Brookings report

The Brookings report(1), or proposed studies of the implications for peacefull space activites for human affairs. Was comissioned by NASA in 1961 and presented to The United States Congress in the same year. This report was created by the Brookings institution(2) It is widly believed in some conspiracy circles that this report had drastic implications on the public to wich NASA served, namley the belief that [NASA] wouid as part of it's mission discover extraterestrial life or evidence of it and the decession weather or not to tell the public.


On page 215 of the report, the most startling of paragraphs (one of a select few) that does infact give rise to this belief states, (1)

"While face-to-face meetings with it (extraterrestrial life) will not occur within the next 20 years; artifacts left at some point in time by these life forms might possibly be discovered through our space activities on the moon, Mars, or Venus." - The Implications of a Discovery of Extraterrestrial,

(1)

"Evidences of its existence might also be found in artifacts left on the moon or other planets. The consequences for attitudes and values are unpredictable, but would vary profoundly in different cultures and between groups within complex societies; a crucial factor would be the nature of the communication between us and the other beings. Whether or not earth would be inspired to an all-out space effort by such a discovery is moot: societies sure of their own place in the universe have disintegrated when confronted by a superior society, and others have survived even though changed. Clearly, the better we can come to understand the factors involved in responding to such crises the better prepared we may be

....."Continuing studies to determine emotional and intellectual understanding, and attitudes - and successive alterations of them if any - regarding the possibility and consequences of discovering intelligent extraterrestrial life.

Historical and empirical studies of the behaviour of peoples and their leaders when confronted with dramatic and unfamiliar events or social pressures. Such studies might help to provide programs for meeting and adjusting to the implications of such a discovery. Questions one might wish to answer by such studies would include: How might such information, under what circumstances, be presented or withheld from the public and for what ends? What would be the role of the discovering scientists and other decision makers regarding release of the fact of discovery?".....

I wanted to bring this contrversial report to the surface and also to the attention of those who did not know of it, or the shadow of doubt it casts on NASA and the fact that these questions and the study of weather or not to tell the public about their( at the time possible finds) actually exsists. Enjoy and let me know what you think happy reading!





Sources
(1)en.wikipedia.org...
(2) en.wikipedia.org...
(3) Title page
(4)Comitte members
(5)Letter of submittal
(6)Letter of submission to NASA
(7)Page 215
(8)Page 216
www.enterprisemission.com...

Just a "bump" to bring this to light for some of the new members who might have otherwise not known about this assumption from NASA that they would encounter evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Just a little thought about peoples reaction to contact.
An example of it is when Former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington was talking about the Phoenix lights. He said that he came up with the alien stunt because “the growing hysteria intensified”.



look At 8:20
Although think people generally would handle it better than in the 60s many are still jumpy.
Are we ready for confirmation or contact today? I think most people would handle it ok. I know I would.


[edit on 12-5-2009 by BartS]

Originally posted by alyosha1981
Just a "bump" to bring this to light for some of the new members who might have otherwise not known about this assumption from NASA that they would encounter evidence of extraterrestrial life.

In the first place, NASA did not produce the report. In the second place, the Brookings report contains no assumption that evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence will be found. Saying that it does is gross distortion. The report only addresses the remote possibility of finding evidence in the Solar System and the more likely possibility of a SETI type discovery of intelligent life in another planetary system.

The purpose of the report was to address Section 102(c) (4) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958.

“(4) establishment of long-range studies of the potential benefits to be gained from the opportunities for, and the problems involved in the utilization of aeronautical and space activities for peaceful and scientific purposes.”

Because the existence of extraterrestrial life and intelligence has been considered a possibility since long before the beginning of space exploration, it is not surprising that the topic would be included in the report. But it is a very small inclusion.

Even in 1961 it was thought very unlikely that intelligent life would be found within the Solar System but, being thorough, the the report does address the possibility. The report makes no statement about what effect such a discovery would have on Earth's societies, only that there is no way to predict those results.

4. Though intelligent or semi-intelligent life conceivably exists elsewhere in our solar system, if intelligent extraterrestrial life is discovered in the next twenty years, it will very probably be by radio telescope from other solar systems. Evidences of its existence might also be found in artifacts left on the moon or other planets. The consequences for attitudes and values are
unpredictable, but would vary profoundly in different cultures and between groups within complex societies; a crucial factor would be the nature of the communication between us and the other beings. Whether or not earth would be inspired to an all-out space effort by such a discovery is moot: societies sure of their own place in the universe have disintegrated when confronted by a superior society, and others have survived even though changed. Clearly, the better we can come to understand the factors involved in responding to such crises the better prepared we may be.

