SUBJECT: SOME OF THE VARIOUS UFO HYPOTHESIS FILE: UFO965 CONCLUSION: UFO THEORIES ------------------------ What are UFOs? The plain truth is we don't know, and may never know. Nevertheless, numerous hypotheses have been advanced to explain UFO reports. They can be divided into two major categories, the conventional and unconventional. The conventional category is just that. UFOs are explained as aircraft, balloons, birds, and planets. Other possibilities have included ball lightning, swamp gas, and even insect swarms. Hoaxes and hallucinations can never be ruled out. The unconventional category is composed of at least eight major theories. New theories are being proposed each year it seems. These eight theories are The Secret Weapon Theory, The Hollow Earth Theory, The Underwater Civilization Theory, The Space Animal Theory, The Extraterrestrial Hypothesis, The Time Travel Theory, The Ultraterrestrial Theory, and the Psychic Projection Theory. 1) THE SECRET WEAPON THEORY: This theory proposes that UFOs are devices constructed by the U.S. government or some foreign nation, particularly the Soviet Union. Critics of the theory like to point out that descriptions of UFOs can be found in a large body of literature dating back to ancient times. Further, it is argued if the U.S. and Soviets had flying saucers capable of operating maneuvers that seem to defy the existing laws of physics, those governments would not have spent billions of dollars for the development of alternate and less efficient military weapons systems. Secondly, even if UFOs had been experimentally tested, or even operationally deployed, they would not have been permitted to approach civilian airports, urban centers, and all the everyday places where UFOs are reported. Besides, such craft would very probably have been revealed to the world as a major technological breakthrough and as a warning to all potential enemies. Imagine the political advantage, i.e., blackmail, with such a weapon. Finally, it seems improbable that development of such a weapon, which would have involved many thousands of persons over a period of years, would not have leaked to the press, or at least to intelligence operatives. 2) THE HOLLOW EARTH THEORY: --------------------------- Advanced by a group of writers early in this century and later linked to UFOs, the theory proposes that teh Earth is a hollow sphere with openings at the poles and that flying saucers belong to a secret civilization living inside the Earth. The theory has subsequently been examined by top scientists, including top seismologist Dr. John Derr. Artificial satellite perturbations, for example, show not only that the Earth is solid, but that its mass is concentrated toward its center. Also U.S. satellites, which continually fly over the poles, have not apparently photographed any openings. 3) THE UNDERWATER CIVILIZATION THEORY: -------------------------------------- Numerous theorists have speculated that secret UFO bases might be located on ocean beds, far from man's activities and possible detection. By moving underwater it is argued, UFOs would have access to all four continents and. by by proceeding up major rivers and tributaries, could reach many inland locations without risking detection by atmospheric flight. Crafts capable of interstellar flight would be able to withstand the pressures and stresses of deep oceanic environments. 4) THE SPACE ANIMAL THEORY: --------------------------- This theory holds that UFOs are living organisms. It is not taken seriously by most UFO researchers. It is doubtful that biological forms could evolve in space or even the upper regions of the atmosphere, where exposure to cosmic rays, and other radiations, would be maximized. And the absence of oxygen for carbon based life would by our knowledge rule out biological space animals. However, there is a possibility of life existing in a plasma state, so keeping an open mind is not a bad idea. 5) THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL HYPOTHESIS: ----------------------------------- This is by far the most popular theory concerning the origin of UFOs. However, this should not be taken to mean it is necessarily the best theory. It is certainly on that has aroused the most emotion and controversy. It is based on the assumption that one or more civilizations from outer space have mastered interstellar space flight and have the human race under systematic observation since the beginning of time. Scientists find it hard to accept the idea of E.T. visitation on the scale implied by UFO reports. In other words, there are too many landings. Scientists like prestigious California astrophysicist Dr. Jaques Vallee have calculated the number at three milion - in just two decades! Writes Vallee: "The number is totally absurd. Using a single probe the size of a keg of beer in orbit a thousand miles above the earth, human technology as it exists today would be able to capture in a few weeks most of the important facts about the planet's geography, weather, vegitation, and culture. Give the earth's abundant emission of radio and television programs for at least 50 years, even the deployment of such a space probe might be unecessary." Despite intensive research by many dedicated individuals, scientific bodies, and federal agencies, no concrete proof of ET visitation has been produced. However, the ET hypothesis remains viable and is the most intriguing of all theories, no matter how difficult it is to test and frustrating to debate. 6) THE TIME TRAVEL THEORY: -------------------------- This theory is based on the idea that man will advance to such a high technological level in the next few centuries that he will be able to transcend time and space and return to our present time. The theory lacks empirical support. However, there are certain astrophysical phenomena currently being studied which, if properly understood, could go a long way in proving the theory. If the T.T. theory were true, what we call space aliens or UFO occupants, might actually be the human beings of the future! The idea of time travel is intriguing and has been popularized in books and movies ranging from the works of H.G. Wells to 1985's Back to the Future to The Terminator. Consider this: Most UFO occupants generally avoid contact. This policy of noninterference makes perfect sense for a society visiting its own past. Also, many UFO occupants are described as being neotenous, which means they have retained infantile features as adults. Some scientists argue a neotenous trend is ongoing in primates, particularly in man. Such a trend implies that human adults at some future time could look like today's children. Many UFO occupants are described as small and childlike, with large heads relative to their bodies. Could we be looking at our evolved selves? 7) THE ULTRATERRESTRIAL THEORY: ------------------------------- This theory holds that intelligent beings, so-called ultraterrestrials, are living in a parallel universe. In other words, interdimensional beings are thought to share our own space, but at adifferent "vibratory level" of existence. Australian UFO researcher John Keel, author of serveral books based on the theory, belives that "UFOs are nothing more than visions tailoring themselves to our abilities to understand..." and the ultraterrestrials "...are somehow able to manipulate the electrical circuits of the human mind." Dr. Vallee offers a variation of the ultraterrestrial hypothesis which he calls THE CONTROL SYSTEM theory. He talks of a long- term cultural control by which ultraterrestrials, involving the world's leading religious movements, miracles, angels, ghosts, fairies, poltergeists, and the like. What motive the ultraterrestrials have in guiding mankind remains unclear. Are they good or evil or neither? The problem with the theory is that there is no easy way to prove it. The theory has become fashionable in some European and American UFO circles, although the general public knows little about it. 8) THE PSYCHIC PROJECTION THEORY: --------------------------------- First outlined in the mid-1970s, the theory is based on Carl Jung's Concept of the collective unconscious. This theory holds that the modern world of science is disrupting man's close bond with nature, bringing him to the brink of catastrophe. The message seen in the UFO myth is that the collective unconscious too long repressed will break free and overwhelm the world, ushering in an era of madness, superstition, and terror. UFOs then, are merely "planetary poltergeists" which are generated by the psychic energy of the collective unconscious. The entire theory rests on the reality of Jung's concept of a collective unconscious and the reality of extrasensory perception. So far, experiments have failed to demonstrate that man possesses a collective unconscious. Only future research can prove or disprove Jung's theory. (C) 1990 Don Grantham - Transcendental Communications & Lamat Research [*]==================================[*] TRANSCENDENTAL COMMUNICATIONS > A Division Of Lamat Research < 444 North Amelia #9C San Dimas, CA 91773 *]===================================[*] ********************************************** * THE U.F.O. BBS - http://www.ufobbs.com/ufo * **********************************************