July 27, 2023 - 3:00pm
The Morning in America anchor of NewsNation, Markie Martin, said to me on Tuesday: “Avi, you are a Harvard astrophysicist and most of us do not have that education. How do you advise that we interpret the hearing at the US House of Representatives on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)?” My reply was simple: “Just pay attention to the factual information presented by the witnesses. Think of yourself as a juror in a courtroom and decide whether to believe the witnesses.”
Yesterday, we jurors had a chance to put that to the test. In a rare bipartisan effort, Republicans and Democrats came together at the US House of Representatives for a hearing on UAP. The three eyewitnesses spoke under oath, making them legally liable for anything they say and making it easier for lawmakers to pursue additional information. The trio included David Grusch, the former National Reconnaissance Officer Representative at the UAP Task Force in the Department of Defense, and two military pilots, Ryan Graves and David Fravor. Given the serious discussion surrounding these hearings, it suggests that UAP are finally losing their stigma.
If scientists, Congress and the public want to know more, the Department of Defense should disclose everything it knows about UAP that suggests they are unlikely to be human-made and potentially extraterrestrial. Grusch noted that he has given to the Intelligence Community Inspector General the names of first-hand witnesses as well as the locations of where materials of alien, non-human spacecraft are currently held. He also hinted that satellite data indicates supporting information, promising to give representatives related contact information.
Government sensors would naturally be the first to record unusual activity near Earth because they monitor the sky for national security purposes, whereas astronomers train their telescopes on distant sources of light and ignore objects in their immediate environment. The anecdotal nature of past UAP reports is why the Galileo Project that I lead constructs new observatories that monitor the entire sky systematically and calibrate the statistics of UAP relative to familiar terrestrial objects. Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-FL) acknowledged the Galileo Project’s effort at Harvard University in his comments.
Any objects originating from interstellar space do not adhere to national borders and their nature is not a matter of national security. From a distance of thousands of light years away, it does not matter how earthlings split the land on the surface of this tiny rock, left over from the formation process of the Sun. Finding the nature of interstellar objects from outside the solar system represents knowledge that should be shared by all humans on Earth, in the spirit of scientific knowledge. We all deserve to know whether we have neighbours. Evidence for tennis balls thrown by neighbours to our backyard should not be hidden away from the public’s view.
In the opening statements, Graves noted: “UAP are in our airspace, but they are grossly underreported. These sightings are not rare or isolated; they are routine […] If it is something else, it is an issue for science.” Fravor added: “This issue is not about full public disclosure that could undermine national security […] What concerns me is that there is no ‘oversight’ from our elected officials.” During the Q&A session, Fravor noted that he encountered behaviour that is well beyond our past and current technologies.
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SubscribeMy reply was simple: “Just pay attention to the factual information presented by the witnesses. Think of yourself as a juror in a courtroom and decide whether to believe the witnesses.”
Given that eye-witness testimony is usually the least reliable evidence presented in jury cases, this is less reassuring than one might hope.
My reply was simple: “Just pay attention to the factual information presented by the witnesses. Think of yourself as a juror in a courtroom and decide whether to believe the witnesses.”
Given that eye-witness testimony is usually the least reliable evidence presented in jury cases, this is less reassuring than one might hope.
As Al Murray put it. “If Americans can’t explain something they blame aliens. At least us Brits are prepared to admit it when we are pissed”
As Al Murray put it. “If Americans can’t explain something they blame aliens. At least us Brits are prepared to admit it when we are pissed”
This isn’t just a US issue. The question i’d be asking is: why are governments so afraid to disclose what evidence they have? Who are they trying to protect? Isn’t it obvious that if UFO/UAPs were going to threaten us, they’d have done so by now? That’s not to rule out a stupid reaction from some government or other which induces a threat.
One reason why disclosure has been avoided is because it’d serve to upset the political applecarts that’ve been developed over centuries. If these phenomena turn out to be real interstellar objects (either with or without travellers) the basis of many of the tenets of our civilisations will be overturned; i hardly need to list them.
Governments are not hiding anything. They have no reason to and would be unable to. There is simply no evidence that aliens exist for anyone to hide..
So multiple senior intelligence officials are lying under oath?
That seems to be the case, yes. More deluded than lying, but certainly not telling the truth.
The testimony given in the hearings by David Grusch was nebulous hearsay that would not be admitted in court. We know from centuries of experience that hearsay testimony is unreliable. No direct evidence of alien bodies or aircraft has ever been given.
Have you read this part of the article?
