Even then, an idea which may fit the observed facts but which is
not in evidence itself cannot be accepted as fact until it is tested. This
is nothing new. This is simply the way logic and science test new
explanations of reality. This method is the foundation of our modern
western technological culture.
Unfortunately, research in the field of flying saucer phenomena
has never been undertaken with this principle in mind. More and
more frequently, UFOs are attributed to an extraterrestrial source
by the media, or the "witnesses", as a sort of knee-jerk reaction. It
seems if one sees something for which he has no prior reference,
then it must be extraterrestrial as a matter of course. Over the years
sightings have become "encounters," then "abductions." Such
reports are increasing even as the use of regression hypnosis
replaces the scientific method for finding the truth. The same
individuals often have repeated "experiences" each of which
becomes stranger than the last.
If no real research has ever been done on the UFO phenomena,
then how has thesis extraterrestrial theory crept into popular
culture? One simple answer is the media. The media loves
extraterrestrials. Why? It is because the extraterrestrial hypothesis is
marketable. It sells copy. Just look at the number of books,
magazines, movies and television programs devoted to this
explanation. Look at your check-out counter in the supermarket.
The government itself is another answer. The word "government"
from here on will basically mean the government of the United
States of America but will sometimes include other governments, as
specified. The government has used "flying saucers" to cover its
own testing of secret aircraft. It uses the UFO-extraterrestrial ploy
superbly. When a UFO is seen by civilians, a controlled procedure is
enacted. This procedure plants or encourages witnesses who
expound an extraterrestrial origin in a given sighting. The
government may even go so far as to fund television programming
and magazines devoted to this explanation. After all, a huge part of
the C.I.A.'s budget goes into 7V6