Here the report talks about the discovery of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, saying it is unlikely to happen any time soon but it could happen. It suggests that a research program into the effects of such a discovery might be a good idea.

While the discovery of intelligent life in other parts of the universe is not likely in the immediate future, it could nevertheless happen at any time. Whenever it does occur its consequences for earth attitudes and values may be profound. Hence a long-term research effort, which would aid in preparing for this possibility, could usefully begin with:
A continuing determination of emotional and intellectual understanding and attitudes regarding the possibility and consequences of discovering intelligent extraterrestrial life.

The real "meat" of the report dealing with extraterrestrials begins on page 183 of the original report. It's brief, four paragraphs, but too long to quote here. It's shown on page 215 of the FOIA version of the document which has different pagination from the original. This section downplays the possibility of finding intelligent life in the Solar System but it does say that it is very likely that there is intelligent life in other solar systems. The report says that direct contact is unlikely but that radio contact is more likely. It goes on to talk about the possible impacts of such contact on society, ranging from "greater unity of men on Earth" to societal disintegration. The section closes with two recommendations for areas of research. One to study the possible effects on the discovery of extraterrestrial life. And another to study how people react to dramatic events in general. The section ends

Questions one might wish to answer by such studies would include: How might such information, under what circumstances, be presented to or withheld from the public for what ends? What might be the role of the discovering scientists and other decision makers regarding release of the fact of discovery?

There is no recommendation that information be withheld. There is a recommendation that a study be made to determine if there would be any reason to withhold information

The full FOIA document is available here. It would be a good idea to read the whole thing to help understand the context of its limited discussion of extraterrestrial life in the entire report.
www.nicap.org...

[edit on 5/12/2009 by Phage]

I believe this to be "their" legal an political cover and text citing scenarios for the cover up. Studies including the ramifacations should E.T life be discovered including but not limited to the complete wash of some accepted theorys.

I found this passage interesting:

Originally posted by Phage

4. Though intelligent or semi-intelligent life conceivably exists elsewhere in our solar system, if intelligent extraterrestrial life is discovered in the next twenty years, it will very probably be by radio telescope from other solar systems. Evidences of its existence might also be found in artifacts left on the moon or other planets.

We know a lot more about our solar system now than we did in 1961 and I think it's safe to say as we learn more about our solar system, we assign lower probabilities for the possibility of finding intelligent or semi intelligent life in our own solar system.

Regarding the radio contact possibility, if you believe Seth Shostak, and I do, there are no MIB hovering over SETI waiting to see if they discover an intelligent signal. While discovering a radio signal of ET would be quite profound, it would be far less dramatic than evidence of ET visitation to our solar system or to Earth, which I think would have a greater impact on us.

It is interesting to see these issues being discussed, but I agree with Phage that when you put these statements in the context of the larger report, along with their recommendations, it's not surprising these concepts were discussed for the sake of thoroughness.

There is no recommendation that information be withheld.

No specific recommendation, though the tone of the entire report does seem to imply this basic recommendation...such as the discussion of what happens to societies who are comfortable with their self-created place in the Universe...

reply to post by Gazrok

I disagree. First, to say that the tone of the "entire report" implies the recommendation is an exaggeration. Only one and a half pages (out of more than 200) are devoted to the discussion of extraterrestrial life.

The report presents only two possibilities of the effects of the confirmation of extraterrestrial intelligence.

The knowledge that life existed in other parts of the universe might lead to a greater unity of men on earth, based on the oneness of man or on the age-old assumption that any stranger is threatening

Anthropological files contain many examples of societies, sure of their place in the universe, which have disintegrated when they have had to associate with previously
unfamiliar societies espousing different ideas and different life ways; others that survived such an experience usually did so by paying the price of changes in values and attitudes and behavior.

The report recommends studies to determine how people view the idea, how those views change, and how peoples have reacted to "dramatic and unfamiliar events". It recommends studies, not action.

Just so were all focused here, this was written in the 1960's right ?

Am i missing something because the last time i checked, it was 2009, so i guess everyone still believes that in 50 years we have only moved and inch in space exploration and discoveries.

Right, ill get back to this thread in 50 years when eventually reality sinks in.