Yes, I read that. Giving names and places means nothing in terms of evidence. David Grusch testified that he had no first-hand knowledge of any alien aircraft or remains. His testimony about what others told him is unreliable secod-hand testimony.
I listened to David Grusch’s testimony. His statements about the holographic principle and interdimensionality were particularly noteworthy. He doesn’t know what he is talking about.
Yes, I read that. Giving names and places means nothing in terms of evidence. David Grusch testified that he had no first-hand knowledge of any alien aircraft or remains. His testimony about what others told him is unreliable secod-hand testimony.
I listened to David Grusch’s testimony. His statements about the holographic principle and interdimensionality were particularly noteworthy. He doesn’t know what he is talking about.
Have you read this part of the article?
Maybe, maybe not. However, if they are, what exactly is the point? One way or the other, there’s a massive story here.
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Perish the thought.. senior officials? ..lying under oath? I never heard of such a thing! LOL
He gives easily verifiable specific information as far as I can tell. You’d have to be pretty stupid to do that under oath.
He gives easily verifiable specific information as far as I can tell. You’d have to be pretty stupid to do that under oath.
That seems to be the case, yes. More deluded than lying, but certainly not telling the truth.
The testimony given in the hearings by David Grusch was nebulous hearsay that would not be admitted in court. We know from centuries of experience that hearsay testimony is unreliable. No direct evidence of alien bodies or aircraft has ever been given.
Maybe, maybe not. However, if they are, what exactly is the point? One way or the other, there’s a massive story here.
Perish the thought.. senior officials? ..lying under oath? I never heard of such a thing! LOL
I thought the same a few years back, but after reading the 2017 NYT article that features commander Fravor’s testimony (one of the guys under oath) I was taken aback. If you care to look into it, you’ll find the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming – well beyond reasonable doubt (if you were in a court of law). The physical evidence not so much. Still, many anecdotal cases have and can be corroborated by radar and imaging. It’s just not testable. Aliens seems very far fetched, but the government (namely the US) does seem to be hiding something.
Anecdotal evidence and testimony are worthless in this case. Only physical evidence could be convincing.
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” – Carl Sagan
Id say the anecdotal evidence is very compelling, rather than worthless. But you are right, physical evidence is needed. I think that’s what Avi Loeb is trying obtain. Good luck to him!
Id say the anecdotal evidence is very compelling, rather than worthless. But you are right, physical evidence is needed. I think that’s what Avi Loeb is trying obtain. Good luck to him!
Why the lack of evidence from countries other than the US? Why would it be only the Americans who are hiding evidence? Do the Aliens prefer US airspace? How is all this connected to 3% of Americans saying they have been abducted by Aliens, or the oft observed credulousness of the American mind, evidenced by myriad cults, new religions etc
It’s in no way limited to the US – take the time to look into it (if you are interested) and you will quickly discover this. You only hear about crazy American abductees etc because they make for good tabloid stories and trash tv programs. Listening to military and commercial pilots from across the globe is a good starting point.
It’s in no way limited to the US – take the time to look into it (if you are interested) and you will quickly discover this. You only hear about crazy American abductees etc because they make for good tabloid stories and trash tv programs. Listening to military and commercial pilots from across the globe is a good starting point.
The likely scenario is that UAPs are simply other guys’ latest tech experiments crashing to Earth on someone else’s patch. No-one is going to own or admit losing or finding such stuff.. all will hope to secretly acquire the enemy’s latest tech and suggest ET on their own mission stuff to obfuscate..
There could be some advanced tech from other nations (along with ball lightning, weather balloons, or whatever) involved in some reports – but the UAP reports also include apparent abilities well beyond what anybody on earth is capable of. Like inertialess drive.
Or put another way, if the Chinese or Russians or whoever had developed such technology, they would be behaving quite differently than they are. And there would be a trail of incremental development leading to such breakthroughs.
Could be, but hope not. If they are China’s we are screwed. More screwed than we are already that is.
There could be some advanced tech from other nations (along with ball lightning, weather balloons, or whatever) involved in some reports – but the UAP reports also include apparent abilities well beyond what anybody on earth is capable of. Like inertialess drive.
Or put another way, if the Chinese or Russians or whoever had developed such technology, they would be behaving quite differently than they are. And there would be a trail of incremental development leading to such breakthroughs.
Could be, but hope not. If they are China’s we are screwed. More screwed than we are already that is.
Anecdotal evidence and testimony are worthless in this case. Only physical evidence could be convincing.
