I have been following the UFO/UAP topic since I was a teenager. I am almost 30 now. Like many people, my interest was particularly reinvigorated by the 2017 NYT article. Lue magnified that interest. Grusch magnified that interest even further.
On average I probably check this sub multiple times daily for 5/6 days out of the week. It takes a considerable amount of energy and serves a fun distraction from mundane daily life. At times though, I have begun to notice that this hobby/interest sort of functions as a distraction more than than the analysis/investigation that I tell myself it is. I think that is probably the case for a lot of people. This topic has evolved rapidly since 2017, and I would wager that more people are making a “career” out of UFOs than ever before. There is an essentially a never ending stream of rumors, podcasts, talking heads (distractions) for those willing to take them at face value.
And that brings me to my point; the topic truly has evolved into such a complex ecosystem involving academics, science, money, government. It makes complete sense to take high level officials, scientists etc. seriously when they say they have something to tell us. That being said, when the same stories continue to be recycled, and dubious information is easily traced to the same cast of characters proliferating this information for decades; it begs some simple question:
What if the people we are putting our trust in (Grusch, Elizondo, Nolan, Mellon) are actually just extremely gullible? What if they are not able to discern information on this topic like their credentials would suggest they are? What if incompetent people with a lack of discernment make into the highest reaches of our government and academic institutions? What if subconsciously, the economy and ecosystem of UFOlogy is much more seductive than we acknowledge for these characters?
In some ways, incompetence feels way more likely than the absurd level of coordination a psy-op would involve. I say this knowing all the stories: Bennewitz, Doty etc. etc.
Ultimately, we cant really answer these questions, but one thing we can know is that these characters rely on THIS community. They rely on this subreddit. They rely on Twitter. They rely on the pre-established audience this topic has had for decades.
If there were no podcasts to appear on. No conferences or speaking fees. No tell all books. Would these characters really be making such a show of their public persona and allegations of UFO secrecy?
Like people on this sub love to say: Follow the money.
When I follow the money I start to see a whole lot of circle jerking and no progress on the topic.
I think more people need to start discussing the implications this has had for people interested in the topic, and how the never ending carrot of disclosure is exactly that; a carrot. These characters are 100%, unequivocally making substantial money from being associated with this topic. I am involved with the podcasting/events world and let me tell ya, speaking fees for people of Nolan or Mellon’s calibre are not small. Generally speaking these guys say the same shit every time they go on a show and I am sick of it. They also increasingly come off as arrogant as hell. This doesn’t even mention some of the smaller players, who have basically sunk their ENTIRE life into the phenomenon because ultimately, it gives them purpose.
Our attention spans drive this ecosystem and they rely on us. Currently it feels like they feel they are entitled to our trust and they still refuse to give us any real information they claim to have to vindicate our time and attention. People are getting fed up, and rightfully so. This topic weighs heavy on everyones mind and sucks up a lot of time.
Thanks for reading – curious to hear other perspectives.
submitted by /u/moonkipp_
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