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In reply to the discussion: UFOs are in today's news again. Step up DUers. If you have had a sighting, lets us all know. [View all]OneGrassRoot
(22,995 posts)98. Well...
I realize I'm setting up an us against them vibe in my comment here. That's not my intention but I'm not sure how to phrase things in order not to do that. Please note that I don't have any animosity toward skeptics - skeptics of most any topic. Challenging opinions and even events is important. I'm just noting that how it's done matters.
That would strengthen belief in the alien-visitation interpretation of UFOs. It would create a strong impression that there was no need to make any effort at being skeptical. It would create an impression that the alien-visitation interpretation was more strongly supported than it actually is.
Refraining from commenting is not neutrality. Refraining from commenting is passive facilitation.
Refraining from commenting is not neutrality. Refraining from commenting is passive facilitation.
Challenging and criticizing are fine. How they are challenged matters, imo. People mock shit all the time. That's different from offering a respectful countering opinion. If there is mocking and condescension, it DOES imply that you think the opposing opinion is only held by idiots. Hence getting to anarch's point about the tone of interactions which are almost always condescending, if not right away then eventually as the conversation continues, as you proved here.
You're using a commonly flogged fallacy favored by many UFO believers right there, linking skepticism about alien visitation interpretations of these events to skepticism about there being any alien life at all. This is frankly bullshit. Most UFO skeptics will readily agree that life beyond our little planet is highly likely. What they doubt is that UFO sightings have anything to do with that life.
You've obviously engaged about this topic more than I. I observe these interactions at a surface level as my original reply to you noted. In these initial interactions I have never gotten the impression that a skeptic who is mocking the topic of UFOs believes in alien life beyond Earth because there is, as yet, no proof of such which is the skeptic's entire argument. It would be very helpful for skeptics to make this more clear if they are wanting to have serious, fruitful discussions about this. (Edit to add: I realize that having a serious, respectful discussion may be of no interest whatsoever but rather mocking and shutting down conversation because some skeptics believe it has no merit and shouldn't have a place here. Ironic, given your reply to this OP.)
Skeptics often get into the semantics game showing their great knowledge of terminology and changing terminology, not dissimilar to gun enthusiasts in conversations involving guns, another topic that often generates mockery and condescension in these discussion threads. I'm not equating the two topics, I'm simply noting that there is a similarity in how terminology and semantics can be used to mock and dismiss, taking away from the core issue trying to be discussed. That is frankly bullshit.
What I have seen are comments to the effect "why would alien life do this or that?" and "do you realize the type of craft required to travel that distance?"
No one has all of the possible information to answer those questions thoroughly and accurately. We have limited knowledge and are working within those limited parameters to speculate, skeptics and believers alike. People simply share their direct experiences; they aren't trying to solve the mysteries of the universe in doing so.
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UFOs are in today's news again. Step up DUers. If you have had a sighting, lets us all know. [View all]
flashman13
Apr 2023
OP
I wish I had a video. The event I described occured befor the coming of the smart phone camera.
flashman13
Apr 2023
#11
If, as you assert, "Sightings are very common." there should be at least one photo or video.
Ptah
Apr 2023
#13
There are thousands of films and videos from all over the world. One from the early 50s is of a
flashman13
Apr 2023
#22
True, as I have discovered. A gorgeous huge heron landed across the street & hung out...
Hekate
Apr 2023
#37
4/11/2023..just hangin' on back patio 12 days ago..we watched the descent...
asiliveandbreathe
Apr 2023
#10
This is a good place to make this point. People believe in fairies, fantasies, and gods with no
flashman13
Apr 2023
#18
Okay then, I still do not believe in ALIEN, other life form from outer space..
asiliveandbreathe
Apr 2023
#28
I saw the "Phoenix Lights", as did thousands. I remember the pictures in the papers.
niyad
Apr 2023
#43
If someone tells you they doubt your story, that does not mean they are "upset"
Silent3
Apr 2023
#50
Trying to discredit criticism by saying the person doing the criticizing is "upset"...
Silent3
Apr 2023
#71
You're good Bro! They are Skared... Here's the Pentagon's UFO Release Last Week
MartyTheGreek
Apr 2023
#21
This post jogs my memoires. My dad flew with the 8th Air Force over Europe in 1944. I asked him
flashman13
Apr 2023
#25
Why would you think that something that you could not identify was a "craft?"
Chainfire
Apr 2023
#33
I attach no special connotation to the word "craft". If you are more comfortable with object,
flashman13
Apr 2023
#38
Wow, where did you see them and what did they look like, if you don't mind sharing.
MLAA
Apr 2023
#44
I've not been fortunate to see an unexplainable object or craft but have zero doubt they exist.
MLAA
Apr 2023
#45
I can honestly say i saw an STAR bight object in the sky, when i was like 11 years old (late 50's)
bluestarone
Apr 2023
#64