Family
Family is
first. When not working, I usually can be found with my wife,
Kai, and our daughters, Cazlin and Zanti (a.k.a.
Tootie). We enjoy outdoor activities, especially those that
involve mountains, beaches, and boats. |
Cazlin
in the British Virgin Islands. (March 2006)
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Kai and Mark on Mount Rainier, Washington. (July
1995)
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Zanti
in the British Virgin Islands. (March 2006)
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Kai in the canopy in Monteverde, Costa Rica.
(May 2001)
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Kai and Cazlin at Playa de Coco, Nicaragua. (April 2001)
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Mark near the Yukon River, Alaska.
(July 2001)
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Captain
Cazlin.
(May 2006)
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Rafting up in Vinoy Basin. (May 2006)
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Captain Tootie. (May 2006)
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Cazlin and
Tootie bicycling. (October
2004)
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Kai at the
helm of the Gypsy Lynn.
(September 2005)
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Cazlin and Tootie at the Bahia Beach Club.
(January 2006)
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Kai sharing her Gasparilla Marathon medals and meal. (February 2006)
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Cazlin and
Tootie sharing a hug.
(May 2006)
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Cazlin and
Tootie having lunch with Princess Aurora.
(April 2006)
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If I Were Not an Ecohydrologist...
Background
If I were not an ecohydrologist, then I might conduct research
on the UFO phenomenon. I am interested in the physical nature
of the UFO phenomenon, but I also am interested in the ways
in which the UFO phenomenon are perceived and the ways in which
the truth and mythology have fused into a Byzantine yet living
lore.
The Scientific Community and the UFO Phenomenon
The typical reaction of scientists to the UFO phenomenon has
been oddly circular. The circular reasoning is that UFOs cannot
exist so UFO reports cannot be true. Far from stopping there,
however, many scientists have gone on the offensive, characterizing
the UFO phenomenon as rubbish and those whom report UFOs or
investigate UFO reports as crackpots. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, noted
academic and UFO researcher, states this brilliantly as the
introduction to one of the few scholarly books devoted to the
UFO phenomenon, The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. Hynek
wrote:
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| During
an evening reception of several hundred astronomers at
Victoria, British Columbia, in the summer of 1968, word
spread that just outside the hall strangely maneuvering
lights – UFOs – had been spotted. The news
was met by casual banter and the giggling sound that often
accompanies an embarrassing situation. Not one astronomer
ventured outside in the summer night to see for himself.
Erwin Schrödinger, pioneer in quantum mechanics
and philosopher of science, wrote, ‘The first
requirement of a scientist is that he be curious. He
should be capable
of being astonished and eager to find out.’
The scientific world surely has not been ‘eager
to find out’ about the UFO phenomenon and has
expressed no inclination to astonishment. The almost
universal
attitude of scientists has been militantly negative.
Indeed, it would seem that the reaction has been grossly
out of proportion to the stimulus. The emotionally
loaded, highly exaggerated reaction that has generally
been exhibited
by scientists to any mention of UFOs might be of considerable
interest to psychologists.
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| As
a scientist, I am slightly embarrassed and greatly disappointed.
First, I am slightly embarrassed to
admit my interest in the UFO phenomenon, for I fear that I will
be characterized as a crackpot without further discussion or
investigation. Second, I am greatly disappointed by those in
my field whom have chosen to ignore the first requirement of
a scientist as postulated by Erwin Schrödinger.
Recently, a scientific review panel was organized by Mr. Laurance
Rockefeller, a distinguished citizen and the chairman of the
LSR Fund. The panel was directed by Dr. Peter Sturrock, Emeritus
Professor of Applied Physics and Emeritus Director of the Center
for Space Science and Astrophysics at Stanford University,
and was composed of open-minded but largely skeptical scientific
experts from a variety of fields including, but not limited
to, physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, geology, plant
biology, and photographic analysis. The panel heard testimony
from prominent UFO researchers and rendered a report detailing
their conclusions and recommendations. Their most important
conclusion and recommendation was that rigorous scientific
assessment of the UFO phenomenon was warranted and, indeed,
necessary.
