TLDR: If the phenomenon consists of one source, then one of the best explanations would be a version of the simulation theory where the simulation’s NPCs, icons, and avatars evolve with us. This would explain immense diversity of different UFO sightings, interactions with various beings, and even some paranormal/high strangeness/psy aspects of the phenomenon. Just as a video game’s aesthetics might change over time as the player develops over time and reaches milestones (e.g. see Age of Empire or Civilization), the same might be occurring here.
For the longest time, I’ve had a very hard time accepting the idea that different aspects of the phenomenon come from the same source. For example, it’s strange to think possible ET spacecraft (e.g. tic-tacs, cigars, saucers, triangles, orbs, etc.), crop circles, remote viewing, Fortean phenomena, NDEs, grey aliens, Nordics, insectoids, etc. are all somehow related. After all, each suggests dynamically different explanations for different sightings/interactions. Any single explanation or cause (assuming that it is not a multiplicity of phenomenon treated as one) would have to be able to explain the variety within the phenomenon itself.
I think the best explanation that makes sense to me is that the phenomenon changes and evolves based on cultural context and how far we advance as a civilization.
For example, in ancient times, people would be shown less advanced tech like flying chariots, shields, and wheels. The Bible talks about chariots of fire with Elijah and burning wheels with Ezekiel. Constantine and the Romans saw flying shields that led them into battle. The vedic tradition talks about the vimana or flying chariots/palaces. As for beings, ancient people would use terms that suggest religion and folklore like djinn, angels, faeries, etc.
Then as civilization advances, the sightings and beings become more and more advanced and more grounded/closer to our lived experience. For example, in the 1800s there was a mass number of “air ship” sightings with human like occupants who would offer food and drink or offer that in return. The sight of these airships could be seen as a signal approving of our advancement into industrialization.
Then we entered the atomic age and began to see ET spacecraft with potentially alien pilots/passengers, which helped spur our imagination to go into space.
With each new major breakthrough and with each culture, the phenomenon seems to change itself to fit the situation like water into a cup. This doesn’t mean that EVERY sighting/interaction fits this paradigm perfectly, but it would be an excellent explanation for how such a weird variety of anomalous things could be connected.
Just like the characters in a civilizational video game change and advance over time as the player achieve milestones, the phenomenon advances to reflect our advancement as a whole.
Finally, I would add that some of the weirdest aspects (e.g. frightening occurrences/beings like those at Skinwalker Rance) that are hard to explain serve as a way to increase and/or limit our interaction with the simulation – e.g. like a set of scarecrows for humans or as a way of telling us that we’re going too far off the map or, on the contrary, as a way of telling us to investigate more (e.g. the black knight satellite).
submitted by /u/hanuap
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