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” – Carl Sagan
Why the lack of evidence from countries other than the US? Why would it be only the Americans who are hiding evidence? Do the Aliens prefer US airspace? How is all this connected to 3% of Americans saying they have been abducted by Aliens, or the oft observed credulousness of the American mind, evidenced by myriad cults, new religions etc
The likely scenario is that UAPs are simply other guys’ latest tech experiments crashing to Earth on someone else’s patch. No-one is going to own or admit losing or finding such stuff.. all will hope to secretly acquire the enemy’s latest tech and suggest ET on their own mission stuff to obfuscate..
Ergo, like me, you smell a CIA rat in all this? ..for whatever reason?
So multiple senior intelligence officials are lying under oath?
I thought the same a few years back, but after reading the 2017 NYT article that features commander Fravor’s testimony (one of the guys under oath) I was taken aback. If you care to look into it, you’ll find the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming – well beyond reasonable doubt (if you were in a court of law). The physical evidence not so much. Still, many anecdotal cases have and can be corroborated by radar and imaging. It’s just not testable. Aliens seems very far fetched, but the government (namely the US) does seem to be hiding something.
Ergo, like me, you smell a CIA rat in all this? ..for whatever reason?
A country like the US, given its insatiable greed and lust for power, would keep such technology to itself in the hope of gaining an advantage over its adversaries (all the other countries on Earth!)..
I suspect other megalomaniac countries would do the same, eg China, Russia, UK etc.
And for contrast to your list of megalomaniac countries, which other countries in the world, with the ability to decode such technology without outside help, would instead freely share? Any names?
Just by the way, the key geopolitical strength of the US is usually seen to be that it has the largest network of alliances in the world – rather than your portrayal that the entire world are adversaries of the US. It’s possible that your views are a bit affected by bias.
And for contrast to your list of megalomaniac countries, which other countries in the world, with the ability to decode such technology without outside help, would instead freely share? Any names?
Just by the way, the key geopolitical strength of the US is usually seen to be that it has the largest network of alliances in the world – rather than your portrayal that the entire world are adversaries of the US. It’s possible that your views are a bit affected by bias.
My brother, an Air Force officer of exceptional level-headedness, had several conversations with colleagues during his active service (50s-80s) who witnessed phenomenon that fit no natural or structural parameters of manmade airborne structures. There was no interaction, just observation…
Governments are not hiding anything. They have no reason to and would be unable to. There is simply no evidence that aliens exist for anyone to hide..
A country like the US, given its insatiable greed and lust for power, would keep such technology to itself in the hope of gaining an advantage over its adversaries (all the other countries on Earth!)..
I suspect other megalomaniac countries would do the same, eg China, Russia, UK etc.
My brother, an Air Force officer of exceptional level-headedness, had several conversations with colleagues during his active service (50s-80s) who witnessed phenomenon that fit no natural or structural parameters of manmade airborne structures. There was no interaction, just observation…
This isn’t just a US issue. The question i’d be asking is: why are governments so afraid to disclose what evidence they have? Who are they trying to protect? Isn’t it obvious that if UFO/UAPs were going to threaten us, they’d have done so by now? That’s not to rule out a stupid reaction from some government or other which induces a threat.
One reason why disclosure has been avoided is because it’d serve to upset the political applecarts that’ve been developed over centuries. If these phenomena turn out to be real interstellar objects (either with or without travellers) the basis of many of the tenets of our civilisations will be overturned; i hardly need to list them.
The government is hiding something? You bet: criminality and corruption at virtually all levels. And they will do anything -even gin up the sideshow-mermaid equivalent of an ET- to distract people from those crimes. And there are plenty of Fauci-class shills (from Harvard and elsewhere) ready to authenticate whatever the Feds come up with.
Now yer talking! No of these guys ever told the truth in their lives.. it’s all designed to elicit an outcome, just as you say: to hide the foullest corruption and criminality..
The age of truth, openness, honesty and decency is dead.. anyone guided by morals, decency and truth these days is considered a naïve fool.
Now yer talking! No of these guys ever told the truth in their lives.. it’s all designed to elicit an outcome, just as you say: to hide the foullest corruption and criminality..
The age of truth, openness, honesty and decency is dead.. anyone guided by morals, decency and truth these days is considered a naïve fool.
The government is hiding something? You bet: criminality and corruption at virtually all levels. And they will do anything -even gin up the sideshow-mermaid equivalent of an ET- to distract people from those crimes. And there are plenty of Fauci-class shills (from Harvard and elsewhere) ready to authenticate whatever the Feds come up with.
Much like an impartial juror, I assessed the current articles on this and set two modest requirements for the claim to be entertained and for it to reach the ‘next level’
1/ that they could produce the craft claimed to be in the government’s possession
2/ that they produce the ‘biologic material’ they claimed to have
I think it was admitted that neither could nor would be produced.