The Nature of UFO Reports
I, myself, have never seen a UFO. I have, however, spent many
years casually researching the UFO phenomenon. I believe
very strongly that the UFO phenomenon is real, at least in
some
sense of the word. History is replete with thousands of reports
from otherwise reliable sources: military personnel, police
officers, scientists, and business, community, and government
leaders. Many reports are submitted by multiple sources who
do not know one another, and many reports are corroborated
with radar data, ground traces, and/or videotapes and photographs.
In these situations, we can choose one of two courses. First,
we can choose to believe that all of these sources have suddenly
and uncharacteristically decided to fabricate great lies
that will bring them nothing but ridicule and derision, and
that
it is mere coincidence that corroborating lies are often
fabricated independently and simultaneously. Second, we can
decide that
there are, indeed, UFO phenomena that defy conventional explanations,
even when reported by reliable and knowledgeable sources
and studied by reliable and knowledgeable researchers. Applying
the principle of Occam’s Razor, we almost certainly
must choose the second course.
It is a common misconception that the UFO phenomenon began
when small plane pilot Kenneth Arnold reported seeing flying
discs near Mount Rainier, Washington on 24 April 1947. Nothing
could be further from the truth. Indeed, it appears that the
UFO phenomenon has been with us throughout recorded history.
Accounts detailing flying machines and strange beings are found
throughout history and throughout the world. Indeed, 16th Century
writer Pierre Boaistuau wrote:
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| The face of the heavens has been so often disfigured
by bearded, hairy comets, torches, flames, columns, spears,
shields, dragons, duplicate moons, suns, and other similar
things, that if one wanted to tell in an orderly fashion
those that have appeared since the birth of Jesus Christ
only, and inquire about the causes of their origin, the
lifetime of a single man would not be enough. |
|
| So the UFO phenomenon certainly
is not a recent phenomenon.
Many sightings are undoubtedly misinterpretations of natural
phenomena. Planets, meteors, clouds, ice crystals, ball lightning,
earth lights, and other natural phenomena often are misinterpreted
as UFO phenomena. In recent years, many sightings are accidental
sightings of secret aircraft. Much of the flight-related research
and development is done in secrecy. This is particularly true
with regards to military and intelligence operations. Many
secret aircraft are declassified following project termination,
while other projects, in spite of the secrecy, are well-documented
during the research and development stages. Technically, these
cases, once explained, also are no longer UFOs. However, many
thousands of cases remain unsolved, cases where reports are
almost certainly true and are definitely bizarre, and there
are undoubtedly many more that have either gone unreported
or been reported as other types of phenomena.
Observations that defy conventional explanation pass through
the observer's filter, so the observer's sociological state
dictates the way the phenomena are perceived. For a given observation,
people predisposed to having a religious experience might have
a religious experience, while people predisposed to having
a UFO experience might have a UFO experience. Jacque Vallee,
for example, argues that religious and UFO phenomena have much
in common. Consider the following statements describing observations
that have defied conventional explanations.
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A weird disk that turns rapidly.
A flat disk plunges in a zig-zag fashion.
The clothes of the witnesses were dry in spite of the
recent rain. |
A disk...spinning rapidly was seen descending swiftly
toward the ground.
The witness found the trees, grass and ground perfectly
dry. |
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| The statements on the left were
made about the celebrated religious experiences that occurred
near Fatima, Portugal in the spring, summer, and fall of 1917,
while the statements on the right were made about two separate
UFO experiences, both of which occurred in France in the fall
of 1954. The statements clearly describe similar phenomena, yet
the ways those phenomena have been perceived are vastly different.
