UFO'S: A possible explanation

[Yeah_Right]

It isn't 'proof', but it is weak evidence.

Yes, extraordinarily weak.

 

[TjW]

It isn't 'proof', but it is weak evidence.

It could be cited as evidence of mental instability. Not conclusive proof, but evidence.

Now considering that unstable people have been known to misinterpret things seen in the sky, and even to convince others of their misinterpretation, is it stronger evidence for that, or for a heretofore unknown intelligent species sharing the solar system with us?

 

[King of the Americas]

What if i saw something like that, I wouldn't know what to think, but being a skeptic, I wouldn't immediately jump to a conclusion that it was a vehicle piloted by beings of an advanced civilization. Now if the thing landed and the beings jumped out and greeted me in some way, then that might be a different story, but then I'd still need some evidence like a device of some sort they might be kind enough to give me and give it to scientists for further scrutiny.


Actually what I meant by imagination runnig away from you, doesn't apply to the sighting, but it deals with your interpretation of what you saw. In other words you didn't imagine it, but applied a rather fantastic explanation to the thing you saw.

This is a mis-representation of my thought process. 'I' went through everything it could have been, and yet its description didn't fit anything. If you can come up with something known, that shared these characteristics, please bring it forward. But for now I can only say I don't know what it was... I certainly never said I thought it was "an alien", first off.

What I saw was quite fantastic, but I can only conclude I don't have a normal explanation, yet.

 

[King of the Americas]

Yes, extraordinarily weak.

In and of itself, indeed...

But PILES of 'similar' "extraordinarily weak" EVIDENCE = theoretical consistency.

 

[gambling_cruiser]

No it only suggests that people suffering delusions are/were wide spread, now and in the past.

 

[King of the Americas]

No it only suggests that people suffering delusions are/were wide spread, now and in the past.

So, it's back to this?

What is the more 'simple' explanation:

-That we've ignored/misinterpreted data

OR

-That thousands of people throughout the ages suffered the 'same' delusion, featuring the same elements

 

[jimbob]

KoA:

Look up temporal lobe epilepsy and religious visions. They are quite common, as was ergot poisoning and visions.

Nowdays such "visions" are often interpreted as alien intervention, whereas in the middle ages they would have been considered to be supernatural.

I would suggest that there is a similarity in the psychology of claimed alien abductions and their fascination with anal probes, and the medieval reports about the succubus and incubus.

 

[leafman91]

In and of itself, indeed...

But PILES of 'similar' "extraordinarily weak" EVIDENCE = theoretical consistency.

How?

 

[leafman91]

So, it's back to this?

What is the more 'simple' explanation:

-That we've ignored/misinterpreted data

OR

-That thousands of people throughout the ages suffered the 'same' delusion, featuring the same elements

Not necessarily the same delusion. If the only common theme is the sky, then it isn't enough.

 

[Yeah_Right]

-That thousands of people throughout the ages suffered the 'same' delusion, featuring the same elements

Well not all the elements, in the days before the Wright Brothers flight, they were seeing what they described as blimps, not saucer shaped craft at all.

 

[Yeah_Right]

In and of itself, indeed...

But PILES of 'similar' "extraordinarily weak" EVIDENCE = theoretical consistency.

I think he means that things were seen and documented through the ages, but remember KoTA, they could be interpreted as anything. So the evidence is not only weak, but non-existant.

 

[King of the Americas]

Not necessarily the same delusion. If the only common theme is the sky, then it isn't enough.

"...round/semetrical 'things' flying in the sky/heavens..."

It's a super common mass delusion, or an actual phenomena STILL being recorded.

 

[King of the Americas]

KoA:

Look up temporal lobe epilepsy and religious visions. They are quite common, as was ergot poisoning and visions.

Nowdays such "visions" are often interpreted as alien intervention, whereas in the middle ages they would have been considered to be supernatural.

I would suggest that there is a similarity in the psychology of claimed alien abductions and their fascination with anal probes, and the medieval reports about the succubus and incubus.

I can't discount this as a possibility... Although, I've never been diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy, before. Is there a test for this condition?

 

[jimbob]

I can't discount this as a possibility... Although, I've never been diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy, before. Is there a test for this condition?

Er... Someone else please. IANAD

I am an engineer/physicist.

I also know that there are various other effects that also cause "visions".

Sleep Paralysis^WP for example

 

[King of the Americas]

Er... Someone else please. IANAD

I am an engineer/physicist.

I also know that there are various other effects that also cause "visions".

Sleep Paralysis^WP for example

It all boils down to this:

Mass historical delusion vs. human error and misinterpretation

Which is more simple an explanation?

 

[Yeah_Right]

It all boils down to this:

Mass historical delusion vs. human error and misinterpretation

Which is more simple an explanation?

I think it's a bit from column A, and a bit from column B.

 

[leafman91]

"...round/semetrical 'things' flying in the sky/heavens..."

It's a super common mass delusion, or an actual phenomena STILL being recorded.

As I said, not necessarily the same elements. Round symmettrical things in the sky can easily be other shapes if you want them to be. To tell you the truth, 'Yeah Right' beat me to it:

I think it's a bit from column A, and a bit from column B.

Or, you may have misinterpreted a few sources.

I need something to work with here. You have given me a statement but no evidence. What am I supposed to do with that? Where are these countless records of extraterrestrials throughout history?

 

[Marduk]

I need something to work with here. You have given me a statement but no evidence. What am I supposed to do with that? Where are these countless records of extraterrestrials throughout history?

would you be surprised if I told you he had already shown his evidence (which was practically non existent) and seen it soundly debunked earlier in the thread ?

 

[leafman91]

would you be surprised if I told you he had already shown his evidence (which was practically non existent) and seen it soundly debunked earlier in the thread ?

Kota, this smilie has been selected just for you!


Plus a couple I thought relevant...

And a couple I've really been wanting to use


Cheers.

 

[Yeah_Right]

As I said, not necessarily the same elements. Round symmettrical things in the sky can easily be other shapes if you want them to be. To tell you the truth, 'Yeah Right' beat me to it:


Or, you may have misinterpreted a few sources.

I need something to work with here. You have given me a statement but no evidence. What am I supposed to do with that? Where are these countless records of extraterrestrials throughout history?

I think yoiu have mistaken me for KoTA