – or “contactees” or “abductees” 2) Physical proof – marks, bodies, documents 3) Images

Image evidence Still images aplentyStill images Film such as –Classic footageClassic footage –Recent footage – the Phoenix AZ lightsPhoenix –NASA footageNASA footage The notorious Alien Autopsy tape (FAKE!)Alien Autopsy Recently a grey caught on tape!caught on tape! Sheer ease of fakeryfakery