Greetings,
Since the early '80s I've participated in BBS discussions, but they were usually local. I've typically avoided forum websites on the 'net since the
mid to late '90s. I found that the climate of most forum-based 'conversations' is hostile, and people spend more time trying to find a way to debase
and insult you and your thread than lending substance to it. But, I'm older now (and my skin is a bit thicker), and I've learned to take those types
of things with a grain of salt.
My serious interest in UFOs and conspiracies was sparked in the late '80s when I worked with Robert (Bob) Dean in Tucson, AZ. He was a fount of
information that tantalized my young adult mind. Subsequently, I was introduced to Bob's good friend, Wendelle Stevens, and found him to be a
interesting man as well. I realize there is a lot of controversy over Bob & Wendelle, but I've found them to be reliable, passionate, and honest
about what they experienced and had come to believe. Controversy over anyone who claims to 'know' seems to be a constant in this field.
At the time, I was just eating it all up. I had not developed the skepticism that is essential to objectively scrutinize the stories of UFO witnesses
or conspiracy theories. After reading
a lot of UFO material, I began to see patterns. I began to understand that authors like Brad Steiger
and Ruth Montgomery are in
business for themselves, truth or absolute craziness of what they're writing be damned.
I think the book that really led me to be more skeptical was the 1st edition of
Above Top Secret, by Tim Good. Because he approached the
subject analytically I finally saw that the sensationalist, mostly fantastic, reporting by a lot of authors was garbage without substance. I think I
was rejecting the paranormal aspect of the phenomenon and embracing the physical. Of course, what most people experience seems to blend those two
together. But, like the famous quote says, sufficiently advanced technology will be indistinguishable from magic. The most fantastic I was able to
accept are the theories of physicist and author Jacques Vallee, and his ideas of dimensional travel.
I've had personal friends and co-workers confide in me their stories of UFO sightings. One co-worker was visibly upset about a sighting he had. I've
seen one UFO myself, and it definitely did not look terrestrial. I remember Bob Dean telling me, "It appears that if you take an interest in
them, they seem to take an interest in
you". I haven't found this necessarily to be true, but it's an idea with merit.
In any event, I've been perusing the boards here for a while. I'm mostly a lurker, but chime in when I feel the necessity.
Regards,
Synallaxis
edit on 30-7-2013 by Synallaxis because: Italics not allowed in thread title.