Perhaps the most celebrated case of this type is that of the
Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel bases his entire book -- one of the
primary books of the Old Testament and one of the fundamental
books underlying the Judeo-Christian tradition -- on an encounter
with what he believes to be representatives sent by God. The
account begins with the representatives arriving in a flying
vehicle. The flying vehicle arrives from the north, emitting
lights, roaring, and raising a cloud of desert sand. Ezekiel
is taken on board, flown about the countryside, and shown that
law and order need to be restored to humankind. Throughout
the book, Ezekiel continues, as best he can, to describe the
magnificent flying vehicle in ways that suggest that this was,
to Ezekiel, a corporeal experience. If God is omnipotent, then
why does he send representatives in a flying vehicle? If God
is omnipresent, then why do his representatives arrive from
a particular direction? For Ezekiel, this is a very real religious
experience, but for many current readers, this suggests a very
real UFO experience.
One of my favorite cases of this type is one reported to have
occurred in East Anglia in 1646. This case first appeared in
modern literature in the Eastern Daily Press (UK) on 31 July
1969 and later appeared in UFO Magazine vol. 19, no. 6. The
case involves multiple reliable witnesses from all parts of
East Anglia who reported the following.
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| Upon the one and twentieth day of May, in the afternoone,
in this year 1646, there were very strange lights seen, and
unwonted sounds heard in the ayre in several places as followeth....a
pillar of cloud did ascend from the earth, with the bright
hilt of a sword towards the bottom, which pillar did ascend
in a pyramidall form, and fashioned itself into the form
of a spire or broach steeple....a captain and a lieutenant,
with divers other persons of credit, did heare a sound as
a whole regiment of drums beating a call with perfect notes
and stops....a ball of wild-fire fell upon the earth, which
burnt up and spoyled about an aker of graine, and when it
had rolled and runne up and down to the terror of many people
and some townsmen that did see it, it dissolved and left
a most supherous stink behind it.... The Lord grant that
all the people of the Kingdom may take heed to every warning
trumpet of his, that we may speedily awaken out of our sins
and truly turn to the Lord. |
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| The people of East Anglia in 1646,
predisposed to a religious experience, concluded that this was
a sign from God. The modern reader, predisposed to a UFO experience,
might instead recognize this as a rocket launch and subsequent
crash. |
Cazlin,
learning to tolerate Daddy’s hobbies. (September
2000) |
| The Origin of UFOs
I, admittedly, am completely perplexed by the origin of the
UFO phenomenon. Extraterrestrial visitation, of course, is
deeply entrenched in popular lore. Some people have even gone
so far as to suggest that the visitors are from the Zeta Reticuli
galaxy, that humans and extraterrestrials are related through
ancient extraterrestrial breeding, and that the U.S. Federal
government is cooperating with extraterrestrials and, through
the dissemination of the popular lore, is preparing the populace
for a formal announcement.
The extraterrestrial hypothesis is easy to grasp. We, for
example, are inherently curious and, if we had the means,
would undoubtedly visit other civilizations in the universe.
We would
remain partially hidden, using sensors as much as possible
to monitor alien civilizations, as we do with plant and animal
populations here on our planet. Periodically, we would interact,
in both accidental and purposeful manners. If we felt sufficiently
superior to a civilization, then we might trap some individuals
and conduct experiments that, to the subject, might appear
completely random and incomprehensible. The outright rejection
of the existence of the UFO phenomenon often is founded in
the outright rejection of the possibility that extraterrestrial
visitors could travel interstellar distances. To this, then,
we can say two things. First, rejection of the extraterrestrial
hypothesis on the grounds that interstellar travel is impossible
implies an understanding of the nature of space-time that
we, quite frankly, do not have. Einstein himself believed
that
either the theory of relativity or our four dimensional model
of the universe was flawed. Either way, the nature of space-time
eluded him – and continues to elude us today. Second
-- and, perhaps, more important -- the extraterrestrial hypothesis
is just one of many possible hypotheses, so the rejection
of the extraterrestrial hypothesis should not be confused
with
a rejection of the UFO phenomenon itself.
