I am often asked why I am interested in UFOs and why I would write a novel based on the subject? The implication is that, if I am drawn to the subject, I must have a tin-foil hat tucked away in my closet, and when I put it on, I point my head toward Venus or Mars in order to make alien contact. The fact is, I have many reasons for my interest in unidentified flying objects. Everyone should, and below is a short list that suggests why this subject matters to all of us.
They are Real.
In the United States alone, thousands of UFO sightings are reported each year. Many of these are filed with the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) or the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC). In the past, even the government’s own and ultimately controversial Project Bluebook recorded thousands of sightings. While many of these are explainable, hundreds of others aren’t. Of those, there is undeniable evidence of the existence of UFOs based on the credibility of multiple witnesses, in conjunction with technological detection, such as radar, film, photographs, and so on.
The Phenomenon is Global.
Just based on MUFON statistics alone, hundreds of sightings are reported by witnesses in Europe, South America, Africa, the Far East, and the Middle East. One of many examples is the famous Belgian wave of UFO sightings that occurred in 1989 and 1990. During this time, Belgian police and military cooperated in order to respond to the sightings, including sending aircraft to pursue the unidentified targets. To this day, there is no explanation for these UFOs.
UFOs are Potentially Hazardous.
One famous and very pertinent example of this is the daytime UFO incident that occurred at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on November 7, 2006. Travelers, airport and airline personnel, pilots, and many others witnessed a disc-shaped craft hovering over Terminal C, above gate 17. Essentially, this unknown craft had invaded the airspace of one of the world’s busiest airports, at rush hour. Its intent, identity, and origin unknown, the craft later ascended straight up, leaving a hole in the cloud cover in its path. This case was made especially controversial because of the FAA’s and airlines’ policies not to discuss – in fact, to deny – such sightings. But, controversy aside, I think all of us should be concerned about safety when unknown traffic invades a busy airport’s airspace.
They are not Going Away.
Hundreds of sighting reports are made each month in the United States and other countries. Again, not all of these will end up classified as genuine UFOs, but unless we study them, how will we know which are “weather balloons” and which are things that defy our current knowledge and understanding? The question begs an answer, and that answer is the application of a sustained and scientific inquiry that starts with an open mind, informed citizenry, and the honest participation of government, academia, and scientific institutions.
There is a true mystery at hand, one that has been around a long time and poses serious issues and questions. I am not saying that the answers all imply that we are dealing with extraterrestrials. In fact, there could easily be other answers to this phenomenon. But, unless we study it, we will never find out.
So when someone asks me why I am interested in UFOs, I now just say, “Why wouldn’t I be? Aren’t you?”
About the Author
Daniel P. Douglas is no stranger to the confusion and controversy surrounding the UFO subject. He is a writer who specializes in sci fi thriller books and short stories, and his debut novel, Truth Insurrected: The Saint Mary Project, tackles the UFO and alien contact conspiracy with action, mystery and suspense.
Комментарии