Sorry guys, ‘next level’ not attained.
Maybe next time.
Much like an impartial juror, I assessed the current articles on this and set two modest requirements for the claim to be entertained and for it to reach the ‘next level’
1/ that they could produce the craft claimed to be in the government’s possession
2/ that they produce the ‘biologic material’ they claimed to have
I think it was admitted that neither could nor would be produced.
Sorry guys, ‘next level’ not attained.
Maybe next time.
The Believers: Alien are real and have been visiting us (and crashing here!) for decades. The Skeptics: There is no evidence (despite all the actual evidence). The Reality: The phenomenon is all too real (as anyone who has seriously looked into this is aware), but it is obviously nothing to do with extraterrestrials from other planets flying here in UFOs etc. The origin and meaning of the phenomenon is something else entirely. Elements within various governments/intelligence networks are fully aware that this is the case, although they do not know what to do with that fact. They fuel the ‘alien’ hypothesis to distract from the deeper reality. They judge that it is best that Jenny and Johnny Average do not know and remain ignorant. I am inclined to think that they are entirely correct in this judgement.
..my own thoughts exactly; though you put it much better!
> “it is obviously nothing to do with extraterrestrials from other planets flying here in UFOs etc. The origin and meaning of the phenomenon is something else entirely.”
Like angels, time travelers, ghosts, or what? What are you suggesting is the more credible hypothesis than extra-terrestials?
..my own thoughts exactly; though you put it much better!
> “it is obviously nothing to do with extraterrestrials from other planets flying here in UFOs etc. The origin and meaning of the phenomenon is something else entirely.”
Like angels, time travelers, ghosts, or what? What are you suggesting is the more credible hypothesis than extra-terrestials?
The Believers: Alien are real and have been visiting us (and crashing here!) for decades. The Skeptics: There is no evidence (despite all the actual evidence). The Reality: The phenomenon is all too real (as anyone who has seriously looked into this is aware), but it is obviously nothing to do with extraterrestrials from other planets flying here in UFOs etc. The origin and meaning of the phenomenon is something else entirely. Elements within various governments/intelligence networks are fully aware that this is the case, although they do not know what to do with that fact. They fuel the ‘alien’ hypothesis to distract from the deeper reality. They judge that it is best that Jenny and Johnny Average do not know and remain ignorant. I am inclined to think that they are entirely correct in this judgement.
There’a joke going about. “Spooky if a UFO hovered over the ocean, communicated with something in the sea for a few days and then left”.
We as a race are pathetic. We can’t imagine an intelligent species that’s not bipedal or doesn’t feel the need to tease fighter pilots and commercial jet crews.
What if a visitor saw the planet as dominated by the plant kingdom, or insects, or bacteria? We occupy less than 5% of the planet’s surface.. Our inexplicable scurrying activity may appear as an infection, to be avoided. Or viewed like we study an ant nest or beehive, a shoal of fish, of interest for a few minutes then move on.
Perhaps water, oxygen and nitrogen are poisonous? We send probes to Venus which briefly transmit data then expire.
communicated with something in the sea for a few days and then left”.
We as a race are pathetic.
Us dolphins have a secret, and we’re not telling.
communicated with something in the sea for a few days and then left”.
We as a race are pathetic.
Us dolphins have a secret, and we’re not telling.
There’a joke going about. “Spooky if a UFO hovered over the ocean, communicated with something in the sea for a few days and then left”.
We as a race are pathetic. We can’t imagine an intelligent species that’s not bipedal or doesn’t feel the need to tease fighter pilots and commercial jet crews.
What if a visitor saw the planet as dominated by the plant kingdom, or insects, or bacteria? We occupy less than 5% of the planet’s surface.. Our inexplicable scurrying activity may appear as an infection, to be avoided. Or viewed like we study an ant nest or beehive, a shoal of fish, of interest for a few minutes then move on.
Perhaps water, oxygen and nitrogen are poisonous? We send probes to Venus which briefly transmit data then expire.
When one says “there is no evidence” does this actually mean evidence to the level deemed irrefutable? It is one thing to admit that no one has publicly made available a corpse of a life form made of different DNA to the rest of us. It is another to keep on batting away the possibility because it’s so much easier to maintain the current paradigm.
When one says “there is no evidence” does this actually mean evidence to the level deemed irrefutable? It is one thing to admit that no one has publicly made available a corpse of a life form made of different DNA to the rest of us. It is another to keep on batting away the possibility because it’s so much easier to maintain the current paradigm.