If these are, in fact, extraterrestrial visitors then we should
expect there to be an evolving pattern to the events and interactions
as the explorers progress toward their objectives. In truth,
there may not be evolution or pattern to the encounters. Historical
and contemporary accounts detail similar -- indeed, often identical
-- flying machines and strange beings. Furthermore, historical
and contemporary accounts detail equally bizarre and complex
events and interactions. These facts have led some to suggest
that the strange beings are permanent residents that have always
lived among us and, accordingly, are as much a part of Earth's
history as are we. They, perhaps, are not regularly observed
because they inhabit another dimension. Observations, then,
may be cross-dimensional events. These strange beings appear
to us in many forms as suit their needs and the sociological
state of the observer then dictates the ultimate perception.
These encounters, then, become encounters with -- to name a
few -- angels, demons, gnomes, fairies, sprites, or extraterrestrials.
The Influence of UFOs on Our Culture
The profound influence that the UFO phenomenon has on our culture
is interesting in its own right. UFOs may or may not exist, and
we may or may not be able to comprehend the nature of their existence.
Regardless, we can and should endeavor to comprehend the profound
effects that the UFO phenomenon has on our society.
UFOs – like religious and mythological beings – have
all of the elements of a belief system. Their existence has
not been physically proven to the masses. They have been
revealed,
however, to a select few who have served as their prophets.
These prophets have conveyed fantastic and often absurd tales
that
defy conventional wisdom. Nevertheless, these tales strike
a collective chord leading many to believe in their existence.
Since incontrovertible proof is not readily available, faith
is a prerequisite to the belief in UFOs, in the same way that
faith is a prerequisite for the belief in religious and mythological
beings. In the case of UFOs, we must have faith that thousands
of otherwise reliable sources have not suddenly and uncharacteristically
decided to fabricate great lies that will bring them nothing
but ridicule and derision.
Widespread faith and belief in the existence of the UFO phenomenon
has drawn like-minded people together. Organizations have been
established, articles and books have been published, conferences
have been convened, and yet we are no closer to understanding
the UFO phenomenon today than we were many centuries ago. The
UFO phenomenon remains enigmatic, its nature and purpose completely
obscured to us.
The widespread belief in UFOs has shaped our perceptions
of ourselves and our place in the universe. “We are not alone” and “The
truth is out there – albeit obscured from us by a global
conspiracy” are but two critically important sociological
implications of the UFO belief system. These and others shape
our dreams, and our dreams shape our future. This is an inescapable
truth that makes the UFO phenomenon an inherently interesting
and important line of inquiry.
To Learn More
"The truth is out there" is a popular part of the
lore. Unfortunately, the truth can never be known. There are
fragments of information out there, but this information comes
in three classes: some information is true, some information
is false, and some information is intentionally presented in
ways to keep the populace in a state of disinformation. This
disinformation campaign likely is propagated by both the private
sector – where a great deal of money is made by purveyors
of the lore – and the public sector – where a disinformed
populace is easily predicted and controlled.
To learn more, then, we need to carefully filter the incoming
information and endeavor to assemble a dim portrayal of the
truth. There are numerous articles, far too numerous to list
individually
here, in the Journal of Scientific Exploration, Astronautics
and Aeronautics, Science, Flying Saucer Review, and even UFO
Magazine, though the latter tends toward the popular and, therefore,
lacks scientific rigor. These articles tend to treat individual
cases. However, the UFO phenomenon is best understood in quantity,
because only in quantity can one begin to recognize the universalities.
Quantity, is best offered in books and websites. In my opinion,
the best book on the UFO phenomenon is The UFO Experience:
A Scientific Inquiry by Dr. J. Allen Hynek. Dr. Hynek was
Professor
of Astronomy and Director of the McMillin Observatory at Ohio
State University and later Professor of Astronomy, Chairman
of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Director
of
the Lindheimer Astronomical Research Center at Northwestern
University. Dr. Hynek also was the official astronomical
consultant to the
U.S. Air Force during Project Sign, Project Grudge, and Project
Blue Book, all of which are now generally known collectively
by the latter name. Dr. Hynek spent 40 years researching the
UFO phenomenon, first as a skeptic but later as a believer.