I have me doubts! Who knows what secret technology other nations have? ..if it goes missing or goes rogue (like that drone?) and turns up where such technology is as yet unknown then by definition it is “alien” but that’s along way from ET.
If this information is coming from ex CIA, NASA, MI6 or uncle Tom Cobly I’d have serious doubts on that too..
There is also the possibility this stuff is from Earth 15,000 years ago or more, pre Younger Dryas and it can be added to the hundreds of other “anomalies” discovered buried in Earths layers (ala Planet of the Apes) – who can say what Earth’s knowledge will be like after we’re all nuked into the stone age (again?)..
In short, I’m of the opinion all this stuff originated on planet Earth from some time, and for some reason we are yet to understand.
Or it might be ET.. I’m placing an each way bet on this one..
I have me doubts! Who knows what secret technology other nations have? ..if it goes missing or goes rogue (like that drone?) and turns up where such technology is as yet unknown then by definition it is “alien” but that’s along way from ET.
If this information is coming from ex CIA, NASA, MI6 or uncle Tom Cobly I’d have serious doubts on that too..
There is also the possibility this stuff is from Earth 15,000 years ago or more, pre Younger Dryas and it can be added to the hundreds of other “anomalies” discovered buried in Earths layers (ala Planet of the Apes) – who can say what Earth’s knowledge will be like after we’re all nuked into the stone age (again?)..
In short, I’m of the opinion all this stuff originated on planet Earth from some time, and for some reason we are yet to understand.
Or it might be ET.. I’m placing an each way bet on this one..
They’ll be having hearings about the real existence of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy next.
More seriously I don’t doubt Govts and Military sometimes don’t want to explain what it was that was seen as it may be top secret weapons development. Funny how the Chinese pilots never get to say much isn’t it about all these Green Men phenomena.
They’ll be having hearings about the real existence of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy next.
More seriously I don’t doubt Govts and Military sometimes don’t want to explain what it was that was seen as it may be top secret weapons development. Funny how the Chinese pilots never get to say much isn’t it about all these Green Men phenomena.
If aliens have a superior civilization why do their spacecraft crash?
If aliens have a superior civilization why do their spacecraft crash?
in my work as an airline pilot, I have many times seen lights ( mainly resembling bright stars) moving in ways that do not conform to my understanding of physics. They aren’t satellites, or Starlink, or the ISS, or space debris. As for what they are, I remain open- minded.
in my work as an airline pilot, I have many times seen lights ( mainly resembling bright stars) moving in ways that do not conform to my understanding of physics. They aren’t satellites, or Starlink, or the ISS, or space debris. As for what they are, I remain open- minded.
Oh we’re all back to aliens, jolly interesting. I’m not sure I care either way tbh: whether a new species is found in the Mariana trench or in the gap between us and the next galaxy makes very little difference, the only universally compelling question either event raises is ‘is it dangerous’?
It’s interesting that no one has commented on the last line of the article:
“Having sentient partners would bring a new meaning to our existence in the vast cosmos that, until now, looked dark and lonely.”
Would it really? I’ve considered it vaguely and can’t find any added meaning to my existence whatsoever. Getting a better job or a new skill or a pension that is worth paying into in an economy that provides loads of jobs and in which I can increase in wealth and my children will be better off than I am: those things might add new meaning to my existence.
Whether a previously undiscovered alien being can finish the Times crossword before me just isn’t on the list to be honest.
But yes yes it’s still very interesting. Until the next pandemic/war/race riot/election/sex scandal/coronation/heatwave/trans issue/celebrity breakdown/terrorist attack/serial killer/major fire/volcano eruption.
Oh we’re all back to aliens, jolly interesting. I’m not sure I care either way tbh: whether a new species is found in the Mariana trench or in the gap between us and the next galaxy makes very little difference, the only universally compelling question either event raises is ‘is it dangerous’?
It’s interesting that no one has commented on the last line of the article:
“Having sentient partners would bring a new meaning to our existence in the vast cosmos that, until now, looked dark and lonely.”
Would it really? I’ve considered it vaguely and can’t find any added meaning to my existence whatsoever. Getting a better job or a new skill or a pension that is worth paying into in an economy that provides loads of jobs and in which I can increase in wealth and my children will be better off than I am: those things might add new meaning to my existence.
Whether a previously undiscovered alien being can finish the Times crossword before me just isn’t on the list to be honest.
But yes yes it’s still very interesting. Until the next pandemic/war/race riot/election/sex scandal/coronation/heatwave/trans issue/celebrity breakdown/terrorist attack/serial killer/major fire/volcano eruption.