If you are only going to read one book on the UFO phenomenon,
then
this should be your selection. Other excellent books include
The UFO Enigma by Dr. Peter Sturrock, Passport to Magonia:
On UFOs, Folklore, and Parallel Worlds by Dr. Jacques Vallee,
and
The Lure of the Edge: Scientific Passions, Religious Beliefs,
and the Pursuit of UFOs by Dr. Barbara Denzler. Some references
for these and others – some of which present cases against
the UFO phenomenon – are listed below. Some UFO and UFO-related
website links also are listed below.
Books
Berliner, D., M. Galbraith, and A. Huneeus. 1995. UFO Briefing
Document. Dell Publishers, New York, New York.
Denzler, B. 2001. The Lure of the Edge: Scientific Passions,
Religious Beliefs, and the Pursuit of UFOs. University of California
Press, Berkeley, California.
Edwards, F. 1966. Flying Saucers-Serious Business. Bantam Books,
New York, New York.
Flournoy, T. 1900. From India to the Planet Mars. Harper and
Brothers Publishers, New York, New York.
Fowles, J. 1998. A Maggot. Little, Brown & Company.
Boston, Massachusetts.
Hall, R.H. 1964. The UFO Evidence. National Investigations Committee
on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), Washington, D.C.
Hynek, J.A., P.J. Imbrogno, and B. Pratt. 1998. Night Siege:
The Hudson Valley UFO Sightings. Llewellyn Publications, St.
Paul, Minnesota.
Hynek, J.A. 1998. The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry.
Marlowe & Company, New York, New York.
Keyhoe, D. 1950. The Flying Saucers are Real. Fawcet Publications,
New York, New York.
Marrs, J. 1997. Alien Agenda: Investigating the Extraterrestrial
Presence Among Us. Harper Paperbacks, New York, New York.
Matthews, T. 1999. UFO Revelation: The Secret Technology Exposed?
Sterling Publishing Company, New York, New York.
Patton, P. 1998. Dreamland: Travels Inside the Secret World
of Roswell and Area 51. Villard, New York, New York.
Randle, K.D. 1997. The Randle Report: UFOs in the 90s. M. Evans
and Company, New York, New York.
Randles, J. 1993. From Out of the Blue. Berkley Books, New York,
New York.
Randles, J. 1999. UFO! Danger in the Air. Sterling Publishing
Company, New York, New York.
Stacy, D. and P. Huyghe. 2000. The Field Guide to UFOs. HarperCollins
Publishers, New York, New York.
Sturrock, P.A. 1999. The UFO Enigma: A New Review of the Physical
Evidence. Warner Books, New York, New York.
Vallee, J. 1993. Passport to Magonia: On UFOs, Folklore, and
Parallel Worlds. Contemporary Books, Lincolnwood, Illinois.
Vallee, J. 1988. Dimensions: A Casebook of Alien Contact. Ballantine
Books, New York, New York.
Vesco, R., and D.H. Childress. 1994. Man-Made UFOs 1944-1994:
50 Years of Suppression. Adventures Unlimited Press, Stelle,
Illinois.
von Daniken, E. 1999. Chariots of the Gods. Berkley Books, New
York, New York.
World Wide Web Sites
BLT Research Team, Inc.
http://www.bltresearch.com/
Crop Circle Connector
http://cropcircleconnector.com/anasazi/connect.html
Flying Saucer Review
http://www.fsr.org.uk/
Mutual UFO Network
http://mufon.com/
National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena
http://www.nicap.dabsol.co.uk/
National UFO Reporting Center
http://www.ufocenter.com/
Society for Scientific Exploration
http://www.scientificexploration.org/
UFOcity.com
http://www.ufocity.com/modules/news/
UFO Folklore Video Archive
http://www.qtm.net/~geibdan/videoclips/index.htm
UFO Magazine
http://www.ufomag.co.uk/index.htm
Whitley Strieber's Unknown Country
http://www.unknowncountry.com/
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